Los Angeles: Santa Monica and Venice eBike Tour

The best way to connect Santa Monica’s beach with Venice’s canals is on two wheels. This three-hour ride covers more ground than a stroll, but the electric motor lets you save your legs for looking around.

I like two things in particular: riding beneath the Santa Monica Pier gives you an unusual view of a familiar landmark, and the Venice Canals offer a quiet counterpoint to the beach scene. The small group, limited to six, also makes it easier to ask your guide about the places along the way.

One consideration: beach paths can get crowded, and the weather near the water can change quickly. You’ll need to feel comfortable riding a bicycle, follow your guide’s directions, and take a short skills check before setting off.

Key points

• Under the Santa Monica Pier: See the famous structure from below as you ride along the shore.
• Venice’s contrasting scenes: Pass the Skatepark and Muscle Beach, then take a calmer turn along the canals.
• Choose your effort: Use the motor, pedal with six gears, or combine both.
• Small group format: The tour is limited to six participants, with an English-speaking guide.
• Practical setup: A Pedego cruiser, helmet, and water are included. Food is not.
• Check the restrictions: Riders must be at least 13 and meet the stated weight limits.

A coastal ride with room to look around

This tour links two very different stretches of Los Angeles beachfront. Santa Monica brings the broad shoreline and famous pier; Venice adds street art, boardwalk life, a skatepark, Muscle Beach, and a set of canals that feel far removed from the noise of the coast.

The route is a good choice if you want to see both areas in one outing without walking several miles. The electric bicycle helps with distance and effort, while the guide adds context that can be hard to find when you are simply following a path on your own.

The ride lasts three hours, with sightseeing and photo stops along the way. It is not a long-distance cycling challenge, but it is still a real bike tour. You need to ride a bicycle confidently enough to follow instructions and manage the route.

Starting south of the Santa Monica Pier

The meeting point is at Pedal… or Not Electric Bicycle Tours, 214 Pier Avenue, just off Main Street in Santa Monica. It is about 1.3 miles south of the pier, so do not head to the pier expecting to find the shop there.

Parking is available one short block away, at Marine and Second, for about $7 per day. If you are coming from another part of Los Angeles, allow time to reach the meeting point and get settled before the ride.

Before setting out, you’ll have a skills review and a test ride. This is useful even if you have ridden an e-bike before: electric assist can feel different from a regular bicycle, and a short warm-up gives you a chance to get comfortable with the controls.

The bikes are Pedego electric beach cruisers with six gears and disc brakes. You can pedal under your own power, use the motor for assistance, or switch between the two. A driver’s license is not required, but you must review and sign a liability waiver. You are responsible for damage to the bike or property.

Santa Monica’s beach, pier, and oceanfront homes

The ride takes in Santa Monica’s award-winning beach and the shoreline near the Marion Davies Guesthouse. You’ll pass oceanfront scenery and get a closer look at the beachside setting than you would from a car.

The Santa Monica Pier stop gives you time for photos, and riding beneath the pier is one of the tour’s more unusual moments. From below, the scale and structure of the landmark feel different from the familiar view across the sand. It is a brief stop, so have your camera ready rather than expecting a long visit.

The route also includes Ocean View Park, with time for photos and a look at the surrounding coast. This is a useful pause in a ride that combines moving stretches with short sightseeing stops. If you like a slow morning by the sea, the view is part of the appeal; if you prefer long visits at each landmark, the tour’s pace may feel brisk.

Your guide can fill in local context as you go. Barb is a name that comes up often in connection with the tour, and riders have appreciated her stories about people and places from the area’s past. Stef has also led tours and shared local information. The guide is more than a person pointing out landmarks: stories give you a better sense of how Santa Monica and Venice developed as distinct beach communities.

Venice’s boardwalk, skatepark, and Muscle Beach

Venice shifts the mood. The boardwalk area is known for its street life and public art, and the route passes Venice Beach Skatepark, where you can pause to take in the scene. The stop is short, so think of it as a chance to look and take a photo, not an extended visit to watch a full skate session.

Muscle Beach is another recognizable landmark on the route. It is part of Venice’s long association with outdoor exercise and beach culture. The tour includes time to stop and look around, while your guide can connect the sights to local stories.

You’ll also ride along part of the Venice Boardwalk and the Marvin Braude path, a bike route that extends for 26 miles along the coast. The tour uses only a section of it. Expect a mix of open coastal views and stretches where pedestrians and cyclists share space. The e-bike can make it easier to keep moving, but it does not remove the need to ride attentively, especially when the path is busy.

