The Westside beaches are fun in any weather. This short tour strings together Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach with guide-led context, so you’re not just sightseeing—you’re decoding the places. You also get a smooth ride from central LA, plus stops that show the coast in different moods, from boardwalk weirdness to waterline views.

I especially like the guided storywork: the commentary puts names and eras to what you’re seeing, from old Route 66 roots by the Pier to the counterculture threads tied to Venice. I also like the practical pacing. You get real walk-around time at both the Venice Boardwalk and the Santa Monica Pier, and the group size stays small (max 9), which makes it easier to enjoy without feeling herded.

One drawback to plan for: there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off. You’ll need to get yourself to the start point on S La Cienega, and that can add time if you’re staying far from central LA.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group (max 9): better odds of a calm stroll than a crowded bus tour.
• Two major beach blocks: about 45 minutes each at Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier.
• Included comfort: air-conditioned minivan, plus bottled water and small snacks.
• History comes with the walking: the guide ties the neighborhoods to LA’s shifting eras.
• Free to enter the big sights listed: Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier are marked as free.

Santa Monica Pier first: Route 66 to the oceanfront rides

Your morning starts in central Los Angeles, then you head to Santa Monica. The Pier is a natural first stop because it gives you a clear “LA benchmark”: ocean views, photo-worthy angles, and that classic boardwalk energy right away. The guide also frames it as the end point of old Route 66, which makes the Pier feel less like a generic amusement zone and more like a slice of LA’s travel history.

You’ll stroll around the waterfront with time to wander. Expect an active Pier scene with restaurants and fair-style food booths, an arcade, and an amusement park. Even if you skip rides, it’s still a great place to get your bearings fast—especially if you’ve never been to Santa Monica.

The only “consideration” here is how your day feels depending on the weather. The tour runs rain or shine, so if the clouds roll in you may get a mood shift: same walk, just less sun-baked vibe.

Venice Beach and the Boardwalk: Muscle Beach to street-performer chaos

Then it’s on to Venice Beach, where the tone changes. Santa Monica feels clean and classic; Venice feels like it’s been doing its own thing for decades, and you can feel that immediately as you reach the Boardwalk. This is where you’ll see the street performers, the oddball shops, and the mix of locals and tourists sharing the same sidewalks.

A big highlight is Muscle Beach. You’re not just looking at weights—you’re looking at an outdoor gym tradition that started way back in 1934, initially tied to gymnastics and later evolving into the weightlifting setup people associate with Venice today. It’s a fun contrast with the Pier: one place sells the idea of leisure, while the other shows leisure as training and showmanship.

This is also one of the best parts of the day for people-watching. You’ll pass colorful characters along the beach strip, and it’s the sort of environment where photos feel easy and conversation feels normal. The tour keeps it walking-focused, so you get to experience the atmosphere directly instead of just driving past it.

Quick tip for Venice

Wear shoes you can trust. The Boardwalk isn’t hard, but you’ll be on foot long enough that you’ll be glad you skipped anything delicate.

Marina del Rey: watching LA water life beyond the beach strip

On the route, you’ll also make a stop at Marina del Rey. It’s described as an unincorporated seaside community with a major harbor and boating scene. The harbor is noted as the North America’s largest man-made small-craft harbor, with about 5,000 boats.

Why this matters on a tour like this? Because it gives your beach day a second lens. Venice Beach can feel all personality and noise; Marina del Rey is more about the waterline view and the way Los Angeles manages coastline as a working recreation zone.

If you like quick “LA contrasts,” this stop helps. You’ll get a calmer moment before heading back into the more character-packed boardwalk areas.

The Venice Canal Historic District: 1905 wetlands in the middle of town

Another standout stop is the Venice Canal Historic District. It’s a residential Venice suburb area with man-made wetland canals that were built in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney. That detail is the kind of thing you’d miss if you only looked at the Boardwalk shops and street art.

Even if you only have a short time, the value here is perspective. Venice isn’t just a beach vibe—it’s also a designed place with early-20th-century ambitions. Seeing the canals makes the neighborhood history feel grounded, not abstract.

This is also a good place to slow down and look. The atmosphere tends to shift from the loud promenade feel toward something quieter and more residential, which can help you reset before another stretch of beach scenery.

