Top 6 Vacation Rentals In Santa Monica, California, USA - Updated 2024

Anne
Anne 
Updated
| 5 min read

Located west of Los Angeles, Santa Monica lies on the Pacific Ocean coast of California. The city has plenty to offer visitors with the Santa Monica Pier, where families can visit the Pacific Park amusement park and Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, or ride on the Looff Hippodrome Carousel, which dates back to 1916. Fitness fanatics will appreciate Muscle Beach, located next to the pier, which is an outdoor gym. Enjoy a stroll in the fresh sea air along Palisades Park which runs along Santa Monica Beach and offers beautiful ocean and mountain views. Art lovers should head to Bergamot Station in the city center, with its many art galleries. Retail therapy and a bite to eat are available in downtown Santa Monica, with its many shops and seafood restaurants. Find the perfect place to stay in this scenic oceanfront city by scrolling below to view the top vacation rentals in Santa Monica, California, USA.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.

1. One-bedroom coastal getaway (from USD 150)

Looking to stay in a one-bedroom vacation rental next to Santa Monica Beach? This is an excellent option for you. The rooms in this cottage are cozy and filled with adorable coastal decor, creating the ultimate beach vibe. As you step out, you are only 0.5 miles (0.80 kilometers) from Urth Caffé, one of the best cafes in Santa Monica, and just 1.4 miles (2.25 kilometers) away from grabbing fresh produce and explore local crafts at the Farmer’s Market.

Public tennis courts, a park, and bike rentals are all super close too, so you can stay active and enjoy the outdoors. And don’t miss out on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a trendy spot for shopping and dining, just a short 17-minute walk away.

Stayed at this property?
Santa Monica, California, United States
Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille
PRIVATE VACATION HOME 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

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2. Charming apartment along the Venice Canals (from USD 296)

Plan the perfect weekend getaway spot by staying at this apartment located right on the Venice Canals! At this lovely rental apartment in Santa Monica, you will wake up to the serene beauty of the canals right outside your doorstep.

Guests can spend their time strolling along the water’s edge, taking in the picturesque views, or soaking in the vibrant scene at Venice Beach. What’s amazing is that Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Erewhon Market are nearby, so you can go shopping easily and devour delicious food.

Stayed at this property?
Santa Monica, California, United States
158 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
ENTIRE RENTAL UNIT 2 Beds 3 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 3

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the cottage is very comfortable and charming
while there may be room enough for 3 people it really doesn’t work well for more than 2
backyard view of the canals within walking distance of just about everything very comfortable
Cleanliness:
it was clean and tastefully decorated
it is a nice clean appartment
also it is very clean
we had a fabulous honeymoon at m’s place 10/10 clean location responsiveness
it was exactly as the photos very clean and we loved the canals area
Host:
mary is super friendly and helpful host
the host is very warm and welcoming
host was very nice and responsive
marie is great host friendly attentive to details cheerful helpful and responsive
m was a fantastic host
Location:
the location was peaceful
and the location was perfect
amazing location truly a sanctuary
the house is so cute and a great location in the canals
great walking distance to everything - a quiet getaway in the heart of venice
Read more reviews

3. Enchanting studio steps from the ocean (from USD 300)

This attractive modern Vrbo is located steps from the Santa Monica Pier with its restaurants and shops and the Santa Manta Beach. Third Street Promenade and the train station. While there is parking available, all popular attractions can be reached on foot or by bike. The studio features two queen-sized beds and a large bathroom with a shower. A kitchen and internet are provided.

Stayed at this property?
28 reviews   Wifi Available
studio 4 Guests 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4
Minimum Nights: 2
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 30 days before check-in.

