Places (POIs) visited during this tour

Place #1
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi , Attraction : Shopping District, Dining (Recommended selfie spot).
Map Pin
1516 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
POI 1 Tour Image
Chic Montana Avenue
You’re now driving along Montana Avenue, one of Santa Monica’s favorite streets — especially for locals.

While most visitors head straight to the Santa Monica Pier or the Third Street Promenade, Montana Avenue has a much more relaxed neighborhood feel. This ten-block stretch is filled with cafés, bakeries, yoga studios, and small independent boutiques.

Just north of here is the area known as “North of Montana,” one of the most desirable residential neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Some of the city’s most expensive homes sit just a few blocks away, which means it’s not unusual to spot a celebrity quietly grabbing coffee or walking their dog around here.

Unlike the busy tourist zones closer to the beach, Montana Avenue has always been a bit of a locals’ secret — a place where people come for brunch, boutique shopping, and a slower Santa Monica vibe.

If you’re looking for a great place to stop later for coffee or lunch, Montana Avenue is definitely worth coming back to explore on foot.

  https://montanaavenue.com/
Place #2
Distance: 0.54mi
Map Pin
801 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA
POI 2 Tour Image
Montana Avenue — A Road That Rose After the Fall
As we continue along Montana Avenue, here’s a little piece of Santa Monica history.

This street didn’t become a major destination until the 1930s, after the nearby Santa Monica Canyon and Palisades areas began attracting wealthy Los Angeles residents looking for cooler ocean air away from the heat of downtown L.A.

Back then, Montana Avenue was mostly a quiet neighborhood road with a few small markets and pharmacies serving the growing residential community. But as more people built homes in the surrounding “North of Montana” neighborhood — which is still one of the most expensive areas in Southern California — the street slowly evolved into the local shopping district.

For decades, Montana Avenue was known for its old-school neighborhood businesses: bakeries, delis, hardware stores, and small family shops. In fact, many longtime residents still remember when kids would ride their bikes here to buy candy or comic books after school.

In the 1980s and 90s, as Santa Monica grew more upscale, the street transformed again — adding the cafés, boutiques, and restaurants you see today — while still keeping its small, walkable neighborhood character.

So while the pier and the Promenade get most of the tourists, Montana Avenue has always been where Santa Monica locals actually go.

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Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour

Map Pin Place 1 Chic Montana Avenue
Map Pin Place 2 Montana Avenue — A Road That Rose After the Fall
Map Pin Place 3 Palisades Park & Camera Obscura
Map Pin Place 4 Annenberg Community Beach House
Map Pin Place 5 Third Street Promenade
Map Pin Place 6 Santa Monica Place
Map Pin Place 7 Tongva Park
Map Pin Place 8 Historic City Hall
Map Pin Place 9 Vibrant Main Street
Map Pin Place 10 South Beach Park
Map Pin Place 11 North Beach Volleyball Courts
Map Pin Place 12 Muscle Beach
Map Pin Place 13 Iconic Santa Monica Pier



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How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
  • No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
  • Walk at your own pace.
  • No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
  • Take the tour in your preferred language.
  • Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
  • Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
  • Enjoy preferred prices.

What's included?
  • A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay / Android / Android Auto].
  • Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
  • Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
  • Apple CarPlay connection (iOS users) and Android Auto connection (Android users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
  • Earphones (highly recommended).
  • Smartphone.
  • Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).
  • Tickets to the attractions on your tour.
  • Food and drinks
  • Physical tour guide.

Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural

+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 13 stops, covering top attractions such as Chic Montana Avenue, Montana Avenue — A Road That Rose After the Fall, Palisades Park & Camera Obscura, Annenberg Community Beach House, Third Street Promenade.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at Chic Montana Avenue (Address: 1516 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!