Los Angeles Girls Trip - Santa Monica and Venice Beach Itinerary Ideas
Lifeguard tower at Venice Beach painted rainbow for June Pride Month.
Lifeguard tower at Venice Beach painted rainbow for June Pride Month.
While Los Angeles is a huge metro in California, it always seems like I end up in Venice and Santa Monica when we’re road trippin’ to Southern California. It has all those perfect Cali cool and beachy vibes that instantly make you feel you’re on vacation.
I spent a weekend in Santa Monica with my girl gang just hanging out and enjoying good food along with the scenery. On this particular trip I actually did a good job of capturing photos of all our weekend adventures. So make sure to give this blog post a good scroll for some trip inspiration.
If you’re planning a first time visit to Santa Monica and Venice Beach then this travel guide was made for you. I will breakdown the top areas to sightsee, where to eat, nightlife and of course beaches too. So many excellent options to build your Santa Monica and Venice Beach itinerary.
Best Time of Year to Visit Santa Monica
One of the great appeals to Los Angeles is that there’s really not a “bad season” because it tends to be warm for the majority of the year. It also rarely rains so the risk of being rained out is low. That being said, there’s a few things to know.
Between the months December - May the average high temperature is in the mid 60’s. It really doesn’t get hot until June - October. So if you really wanted a true beach vacation, be sure to book your stay in the summer months.
All of the photos in this blog post were taken in the month of June and it was very warm and comfortable. Be aware that the months of May and June tend to have overcast grey skies despite still being warm outside. This is known as the Santa Monica Marine Layer and is most likely to burn off in the later summer months.
Where to Stay in Santa Monica or Venice
The location and vibe of your hotel can really make or break your vacation, especially in the Venice area of Los Angeles. It’s really challenging to find parking in this area, so you’re way better off booking a hotel that’s walking distance to the areas where you’ll be hanging out.
For a girls trip you also want to book a cute and memorable hotel with Insta-worthy decor and of course a safe place. My favorite hotels in Venice and Santa Monica are the Venice V Hotel, Hotel Erwin, The Kinney Venice Beach and Samesun Venice Beach Hostel for budgeted travelers. I have photos and descriptions of each of these hotels at the bottom of the blog post.
Outside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Top Things To Do in Santa Monica & Venice for Your Girls Trip
Venice Beach Boardwalk
I’m starting the list with probably the most popular attraction in Venice. The world-famous Venice Boardwalk runs for a mile between Venice Beach and Santa Monica State Beach. This paved walking and bike trail is filled with ocean views, shopping, food, and all kinds of people watching.
The famous Muscle Beach is also located along the very end of Venice Boardwalk, right next to the Santa Monica Pier. This area is kind of an unassuming outdoor workout area right next to the walking trail. But for some fitness aficionados, this is a noteworthy spot to visit.
During our girls trip we rented cruiser bikes and rode up and down the boardwalk. There’s multiple places along the boardwalk that rent out bikes for a couple hours. See our cute photos below!
Santa Monica Pier
If you love amusement parks and carnivals, head to the end of the boardwalk to the Santa Monica Pier. They have rollercoasters, carnival food, games and fun photo opportunities. We rode the giant ferris wheel and saw stunning panoramic views of the entire Santa Monica Beach area from the top.
Bright and airy modern interiors inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Outside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
By far my favorite place in Venice is Abbot Kinney Boulevard. It’s located about a 15 minute walk inland from Venice Beach. This popular street has restaurants, coffee shops and shopping. On Abbot Kinney the street is lined with palm trees and there’s colorful murals everywhere. This area of Los Angeles is a whole mood and I love it. In the food section of this blog post I will list my favorite places to eat on Abbot Kinney.
Venice Canals
If you’re at Venice Beach and you’re walking over to Abbot Kinney Blvd, it’s the perfect opportunity to see the famous Venice Canals. Plan on taking the South Venice Boulevard route so that you will walk right next to all the Venice Canals. They are a fun and surprising sight to see. Just like the canals in Venice Italy, the California Venice has 3 blocks of canals with water and little bridges you can walk over.