Street art adds another layer to the Venice portion. The walls and murals are part of the area’s visual character, and guides can point out works and explain the stories behind them. One rider recalled seeing a tribute to Kobe Bryant, though exact art can change over time. Keep your eyes open, and leave a little room in your schedule for photos.

A quieter turn along the Venice Canals

The Venice Canals Walkway is a welcome change of pace after the boardwalk. Here, the route passes calm waterways, small bridges, and homes that face the canals. The setting is a reminder that Venice is not only a beach and boardwalk district.

The tour allows about 15 minutes for this stop. That gives you time to take photos and look around, but not to linger at length. Please be considerate in this residential area: the canals are scenic, but they are also part of a neighborhood where people live.

This contrast is one of the ride’s strongest points. In a short time, you move from open beach and public attractions to a quieter stretch of water and homes. A guide can help you see how those different scenes fit within the same coastal community.

How the e-bike changes the effort

The electric assist is a practical feature, not a gimmick. You can pedal normally using the six gears, add motor power when you want help, or rely more on the motor. That flexibility can make the outing more comfortable for a mixed-ability group, or for anyone who would rather focus on the scenery than arrive sweaty.

The motor does not mean you can ignore the basics of cycling. You still need to steer, brake, watch for other people, and follow the guide. One rider who was new to electric bikes needed a little practice at first, then grew more confident after the warm-up. If you are new to e-bikes, tell the guide during the skills review and take that first practice ride seriously.

The small group size is another plus. With no more than six participants, it is easier to keep track of the group and ask questions than on a large commercial outing. The pace is described as casual, but the route covers several sights, so you should be ready to ride for much of the three hours.

What the $89 price covers

At $89 per person, the price includes the Pedego electric beach cruiser, a helmet, water, and a live English-speaking guide. You are paying for both the equipment and a guided route that links several neighborhoods and landmarks in one outing.

For many visitors, the value lies in seeing the coast without arranging separate bike rentals or working out the route alone. The guide’s stories add value too, especially if you have limited time in Santa Monica and Venice and want more than a ride from one famous spot to the next.

Food is not included. Bring what you need before the tour, or plan a meal afterward. Library Alehouse is one nearby place that has been recommended by a past rider, but it is not part of the tour and should be checked for current hours and availability.

Weather, clothing, and rider requirements

Beach weather can be unpredictable. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a jacket, weather-appropriate clothing, and closed-toe shoes. A sunny start does not guarantee that the shoreline will stay warm or calm, and wind can make a ride feel more demanding.

Tours are canceled for a full refund in case of rain. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the booking option lets you reserve without paying immediately.

The tour is not suitable for children under 13, pregnant women, people who cannot ride a bike, people under 99 pounds or 45 kilograms, people over 250 pounds or 113 kilograms, or people over 70. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Check these limits before booking, since the electric motor does not change the bicycle skills or safety requirements.

Is this the right tour for you?

Book this ride if you want a guided overview of Santa Monica and Venice, enjoy being outdoors, and are comfortable on a bicycle. It is especially useful if you want to cover the pier, Muscle Beach, the skatepark, and the canals in one morning or afternoon, with a guide to connect the dots.

Skip it if you cannot ride a bike, want long visits at each stop, or would rather explore at your own pace. The three-hour format moves between sights, and the beach path may be crowded. But if you want an active, flexible way to see the coast, the e-bike makes a sensible difference: you can save your energy for the places you came to see.

FAQ

How long is the Santa Monica and Venice e-bike tour?

The tour lasts three hours, including riding and sightseeing stops.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $89 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Pedal… or Not Electric Bicycle Tours, 214 Pier Avenue, just off Main Street in Santa Monica. It is about 1.3 miles south of the Santa Monica Pier.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes a Pedego electric beach cruiser, a helmet, water, and an English-speaking live guide. Food is not included.

Do I need a driver’s license?

No. A driver’s license is not required. You must review and sign a liability waiver and complete a skills review and test ride before starting.

Can I ride without using the electric motor?

Yes. You can pedal using the bike’s six gears, use the electric motor, or combine both.

Are there age or weight restrictions?

Yes. The tour is not suitable for children under 13, people under 99 pounds or 45 kilograms, people over 250 pounds or 113 kilograms, or people over 70. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

What happens if it rains?

Tours are canceled in case of rain, with a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.