19 Easy Things to do in Santa Monica with a Baby

Santa Monica is a prime destination for a vacation with the entire family, including babies and toddlers. The area is fulled with unforgettable moments and activities that will leave every member, even the youngest, happy to be vacationing.

This seaside city is full of sun, beaches, and educational moments, so if you decide to drive up to or head down the PCH to Santa Monica, and even if you are a local, here are a few of our favorite favorite things to do in Santa Monica with a baby and toddler that won’t leave mom and dad bored between naps.

Santa Monica lifeguard stand with the Santa Monica Pier in the background — *Santa Monica Lifeguard Stand near the Pier*

Douglas Park

Address: 2439 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Daily from 6 to 11 pm
Website

Douglas Park is a picture-perfect park for the entire family. There are picnic tables for lunch, a pond with ducks, a paved bike bath, and a separate play area dedicated to babies and toddlers.

Older kids will love the climbing structures, teeter-totters, and swing sets.

Santa Monica Pier

Address: 1 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Daily 6 am to 10 pm
Website

The Santa Monica Pier is pretty much the top attraction in Santa Monica and a must-visit. The pier includes activities, food, an aquarium, and more.

Your kids will love running around the pier, enjoying the sun, and having a great time outdoors with you. Just keep a watchful eye on “runners.” There is a barrier on the pier, but little ones can still slip through the slats and fall into the ocean.

DON’T FORGET TO SCHEDULE FAMILY PHOTOS:
Don’t miss a moment with your baby on the beach? Flytographer has some of the best vacation photographers in Southern California, making it easy to get those sunset photos by the Pier. Check them out HERE and use our $10 off code: WALKINGONMEDIA.

Santa Monica State Beach

Address: Ocean Ave at Colorado Ave, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Website

Santa Monica Beach is one of the best beaches in America. It sits along the PCH and is 3.5 miles long, with plenty to do, including Santa Monica Pier. The waters are warm(ish), perfect for dipping your baby’s toes in, and you can even build your first sand castle together.

Museum of Flying

Address: 3100 Airport Ave, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Thursday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm
Website

The Museum of Flying is perfect for showing the family the history of aviation. It’s over 20,000 square feet and has interpretive displays with aerospace and aviation history. Everyone is encouraged to check out the cockpits, ride flight simulators, and sit on the observation deck, where you can watch planes land and take off.

My youngest has been obsessed with planes since he was born, so this is always a must for us.

Cayton Children’s Museum

Address: 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 374, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
Website

The Cayton Children’s Museum is filled with colorful, hands-on exhibits that will have your kids convinced you should never leave. There are over 35 exhibits that help educate and entertain your kids all day, even babies and toddlers.

Older kids will love the interactive photo booth where they can be the star of their show.

Annenberg Beach House

Address: 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Appointment Required
Website

The Annenberg Beach House was originally built in 1929 and has 110 rooms on the waterfront property. This mansion is perfect for visiting with your family because it has a playground, splash pad, and swimming pool.

It also sits right off the beach, perfect for a nice walk to dip your toes in the sand.

Vito’s Pizza

Address: 2455 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Daily 12 pm to 8 pm
Website

Santa Monica is filled with great places to grab a bite to eat, but none of them are Vito’s Pizza. This shop has been open since 1975 and is home to outstanding Italian subs and NYC-style pizza. Their authentic Italian recipes and fresh ingredients create delicious pizza that even the youngest connoisseur will appreciate.

Heal the Bay Aquarium

Address: 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Wednesday- Sunday 12 pm to 4 pm
Website

Founded in 1996, this aquarium is home to over 100 species of animals. Kids can watch and enjoy the touch pools or explore the Dorothy Green Room, where you can learn about the Southern California landscape and shores. They have activities and exhibits that are perfect for all kids.

PARENT TIP: Aquariums are perfect for young babies, as they can actually see the animals moving around in the water. Zoos can be hard, because a lot of the time the animals are hiding or sleeping, making it impossible for young eyes to find what you are pointing at when you visit.

3rd Street Promenade

Address: 1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica CA
Hours: 6:30 am to 10 pm daily
Website

Grab your stroller and head to 3rd Street Promenade if you love shopping. Located in Downtown Santa Monica, this popular tourist destination is great for strolling outdoors and taking in the sights around you. There are a variety of stores for shopping, restaurants, public art and street performers.