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
There are two double beds in the room and one chair
There is a whole crew of construction right outside your beach view window
there is no parking with out permit Hostess told me the parking was free during the night 2 blocks away
It was all precarious and the refrigerator was overflowing with ice
The only window with a view had workmen outside all the time
Host:
Overall pictures are accurate and the owner was extremely accommodating
The peir is close as well as is the The Third Street Promenade
We will use this property again Close to the beach and activity
So the chances of sleeping in a few more hours
The place smells humid and moldy The fridge was unplug and defrosted with water all over the entrance hostess was never present during arrival/chec in Un
Location:
it's "literally" out
The location was right on the beach which was amazing
did not fit the appliance where you had to plug it in
but I never was able to find this parking because there was not dirrections of location
Clean cozy studio very close to the mayhem of the beach near the pier and walkable to many great restaurants and parks
Read more reviews
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4. Spacious modern apartment in central Santa Monica

The spacious two-bedroom apartment is steps from the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade. The air-conditioned vacation rental is ideal for a family or business stay. The living area features a 32” LCD Smart TV and high-speed internet and there is a balcony. There is a well-equipped kitchen stocked with the essentials for daily cooking. The master bedroom features a king-sized bed, while the second has a queen-sized bed and there is a sofa bed in the living area. Two bathrooms are available to guests. Two undercover parking spaces are also provided.

Stayed at this property?
Santa Monica, California, United States
58 reviews  
Entire flat 3 Beds 6 Guests 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

5. Studio at Santa Monica beach

This beachfront studio is located on the boardwalk and has a shared furnished patio with ocean views, a hot tub and an outdoor kitchen with barbecue. The patio offers views of the mountains, the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Pier. The area is ideal for kayaking, rollerblading, snorkeling and other water sports. Third Street Promenade is a short walk away with restaurants, cafes, theatres and art galleries. The living area has a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a well-equipped kitchenette. There is a shared laundry room on the property. There is a double bed perfect for sleeping two and one bathroom.

Stayed at this property?
Santa Monica, California, United States
49 reviews  
Entire apartment 1 Bed 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
wifi was good too
everything you need including wifi and a great shared outdoor space with jacuzzi
- the apartment was exactly as described and the jacuzzi was the best
perfect location bathroom is small but that was fine all the amenities that you need are here
Cleanliness:
it was very clean and cute
room was small but clean and practical
very clean and had everything you needed to relax
apartment was small but very clean and quiet
very clean and comfortable; small but functional
Host:
the host was very available we appreciated
the host was very helpful via email
and an awesome and very helpful host its the right choice
the best host you can ever wish for
amazing host who did everything to make the stay pleasant and always responded quickly to texts/emails
Location:
neighborhood / location was perfect
the location is perfect
the location is brilliant very close to the pier and wonderful restaurants and shopping
this is a fantastic location
but the location right on the sand and proximity to the walkway and pier was amazing
Read more reviews

6. Studio with a loft close to the pier

This spacious modern studio has a 1920’s Parisian theme and is located on the beach close to Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Boulevard. Muscle Beach is located directly across from the apartment and there are many restaurants close by. Free parking is provided. The rental has a queen bed upstairs and a futon in the living area on the main floor. In the studio, you will find everything you need for the beach, including towels, a beach umbrella, and beach blanket. The kitchen has everything necessary for daily cooking. There is no TV in the studio, but there is free Wi-Fi available to the guests.

Stayed at this property?
Santa Monica, California, United States
293 reviews  
Entire loft 1 Bed 0 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the place was super cool specially the bed where you have the ladder which is my favorite spot
all amenities listed in the description were as stated and made our stay nice & comfortable
chrissy’s place is what i expected but even better it had cozy amenities and very clean
if you don’t mind climbing in and out of bed this place is great
Cleanliness:
great place and super clean
very clean cool and check in was a breeze
clean and by the beach
the loft is clean and a perfect couples getaway
the studio was comfortable and clean
Host:
she is a great host
host was responsive and helpful
she is a generous and fine host
chrissy is great host
great airbnb and great host :)
Location:
great location literally steps away from the beach
this is the best location
wonderful place and wonderful location
awesome place and great location
this location is even better than we imagined
Read more reviews

Have fun at the beach

With so many accommodations, it can get really confusing when you start wondering where to stay in Santa Monica. Well, these top vacation rentals will make sure that all your needs are catered to, while staying in comfort and style.

Frequently asked questions about vacation rentals in Santa Monica, California, USA


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anne Sewell was born in England, but has spent most of her life in Africa - Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa - and now resides on the beautiful Costa del Sol in southern Spain. She loves writing...Read more

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