Santa Monica offers an upscale, big-city beach vibe while Venice Beach has a bohemian atmosphere with the lively Venice Boardwalk. Santa Monica has near-constant ocean breezes while Venice Beach can get hot in summer.
However, both enjoy a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny weather. Santa Monica is slightly pricier due to higher median hotel costs while Venice Beach is relatively cheaper.
It wouldn’t be justified to choose between Santa Monica and Venice Beach based on this quick answer. Read on to find out more.
Santa Monica Vs Venice Beach: A Brief Comparison
Discover the distinct personalities of Los Angeles’s stunning beaches. Santa Monica and Venice Beach are the two most famous and popular beaches among all of them.
As an introduction to the details, let’s have a sneak peek!
| Factor | Santa Monica | Venice Beach |
| Location | Los Angeles, California. | Los Angeles, California. |
| Atmosphere | -Upscale and has a big-city meets-the-beach vibe. | -Urban and gritty feel
|
| Where to Stay | -The Pierside Santa Monica
-Le Marigot Santa Monica -The Georgian Hotel -The Beacon |
-Hotel Erwin
-Venice V Hotel -The Venice Beach House -Venice on the Beach Hotel |
| Activities | -Shopping
-Surfing -Biking -Visit the Getty Villa Museum -Exploring amusement parks |
-Shopping
-Hit to the gym -Stroll along the Venice Boardwalk -Visit Muscle Beach |
| Dining & Restaurants | -The sidewalk cafe
-The Lobster -Catch -And Water Grill -Shopping mall foodcourt |
-High Rooftop Lounge
–The Buchter Daughter -The Testing kitchen -Salt Air |
| Nightlife | -Vibrant nightlife options from bars to nightclubs
-The Bungalow -The Room Santa Monica -The Venice Beach Bar & Kitchen |
-Lively nightlife from multiple nightclubs
-The Del Monte Speakeasy -The Venice Beach Bar & Kitchen -The Brig |
| Kid Friendliness | Kid-friendly | Less kid-friendly |
| Cost | Expensive | Relatively cheaper |
Santa Monica Vs Venice Beach: In-Depth Comparison
Each factor is discussed in detail here. These factors are also crucial when deciding between Myrtle Beach vs Gulf Shores or Brickell vs Miami Beach.
Location
Santa Monica, located in the northernmost part of Los Angeles’ beach cities, serves as the gateway to the Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu. On the other hand, Venice Beach, situated between Santa Monica and Marina del Ray Beach, is governed by the city of LA.
Santa Monica, located 8 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, is conveniently served by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), just 9 miles away.
Venice Beach is situated 16 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. It also relies on Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) as its nearest air travel hub, which is just 7 miles away
Atmosphere
Santa Monica is suitable for a more upscale and big-city beach vibe, while Venice Beach offers a bohemian atmosphere, and the lively Venice Boardwalk.
Both Santa Monica and Venice Beach enjoy a Mediterranean climate, offering warm and sunny weather for most of the year.
In Santa Monica, you’ll find pleasant ocean breezes all year round. On the other hand, Venice Beach shares a similar climate but can get hot in the summer.
Where to Stay
Being tourist hot spots, Both Santa Monica and Venice Beach provide ample amount of hotels and motels to choose from.
In Santa Monica:
- The Pierside Santa Monica
- Le Marigot Santa Monica
- The Georgian Hotel
- The Beacon
In Venice Beach:
- Hotel Erwin
- Venice V Hotel
- The Venice Beach House
- Venice on the Beach Hotel
Activities
Both Santa Monica and Venice Beach offer a wide variety of activities.
In Santa Monica, you can enjoy shopping, surfing, biking, visiting the Getty Villa Museum, and exploring amusement parks. These are some of the best things to do in Santa Monica.
The park options are:
- South Beach Park
- Pacific Park
- And Santa Monica Pier
On the other hand, Venice Beach offers activities like shopping, hitting the gym, strolling along the Venice Boardwalk, and visiting Muscle Beach. The most famous options are:
- Venice Canals
- Venice Beach Skatepark
- Mosaic Tile House
Dining And Restaurants
Both Santa Monica and Venice Beach offer diverse dining experiences, that encompass everything from laid-back eateries to upscale dining establishments.
Santa Monica tends to exude a more sophisticated ambiance, appealing to upscale tourists. The most popular options are:
- The Sidewalk Cafe
- The Lobster
- Catch
- Water Grill
- And the Shopping Mall food court
On the other hand, Venice Beach is renowned for its bohemian atmosphere, with a wealth of chic cafes and restaurants. Let’s get to know the options
- High Rooftop Lounge
- The Buchter Daughter
- The Testing Kitchen
- Salt Air
A plethora of choices for accommodations and dining make Santa Monica and Venice the quintessential Southern California lifestyle.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Santa Monica is vibrant, while the one in Venice Beach is comparatively quiet and peaceful.
In Santa Monica, visitors can pick from rooftop bars, nightclubs, and other evening hangout sports. The popular options are:
- The Bungalow
- The Room Santa Monica
- The Venice Beach Bar & Kitchen
On the other hand, Venice Beach also has some options where the visitors can spend a night cozy time.
- The Del Monte Speakeasy
- The Venice Beach Bar & Kitchen
- The Brig
Kid Friendliness
Santa Monica offers more kid friendliness while Venice Beach provides less kid-friendliness.
Older children might manage the crowds on the Venice Beach boardwalk, but for tourists keeping an eye on kids while enjoying their visit, it can be challenging.
This is a key reason why Santa Monica is often preferred when comparing Venice Beach to Santa Monica for families.
Cost
Santa Monica is marginally pricier than Venice Beach primarily due to its higher median hotel costs.
A night at Venice Beach starts from around $104. Santa Monica, on the other hand, exudes a more upscale and sophisticated ambiance, offering a more luxurious atmosphere. A night there typically starts from around $247.
It’s important to note that prices are influenced by factors such as proximity to the beach, property size, location, and overall quality.
So, Which One Is Better?
Santa Monica is the place to go if you are looking for a chilled-out and bigger vibe. Then, if you are going to have a family trip with your kids, Santa Monica would be your ideal place.
However, for a couple of visitors and a party manic, Venice Beach would be the perfect choice for you. Moreover, if you are looking for a cheaper option, Venice Beach is a fantastic one for you.
Alternatively, Santa Monica is a great place for those seeking a lavish experience without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you got to know the differences between Santa Monica vs Venice Beach.
Each island is fantastic in its own way. In spite of this, there are some fundamental differences between them. Depending on your preferences and priorities, you should pick one. Regardless of what you decide, you’ll have an amazing time.
