Santa Monica's Sunset Fulfilled All My Fantasies!

You can always trust Santa Monica to deliver the most breathtaking sunsets! I found myself constantly wondering—how can a place be this beautiful?!! Today, I’m sharing my perfect one-day itinerary so you can experience it too. 🚖 Getting There We started near the Hollywood Hills and set out around 9 AM. By car, it’s just 30–45 minutes to Santa Monica. 🚇 No car? No problem! Take the Metro E Line—the last stop is Santa Monica Station. From there, it’s a pleasant 10-minute walk to the beach. 🛍️ First Stop: Third Street Promenade A vibrant pedestrian street in the heart of Santa Monica. Park your car and dive into a mile-long stretch filled with popular restaurants, cozy bookstores, cute cafés, and local artisan stalls. 🎵 Live musicians often fill the air with tunes—making the vibe absolutely electric! 🍽️ Great spot for lunch! 🏖️ Second Stop: Santa Monica Beach After lunch, head straight to one of L.A.’s most accessible beaches. It’s often crowded but feels safe and well-kept compared to other nearby shores—perfect for relaxing or taking a stroll. 🎡 Third Stop: Santa Monica Pier (A Must at Sunset!) This was the highlight of my trip! The historic pier, built in 1909, features the iconic Route 66 End Sign—an instant classic photo op. Ride the solar-powered Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel as the sky turns pink and gold 🎡 Try the roller coaster: $15 for two rides! The mix of sunset colors and evening lights creates pure magic ✨ 🦞 Dinner with a View We chose The Albright right on the pier. Their seafood is fresh and delicious—don’t miss the lobster roll or fish and chips! Enjoy your meal with an unbeatable sunset view. 💰 Around $40 per person. 🏠 Stay the Night: A Cozy Airbnb Even though you could drive back to L.A., we decided to extend the magic and booked a beachside Airbnb. ❤️ Listing: “Panoramic Ocean View with Balcony & Cal King Bed” ⭐ Rating: 4.90 💰 Price: ~¥3000 / 2 guests 📍 Location: Less than 10 minutes walk to all Santa Monica attractions 🛌 Our Experience: The host, Mike, was warm and helpful—offering local tips and responding quickly to questions. The best part? The living room has a huge window facing the ocean 🪟… absolutely dreamy! The space was clean, well-equipped, and full of charm. 💫 Final Thoughts From the golden hour glow on the pier to the sound of waves from our Airbnb—Santa Monica didn’t just meet my expectations, it surpassed them. If you’re craving that classic California vibe with a touch of magic, this is your place. #US #CA