Girls brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Girls brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Third Street Promenade / Downtown Santa Monica
Another popular shopping and dining area is Downtown Santa Monica which is also known as the 3rd Street Promenade. This area is completely closed off to cars and is very walkable and pedestrian friendly. You’ll find a mix of big brand stores plus local boutiques. Flower Child is one of my favorite healthy eats spots and it’s located in the promenade.
Day Spa with Your Girls
On a separate bestie trip to Santa Monica my friend Casandra and I enjoy a few hours inside a luxurious day spa. We got pampered with hot tub soaks, body scrubs, facials and more.
Venice and Santa Monica have a wide selection of top class day spas to choose from. Fair warning, be prepared to spend some money because these self-care experiences don’t come cheap.
Healthy breakfast bowl from The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Bright and airy modern interiors inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Where to Eat + Drink in Venice and Santa Monica
Blue Bottle Coffee
Begin your morning with a fancy cup of drip coffee from the trendy coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee. While they have several locations around Santa Monica, the Venice location on Abbot Kinney has a light installation and extra modern aesthetics.
The Rose Venice
The Rose self describes its vibe as boho-chic and I would have to agree. It’s been a long-standing staple of Venice but stills feels very new and modern. They serve rustic California food for weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. It’s one of the few places that serves a big tea menu which is totally my jam.
Pastries inside the bakery at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
The Butcher’s Daughter
The Butcher’s Daughter is probably the single most popular place to eat on Abbot Kinney. They’ve got those light and airy aesthetics down to a T. They offer a fresh and healthy California-style menu which includes vegan and gluten-free options.
I highly suggest making reservations because you could be looking at a long wait for a table, especially if you have a larger party.
Scroll both up and down in this blog post to see lots of photos from our brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter.
Blue Star Donuts
After we spent an afternoon cruising around Venice on foot, we pit stopped inside Blue Star Donuts for a sweet treat. I wish I had taken a photo of my donut but I ate it too fast! They are known for making amazing flavor fusions such as blueberry basil cake donut, orange olive oil, mimosa and so many more. They’re located on Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Pastry from the bakery at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Bright and airy modern interiors inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Heart latte art from The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
True Food Kitchen
Whenever I’m in LA I try to have a meal at one of the True Food Kitchen restaurants. Their fresh and delicious foods warm my soul and their restaurants are so modern and welcoming. The Santa Monica location is inside the fancy open-air mall Santa Monica Place across from 3rd Street Promenade.
You can see photos from our lunch at the Pasadena True Foods Kitchen here.
Scopa Italian Roots
At Scopa Italian Roots you’ll find old-school style Italian food inside a modern industrial restaurant setting. It’s the best of both worlds! They’re located in Venice and they serve weekend brunch and late dinner hours. They serve cocktails and wine too!
Street view of Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Avocado toast from The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Dudley Market
Dudley Market is so freakin’ cute - both the exterior and interiors are very Insta-worthy. Located in Venice, they serve fresh style American food for brunch, breakfast, lunch and dinner. They specialize in seafood dishes and they serve their fishy dishes with a flair.
Charcoal Venice
If you’re craving some hearty meat dishes but still want that modern and contemporary atmosphere, Charcoal Venice is the place. They’ve got a creative meat-lovers menu which is cooked over a live fire. They do have vegetable food options too. Only open for dinner.
Bright and airy modern interiors inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Table setting with fresh plants inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Fresh juice from The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Girls brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
NIGHT + MARKET Sahm
Thai food is one of my all time favorites so I had to include NIGHT + MARKET Sahm on this list. This colorful neon hot spot serves modern takes on traditional Thai dishes. To give you an idea of how popular this little Venice Thai food spot is, they have over 62,000 followers on Instagram!
Ice Cream Spots in Venice
This is how my day goes when visiting Los Angeles, eat a healthy and fresh brunch filled with veggies… and then indulge with ice cream in the afternoon for a sugar rush. It’s all about balance right! My recommended ice cream spots in Venice are Salt & Straw, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Wanderlust Creamery.
I also really love the freezes from Pressed Juicery which are plant-based vegan.
