Getting around from Santa Monica Proper Hotel: walking, bikes, transit, and rideshares
From Santa Monica Proper Hotel you can walk to the beach, Pier, and Third Street Promenade in about 6–10 minutes; on-site free bicycles and the Marvin Braude beach bike path make biking to Venice quick and scenic. For longer trips use local transit (Big Blue Bus and Metro E Line connections) or rideshares/taxis; the hotel offers valet parking and has EV charging on site.
In this guide
Walking from the hotel
Santa Monica Proper Hotel sits at 700 Wilshire Blvd (entrance on 7th St). Many top sights are a short walk: Santa Monica State Beach is about 0.4 miles (roughly an 8-minute walk), the Pier about 0.5 miles (9–10 minutes), and the Third Street Promenade about a 6–10 minute walk.
Side streets near the hotel lead to small parks and beachfront paths, so walking is often faster than driving in this part of Santa Monica.
- Santa Monica State Beach — ~8 minutes on foot
- Santa Monica Pier — ~9–10 minutes on foot
- Third Street Promenade — ~6–10 minutes on foot
- Christine Emerson Reed Park — about a 2-minute walk across Wilshire Blvd
| Destination | Approx. walking time |
|---|---|
| Santa Monica State Beach | 8 minutes |
| Santa Monica Pier | 9–10 minutes |
| Third Street Promenade | 6–10 minutes |
Bicycles and the beach bike path
The hotel provides free bicycles for guests. The Marvin Braude beach bike path runs from the Pier south to Venice Beach and beyond, making cycling a direct and pleasant option for local sightseeing.
Bikes are good for short trips along the coast, and for reaching Venice Boardwalk without having to navigate car traffic. Confirm availability and helmet rules at the front desk.
- Free bicycles available to hotel guests — ask Guest Services for pickup/return
- Marvin Braude bike path connects Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach and continues south
- Good for short coastal trips and sightseeing; bring water and sunscreen
| Route | Good for |
|---|---|
| Marvin Braude beach path (Pier → Venice) | Scenic coastal ride, boardwalk access |
| Local streets near Wilshire Blvd | Short hops to shops, cafes, and parks |
Public transit: Big Blue Bus and Metro connections
Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus system operates multiple routes that serve Wilshire and nearby streets and connect to the Metro E (Expo) Line. The Metro E Line links Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles with a station in downtown Santa Monica.
Use Big Blue Bus to reach other Westside neighborhoods and to connect to the Expo Line for longer trips into Los Angeles. Check schedules before you travel, since frequency varies by route and time of day.
- Big Blue Bus — local municipal service with routes on Wilshire and Lincoln
- Metro E (Expo) Line — light rail linking Santa Monica to Downtown LA; Downtown Santa Monica station is the local rail access point
- Connections: take a Big Blue Bus route to reach Expo Line stations or travel within Santa Monica
| Service | Useful for |
|---|---|
| Big Blue Bus | Local trips within Santa Monica; connect to Metro |
| Metro E (Expo) Line | Direct rail to Downtown Los Angeles |
Rideshares, taxis, and local pick-up
Rideshare services (Uber/Lyft) and taxis are widely available in Santa Monica. For pick-up and drop-off, the hotel's official address is 700 Wilshire Blvd with a guest entrance on 7th Street—confirm the exact curbside spot with Guest Services if a driver has trouble finding you.
Rideshares are the easiest choice late at night or for direct trips where public transit would require transfers.
- Use the hotel address (700 Wilshire Blvd, entrance on 7th St) for pickups and drop-offs
- Ask the front desk for the recommended curbside location for taxis or rideshare drivers
- Tipping practices follow usual local customs for drivers
| When to use | Pros |
|---|---|
| Short late-night trips or door-to-door | Direct, usually faster than transit |
| Airport transfers when carrying luggage | Convenient and direct |
Driving, valet parking, and EV charging
Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers valet parking with in-and-out privileges; valet is a paid service and the rate can vary by date. The property lists an on-site EV charging station as an amenity.
If you plan to use a rental car, confirm current valet rates and EV charging availability and fees with the hotel before arrival, since charges are set by the hotel and may change.
- Valet parking available with in-and-out privileges (fees vary by date)
- EV charging station listed among hotel amenities — check availability/fees with Guest Services
- Guest Services can advise about leaving a car on-site after check-out for an additional fee
| Service | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Valet parking | Current nightly rate and in/out privileges |
| EV charging | Availability, connector type, and any usage fees |
| After-checkout parking | Whether you can leave the car and the extra charge |
Getting to and from airports
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the primary commercial airport serving Santa Monica; estimates place it about 7–10 miles from the hotel. Options to reach the hotel from LAX include rideshare, taxi, shuttle services, or a combination of public transit and local buses.
Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is a nearby general-aviation field but is not a commercial airline hub. If you plan to arrive by private flight, confirm ground transportation in advance.
- Main commercial airport: LAX — use rideshare/taxi or public transit with bus/rail connections
- Santa Monica Airport (SMO) is a general-aviation field, not a typical commercial option
- For public-transit routing from LAX, check current bus and rail links and schedules
| Airport | Typical transfer options |
|---|---|
| LAX | Rideshare/taxi, shuttle, or public transit (bus + rail connections) |
| SMO | Private flights; arrange ground transport in advance |
