Santa Monica Wellness Getaway: Rejuvenate with Beaches, Healthy Eats, and Outdoor Adventures
As interest in personal wellness grows, remember that true well-being extends beyond strict diets or intense workouts. Fun, outdoor activities like travel offer proven benefits. Research shows vacations—even short coastal trips—improve heart health, mindfulness, mood, and stress levels. For a restorative escape, choose Santa Monica, the Southern California beach city renowned for its decades-long commitment to health.
Santa Monica, a wellness pioneer, launched the Santa Monica Shines COVID-19 Assurance Program to ensure business safety. Visit the Shines Assurance Program page for details on requirements and the 90+ participating businesses prioritizing guest and employee safety.
Discover six ways to embrace good vibes, nourishing food, and joyful self-care during your Santa Monica retreat.
Start at the Beach
Kick off your wellness journey on Santa Monica's 3.5-mile coastline, featuring wide, pale sands, iconic surf, and endless golden sunshine.
For ultimate relaxation, lounge with a book on a towel. Indulge with an umbrella, chair, and butler service from Perry's on the Beach, including food, drinks, and sunscreen delivery.
Reenergize with beach volleyball at historic courts. Originating here in the 1920s, the sport peaked in the '60s. At Sorrento Beach (1.5 miles from the Pier), The Beatles played, and President Kennedy watched tournaments. Bring your ball to join or watch.
Capture iconic Santa Monica by surfing or paddleboarding. Rent from Poseidon Paddle & Surf or take lessons at Aqua Surf. Pro tip: Rent a wetsuit—the Pacific is chilly.
Enjoy Healthy Outdoor Dining
After beach time, refuel at Santa Monica's top restaurants with year-round outdoor seating. Menus highlight seasonal farmers' market ingredients, sustainably sourced and deliciously prepared.
Bardonna on Montana Avenue offers all-day brunch like turmeric lattes, huevos rancheros, or When Pigs Fly sandwiches. Try Uplifters Kitchen on Ocean Park Blvd, a women-owned vegetarian café focused on joy, nourishment, and community with fresh pastries and excellent coffee.
For charcuterie, natural wines, and casual style, visit Esters Wine Shop & Bar. For laid-back vibes, Chez Jay serves local brews like 310 Blonde amid peanut shells—famously, one peanut flew to the moon with astronaut Alan Shepard.
Fia's secret garden and coastal handmade pastas shine for dinner. KazuNori's fresh sushi handrolls pair perfectly with sea breezes at the Santa Monica spot. End with sunset views and Mediterranean dishes at rooftop Élephante, where a DJ sets the mood.
Join Outdoor Fitness Classes
Home to the original Muscle Beach with historic equipment, Santa Monica now offers diverse outdoor classes, capitalizing on ideal weather.
At Pacific Park, try H.I.I.T. with Circuit Works, trapeze or aerial arts at TSNY by the Ferris wheel, beach spin with Beach Cycle, or yoga with Beach Yoga SoCal.
Nurture your mind with AZ | AM's Friday 6 p.m. sound bath on the pier, blending singing bowls, gongs, and waves. Bike the 22-mile Marvin Braude Beach Trail (The Strand) after renting from Santa Monica Bike Rentals.
Explore Self-Guided Art Tours
In just 8 square miles, Santa Monica boasts 150+ museums, galleries, and installations.
Follow murals via this mural guide, concentrated on Pico Blvd. Visit Palisades Park sculptures, including the 80-year-old Saint Monica statue and the Cradle Newton's Cradle on a parking garage.
Discover galleries at Bergamot Station Arts Center (free; appointments may be needed). Kids can create at Cayton Children's Museum's outdoor program on Wednesdays/Saturdays.
Indulge in Retail Therapy
Shop Third Street Promenade for national brands, Main Street for local boutiques like Angel City Bookstore (vinyl/books) and Lost & Found Home (housewares), or upscale Montana Avenue. Grab picnic items from Andrew's Cheese Shop for Palisades Park.
Visit 60-year-old McCabe's Guitar Shop for instruments and virtual concerts (in-person paused).
Stay at a Wellness-Focused Hotel
Many hotels participate in the Santa Monica Shines program, displaying the safety seal. Choose from top LA-area properties near beaches with spas, restaurants, and amenities like free bikes/yoga. Save midweek; Condé Nast Traveler favorites abound.
