There are 4 ways to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica by plane, tram, train (Amtrak), bus (Amtrak, Flixbus), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly, tram
best- Fly from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)plane SBP - LAX
- Take the tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Stationtram
- Take the tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Stationtram
2h 53m$398–647Drive 172.1 mi
cheapest- Drive from Avila Beach to Santa Monicacar 172.1 mi
3h 23m$32–46Train (Amtrak)
- Take the train from San Luis Obispo to Los Angelestrain Pacific Surfliner / ...
6h 54m$160–237Bus, line 33 bus
- Take the bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbarabus
- Take the bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
- Take the bus from Patsaouras Transit Plaza to 5th / Santa Monicabus 33
8h 29m
San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica is to drive which costs $30 - $50 and takes 3h 23m.
The fastest way to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica is to fly and tram which takes 2h 53m and costs $390 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Avila Beach to Santa Monica. However, there are services departing from San Luis Obispo and arriving at 5th / Santa Monica via Santa Barbara Bus Stop and Patsaouras Transit Plaza. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 8h 29m.
No, there is no direct train from Avila Beach to Santa Monica station. However, there are services departing from San Luis Obispo and arriving at Downtown Santa Monica Station via Union Station - Metro B & D Lines and 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Lines. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 54m.
The distance between Avila Beach and Santa Monica is 185 miles. The road distance is 173.1 miles.
The best way to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica without a car is to train which takes 6h 54m and costs $160 - $240.
It takes approximately 2h 53m to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica, including transfers.
Avila Beach to Santa Monica bus services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Luis Obispo station.
Avila Beach to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, depart from San Luis Obispo station.
The best way to get from Avila Beach to Santa Monica is to train which takes 6h 54m and costs $160 - $240. Alternatively, you can bus and line 33 bus, which costs and takes 8h 29m.
What companies run services between Avila Beach, CA, USA and Santa Monica, CA, USA?
Amtrak operates a train from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles 4 times a day. Tickets cost $120–190 and the journey takes 5h 38m. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Avila Beach to 5th / Santa Monica via San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Bus Stop, and Patsaouras Transit Plaza in around 8h 29m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 22m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $22–170
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from LAX / Metro Transit Center to Expo / Crenshaw K-Line Station
- Ave. Duration
- 21 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Tram from Expo / Crenshaw E-Line Station to Downtown Santa Monica Station
- Ave. Duration
- 26 min
- Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Estimated price
- $2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 38m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $120–190
- Website
- Amtrak
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Bus from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 50m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1 (855) 626-8585
- Website
- Flixbus USA
Bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to Los Angeles Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 25m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $15–23
- Schedules at
- Flixbus USA
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- [email protected]
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Bus from Patsaouras Transit Plaza to 5th / Santa Monica
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 51m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $1–2
- Website
- Metro Los Angeles
Want to know more about travelling around United States
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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Booking & Getting There
Avila Beach to Santa Monica bus services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Santa Barbara station.
Avila Beach to Santa Monica train services, operated by Amtrak, arrive at Los Angeles station.
Yes, the driving distance between Avila Beach to Santa Monica is 173 miles. It takes approximately 3h 23m to drive from Avila Beach to Santa Monica.
There are 2872+ hotels available in Santa Monica.









