--- title: "Santa Monica vs Huntington Beach: California Beach Battle (2026)" slug: santa-monica-vs-huntington-beach description: "Comparing Santa Monica and Huntington Beach: vibes, surfing, attractions, costs, and which SoCal beach is perfect for your trip." date: 2026-01-05 author: Beaches Close-To-Me featured_image: /images/blog/santa-monica-vs-huntington-beach.jpg keywords: santa monica vs huntington beach, huntington beach or santa monica, best california beaches, socal beach comparison --- # Santa Monica vs Huntington Beach: Which SoCal Beach Wins? Two iconic Southern California beaches, just 40 miles apart. But they couldn't be more different in vibe, crowd, and experience. --- ## Quick Comparison | Factor | Santa Monica | Huntington Beach | Winner | |--------|--------------|------------------|--------| | Vibe | Urban, touristy | Surf town, laid-back | Personal preference | | Beach Width | Wide | Very wide | Huntington | | Surfing | Okay | World-class | Huntington | | Pier | Iconic (rides + games) | Classic (surfing focus) | Tie | | Parking | Expensive, limited | Easier, cheaper | Huntington | | Crowds | Very crowded | Less crowded | Huntington | | Shopping | 3rd Street Promenade | Pacific City, Main St | Santa Monica | | Public Transit | Excellent (Metro) | Limited | Santa Monica | | Beach Fires | Not allowed | Fire pits available | Huntington | | Avg Hotel Cost | $250-400/night | $180-300/night | Huntington | --- ## The Vibe ### Santa Monica: Urban Beach Paradise Santa Monica is LA's beach playground - a mix of beach culture, shopping, dining, and entertainment. The famous pier with its Ferris wheel is an Instagram icon. It's polished, busy, and very tourist-oriented. The Santa Monica Experience: - Iconic pier with Pacific Park amusement rides - 3rd Street Promenade for shopping and dining - Easy Metro access from downtown LA - Year-round street performers - Celebrity spotting potential Drawbacks: - Crowded (especially weekends) - Expensive everything - Aggressive parking enforcement - Homeless presence in some areas --- ### Huntington Beach: Surf City USA Huntington Beach is authentic surf culture. It's where the US Open of Surfing happens. The vibe is relaxed, salty, and focused on the ocean. Less polished, more genuine. The Huntington Experience: - World-class surfing (lessons available) - Beach bonfires at sunset - Surfing Hall of Fame - Dog-friendly beaches - Annual US Open of Surfing Drawbacks: - Less to do off the beach - No direct LA public transit - Can feel sleepy at night - Limited nightlife compared to SM --- ## Surfing Comparison Huntington Beach is the undisputed winner for surfing: - Consistent waves year-round - Multiple surf breaks for all levels - Surf schools everywhere - Professional competitions held here - True surf culture community Santa Monica has waves but: - Inconsistent breaks - Crowded lineups - Better for beginners at the pier - Not a "surf destination" --- ## Things to Do ### Santa Monica - Santa Monica Pier - Rides, arcade, aquarium - 3rd Street Promenade - Shopping and dining - Palisades Park - Clifftop views - Muscle Beach - Historic outdoor gym - Venice Beach - Walk the boardwalk ### Huntington Beach - Surfing lessons - Multiple schools - Beach bonfires - Free fire pits - Pacific City - Coastal shopping - Huntington Beach Pier - Classic California - Bolsa Chica State Beach - Less crowded alternative --- ## Cost Comparison | Expense | Santa Monica | Huntington Beach | |---------|--------------|------------------| | Parking | $15-25+ | $8-15 | | Hotel (mid-range) | $250-400/night | $180-300/night | | Lunch for two | $40-60 | $30-45 | | Surfboard rental | $30-50 | $20-35 | | Daily vacation cost | $300-500 | $200-350 | --- ## Choose Santa Monica If... - You want the "LA beach experience" - Shopping and dining are priorities - You're using public transit - You want pier rides and entertainment - You're combining with an LA trip Explore Santa Monica → --- ## Choose Huntington Beach If... - Surfing is on your bucket list - You want beach bonfires at sunset - You prefer a laid-back, local vibe - You're on a budget - You're traveling with dogs Explore Huntington Beach → --- ## Final Verdict For LA Tourists: Santa Monica is the must-see iconic beach with the pier, shopping, and urban beach energy. For Beach Lovers: Huntington Beach delivers a more authentic, affordable, and relaxed California beach experience. Pro Tip: They're only 40 miles apart. Visit Santa Monica for the Instagram shots, then head south to Huntington to actually enjoy the beach. --- Explore Santa Monica → | Explore Huntington Beach →