Santa Monica bike tours can mean a relaxed coastal ride, a more rugged e-bike outing, or a beginner-friendly mountain-bike option. These three experiences all run about two hours, but they differ in terrain, gear, and how closely the riding is tailored to the group.
TourPickGuide may earn a commission when you book through an affiliate link in this guide, at no extra cost to you.
For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and USA tours and experiences.
Quick comparison of Santa Monica bike tours
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Coastal cruiser ride | Travelers who want a laid-back ride through Santa Monica and Venice with a mix of landmarks and neighborhood stops | ★ 5.0/5 | 16 reviews | Approx. 2 hr | Use of bicycle is included. | View on Viator |
 Premium e-mountain ride | Riders who want a more active mountain-bike experience with premium equipment and guidance adjusted to their comfort level | ★ 5.0/5 | 12 reviews | Approx. 2 hr | Premium electric mountain bike and protective gear are included. | View on Viator |
 Beginner trail e-bike | Travelers who want a mountain-bike experience with a beginner-friendly route and side-by-side pacing for different skill levels | ★ 5.0/5 | 7 reviews | Approx. 2 hr | The tour offers a beginner fire road option and an optional single track. | View on Viator |
What each Santa Monica option includes
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
Compare this if you want the most urban sightseeing focus.
Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour
Best for: Travelers who want a laid-back ride through Santa Monica and Venice with a mix of landmarks and neighborhood stops
This guided ride is a good fit if you want an easier-paced way to see Santa Monica and nearby Venice from a beach cruiser. The tour includes bicycle use and follows a route past Santa Monica Pier, Muscle Beach, the canals, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Main Street, City Hall, and Tongva Park. The description also notes a stop for juice or coffee. It is scheduled to start daily at 10 a.m., and children under 5 can ride in a child’s seat for an extra charge on the day. Gratuities and snacks are not included.
Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour
- Use of bicycle is included.
- The route combines beach, boardwalk, canals, and neighborhood streets.
- A coffee or juice stop is built into the outing.
Compare this if you want a more athletic trail outing.
Santa Monica Premium Electric Mountain Bike Tour
Best for: Riders who want a more active mountain-bike experience with premium equipment and guidance adjusted to their comfort level
This is the more technical-feeling option, with an electric mountain bike experience in the Santa Monica Mountains rather than a city cruise. The tour includes a customized ride, a professional guide, bottled water, snacks, a helmet, eyewear, and premium bike gear. The description says riders of all levels are welcome and no experience is necessary, and the guide adjusts the tour based on your background. The route includes forested sections, running water when present in spring, mountain views, and a stop at the Nike Missile Control site. The meeting point is listed near Sullivan Canyon Park. Additional food and drinks are not included.
Santa Monica Premium Electric Mountain Bike Tour
- Premium electric mountain bike and protective gear are included.
- The guide customizes the ride to the group’s experience level.
- Bottled water, snacks, helmet, and eyewear are included.
Compare this if you want beginner-friendly trail flexibility.
Scenic Santa Monica Electric Mountain Bike Tour (Beginner)
Best for: Travelers who want a mountain-bike experience with a beginner-friendly route and side-by-side pacing for different skill levels
This option is designed for travelers who want a mountain-bike outing but prefer a more flexible beginner format. It uses premium electric mountain bikes and includes protective pads, bottled water, snacks, a certified mountain bike guide, a helmet, eyewear, and full premium gear. The description says the route includes an optional single track, while the beginner fire road and the Ridgeline Roller Coaster run side by side so riders of different abilities can stay together. The ride takes in Pacific Ocean and mountain views and stops at the Nike Missile Control site. No separate exclusions are listed in the supplied data.
Scenic Santa Monica Electric Mountain Bike Tour (Beginner)
- The tour offers a beginner fire road option and an optional single track.
- Riders of different levels can stay together while riding at their own pace.
- Protective pads, water, snacks, helmet, eyewear, and a certified guide are included.
Choosing an itinerary style in Santa Monica
If you want a softer sightseeing pace, the coastal Santa Monica and Venice ride is the most neighborhood-focused choice. If you prefer trails and uphill terrain, the two mountain-bike tours offer different levels of structure, with one centered on customization and the other on beginner-friendly shared pacing.
Santa Monica and Venice coastal loop
A guided cruiser ride through beach, boardwalk, canals, and nearby streets.
Santa Monica Mountains trail ride
A guided e-bike ride on mountain trails with a stop at the Nike Missile Control site.
Beginner-friendly Santa Monica Mountains route
A shared mountain-bike outing with beginner and optional single-track riding choices.
Before you book in Santa Monica
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Santa Monica booking checklist
- Check the meeting-point details carefully, especially for the mountain-bike tours.
- Confirm whether you want the included gear and snacks listed for each specific tour.
- If you are booking for a young child, review the age and child-seat note on the coastal ride before confirming.
Questions travelers ask about Santa Monica bike tours
Which tour is the easiest match for a first-time visitor who wants city sights?
The Santa Monica & Venice Bike Tour is the most sightseeing-focused option, with a cruiser-bike route past Santa Monica landmarks, canals, and nearby streets.
Which tour is better if I want mountain trails but need more guidance?
The Santa Monica Premium Electric Mountain Bike Tour is the most customized trail option, since the guide adjusts the ride to your experience level.
Which tour is the best fit for mixed-skill groups?
The Scenic Santa Monica Electric Mountain Bike Tour (Beginner) is the best match for groups that want beginner-friendly riding with the option to stay together on side-by-side routes.