Vacation rentals in Santa Monica

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Top-rated accommodation in Santa Monica

Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness and more.

Guest favourite

Apartment in Malibu

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 318 reviews

Idyllic, Romantic Beachfront Apartment in Malibu

Fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves in this charming beachfront apartment. The light, airy home features open-plan living and a wall of windows to maximize the amazing views. Enjoy drinks on the deck and a sunset over the water—it's pure bliss. This beachfront apartment is right above the sand and surf. At night the sounds of the sea will lull you to sleep. During the day, you can watch the sea lions sunning on the rocks and dolphins and whales swimming by or go for a walk along the water's edge and dive in yourself. This is an amazing place to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset and relax! In the evening, the lights of the "Queen's Necklace" glimmer in the distance and the moonlight shines on the water. The living room is cozy with two loveseats to snuggle in and watch a movie on the 50" flat screen TV. Three large sliding glass doors open up if you want to let the ocean breezes blow through. The kitchen is small but fully equipped with an apartment size stove and oven, a microwave, a Keurig coffee maker and a French press, tea kettle, toaster and all the dishes and pots and pans you need. A round table with linens provides a beautiful spot for morning coffee. The bedroom has a queen bed with a new organic mattress and designer sheets, pillows and duvet. There is a large closet with room to store your clothes. Books line the bookshelves if you'd like something to read. Mostly, this is just a quiet, beautiful space to put your feet up and really relax while watching the endless panorama of the natural world outside. And....if you want to feel like a movie star, the apartment was recently used as a glamorous setting in an independent film due out soon!!! Two-person kayak (life jackets available) Boogie Boards and a surfboard Television with premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.) Wi-Fi Shared entry gate with one other unit. My husband and I live in a small cottage above the apartment but the only shared space is the entry door. We rarely even see our guests. However, I am always available to answer questions or concerns but almost no one has them! Situated directly above the sand and surf, the home is in a residential area along the Malibu coast, away from the tourist areas. Take in the stars at night while strolling along the beach, or eat at one of the nearby restaurants right on the water. There is bus service available just a minute from the apartment that will take you into Santa Monica or the center of Malibu, or farther north to some of Malibu's more remote beaches. Uber is readily available. At high tide, the ocean may come right up to the seawall limiting beach availability. This all depends on the moon, the tides and the amount of sand that we have. This can really vary from day to day and depending on the season. This winter, rough seas washed away our private stairs to the beach, so guests need to use the public access stairs just a few houses away and a very short walk.

11 – 18 Oct

$9,196 AUD total
Guest favourite

Bungalow in Santa Monica

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 255 reviews

Santa Monica Bungalow on Quiet Street North of Montana

Step through the carriage doors and into an open interior with polished concrete floors, plus a kitchen with navy cabinets and stone countertops. The bedroom comes with barn door, bamboo floors, and 55" HDTV, while a verdant garden awaits outside. Enter the guest house thru carriage doors to a first floor open living space with kitchen, sofa and 60'' HD flatscreen TV. Polished concrete floors and stone countertops. Exit to open, outdoor staircase leading to an upper bedroom with Cal-King Bed, bamboo floors, dresser, 55'' HD TV, comfortable bathroom with walk-in shower and vanity. Wifi / Cable / AC & Heating units in each room. Design is a mix of beach cottage with contemporary accents. 2 Blocks to beautiful Ocean Avenue to watch gorgeous California sunsets or walk to beach. 2 Blocks to Montana Avenue shopping and cafes. Close to Promenade and Metrolink. Unbeatable Location ! Our place is good for couples, solo adventurers, and business travelers. The bungalow is a separate guesthouse but owners are present on the property in the main house. Outside table with a bench and chairs are perfectly located for morning coffee lunch or evening cocktail. We live in the front house so feel free to reach out to us with any questions and/or concerns regarding your stay. Leave the car behind - the beach, restaurants, cafes, and shops, are all an easy walk away. Rent a bike nearby to explore further. Watch the sunset over the water from Ocean Avenue, 2 blocks away, while Metrolink and Promenade are also close. Rent a Hulu Bike for your stay. “On May 12, 2015, the Santa Monica City Council adopted the Home-Sharing Ordinance reiterating its ban on the rental of entire units as vacation rentals. The Home-Sharing Ordinance also legalized the short term rental of a portion of a person’s home when the host lives on-site throughout the visitor’s stay and when the host obtains a business license. Hosts are also required to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) if not collected and remitted by the hosting platform.” Our license #221557 is listed with the City of Santa Monica

20 – 27 Sept

$4,641 AUD total
Guest favourite

Apartment in Los Angeles

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 348 reviews

Cozy 1 Bedroom 1 Bath Apartment

Quiet, comfortable 1 bedroom with private bathroom, living room, kitchen and private balcony. My little cat MauMau lives here. She is approx. 3 1/2 years old. Please don't ask me to remove my cat. She is a rescue and this is her apartment. I will come by 2 times a day to take care of her. I will respect your privacy but please understand I will come by. 1 block away from Santa Monica for short or longer stays. fans, heater, WIFI, coin washer/dryer in the building, easy access to city and beach.

2 – 9 Sept

$1,931 AUD total

Popular amenities for Santa Monica accommodation

Stay near Santa Monica's top sights

Santa Monica Pier2,744 locals recommend
Palisades Park130 locals recommend
Santa Monica Beach315 locals recommend
Annenberg Community Beach House152 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market1,701 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale130 locals recommend

Other great accommodation in Santa Monica

Superhost

Guest suite in Los Angeles

4.86 out of 5 average rating, 465 reviews

Charming Guest Suite w/Private Entrance/Patio/bath

16 – 23 Oct

$1,770 AUD total
Superhost

Apartment in Malibu

4.9 out of 5 average rating, 342 reviews

Malibu Beachfront Retreat

13 – 20 May

$8,502 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guest suite in Culver City

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 682 reviews

Tiny home Loft in Marina Del Rey/Silicon Beach

18 – 25 July

$1,746 AUD total
Guest favourite

Tiny home in Topanga

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 661 reviews

'Matilda' style cottage

15 – 22 Jan

$1,340 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guesthouse in Venice

4.89 out of 5 average rating, 993 reviews

Venice Original Private Guest House

18 – 25 Mar

$2,239 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guesthouse in Santa Monica

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 112 reviews

Ocean Park Beach Studio

30 June – 7 July

$2,925 AUD total
Superhost

Condo in Los Angeles

4.8 out of 5 average rating, 296 reviews

Steps to Venice Beach on a budget!

1 – 8 Sept

$2,044 AUD total
Guest favourite

Home in Los Angeles

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 338 reviews

Totally Private Mini-Studio with Patio

7 – 14 Sept

$1,410 AUD total
Superhost

Guest suite in Los Angeles

4.81 out of 5 average rating, 103 reviews

Mima's Cottage

9 – 16 Mar

$1,312 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guest suite in Los Angeles

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 189 reviews

Modern Guest House 1 Bed/1 Bath + Private Entry

3 – 10 Mar

$2,203 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guesthouse in Venice

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 1013 reviews

Venice Beach Guest Studio with Pool and Hot Tub

24 – 31 Oct

$2,521 AUD total
Guest favourite

Guesthouse in Los Angeles

4.99 out of 5 average rating, 419 reviews

Casa Carmona, a Mid-City Garden Oasis near Museums

26 Aug – 2 Sept

$2,244 AUD total

Quick stats about holiday rentals in Santa Monica

Total rentals

2.6K properties

Rentals with dedicated workspaces

1.5K properties have a dedicated workspace

Rentals with a pool

330 properties have a pool

Pet-friendly rentals

890 properties allow pets

Family-friendly rentals

970 properties are a good fit for families

Total number of reviews

111K reviews

Your guide to Santa Monica

All About Santa Monica

With year-round warm weather and beautiful beaches just 20 minutes from Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica is a great base for exploring the bright lights of LA. The city’s six-kilometre stretch of coastline boasts golden sand, and you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping, from designer stores on Montana Avenue to cool independent boutiques on Pico Boulevard. A highlight is The Strand bike trail, which runs along the coast for 35 kilometres. Starting in Santa Monica, the route passes through the hip Venice neighbourhood and Redondo Beach and finishes up beside the gentle surf at Torrance County Beach.

Santa Monica’s most famous landmark is its pier, which dates back to 1909. Visitors are drawn to the iconic red and yellow Ferris wheel, which is solar-powered and offers incredible views of the coastline from the top. There’s also an amusement park complete with a five-story rollercoaster and classic arcade games, as well as restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Street performers line the pier, from mime acts to jugglers, and there’s always live music to enjoy on balmy Southern California evenings.


The best time to stay in a holiday rental in Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a year-round destination with warm weather and a packed programme of festivals and open-air events. You can expect hot days and nights from July to October, so remember to pack your hat and sun protection for beach days. Every Sunday evening in August, Jazz on the Lawn offers free events featuring local musicians performing in Gandara Park. November to April is a pleasant time to visit, when you won’t get the stifling hot days of summer but you can still expect mild, sunny conditions. Make your way to Santa Monica in October, when the Open Street Festival closes more than three kilometres of streets to cars and you walk freely to discover local food, music, and shops. If you’re looking for cooler weather, Santa Monica experiences what are known as the May Gray and June Gloom phenomena, when the marine layer moves in overnight, causing low clouds to hover and usually blocking out the sun until early afternoon.


Top things to do in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Beach

The city’s main beach attracts paddleboarders and surfers to its waters, and locals head here after work for seaside chess, beach volleyball, and sunset walks along the pier. Make sure to check out the original Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym area built on the sand in the 1930’s that still draws fitness buffs, gymnasts, and acrobats who put on a display.

The Strand

Also known as The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, this 35-kilometre paved trail starts in Santa Monica and passes by the towering palms and baby-blue lifeguard huts of Venice Beach. The route continues to Hermosa, where you can wander along the pier for a unique view from out in the Pacific Ocean. Redondo Beach is the next stop before the finish line at Torrance Beach. There are many places to rent a bike in town, and you can even join a bike tour to find out more about the district.

Route 66

Many visitors head to Santa Monica to see the iconic Route 66 sign, which marks the end of the most famous road in the United States. You’ll find it by the pier and, once you’ve taken the obligatory photo, take a walk past old-fashioned diners with classic neon signs, where you can tuck into a burger and sip a milkshake before a sunset paddle along the ocean.

Destinations to explore