The 15 Best Santa Monica Tours

1.Perfect 5 ½ Hour LA & Hollywood Tour from Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,124 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Ride a convertible tour vehicle from Santa Monica through Hollywood and Beverly Hills, with stops at the Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Rodeo Drive, and a farmer’s market for lunch. Your guide shares stories about film locations, celebrities, and LA history. Select Santa Monica, Venice, and Marina del Rey hotel pickups are available.

“This was a fantastic tour. Great spots visited and Bea was very knowledgeable about the area. Highly recommended.”

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2.Half Day Best of Los Angeles Tour from Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 221 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69Top rated

Start at Santa Monica’s Shore Hotel for a 5.5-hour guided drive through Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Museum Row, with stops at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Grove and Farmers Market, and Griffith Observatory. An expert driver-guide handles the route and commentary. Lunch and shopping are at your own expense; the tour returns to Santa Monica.

“We took the 5 hour LA tour and our guide Talib was so funny and knowledgeable . The Grove market was my highlight . I would highly recommend this tour”

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3.Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 163 reviews · 3h 30m · from $47Best value

Ride from Santa Monica through Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Boulevard, and the Sunset Strip on a 3.5-hour open-air bus tour. You get 30-minute stops at the Beverly Hills Sign and the Walk of Fame, with a live English-speaking guide. Guides have included Brian, George, and Bee.

“Our guide, Brian, was a fountain of knowledge and made the tour very enjoyable.”

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4.Hollywood, Beverly Hills, & Celebrity Home Tour from Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Ride an open-air bus from the Shore Hotel in Santa Monica to Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Hills, Mulholland Drive, and the Walk of Fame. You get 30 minutes at the Beverly Hills Sign and Rodeo Drive, plus 30 minutes in Hollywood. Guides named Bee, Brian, George, Allan, Megan, and Joel have led recent tours.

“Excellent for the price , driver was very knowledgeable about the area and a great personality for the tour!!”

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5.1.5-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $140

At the border of Venice and Santa Monica, Kapowui Surf Lessons provides a 90-minute private lesson for your group. You get a surfboard, wetsuit, and instructor, with 30 minutes of beach instruction on safety, waves, and technique before heading into the water. Beginners are promised a chance to ride waves, and past instructors have included Liam and Alex.

“It was an amazing time! Liam was the best instructor and so patient with our nephews! We would do it again!”

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6.Shared 2 Hour Small Group Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 144 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $85

At Fun Surf LA, you get a two-hour beginner-to-intermediate lesson at Santa Monica, with 20 to 30 minutes of beach instruction followed by coached water practice and time to keep trying. An 8- or 9-foot foam board and wetsuit are included. Groups are limited to four, and instructors named in past lessons include Jackson, Nico, Melanie, and Jonathan.

“We had an amazing time! It was our first time surfing and Jonathan was an excellent teacher. We got to see some leopard sharks in the water too!”

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7.Los Angeles Open-Air Van Tour with Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 107 reviews · from $90

Spend 5.5 hours touring Los Angeles in a custom open-air van with an English-speaking guide. Stop in Beverly Hills, at the Original Farmers Market, along the Hollywood Walk of Fame and near the Hollywood Sign. Guides such as Kent, Bea and Richard have led trips, sharing city history, film stories and celebrity lore.

“We couldn’t have had a better guide Kent; he was fantastic! Very accommodating and knowledgeable on LA & the history- We had a small group which was great!”

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8.City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $100

Board City Cruises California at Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey for a two-hour brunch cruise with a buffet, unlimited mimosas, Champagne, and sparkling cider, plus live entertainment. Expect marina and coastal views, friendly table service, and a relaxed meal on the water. The boat can carry up to 150 people.

“My mom and I were visiting California from New Jersey, and while we were looking for something to do on one of our free days, we decided to do a boat-ride brunch and what a great decision that was. The atmosphere on the boat was fantastic. The food was good, and the people were so much fun. Oh, and I can't forget about the very talented guitar player who provided the entertainment. All and all, it was a great day, and we were both so glad we made the decision to do the brunch. We will definitely do it again.”

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9.2-Hour Surf Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $145

Start with 30 minutes of beach instruction on board basics, waves, safety, etiquette, and pop-up form, then head into the water with a local surf instructor. The lesson meets near the Venice and Santa Monica border and includes your surfboard and wetsuit. Dale is one instructor associated with the experience, though your teacher may vary.

“Dale was excellent - he was very patient and supportive while trying to learn the ins and outs of surfing!”

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10.Celebrity Homes, Beaches & History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 86 reviews · 5h 30m · from $90

Ride an open-air van with guide Dave or David along the Malibu coast, stopping at Point Dume, the Malibu sign, the pier, the Country Mart and Adamson House. Expect local history, filming locations and celebrity-home drive-bys, plus time for photos, beach air and shopping. The group is limited to 13.

“Fabulous trip , Dave was an outstanding guide . Great photo stops and lots of great information . Lovely lunch stop . Great that small group who all got to know each other . Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend .”

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11.City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 60 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $131

Board at Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey for a 2.5-hour evening cruise with a welcome glass of sparkling wine, a plated dinner, and DJ music. The sample menu pairs salmon with slow-braised beef short ribs. You can dine inside, step onto the outdoor decks for harbor views, or dance before the boat returns to the same pier.

“I real enjoyed the cruise and the waiter, Brandon, was excellent. I would definitely consider doing it again or recommending it to other people.”

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12.2-Hour Kayak or Paddleboard with Sea Lions in Marina del Rey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Meet your guide at Mother's Beach for a two-hour kayak or stand-up paddleboard trip through Marina del Rey. Learn basic paddling and safety, then head toward the main channel to look for sea lions, birds, dolphins, and notable boats. The group is capped at seven, and guides have included Walker, Tyler, Josh, Nate, and Tanya.

“Walker was a fantastic guide, really helpful and friendly. We had a leisurely ride through the Marina, feeling very safe and managed to get up close and personal with the very cute sea lions! It was a great experience and I’d highly recommend it!”

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13.Luxury Shared E-Boat Cruise with Wine, Charcuterie & Sea Lions Spotting

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $119

Spend about two hours cruising Marina del Rey on a quiet electric Duffy boat, with two glasses of wine and a charcuterie board. Your captain guides the small group past yachts, sailboats and houseboats, with chances to spot sea lions, seals and birds. The cruise stays in the marina, not out on the open ocean.

“This was truly the perfect first date. The sunset was gorgeous and we were even able to prep a dolphin. Didn’t expect the drone footage and pictures but what a wonderful extra touch!”

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14.Santa Monica and Venice Beach Bike Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Starting in downtown Santa Monica, this 2 to 3 hour guided ride visits Muscle Beach, Venice’s boardwalk and graffiti walls, the canals, and Abbot Kinney Boulevard. You get a bike, helmet, lock, and water, plus time to walk the boardwalk. Groups are limited to eight; guides Sean and Andrew have led rides here.

“It was good to know there are some other interesting spots in these populated beaches The guide was very informative We enjoyed the day”

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15.Private Surfing Lesson in Santa Monica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $125

Meet your instructor at 20 Bicknell Ave in Santa Monica for a private two-hour surf lesson, with land coaching followed by hands-on help in the water. The class is tailored to your ability, from first-timer to advanced, and welcomes ages seven and up. Surfboards and wetsuits are included; photos are not.

“Great experience for my teenager. Cat was a wonderful instructor, and I’m glad we signed up to do this.”

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