PEAKLIFE
06-Jul-2026
From luxury hotel experiences and buzzy new restaurants to art shows, wellness events and FIFA World Cup celebrations, Santa Monica is packed with fresh energy this summer.
Santa Monica is welcoming summer 2026 with a wave of new openings, luxury experiences, cultural events and global sporting excitement. From stylish hotels and trendy restaurants to wellness experiences and FIFA World Cup celebrations, the iconic California beach city is buzzing with activity this season.
Luxury Stays and New Hotel Experiences
Santa Monica’s hospitality scene continues to evolve with several luxury properties unveiling new experiences for visitors. Historic beachfront property Hotel Casa del Mar celebrates 100 years in 2026 with special experiences, including its “Golden Hour” happy hour at the Lobby Lounge, where guests can enjoy cocktails, wines and ocean views. Meanwhile, Regent Santa Monica Beach is elevating summer stays with private sunset cabanas, beachside butler experiences and a special Route 66 Centennial Journey package featuring luxury car rentals and ocean-view accommodations.
The legendary Georgian Hotel has officially joined The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Known for its restored art deco interiors and Old Hollywood charm, the property is a great start for anyone who is looking for a more classic Santa Monica experience. If you want to club your stay with wellness offerings, book your stay at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel. The newly launched Hyperion Recovery Suite offers advanced therapies, including infrared sauna sessions, compression recovery and red-light therapy treatments. Additionally, a new boutique addition, Maison Twenty Seven, has also joined Hilton’s luxury portfolio, bringing Mediterranean-inspired design, private gardens and a quieter luxury experience to Downtown Santa Monica.
Santa Monica’s Dining Scene Gets Bigger
Food continues to be one of Santa Monica’s biggest attractions, with several new openings arriving across the city.
Fine-dining destination SELINE recently earned one MICHELIN Star, becoming Santa Monica’s third MICHELIN-starred restaurant. Led by chef Dave Beran, the restaurant offers an immersive tasting-menu experience inspired by Southern California ingredients and storytelling. At the Santa Monica Pier, visitors can now stop by La Monica Pizza & Bar for slices and drinks with ocean views before heading to Sweet Rose Creamery for handcrafted ice cream. Seafood-focused newcomer West Side Oyster Club is drawing crowds with lobster rolls, oysters and beach-friendly takeaway options.
Several casual dining favourites have also opened new locations in Santa Monica this season. These include cult smashburger spot The Win-Dow, neighbourhood favourite Pop’s Bagels and Peruvian rotisserie concept Pontu Chicken. The city’s café scene is also expanding rapidly. Dragon Alley Coffee is attracting visitors with whimsical drinks and themed interiors, while DOL Coffee House is introducing Vietnamese-inspired coffee culture to the Westside with signature egg coffees and speciality teas. Fans of pop culture can also visit the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria on Third Street Promenade, where pizza, merchandise and themed interiors bring the beloved franchise to life.
Arts, Culture and Family Fun
This year marks 30 years of Pacific Park, the famous amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier. The attraction continues to draw visitors with rides, midway games and sweeping Pacific Ocean views. Art lovers can spend time exploring exhibitions at Bergamot Station Arts Center and 18th Street Arts Center, both of which are hosting new seasonal exhibitions and artist showcases this summer.
Families can head to Cayton Children’s Museum for summer movie nights, themed workshops and interactive programmes for children. The city is also hosting a series of free experiences throughout the season, including floral workshops at Third Street Promenade and sunset picnics at Annenberg Community Beach House.
Wellness and Fitness Activities in Santa Monica
Santa Monica’s wellness culture continues to thrive with several new fitness and recovery-focused experiences. Club Studio has launched a new boutique fitness concept offering Pilates, spin, boxing and strength training classes alongside recovery therapies such as cryotherapy and HydroMassage. Meanwhile, Summer Pilates offers smaller, community-focused Pilates sessions designed for personalised instruction and mindful movement. The popular “Wellness & Waves” programme also returns to the Santa Monica Pier this season, bringing free yoga, Pilates and group runs to the beachfront every weekend through October.
FIFA World Cup Excitement Arrives in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is embracing the energy of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with fan experiences, citywide events and immersive celebrations taking over key locations across the city. Third Street Promenade is currently home to the official FIFA World Cup 2026 retail pop-up store, while restaurants, bars and beachfront venues are preparing for live screenings and themed celebrations throughout the tournament.
The season’s biggest event will be COAST 2026, a massive one-day open-air festival transforming Downtown Santa Monica into a celebration of music, food, football and community spirit. With new openings, global events and a packed calendar of experiences, Santa Monica is shaping up to be one of California’s most exciting summer destinations in 2026.
