Los Angeles: Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway Tour

The best part of this two-hour Segway tour is the ground it covers without making you walk every inch of it. You glide from Santa Monica’s broad waterfront to Venice’s canals, beach culture, street performers, and oddball architecture, with the Pacific beside you much of the way.

I like the early hands-on training and the way the route mixes famous sights with local flavor. I also like the practical extras: a helmet, water, snacks, and a guide who stays with you. The main drawback is the $199 price, which is a lot for two hours, especially if you already plan to explore these beaches on foot.

Key points to know

• Two beach cities in one ride: Cover Santa Monica and Venice without spending the entire day walking between them.
• A proper Segway lesson comes first: You practice in a parking area before riding near beach crowds.
• Venice brings the character: Canals, unusual homes, galleries, street performers, and the famous Muscle Beach all fit into the route.
• Guides make a difference: Luce and Cameron are specifically praised for friendly instruction, humor, and strong local guidance.
• Bring the right footwear: Sandals, flip flops, and sports shoes are not allowed.
• The meeting point is easy to miss: Look for the guide in an Another Side Tours shirt near the beachfront entrance of Casa Del Mar Hotel.

Why a Segway works well on the Santa Monica waterfront

Santa Monica and Venice are close together, but they feel like different towns. Santa Monica has a polished seaside center, grand hotels, galleries, and the famous pier. Venice is more eccentric, with canals, creative spaces, beach performers, and architecture that refuses to behave.

A Segway helps you connect the two without burning your legs on a long walk. You ride on concrete paths along the waterfront and boardwalk areas, stopping often enough to take in the sights. The route gives you a broad first look at the coast, which is useful if you have limited time in Los Angeles.

You should not expect a quiet back-road outing. This is a public beach route, and the area can include pedestrians, cyclists, performers, and general beach traffic. That is why the opening lesson matters. The guides first help you learn the controls and balance, then make sure you feel ready before heading into busier spaces.

The experience is open to children age eight and older. That makes it workable for families with older children and teenagers, though every participant needs to follow the safety instructions and feel comfortable on the machine.

The first stop: getting comfortable on the Segway

You meet at the beachfront entrance of the Casa Del Mar Hotel, at 1910 Ocean Way in Santa Monica. The precise location is near the toll booth just south of the hotel, not at Segway of Santa Monica. These are separate companies, so do not follow the wrong sign or assume the hotel entrance tells the whole story.

Look for a guide wearing an Another Side Tours shirt and riding a Segway. If you cannot find the meeting spot, the supplied contact number is 310-289-8687.

The tour starts with safety instruction and a short practice session on a parking area. This is one of the strongest parts of the setup. A Segway is simple once you understand how it responds, but a few minutes of practice can make a big difference when you later pass people on a busy beach path.

The guides help you learn how to move, stop, and steer. The exact length of the practice depends on the group and how quickly everyone feels ready. One useful detail from an earlier outing is that the equipment was described as easy to operate and in good condition.

You receive a helmet, and snacks and beverages are included. That keeps the outing pleasantly simple. You do not need to plan a separate water stop during the two hours, though you should still dress for sun and bring any personal items you need.

Santa Monica Pier and Ocean Front Walk

Once you are moving, the route takes in the Santa Monica waterfront and the historic Santa Monica Pier. The pier is one of those places you recognize before you arrive, thanks to its presence in films, television, and countless photographs.

From a Segway, you get a moving view of the pier and the beach rather than a long stop inside one attraction. That is useful if your main aim is to see several parts of the coast in a short time. If you want rides, food, shops, or a slow walk to the end of the pier, you will need extra time before or after the tour.

The ride continues along Ocean Front Walk, where seaside hotels, galleries, and beach activity keep the route visually busy. The tour also passes areas with expensive oceanfront property. This gives you a look at the more polished side of Santa Monica, where the beach is paired with stylish buildings and commercial spaces.

I like this section because it provides context. You see more than just sand and water. The coast here is also a major public promenade, a place for recreation, shopping, people watching, and high-value real estate.

The tradeoff is pace. You are seeing several sights while staying with the group, so you will not have unlimited time at each one. Think of the tour as a guided introduction, not a series of long visits.

The California Heritage Museum stop

The route includes a stop at the California Heritage Museum. The museum adds a cultural note to what might otherwise be a purely beach-focused ride.

The supplied details do not promise a long museum visit or a specific exhibition. Your time here is best understood as a stop connected to the route, rather than a full museum program. If this museum is a major reason for booking, check the timing and current opening information before you go.

This is also a good reminder that the tour’s appeal comes from variety. In two hours, you move between shoreline views, public art and galleries, historic attractions, residential architecture, and a museum stop. The experience does not ask you to choose between an urban outing and a beach outing.

Crossing into Venice Beach

Venice begins to feel different from Santa Monica almost at once. Developer Abbot Kinney originally laid out Venice as a fantasy version of the Italian city, complete with canals. The present-day neighborhood keeps that unusual origin story alive through its mix of waterways, homes, creative work, and beach culture.

The Segway route takes you through Venice Beach and toward its canals. You also pass unique homes and architecture that give the area its bohemian character. This is where the tour feels less polished and more unpredictable than Santa Monica.

The canals are a highlight because they show a quieter residential side of Venice. The beach and boardwalk are public stages, but the canal area offers a look at the neighborhood’s original idea: a place shaped around water and a European-inspired design.