Outside sign at The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Bright and airy modern interiors inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Bright and modern bar inside The Butcher’s Daughter on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Santa Monica and Venice Nightlife
If your girl gang crew wants to get their party on at night, there’s all kinds of nightlife options in both Venice and Santa Monica. In the daytime locals and visitors alike are soaking up sun rays at the beach and brunching until the afternoon. But at night after the sun goes down there’s a new vibe that takes over with twinkling lights and hustle and bustle inside the bars and restaurants. It also helps that during some months in LA you’ve got warm summer nights.
Late Night Dining in Venice & Santa Monica
Of all my favorite restaurants mentioned above, The Butcher’s Daughter, True Food Kitchen, NIGHT + MARKET Sahm, Dudley Market, Scopa Italian Roots and The Rose Venice all have late hours (10pm or later) and serve alcoholic booze. The Venice Whaler has a super late night menu serving pub food until 1am. Gran + Blanco is also very cute and modern - they’re open until 12am on the weekend.
Blue Star Donuts on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Blue Star Donuts on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Blue Star Donuts on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice.
Rooftop Bars in Santa Monica & Venice
In no particular order, these are the trendiest rooftop bars with great views and modern aesthetics:
ONYX inside the Hotel Shangri-La
Calabra inside the Proper Hotel Santa Monica
High Rooftop Lounge inside the Hotel Erwin
Safe Places to Hang at Night in Venice & Santa Monica
If your group of friends just feel like being out and about at night in Venice and Santa Monica, the safest areas to be are Abbot Kinney Blvd, Downtown Santa Monica, Washington Blvd and Main Street in Santa Monica. All of these streets have restaurants and bars which stay open late, especially on the weekend. For a more comprehensive list of Santa Monica bars, dance clubs, wine bars and happy hour check the city list.
While Venice Beach is perfectly fine in the daytime, at night the large homeless population can get rowdy and possibly aggressive. Stick to the above mentioned areas and you’ll be fine.
The famous Venice sign in Venice Beach.
View of the Venice Beach Boardwalk from the sand on the beach.
Los Angeles Day Trips from Santa Monica
If you’re planning an extended stay in LA, then you probably want to branch out to different areas beyond Santa Monica and Venice to explore the city. Here are some of my favorite day trips that are within an hour drive or less.
West Hollywood
As far as popular Los Angeles girl trip destinations go, Santa Monica and West Hollywood are a tie. It’s got all the favorite things we love for a great trip - great food, shopping and cute things everywhere. It’s about a 30 minute drive between the two places so definitely a great option for a day trip.
Beverly Hills
Everyone must see Beverly Hills at least once so they can witness the California glamour in person. Most of Beverly Hills seems to be residential but of course there’s Rodeo Drive for extra expensive shopping. Have your Pretty Woman moment, and then grab lunch! Venice Beach is about a 30 minute drive from Beverly Hills.
White sand and palm trees at Santa Monica Beach.
The Venice Whaler has 1 am late night food menu and ocean beachside ocean views.
The Venice Whaler has 1 am late night food menu and ocean beachside ocean views.
Universal Studios
Movie fans love to visit Universal Studios while visiting Los Angeles, especially fans of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Despicable Me and so many more. Also thrill seekers who love a rollercoaster can get their kicks on these terrifying rides. I have a complete guide to breakfast spots near Universal Studios in the San Fernando Valley. This may seem a bit odd but it’s because many people want to get into the park as early as possible to avoid the heat and the crowds. And breakfast options are very limited inside the park.
Disneyland
Disneyland, aka the happiest place on earth, doesn’t need much of an introduction. If your hotel is located around the Venice Beach area, you can expect an hour drive to Anaheim (give or take with traffic).
Lifeguard tower at Venice Beach painted rainbow for June Pride Month.
Pedestrian walking view of the Venice Beach Boardwalk in Venice.
Pedestrian walking view of the Venice Beach Boardwalk in Venice.
