One-day beach trip: Santa Monica or Venice from Hotel Figueroa
Yes — you can do a one-day beach trip to either Santa Monica or Venice from Hotel Figueroa. Driving is fastest (typical non-traffic drive time about 17–25 minutes to Santa Monica/Pier), while the Metro E Line takes roughly 47–50 minutes to the coast if you prefer transit.
In this guide
How to get to the coast from Hotel Figueroa
Hotel Figueroa sits at 939 S Figueroa St in Downtown LA, steps from L.A. Live. You can reach the beaches by car, rideshare, or public transit.
Driving is usually the quickest option outside peak traffic; the downtown-to-Santa Monica drive is commonly cited as about 17–25 minutes without heavy traffic. The Metro E Line offers a low-cost alternative to Santa Monica that takes about 47–50 minutes from central DTLA.
- Drive or rideshare: fastest but variable with LA traffic.
- Metro E Line: ~47–50 minutes to Santa Monica; cheap and avoids parking search.
- Ask Hotel Figueroa concierge for current transit advice or recommended pickup/drop-off spots.
| Option | Typical time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive / rideshare | 17–25 minutes (no heavy traffic) | Variable in rush hour |
| Metro E Line | ~47–50 minutes | Low cost; walk or connect at 7th St/Metro Center |
One-day plan: Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade
If you choose Santa Monica, plan for a mix of pier time, a beach walk, and shopping or lunch on Third Street Promenade. The Pier is a traditional seaside destination with vendors and views of the ocean.
Using transit you can arrive midday; if driving, factor in time to find parking or a public lot. Returning to Hotel Figueroa in the evening is straightforward by the same routes.
- Walk the Pier and seaside boardwalk.
- Stroll the sand or rent a bike to ride north/south along the strand.
- Eat at a beachfront cafe or at Third Street Promenade.
| Timing | Suggested activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | Travel from Hotel Figueroa; coffee en route or at the Pier |
| Midday | Beach time, pier walk, lunch on the Promenade |
| Afternoon | Optional shop or bike ride; head back to DTLA |
One-day plan: Venice Beach and Venice Boardwalk
Venice has a different vibe from Santa Monica — more street performers, skatepark, and eclectic vendors along the Boardwalk. It's a good choice if you want a lively, casual scene.
You can combine Venice with Santa Monica by bike or short drive north along the strand, but allow extra time for stopping and traffic if driving between the two.
- Walk the Venice Boardwalk and see Muscle Beach and the skate park.
- Browse local artisan stalls and small eateries on Abbot Kinney (a short distance inland).
- Consider renting a bike to cover Venice and Santa Monica along the beach path.
| Why pick Venice | Best for |
|---|---|
| Street life and performers | Casual, people-watching day |
| Skatepark and street art | Visitors who want local character |
Timing, logistics, and what to bring
Plan your departure from Hotel Figueroa to avoid peak commute times if you’re driving. Bring sun protection, water, and comfortable shoes for walking the pier or boardwalk.
If you take transit, bring a TAP card or payment method for Metro; trains are the cheapest option and avoid parking hassles.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.
- Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated in the sun).
- Light layer for coastal breeze; evenings can be cooler than downtown.
| Practical tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Leave mid-morning | Easier parking and calmer crowds than midday on busy weekends |
| Bring a TAP card | Cheaper, faster boarding on Metro E Line |
Pool, rest, and dining back at Hotel Figueroa
After your beach day you can return to Hotel Figueroa and use the outdoor courtyard pool; the hotel's compendium lists pool swimming hours as 8:00 AM–8:00 PM daily. Poolside dining is served through La Casita or pool bar services when available.
For dinner on site, Hotel Figueroa's options include Cafe Fig (Mediterranean & Continental), Bar Magnolia (cocktails and small plates), and Florence by the Water (Tuscany-inspired Italian). Check current hours with the hotel; Cafe Fig lists breakfast and daily service times on the hotel's site.
- Pool hours (hotel compendium): 8:00 AM–8:00 PM daily.
- On-site dining: Cafe Fig, Bar Magnolia, Florence by the Water.
- Ask the concierge about La Casita poolside hours and table availability.
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Cafe Fig | Breakfast, lunch, dinner (see hotel for times) |
| Bar Magnolia | Cocktails & small plates; Happy Hour Mon–Fri 3–6pm |
| Florence by the Water | Dinner service (check hotel for current nights/hours) |
Best rooms to return to after the beach
Hotel Figueroa offers a range of room types. If you want more space to change and relax after the beach, consider booking a suite; the property lists Suite (Casa), Suite (Casablanca), Suite (Figueroa), and Suite, 1 Bedroom among its suite options.
Standard room types include Room, 1 King Bed; Room, 1 Queen Bed; Room (High Floor); Room, 2 Double Beds; Room, 2 Queen Beds; and Room, Bathtub. All rooms include the nightly amenity fee benefits such as in-room coffee and two boxed waters.
- Suites give extra living space after a beach day (several named suites are available).
- Standard rooms with a bathtub (Room, Bathtub) may be useful if you want a rinse-off soak after sand and sun.
- Amenity Fee covers in-room coffee/espresso, two boxed waters daily, Wi‑Fi, and pool/fitness access.
| Room example | Why it helps after beach |
|---|---|
| Room, Bathtub | Private tub to rinse off and soak |
| Suite (Casa) | More living space to spread out and change |
Safety and family notes
Hotel Figueroa welcomes children of all ages when accompanied by an adult who is 21 or older; the hotel requires the guest checking in to be at least 21. Pool rules and supervision requirements apply — check the hotel's policies if you're traveling with kids.
Pets under 50 lbs are allowed (up to two per room) with a non-refundable fee and restrictions on pool and dining areas; confirm details with the front desk at check-in.
- Check-in minimum age: 21 years for the guest checking in.
- Children welcome when accompanied by an adult 21+.
- Pet policy: dogs under 50 lbs, up to two per room; pets not allowed at pool or restaurants.
| Policy | Short detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in age | 21+ required to check in |
| Pets | Dogs <50 lbs, up to two; non-refundable pet fee |
