A perfect day trip — Santa Monica and Venice Beach
Start from Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel and drive or take a ride-share to Santa Monica Pier for a classic seaside morning, then stroll Third Street Promenade or Abbot Kinney for lunch and shopping before exploring the Venice Boardwalk and canals. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for the pool or The Spa at Beverly Wilshire, then finish with dinner at CUT by Wolfgang Puck or THE Blvd.
In this guide
- Start at Beverly Wilshire — what to know before you go
- Getting to Santa Monica and Venice from Beverly Hills
- Morning: Santa Monica Pier and beach
- Midday: lunch and shopping — Third Street or Abbot Kinney
- Afternoon: Venice — boardwalk, street performers and canals
- Late afternoon return: pool, spa or rooftop at Beverly Wilshire
- Evening: dinner options at the hotel
Start at Beverly Wilshire — what to know before you go
Check-out and check-in details you may need: standard check-in is 3:00 PM and standard check-out is 12:00 PM (noon). The hotel address is 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, California, 90212; BookResorts agents are available 24/7 at +1 (888) 605-1350 to assist with reservations or transfers.
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel is family-friendly and not adults-only. The concierge can arrange private car transfers, a house car service within a three-mile radius, and local plans; valet parking is available for registered guests for an additional fee.
- Hotel address: 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
- Check-in: 3:00 PM; Check-out: 12:00 PM (noon)
- Concierge can arrange transfers to/from LAX and local car services
| Useful hotel contacts | |
|---|---|
| Front desk | 24-hour (via hotel) |
| BookResorts agents | +1 (888) 605-1350 |
| Spa bookings | +1 310 385 7023 (email: spa.beverlywilshire@fourseasons.com) |
Getting to Santa Monica and Venice from Beverly Hills
Santa Monica Pier and Santa Monica State Beach are roughly 7–9 miles from the hotel; typical travel time is about 12–14 minutes in light traffic but can take longer in heavier traffic. The concierge can book a private car transfer or suggest a rideshare for a door-to-door day trip.
If you prefer public transport, LA Metro and local buses connect the area, and the hotel’s concierge can advise routes; Beverly Hills also runs a free weekend trolley (Saturdays and Sundays, 11:00 AM–4:30 PM) looping between the Civic Center and Rodeo Drive for local short trips.
- Private car or rideshare: easiest door-to-door option (ask concierge)
- Public transit: Metro and buses connect Beverly Hills to Santa Monica and Venice
- Free weekend Beverly Hills trolley: Sat–Sun 11:00 AM–4:30 PM (loop service)
| Option | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| Private car / rideshare | Most direct, best for groups or fixed schedule |
| Public transit | Lower cost, flexible but slower |
| Hotel house car (within 3 miles) | Short trips around Beverly Hills |
Morning: Santa Monica Pier and beach
Begin at Santa Monica Pier for classic pier attractions, ocean views and a seaside walk. The Pier and Santa Monica State Beach are suitable for a relaxed morning of people-watching, a stroll on the boardwalk, or grabbing coffee and pastries from nearby shops.
If you’d rather shop, the Third Street Promenade is about 8 miles from the hotel and offers pedestrian shopping and street performers; it’s a short trip from the Pier and pairs naturally with a beach morning.
- Santa Monica Pier: seaside walk and pier atmosphere
- Santa Monica State Beach: beach time and ocean views
- Third Street Promenade: pedestrian shopping near the Pier
| Suggested morning timing | |
|---|---|
| 8:30–10:30 AM | Beach walk, photos on the Pier |
| 10:30–11:30 AM | Coffee and light shopping at Third Street Promenade |
Midday: lunch and shopping — Third Street or Abbot Kinney
For a traditional mall-to-street experience, Third Street Promenade near the Pier has casual dining and stores; it’s a good place for a relaxed lunch before heading south to Venice. Alternatively, drive or ride to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice for independent boutiques, galleries and cafés with a more local, design-focused feel.
