Redondo Beach
Nestled alongside the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica seamlessly blends the quintessential charm of a Southern California beach town with a bustling urban landscape teeming with excitement, creativity, and flair. This hip neighbor of Los Angeles is a playground by the sea, catering to a diverse range of interests. Explore the Third Street Promenade, where you can indulge in shopping, dining, and street performances. Take in panoramic views of the Santa Monica Pier and beyond while riding the glittering ferris wheel at Pacific Park.
Santa Monica is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and for good reason - it has a vibrant culinary scene with some of the best restaurants in the region. The city boasts classic establishments that have been around for decades, as well as new, trendy spots that are pushing the boundaries of contemporary cuisine. With fresh produce sourced from the local farmers market, Santa Monica's restaurants showcase the best of California's bounty. In this list, we highlight some of the top restaurants in Santa Monica, each with their own unique spin on local and international flavors.
Santa Monica is a popular tourist destination in California, known for its beautiful beaches, shopping and dining. If you're planning a trip to Santa Monica and looking for a luxurious accommodation, then check out our guide to the best hotels in the area. We have compiled a list of top hotels in Santa Monica, including Shutters on the Beach, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Oceana Beach Club Hotel, and Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. Find the perfect hotel that suits your needs and budget, and enjoy all that this vibrant California city has to offer.
Santa Monica State Beach is a world-famous tourist destination located in Santa Monica, California. The beach stretches for three miles and offers visitors the perfect opportunity to relax, catch some waves, or take a leisurely bike ride along the beachfront. The beach is managed by both the City of Santa Monica and California State Park, ensuring that it is always kept in pristine condition for visitors to enjoy. Santa Monica Beach has two distinct areas that cater to different tastes. North Beach offers a serene atmosphere with miles of sand and spectacular views of Santa Monica Bay, while South Beach is full of life, bustling with activities such as beach volleyball, surfing, rollerblading, and skateboarding.
The Santa Monica Pier is a must-visit location in Southern California. As one of the most photographed locations in the world, it is a symbol of the heart of Santa Monica. Located at the intersection of Ocean and Colorado, the pier offers a variety of entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences, including the thrill rides of Pacific Park, a historic 1922 Carousel, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and an interactive aquarium. Walking along the pier, visitors can enjoy lively street performers, musicians, and artists while indulging in some of the best sunset views along the California coast. Whether you are looking for a family outing, a romantic date spot, or just a fun-filled day, the Santa Monica Pier is sure to offer something for everyone.
Santa Monica Beach is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in surfing. With its relaxed atmosphere and gentle waves, this is an ideal spot for beginners to learn the sport. Low tide is the best time to surf here when the smaller swells make it easier for new surfers to catch a wave. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking ocean views and the iconic Santa Monica Pier while trying out this fun water sport.
One of the most popular surfing spots in Santa Monica is Ocean Park, located off of Ocean Park Blvd. This beach break is perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers, with waves breaking on most swell directions and offering plenty of take-off spots. However, due to its popularity, the beach can get crowded, especially on weekends. The numerous sandbars and different swell directions make Ocean Park a versatile spot to surf, and early morning on weekdays is the best time to avoid the crowds. Overall, Santa Monica is an excellent place for surfing, and visitors can enjoy the surf culture and California history that the area is known for.
Palisades Park in Santa Monica is an iconic 26-acre park that stretches along a 1.6-mile section of Ocean Avenue on top of a terrace with exposed bluffs. The park offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal mountains, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Its history dates back to 1892 when the land was donated to the city because it was considered too unstable to support houses. Today, Palisades Park is a beautiful oasis filled with features such as benches, picnic areas, artworks and monuments, and a rose garden . Palisades Park remains a stunning gem in Santa Monica, perfect for jogging, biking, people watching, and taking in the unforgettable sunsets over the Santa Monica Bay.
Tongva Park in Santa Monica is a six-acre urban oasis that combines art, sustainability, and natural beauty to create a stunning green space. The park, which is conveniently located within walking distance of the Santa Monica Pier, features unique structures, art sculptures, diverse and sustainable plants and trees, and plenty of amenities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. With walking paths throughout the park, visitors can easily explore the four sections of the park and take in the breathtaking views of the Pacific.
What was once a flat asphalt parking lot has been transformed into an idyllic and well-designed ocean-adjacent oasis of green space. Tongva Park includes a playground, waterfalls, walking paths, meadows, and a conch-like, wireframe lookout to the Pacific. The park is also home to the Weather Field sculpture by artist Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, which serves as a serene and instantly memorable landmark. With a native and locally-appropriate sustainable plant palette that changes subtly with the seasons and a dramatic topography of rolling hills and braided paths, Tongva Park accommodates a range of uses that benefit the health and wellbeing of community members and visitors of all ages.
Enjoy the beautiful West Coast weather with a leisurely walk through the Third Street Promenade, which is closed to street traffic and welcomes pets. This vibrant pedestrian street offers a plethora of shopping and dining options, as well as the opportunity to people-watch and discover talented street performers. The Promenade is home to a variety of specialty retailers, including popular brands such as Patagonia, Lululemon, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters, among many others.
SaMo PRIDE is an annual month-long celebration of inclusivity and diversity in Santa Monica. Presented by Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica, Santa Monica Place, the City of Santa Monica, and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, SaMo PRIDE is a family-friendly event that includes art, events for all ages, and community connections. The centerpiece of the event is the "Miles of Pride" vibrant light installation, which spans the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, and other city landmarks. This rainbow-lit pathway serves as an anchor for SaMo PRIDE month, providing a festive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone to come together to support and pay tribute to the LGBTQIA+ community. With local business specials, virtual events, and unique art installations by LGBTQIA+ artists, SaMo PRIDE celebrates love in every color and showcases Santa Monica's inclusive and diverse spirit.