Please remember that a two-hour route cannot provide a detailed visit to every canal, gallery, or side street. You will see the character of the area and can return later to explore on foot. That is a good plan if you spot a gallery or building that deserves more time.

Venice also has an active arts scene, so you may encounter street performers and public creativity during the ride. The experience does not promise a fixed performer lineup, and that is part of the charm. The beach changes from hour to hour.

Muscle Beach and the famous boardwalk

Muscle Beach is one of the tour’s most recognizable stops. Its reputation comes from the public display of strength and fitness, as well as its many appearances in films and popular culture.

You pass through the Muscle Beach area rather than signing up for a workout. It is a quick, memorable piece of Venice’s identity, and it helps explain why this stretch of beach has become famous far beyond Los Angeles.

The surrounding boardwalk adds people watching, shops, performers, and a steady flow of beach life. This is not a quiet nature ride. If you want the traditional Venice experience, though, that mix of movement and odd detail is exactly the point.

The guide helps connect the sights so you are not simply passing them without context. The guide names associated with earlier tours include Luce and Cameron. Luce was singled out for outstanding service, while Cameron was praised for making the ride fun. You may have a different guide, but the tour’s design depends heavily on that person’s instruction and commentary.

What the pace feels like

The route is designed to keep moving. That is the major advantage over a walking tour. In the same two hours, you can reach Santa Monica Pier, continue along the waterfront, pass the museum, ride through Venice, see Muscle Beach, and reach the canal area.

The pace also means you should arrive ready to focus. You may want photographs, but stopping constantly can make the route feel rushed. Listen to the guide’s instructions about where to pause and where to keep moving.

One earlier morning outing began at 9 a.m., when the temperature was pleasant and the beach was still quiet. That is a useful timing clue, even though starting times vary. An early departure can make the ride feel calmer and more comfortable, especially in a popular waterfront area.

You need to check the available starting times when booking. The tour lasts two hours, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Plan your own way to Casa Del Mar Hotel and leave time to find the exact beachfront entrance.

Is $199 a fair price?

At $199 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing option. You are paying for the Segway, helmet, instruction, guide, snacks, beverages, and a route that links two major beach districts.

The price makes the most sense if you value time and coverage. A long walk between Santa Monica and Venice can take much of a day once you add stops, photos, and rest. The Segway lets you see both areas in a compact outing, while the guide gives you structure and basic local context.

The value is weaker if you already plan to spend several hours on the beach paths or if your group is large and price-sensitive. Santa Monica and Venice can be explored independently, and walking costs nothing beyond your time.

I would also consider the quality of the introduction. A first-time Segway rider may get more from this than someone who has already ridden one many times. The practice session, safety help, and guide can turn an unfamiliar machine into a practical way to cover ground.

The included snacks and drinks are useful but do not transform the price equation. The real value is the combination of equipment, guidance, and access to a wide stretch of the coast in two hours.

Shoes, parking, and other practical details

Wear closed, comfortable footwear that meets the operator’s rules. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and sports shoes are also listed as unsuitable. Because that wording is unusually strict, check with the provider if your shoes are not clearly acceptable.

A cash parking lot sits next to Casa Del Mar Hotel. The stated cost is about $7 to $12. That parking charge is separate, so include it in your budget if you are driving.

The meeting point is not the office of Segway of Santa Monica. It is at the beachfront entrance of Casa Del Mar Hotel, close to the toll booth south of the hotel. This detail matters, since arriving at the wrong operator could cost you valuable time.

The activity is offered with English or Spanish-speaking guides. You should receive a booking confirmation from the provider within 48 hours after purchase. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.

Who will enjoy this ride most?

I would choose this tour for a first visit to Santa Monica and Venice when you want orientation without committing a full day. It suits couples, families with children age eight and older, and anyone who prefers a guided route to figuring out the beach districts alone.

It is also a strong choice for teenagers. A family outing can feel repetitive when it consists only of walking, but the Segway adds a clear activity while still showing the famous sights. Earlier family groups with teenagers found the guides helpful and the ride fun.

You should think twice if you dislike balancing equipment, busy public paths, or fixed group timing. The tour is not a private chauffeur service, and Venice’s boardwalk is not a quiet road.

It may also be less suitable if your priority is a slow museum visit, extended shopping, or a long stop at the pier. The route offers an overview of these places, then keeps moving.

Should you book the Santa Monica and Venice Segway tour?

Book it if you want to cover both beach communities efficiently, like having a guide, and are willing to pay for a structured two-hour activity. The training, helmets, refreshments, and route design make it especially useful for first-time Segway riders and families with older children.

Skip it if $199 feels too high for a short outing or if you prefer to explore slowly on foot. For the right person, though, this is a lively way to connect Santa Monica Pier, the waterfront, Venice canals, Muscle Beach, and the California Heritage Museum without spending the day walking.

FAQ

How long is the Santa Monica and Venice Beach Segway tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $199 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the beachfront entrance of the Casa Del Mar Hotel at 1910 Ocean Way in Santa Monica. The location is near the toll booth just south of the hotel.

How do I identify the correct meeting point?

Look for a guide riding a Segway and wearing an Another Side Tours shirt. This is not the same company as Segway of Santa Monica.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Yes. A cash parking lot is next to the Casa Del Mar Hotel. The stated cost is about $7 to $12.

What is included in the tour?

The tour includes a Segway, helmet, safety instruction, professional guide, snacks, and beverages.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English or Spanish.

What is the minimum age, and what shoes are allowed?

Participants must be at least eight years old. Sandals, flip flops, and sports shoes are not allowed.