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The famous Santa Monica Pier, with its historic carousel and over-the-water amusement park is the most famous seaside carnival this side of Coney Island. Pacific Park is the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier. Millions of visitors come each year to enjoy all the rides, including the World’s only solar powered Ferris Wheel and a Roller Coaster offering thrill seekers white-knuckle rides high above the Pacific Ocean. For an out of the ordinary experience, sign-up at the Trapeze School, where novice to advanced acrobats can perfect their skills high above the ocean. Midway games, specialty food, restaurants and shopping round out the Pier’s many offerings. Or, just relax and bask in the sun on the adjacent Santa Monica Beach.
Downtown Santa Monica is a shopper’s paradise with upscale boutiques, specialty stores, art galleries, as well as a weekly farmers’ market, all taking place from the scenic bluffs overlooking the bay. World-famous Third Street Promenade is a must see destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. All in all, Santa Monica has more than 400 restaurants, countless art galleries, four movie theaters and six live performance venues, plus nightly street performers and more.
When it comes to fine dining, Santa Monica takes a backseat to no one, and has the awards to prove it. In both 2007 and 2008, Zagat named Santa Monica the best neighborhood for great restaurants in all of Southern ?California. And, Josiah Citrin, who owns and operates Mélisse, won Zagat’s award for Best American-French restaurant in Los Angeles for the ?past five years.
For overnight accommodations, Santa Monica offers travelers 37 different hotels from budget to luxury boutique, ocean view to five star resorts. Two famous historical landmark hotels include the art-deco Shangri-la and The Georgian.
If that isn’t enough to convince you to visit, Santa Monica has a year round calendar of events featuring major musical concerts, live theater, art exhibits, film festivals, sporting events, and street festivals.
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Along Santa Monica’s scenic downtown streets you’ll find a delicious assortment of fine dining restaurants, cafes and bistros serving a variety of international cuisine. Whether you’re hungry for Sushi, seafood, steaks, Italian, Mexican food, Chinese restaurants, or fast food favorites like burgers and pizza, you’ll find it at one of Santa Monica’s many tasty eateries. And, Santa Monica’s vibrant nightlife features a bevy of bars, brewpubs and nightclubs.
Shopping is another popular pastime in Santa Monica with one-of-a-kind stores and boutiques. Santa Monica’s downtown merchants and shop keepers carry an amazing array of women’s fashion, clothing, shoes, jewelry, home furnishings, books, gifts and more.
If you’re staying a night or two, Santa Monica offers a pleasing assortment of comfortable and stylish hotels, historic Bed & Breakfast Inns, budget motels and luxury resorts. Whatever your lodging needs, our Hotel Directory will help you find the best accommodations in Santa Monica.
For the best entertainment in Santa Monica, check our Calendar of Events. It contains a schedule of local events, music festivals, performing arts, theater, concerts, street fairs, art shows and weekly Farmer's Markets. Santa Monica is also home to several tourist attractions and sightseeing adventures, including State Parks, museums, golf courses, hiking tails and historic sites. Or, for a more laid back outing visit all the great wineries, spas and art galleries located in and around town.
Thinking of moving or relocating to Santa Monica? Our Real Estate section can help with a list of realtors, featured homes, land and property for sale.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your Santa Monica vacation, today.