ITINERARYPlay Day With The Kids

Start your day deliciously with a kid-friendly, hands-on cooking class at The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica Place, just a few steps away from your oceanside abode. With classes ranging from pasta rolling to macaron making, it’s the perfect way to bake some quality time into your trip. 

With cooking and baking classes beginning mid-morning, you’ll have plenty of time to relax beforehand. Enjoy a stroll along Santa Monica State Beach’s 3.5 miles of sandy shoreline, wake up with a dip in our saltwater pool, or start the day slowly in the comfort of your ocean-inspired guest room or suite.

Spend the afternoon exploring Cayton Children’s Museum’s 21,000 colorful square feet of discovery-based exhibits and experiences. Here, kids can imagine themselves as real-life community heroes in a model fire station, experiment with a Rube Goldberg-inspired ball machine, and participate in many other imagination-powered activities. There are also dedicated spaces for the littlest ones to discover skills and strengths, engage their minds, and make new friends.

If the weather’s too nice to spend time inside, hit up The Board Shop, our on-site gear rental shop, and pick up everything you need for a beach day ⁠— from chairs and umbrellas to boogie boards and gear for almost any sport.

A day of family fun in Santa Monica isn’t complete without a few seaside thrills. Pay a visit to Pacific Park on the Pier, an open-air amusement park home to a dozen rides — including the West Coaster and the famous Pacific Wheel — midway games, specialty food vendors, and unique shops.

After a full day of play, nothing beats room service. Order from The Surfing Fox’s kid-approved menu of fresh, coastal-California dishes and have dinner delivered directly to your room. Want to see more of the city? Many nearby eateries offer kid menus and family-friendly atmospheres, like Italian institution North Italia, eco-minded True Food Kitchen, and seafood hotspot The Albright.