Third Street Promenade and Malibu hills: the ride that adds variety

The itinerary includes stops and pass-through sights around Westside LA. You’ll get mention of the Third Street Promenade and you’ll also pass under that “purple hazy” backdrop associated with the Malibu hills area.

These bits work like the seasoning on the tour. You’re not spending hours in traffic, but the drive gives you contrast: shopping promenade energy in Santa Monica, canal history in Venice, and the open-coast feeling you associate with Malibu even if you’re mostly viewing it from the minivan.

If you like photos, you’ll likely get a few. If you’re more interested in context than snapshots, you’ll still benefit from the guide connecting the dots—how one part of LA influences the next.

Guide style and pacing: small-group time without the rush

The tour is built around a guide who talks while you move and pauses when it’s time to walk. That matters because these beaches can overwhelm you if you only have a checklist mindset. With narration during transit and history while you’re on foot, you’re more likely to notice what makes each area different.

You’ll also appreciate the pacing. On past departures, guides such as Hal and Zack have been called out for being friendly, informative, and flexible—letting you choose what you linger on instead of marching you through every corner. That fits the small-group setup. When there are fewer people in the van, it’s easier for the guide to adapt and keep things from turning into a stopwatch exercise.

I also like that the tour includes little “human moments,” like the chance to meet interesting shop owners near the Pier area or to spot wildlife from the waterfront. Those are not guaranteed, but Venice and Santa Monica have a way of producing these surprises.

What’s included (and what that changes for your day)

This is a practical small outing because it includes the basics you’d otherwise scramble for. You get air-conditioned minivan transport, bottled water, and small snacks. That sounds simple, but in a 3-hour format it’s a big deal. It keeps you from losing time to finding refreshments or worrying about heat.

You also get narration by a professional guide, which is the difference between a scenic drive and a trip that actually helps you understand why these places feel the way they do.

What’s not included is also important to your planning: no hotel pickup/drop-off. That means you’ll want to choose an easy-to-reach starting point or budget some time getting there. If you’re staying nearby, it’s painless. If you’re across town, it can eat into your morning.

Price and value at $149: paying for guidance and transportation

At $149 per person for about 3 hours, this tour sits in the midrange for a guided coastal sampler. The value isn’t that it’s cheap—it’s that you’re buying three things at once: organized routing, air-conditioned transport, and a guide who’s there to explain what you’re looking at while you’re walking.

A helpful detail for value-checking: the major walking stops listed are marked as free for entry—Venice Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. So you’re not paying extra for entrance fees tied to those core parts of the experience.

Where the math is less favorable is if you already plan to do the beach strolls independently and only want transport. In that case, you might weigh the guide cost against the fact that parking, transit, and time limits can be handled on your own. But if you want context and a timed itinerary that keeps you from bouncing around, the packaged format makes sense.

Who this tour is best for

This works well if you want a fast “greatest hits” day without committing to a full-day beach plan. It’s especially good for:

• First-timers who need help sorting out Santa Monica vs Venice vibes
• People who prefer walking time with guidance rather than long hours in a car
• Visitors who like history crumbs mixed with real-world atmosphere

It’s also a smart pick if you’re traveling with someone who has different beach preferences. Santa Monica delivers the classic Pier scene; Venice gives you the street-energy and Muscle Beach intensity.

Should you book this Santa Monica and Venice Beach tour?

I’d book it if you want a guided, time-efficient Westside beach day that includes transport, snacks, and interpretation—not just a map and hope. The small group size and the track record of flexible, friendly guides like Hal and Zack make it feel less rigid and more like you can actually enjoy the beach.

Skip it or reassess if you’re expecting hotel pickup or you plan to build your whole day around the Pier and Boardwalk only. Since you start from a fixed meeting point and the walking time is capped, independent exploring might be a better match if you don’t care about the history bits.

FAQ

How long is the Santa Monica and Venice Beach tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $149.00 per person.

Where is the meeting point and what time does it start?

Meet at Another Side Of Los Angeles Tours, 1080 S La Cienega Blvd #108, Los Angeles, CA 90035. Start time is 9:00 am, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes narration by a professional guide, air-conditioned transportation by minivan, bottled water, and small snacks.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. Tours operate rain or shine.

What’s the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 9 travelers.

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