Grand Central Market
The Grand Central Market is a big deal for foodies who love to enjoy those hard to find cuisines. You can especially find rare international foods and off the wall fusions that are surprisingly delicious. Grand Central Market is located in Downtown Los Angeles and is a 30 minute drive from Venice. This area is somewhat close to Skid Row (the worst area of LA) so make sure to always know where you’re going and be safe.
Hike to the Hollywood Sign
This is the last bucket item that haven’t done yet in Los Angeles. In order to do this on your vacation, you need to come prepared with workout clothes and hiking-appropriate shoes. On Viator they have a bunch of guided hikes you can book to take you directly to the Hollywood Sign. And you’ll have someone there to take group photos for you!
We rented colorful cruiser bikes to ride down the Venice Beach Boardwalk to Santa Monica.
We rented colorful cruiser bikes to ride down the Venice Beach Boardwalk to Santa Monica.
Pacific Park is the amusement park with roller coasters on the Santa Monica Pier.
View while riding the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.
View of Santa Monica Beach from the top of the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.
Los Angeles Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
Although I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, my dad’s family is from Los Angeles and I spent many summers in LA visiting my grandma. As an adult I visit Socal very often and LA feels like a second home to me.
There’s a few travel tips I would like to share with first-time visitors to the Los Angeles area to make your trip run as smooth as possible.
Plan for the Los Angeles Traffic
You may have heard jokes about how bad LA traffic is… but in real life it’s no joke. Make sure to leave plenty of extra time when traveling around the city because there’s a good chance you’ll be stuck in traffic somewhere along the way. Parking can also be challenging and many places only have valet parking as an option.
Everything in Los Angeles in Expensive
First time visitors to Los Angeles may experience some sticker shock when they starting paying for meals and activities on vacation. Especially if you’re frequenting trendy places around Venice and Santa Monica. In order to be able to really enjoy the nice things around LA, put aside a decent travel budget because everything in this area is pricey.
Stay Away From the Bad Neighborhoods in Los Angeles
You’re probably used to seeing picturesque and wanderlust photos of LA, and most of the city lives up to its name. But there are parts of Los Angeles that are truly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. These areas include parts of Downtown LA (which is where Skid Row is located), East Los Angeles, Compton, Inglewood, South Los Angeles and more. Just do your research and never book a cheap hotel just to score a deal.
We rented colorful cruiser bikes to ride down the Venice Beach Boardwalk to Santa Monica.
So many Instagrammable moments along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
Black and white palm tree mural on Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Cocktails at True Foods Kitchen in Santa Monica.
Cocktails at True Foods Kitchen in Santa Monica.
Flower decor at True Foods Kitchen in Santa Monica.
Mini burger sliders at True Foods Kitchen in Santa Monica.
The girl gang walking and talking at sunset along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
The famous Venice sign in Venice Beach in rainbow lights for June Pride Month.
The girl gang at sunset along the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
Me and bestie Kara on the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
See More Blog Posts About Los Angeles:
See More Pacific Coast Highway Travel Destinations:
Cool and Trendy Hotels in Venice Beach:
This bright and airy boutique hotel has unique modern decor inside the hotel rooms, each room has ocean views and it’s walking distance to Venice Beach.
What guests loved the most about Hotel Erwin is that the location is unbelievable. Right in the center of Venice, just a minute from the beach and three minutes from Abbot Kinney Boulevard.
Walking distance to the Venice promenade, Muscle Beach and plenty of dining options. This modern day hostel has budget shared rooms or private rooms.
The decor at The Kinney is modern and colorful, great for photos! This Venice hotel offers bicycle rentals, an outdoor area with a fire pit, ping pong tables, and an outdoor heated pool. Not to mention that it’s less than a mile from Venice Beach.
Shop Los Angeles Vacation Essentials:
Take super cute group vacation photos with your girl gang with these matching sunglasses. If you’re celebrating a wedding they have white bride sunglasses too!
Throw it back old school with a tie-dye oversized tee pairs with cut off jean shorts and sandals. Very LA vibes.
Walk the Venice Beach Boardwalk hands free with a cute travel backpack. You can easily store your wallet, sunglasses and keys while you ride cruiser bikes around the promenade.