True, your baby might not be shopping, but if they are napping IN the stroller, there is no reason you can’t pop in and give your credit card a workout.

Santa Monica Public Library

Address: 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Monday-Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm
Website

The Santa Monica Library is perfect for a visit with babies and toddlers, especially during storytime. They have interactive programs, like ceramics (for older kids) and a puppet show for all to enjoy.

There is also a cafe inside the library where you can grab breakfast items, salads, beverages, and more, if anyone in your family gets hungry and needs a coffee, croissant, or something else to keep the hangry monster at bay.

North Beach Playground

Address: 810 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica CA
Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Website

The North Beach playground has two play areas, one for older kids and another for toddlers. The playground is big on sensory items, including touch, feeling, and hearing, plus all the usual play yard toys you find at most parks.

Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market

Downtown, 155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (Arizona Ave, between 4th and Ocean)
- Hours: 8am-1pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Main Street, 2640 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
- Hours: 8:30am-1:30pm, Sundays
Pico Neighborhood/ The Virginia Ave Market, 2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, 90404
- Hours: 8am-1pm, Saturdays
Website

Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday you will find the Farmers Markets downtown, on Main Street, and in the Pico neighborhood, but the most convenient will be the Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market at 2nd and Arizona if you are visiting from out of town.

Meet the local farmers and makers, pick up supplies for a beach picnic, and let your little one get a better sense of where their food actually comes from (the farmers… not the big grocery stores).

More things to do in Santa Monica with a baby

Take a bike ride

There are plenty of places to rent a bicycle with a child seat, so get out, get some exercise and let your kid see the ocean… or snooze as you wander.

Check out what’s on tap at Santa Monica Brew Works

This is the only brewery actually making beer in Santa Monica. Kids are welcome as long as they are supervised by their parents.

Tongva Park

If you are looking for a splash pad and a playground, Tongva Park is the outdoor play space for you and your baby when you are in Santa Monica.

Clover Park

Clover Park has two playgrounds, restrooms and picnic areas for families with babies, toddlers, kids, teens and tweens to hang out at and have fun together.

Explore Venice Beach

Pop the baby into the stroller (check out our favorites all-terrain strollers) and wander down the promenade at Venice Beach. There is plenty to see and do, but you can also just park at the beach and let the baby play in the sand or splash their feet in the water.

Look at the colorful murals on Abbot Kinney Boulevard:

Mom/Dad- you can grab a coffee, ice cream and donuts to keep everyone happy while you wander the murals that are painted along Abbot Kinney BLVD.

End of the Trail- Route 66 Sign

Commemorate your trip to Santa Monica with a photo at the End of the Trail sign, marking the end of Route 66. Even if you have a tiny baby, it will be something fun to show them when they get older, and even recreate on your next trip.

Additional reporting by Tami Benedict

Start Planning Your Trip to SAnta Monica

Where to stay in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Santa Monica Hotel: Pet-friendly and parking is included
The Huntley Hotel: Luxury close to Santa Monica Beach and family-friendly
Shore Hotel: Pet-friendly with a pool
Viceroy Santa Monica: Views of the ocean, beachy vibes, pet-friendly with a pool
Fairmont Miramar Hotel: Within walking distance of Third Street Promenade with a pool, spa and hot tub

Find more Santa Monica accommodation, whether you need a hotel, vacation rental or something unique and different HERE. Or check out the map below for all of your options.

Need a rental car? Yup!

Santa Monica is fairly easy to get around. We recommend renting a car and exploring all there is to see. You can find the best prices on rental cars by clicking here.

Book a tour

When you’re not discovering Santa Monica on your own, we suggest treating yourself to a tour. From private wine tours to kayak and SUP tours, cooking classes classes to tours of celebrity-owned homes, there’s a little something for everyone.

Browse all the Santa Monica tours available on Viator by clicking here.

Don’t forget your vacation photos!

If you want to capture the memories from your trip to Santa Monica, we recommend hiring a professional photographer. A Flytographer photoshoot is one of our favorite souvenirs from our travels and we want to share them with you! Use our link or enter the code: WALKINGONMEDIA for $10 off your first shoot.