Santa Monica Stairs Los Angeles
Step by step
I love my city for our glorious weather and the countless activities that can be done outside. While I spend my fair share of time indoors at the gym or yoga or other exercise class, I like to break up my routine with some outdoor activity. There are a number of hidden stairways in and around LA, but my personal favorite are the Santa Monica stairs. This set of stairs connects the part of Santa Monica that is on the bluffs, to neighboring Pacific Palisades at the ocean level. It is in a beautiful neighborhood with multi-million dollar homes that I daydream about.
I find these stairs particularly inspiring, because I am surrounded by the fittest of the fit, and it motivates me to do one more lap. There are just shy of 200 steps (188 to be exact), so by 16 or so laps, I can be proud to have climbed the equivalent of a skyscraper! The stairs can get crowded, so at my slow pace I stay to the right so the exercise gurus can run past me. I one time saw a man climbing the stairs on his hands in a handstand!
Find your way with 135 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Los Angeles
Best Thrift Shops in LA
Treasure Hunting
I love thrift shopping! Like treasure hunting, you never know what you're going to find. There's joy in seeing new value in old things. Breathing fresh life into something recycled.
by
Val
Douroux
Olvera St.
LA's Oldest Neighborhood
Olvera St. is the liveliest, and oldest, neighborhood in Los Angeles. I come here to get immersed in Latino culture. The buzz of the people is amazing...
by
Val
Douroux
Ritual Acai
Best Açaí in LA
My favorite bowl is the “Ritual of Champions”. It has acai, hemp seeds, strawberries, bananas, cacao, and peanut butter drizzled on top.
by
Val
Douroux
St. Felix
Hollywood Club Crawl starts here
I've been coming to "St. Felix" in LA for almost ten years. This is where the Hollywood Club Crawl starts. I like their new post-pandemic extras!
by
James
Hsiao
Elbow Room
A bar for bartenders and sports
If you ask some bartenders around the block in LA where they go on their days off or when they get off work, "Elbow Room" is the place...
by
James
Hsiao
Figaro Bistrot
Magical Parisian café
"Figaro Bistrot" Los Angeles: the quintessential cafe and a magical spot that will allow you for a quick trip to Paris! I go for their Omelette for brunch.
by
Julian
Sosa
The Cat and Fiddle
UK bar
"The Cat and Fiddle" in Los Angeles is a British bar with great Monday pie and pint. I love the happy hour, and I love the atmosphere to read here!
by
James
Hsiao
Scum and Villainy Cantina
Sci-fi lounge
"Scum and Villainy Cantina" in Hollywood, Los Angeles has its own Star Wars and other sci-fi themed bar. You can even dress up here, I'm usually a Pilot...
by
James
Hsiao
New Beverly Cinema
Vintage double features
"New Beverly Cinema" Los Angeles is a 35mm only theatre. Q. Tarantino is head programmer and it only plays double features, the true way to enjoy films!
by
Julian
Sosa
Cafe Grano
Cultural & Delicious
Cafe Grano in Burbank blends cozy vibes, brain-fueling smoothies, and creative buzz — perfect for working, chilling, and soaking in the local film culture.
by
Val
Douroux
Tao Comedy Studio
Open mic & comedy school
"Tao Comedy Club" in Los Angeles is a hidden gem of a comedy club. It's also a school of comedy, where you can follow Bobbi Oliver's different approach...
by
Val
Douroux
Heading to Los Angeles?
135 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 135 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Los Angeles
Get to know our other Spotters from Los Angeles
As featured on:
