Visiting Santa Monica With a Baby: A Family-Friendly Guide From a Frequent LA Traveler
Though I'm a proud Eastcoaster, I've spent several months living in Los Angeles since 2020, and my husband and I visit every year to escape the New York City winter. This year's trip looked a little different because it included my newborn daughter, but that didn't stop us from exploring.
In fact, we discovered that Santa Monica is an easy, family-friendly neighborhood for parents who still want great food, beach access and memorable experiences. Here's what you need to know about visiting Santa Monica with kids.
Highlights
- My firsthand experience visiting Santa Monica with a five-month-old, including what actually worked with a stroller
- The best family-friendly things to do in Santa Monica, from the pier to kid-focused museums and beachside attractions
- Where to eat, stay and explore nearby without sacrificing great food, comfort or convenience as a parent
Editor's Note: The writer was partially hosted.
Why Santa Monica Is One of the Best LA Neighborhoods for Families
There are endless ways to experience Santa Monica, whether you're on a romantic getaway or visiting solo. However, the activities outlined here are particularly great for families. If you're traveling with a slew of your own kids, extended family or, like me, a single baby, this itinerary is for you.
Pros
- Sidewalks are easy to navigate with a stroller
- Excellent selection of restaurants with highchairs
- Close to the beach
Cons
- Not very walkable to other LA neighborhoods
- No great public transportation
SheBuysTravelTip: If you're flying cross-country with a baby, keep your first day in Santa Monica low-key. The beach weather and walkability make it an easy place to recover from travel fatigue.
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Best Things to Do in Santa Monica With Kids
Visit the Santa Monica Pier With Kids
With a little one in tow, it's always fun to visit the Santa Monica Pier. Depending on your kids' ages, you might be able to enjoy the rides with them. But if yours are too little, like mine, you can still people-watch and grab a bite from a street vendor.
SheBuysTravelTip: Visit the pier earlier in the morning. It can get pretty congested in the afternoon, especially on weekends, making stroller navigation and parking much harder.
Explore the Cayton Children's Museum
The Cayton Children's Museum has something for all ages. My daughter, who was five months old at the time, loved exploring the soft blocks. She also joined in on the impromptu dance party led by one of the staff members. Older kids can explore age-appropriate interactive scientific and historical exhibits.
See Marine Life at Heal the Bay Aquarium
The Heal the Bay Aquarium is a small but engaging stop for kids and adults, where you can get up close and personal with the creatures living in the Pacific. It's located at the head of the pier.
Visit the Santa Monica Farmer's Market
On Wednesdays, browse the stalls at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, and be sure to pick up seasonal produce. Berries, citrus and greens abound, including some you or the kids might not have tried before.
SheBuysTravelTip: Bring a lightweight travel stroller instead of a bulky jogging stroller. Santa Monica sidewalks are stroller-friendly, but restaurants, shops and popular areas are much easier to navigate with a compact model.
Where to Eat in Santa Monica With Kids
Los Angeles is a fantastic food city. As a food writer and recipe developer, eating is an essential part of every trip I take. And even when you need a highchair, you can find culinary delights in Santa Monica.
Best Sit-Down Dinner: Calabra
Calabra at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers city views and a warm breeze with fresh and colorful Mediterranean fare. I recommend the mezze sampler and the fatoush salad with one of the bar's signature cocktails.
Best Casual Lunch Near the Cayton Museum
For a casual lunch after the Children's Museum, head upstairs to the Curious Palate, where you can enjoy loaded salads, tacos, sandwiches, burgers and more. There's something for everyone on the extensive menu.
Best Breakfast and Smoothie Stops for Families
The Lobster is an iconic beachside eatery serving fresh seafood that warms my New England heart. If you're in the mood for a refreshing smoothie the kids will love, options abound. I love The Hive, which also makes excellent breakfast burritos. For a more robust breakfast or brunch, try Marmalade Cafe, a local chain with plenty of sweet and savory options.
SheBuysTravelTip: When booking restaurant reservations, include your highchair as part of the party to ensure your table is big enough.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Santa Monica
Why I Loved Staying at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel
I had a wonderful experience staying at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel. It's centrally located and within walking distance of many of the neighborhood's top attractions and restaurants.
The hotel is also very kid-friendly. When we arrived, the hotel had already prepared our room with a travel crib and baby bath supplies (which, of course, I'd forgotten).
For parents, the hotel has a top-notch fitness center that's on par with a high-end gym and open 24 hours a day. There's also an expansive spa and recovery center with red light therapy, saunas and compression boots.
Other Kid-Friendly Hotels Near the Beach
Other family-friendly stays in the neighborhood include Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa Del Mar and the Shore Hotel (read our full review).
See our favorite family-friendly hotels in Los Angeles.
Easy Day Trips and Nearby Attractions From Santa Monica
If you rented a car and want to venture outside the neighborhood (and you should!), there's plenty to explore.
- Stroll down the beach to Venice for a rowdy, energetic scene.
- Don't miss a delicious lunch of sandwiches on freshly baked bread at Gjusta.
- Visit the Getty Center for an incredible art collection and sweeping city views.
- Drive to Griffith Park to see the zoo and the Griffith Observatory.
The Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu offer excellent hikes for all skill levels. Plus, the drive to Malibu down the Pacific Coast Highway is incredibly scenic.
If you're looking to see more of the city, check out more fun things to do in Los Angeles.
Getting There
LAX is a 20 to 30-minute drive from Santa Monica. When visiting LA with kids, your best bet is to rent a car, as public transportation is limited and Uber can add up quickly (plus they can be a pain with a car seat).
Explore more family-friendly California vacation ideas.
FAQ: Visiting Santa Monica with Young Kids
Yes. Santa Monica is a very family-friendly LA neighborhood thanks to its stroller-friendly sidewalks, beach access, kid-focused attractions and restaurants that accommodate highchairs and young kids.
Top family activities include visiting the Santa Monica Pier, exploring the Cayton Children's Museum, seeing marine life at Heal the Bay Aquarium, biking along the beach path and spending time at the beach.
You can stay busy in Santa Monica on foot, especially near the beach and downtown area, but exploring other parts of the city is much easier with a rental car. Public transportation is limited, and rideshares with car seats can be inconvenient for families.
Family-friendly hotels include the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Shutters on the Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar and the Sandbourne.
Spring and fall usually offer the best balance of warm weather, manageable crowds and comfortable beach conditions. Winter can also be appealing if you're escaping the cold, but expect larger crowds.
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This story was originally published May 13, 2026 at 4:58 PM.