A newly refreshed Marriott boutique hotel minutes from the beach, incredible food, and everything you love about Santa Monica — this one belongs on your radar.
As someone who has spent a lot of time exploring Los Angeles and rollerblading the Santa Monica Beach path on the regular, I can tell you with full confidence that what to do in Santa Monica is never the problem. The problem is finding the perfect place to stay that puts you right in the middle of all of it — without breaking the bank or sacrificing style. Enter: FOUND Santa Monica, the newly refreshed, design-forward hotel that just became my new favorite coastal home base.
I recently enjoyed a fabulous two-night stay, and friends — I am genuinely impressed. Let me tell you everything.
What Is FOUND Santa Monica?
FOUND Santa Monica is located in the heart of West Los Angeles, just minutes from the beach, Santa Monica Pier, and popular dining and shopping — the perfect home base for exploring SoCal’s best. The hotel is part of Series by Marriott™, Marriott International’s newest collection brand designed to bring distinctive, locally rooted boutique properties into the Marriott portfolio while delivering all the reliability and rewards of Marriott’s global standards.
The vibe is coastal California cool — relaxed, thoughtfully designed, and completely unpretentious. Guestrooms feature plush bedding, workspaces, and smart amenities across King, Queen, Bunk, and Accessible options, with inviting common areas including a lobby lounge with a pool table, complimentary WiFi, guest laundry, and daily housekeeping. It’s the kind of hotel that feels effortlessly stylish without trying too hard — which, honestly, is very Santa Monica of it.
Cliffdiver & Offshore Lounge: Where the Food Totally Steals the Show
Let’s talk about what I was NOT expecting: the food at this hotel is absolutely phenomenal. Cliffdiver is the hotel’s signature coastal Mexican restaurant and bar concept, and it is — as the kids say — a vibe. The energy is lively, the design is gorgeous, and the menu? Chef’s kiss.
I ordered the Poke Nachos and the Lobster Caesar Salad, and both were showstoppers. The Poke Nachos were jam-packed with vibrant, robust flavors — the kind of dish you keep eating even when you’re already full. And the Lobster Caesar Salad had thick, juicy chunks of lobster throughout. Not the sad little lobster pieces you sometimes get — real, generous, beautiful lobster. I was obsessed.
The Offshore Lounge is the perfect spot to unwind after a day at the beach with a cocktail in hand. You can start your day with fresh coffee and avocado toast for breakfast at Cliffdiver, or unwind with cocktails at the Offshore Bar. Morning to night, this hotel has your culinary needs fully covered.
Location, Location, Location
The hotel’s location on Santa Monica Blvd. is genuinely ideal. It’s close to everything without being right on top of the tourist hustle, which I loved. There’s a Smart & Final across the street if you want to stock your in-room fridge with snacks and drinks — a small detail that makes a big difference for a comfortable stay. Sushi, pizza, and plenty of dining options are all within easy walking distance. And on Sunday morning, I laced up my rollerblades and headed to Santa Monica Beach — just about 15 minutes away — for one of my favorite LA rituals. Absolute perfection.
The Perfect Home Base for the FIFA World Cup & LA28 Olympics
Planning to visit Los Angeles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the highly anticipated LA28 Summer Olympics? FOUND Santa Monica is an absolutely ideal home base. With its prime Westside location, easy access to major freeways, and proximity to SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, the Rose Bowl, and other key venues, you can cheer on your team by day and come back to a stylish, comfortable retreat by night — without the chaos of staying right in the thick of downtown. Book early, friends. Los Angeles hotel availability for both of these events is going to be gone before you know it.
What to Do in Santa Monica: Your Complete Guide
While you’re staying at FOUND Santa Monica, here’s your essential guide to making the most of one of Southern California’s most iconic destinations:
🎡 Santa Monica Pier: The Santa Monica Pier is an absolute must — from the iconic Pacific Park Ferris wheel to the vintage carousel, it’s quintessential Southern California and endlessly photogenic. Go at sunset for maximum magic.
🛼 Rollerblading & Biking the Beach Path: The paved path along Santa Monica Beach is one of my favorite places on earth. Rent rollerblades or a bike and cruise the coastline — the views are stunning and the energy is pure SoCal joy. This is genuinely one of the best free things you can do in all of Los Angeles.
🛍️ 3rd Street Promenade: Shopping, dining, street performers, and a completely walkable open-air experience — 3rd Street Promenade is always a great time. From major retail brands to local boutiques and incredible restaurant options, you could easily spend an entire afternoon here.
🏖️ Santa Monica Beach: Lay out, swim, people-watch, or just breathe in that ocean air. Santa Monica Beach is wide, beautiful, and perfectly maintained — one of the crown jewels of the entire LA coastline.
💪 Venice Beach & Muscle Beach: Just a short distance down the path, Venice Beach is a world unto itself — street art, Muscle Beach bodybuilders, the iconic boardwalk, and the most eclectic mix of humanity you will ever encounter. Don’t miss it.
🦈 Heal the Bay Aquarium: From schools of colorful fish to stingrays and everyone’s favorite octopus, Heal the Bay Aquarium is an incredible experience — especially if you’re traveling with kids or just love marine life (guilty).
The Verdict: FOUND Santa Monica Is a Coastal Gem
FOUND Santa Monica delivers exactly what it promises — a stylish, comfortable, conveniently located home base that puts you right in the heart of one of LA’s most beloved neighborhoods. The food at Cliffdiver alone is worth the stay. Add the easy beach access, the gorgeous design, and the Marriott reliability, and you have a genuinely fantastic option for anyone visiting — or staycationing in — Los Angeles this summer.
Book your stay at FOUND Santa Monica via Marriott.com and don’t forget to use your Marriott Bonvoy points. Your coastal reset is waiting.
For more of the best hotels, events, food, and things to do in Los Angeles, stay tuned to hoopLA — your ultimate LA lifestyle guide.
