Is Santa Monica Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Santa Monica is generally safe for solo female travelers. Like any urban area, it's advisable to exercise caution particularly at night or in less crowded areas. Most areas are populated and well-lit, especially those near beachfront, tourist hotspots, and marketplaces. The city is well monitored by the local police, and people are more than willing to help if you're lost or need assistance. However, some areas can have homeless populations who are mostly harmless but can occasionally be aggressive.

Safety rating

Make friends while traveling solo

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet other women, find travel buddies and stay with locals for free through hospitality exchange.
Download from App StoreDownload from Google Play
Get the Travel Ladies App

How safe is Santa Monica?

Safety at night:

Safety at night:Moderate

Santa Monica is a relatively safe tourist hotspot during the day, with a constant police presence and well-lit, crowded areas. At night, however, some parts of the city, particularly the beach and the parks, can become quite deserted and potentially risky to roam around alone, especially after certain hours. As always, it is crucial to maintain awareness of your surroundings, stay in populated areas, and don't make yourself an obvious target by displaying expensive items or appearing disoriented.
Public transportation:

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Santa Monica is generally considered to be safe, with the city's Big Blue Bus system and Metro offering frequent and reliable service. These services maintain a strong visible presence and their vehicles are well-maintained and clean. Nevertheless, normal precautions should be taken, such as avoiding late-night travel when possible and remaining aware of your surroundings.
Street harassment:

Street harassment:Low

Santa Monica is generally a safe area with a relaxed atmosphere. While instances of street harassment can never be completely ruled out, they are not a common issue in this location. There is a palpable police presence and the locals are friendly and respectful. Nightlife areas might see a slight increase in such activities, however, good awareness and a proactive mindset can ward off most potential issues.
Petty crimes:

Petty crimes:Low

Santa Monica, can generally be considered a safe area. Like any urban city, it experiences some amount of petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft, particularly in crowded areas and near tourist attractions. However, these instances are not prevalent or common and adequate precautions can further reduce this risk. As a solo female traveler, remain vigilant, notably in crowded places and always secure your belongings, especially valuables. Get to know the safer neighborhoods and plan your routes accordingly. Overall, Santa Monica is a welcoming and relaxed city with a good security presence.

Is Santa Monica worth visiting?

Andilyn

Andilyn

United States

Solo travel

I loved Santa Monica. The first few blocks from the beach are pretty touristy, which made me feel pretty safe. At night it got a little creepier because there were less people around. There are homeless people everywhere, but they mostly keep to themselves. The Big Blue Bus line was fabulous to take as far as public transit. The Metro to Hollywood was also pretty safe. Besides being expensive, it was an amazing solo trip. It was too cold to swim, but I lived every minute of it.

Posted: December 25, 2024Experienced: September, 2022
favorite_border 1
mode_comment 0

Meet locals in Santa Monica

Tatiana

Tatiana

About Me

Hi I get nervous traveling alone moreso than most people, but I like traveling in an established group. Say hi I'm nice

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Safety in United States