Allow time for a short walk along Abbot Kinney to browse shops and sample a café lunch. The hotel concierge can suggest specific restaurants or make reservations if you prefer to return to the hotel for a later meal.
- Third Street Promenade: casual chain and local shops, near the Pier
- Abbot Kinney Boulevard: independent boutiques and local cafés
- Concierge can make restaurant reservations or suggest takeout options to enjoy at the beach
| Area | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Third Street Promenade | Pedestrian shopping, casual dining |
| Abbot Kinney | Boutiques, cafes, local design scene |
| Nearby Venice | Boardwalk and canals (see afternoon) |
Afternoon: Venice — boardwalk, street performers and canals
Walk the Venice Boardwalk for the street performers, murals and people-watching that define the area; it’s a contrast to the more polished shopping in Beverly Hills. If you prefer quieter scenery, head to the Venice Canals for tree-lined walks through the historic canal district.
Plan for unpredictable crowds on the boardwalk, especially on weekends. The hotel’s concierge can advise the best time to visit and help arrange transport back to Beverly Wilshire.
- Venice Boardwalk: street performers, vendors and public art
- Venice Canals: quieter, picturesque walking routes
- Expect heavier crowds on weekends and warm afternoons
| Activity | Why go |
|---|---|
| Boardwalk stroll | Energetic street life and public art |
| Canals walk | Scenic, residential canals and bridges |
| Shopping on Abbot Kinney | Local boutiques and cafés |
Late afternoon return: pool, spa or rooftop at Beverly Wilshire
Return to Beverly Wilshire to use the Mediterranean-style outdoor pool (open year-round from 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM). Poolside cabanas are available to book; non-hotel guests can access the pool only by renting a cabana or by booking a qualifying spa treatment.
If you prefer indoor relaxation, book The Spa at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel; the spa is open Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM and Friday–Sunday 9:00 AM–7:00 PM and offers treatments including the Signature Facial and Signature Body Treatment. Guests who book a 60-minute or longer spa treatment on the same day can access the pool through the spa program.
- Pool hours: daily 6:30 AM–5:00 PM; pool size listed in hotel materials
- Spa hours: Mon–Thu 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, Fri–Sun 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
- Spa booking: +1 310 385 7023 or spa.beverlywilshire@fourseasons.com
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pool | Mediterranean-style, cabanas available; under-14s must be supervised |
| The Spa | Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star spa with multiple signature treatments |
| Fitness Centre | Bi-level, open 24 hours with cardio and weight equipment |
Evening: dinner options at the hotel
For dinner without leaving the hotel, CUT by Wolfgang Puck is the on-site steakhouse serving steak and seafood in a contemporary setting; CUT hours include Tuesday–Thursday 5:30 PM–10:00 PM and Friday–Saturday 5:00 PM–10:30 PM. Reservations are recommended and can be made via OpenTable or the hotel concierge.
THE Blvd offers Californian cuisine with indoor dining, a bar/lounge and an outdoor terrace overlooking Rodeo Drive and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended through OpenTable or concierge. For lighter evening drinks, consider CUT Lounge or THE Blvd Lounge—both operate evening hours and serve cocktails and light bites.
- CUT by Wolfgang Puck: dinner service Tue–Thu and Fri–Sat (see hotel for exact hours)
- THE Blvd: all-day Californian cuisine with terrace overlooking Rodeo Drive
- CUT Lounge and THE Blvd Lounge: cocktails and light bites in lobby-level lounges
| Venue | When open (per hotel) |
|---|---|
| CUT by Wolfgang Puck | Dinner (Tue–Thu 5:30–10:00 PM; Fri–Sat 5:00–10:30 PM) |
| THE Blvd | Breakfast, lunch, dinner — hours vary; check with concierge |
| Pool Bar & Cafe | Daily 11:00 AM–5:00 PM |
