Santa Monica
Santa Monica is LA’s cute, alluring, hippie-chic little sister, its karmic counterbalance and, to many, its salvation. Surrounded by LA on three sides and the Pacific on the fourth, SaMo is a place where real-life Lebowskis sip White Russians next to martini-swilling Hollywood producers, celebrity chefs dine at family-owned taquerias, and soccer moms and career bachelors shop at abundant farmers markets. All the while, kids, out-of-towners and those who love them flock to wide beaches and the pier, where the landmark Ferris wheel and roller coaster welcome one and all.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Santa Monica
Once the very end of the legendary Route 66 and still the object of a tourist love affair, this much-photographed pier dates back to 1908 and is the city…
Santa Monica
There are endless ways to enjoy this 3.5-mile stretch of sand, running from Venice Beach in the south to Will Rogers State Beach in the north. Sunbathing…
Santa Monica
This former rail yard has been converted to one of LA's best centers for art galleries, mostly for contemporary art. A couple dozen of them keep varying…
Santa Monica
A National Historic Landmark at the beginning of the pier, the 1916 Hippodrome building housing the carousel appeared in the movie The Sting. The 44…
Santa Monica
Perhaps it’s appropriate that Route 66, America’s most romanticized byway, formerly ended at this gorgeous cliffside park perched dramatically on the edge…
Santa Monica
In Santa Monica Canyon, the striking Eames House and Studio, built in 1949 by design deities Charles and Ray Eames, resembles a Mondrian painting in 3-D…
Santa Monica
For a trip back in time, check out the latest exhibit at this museum housed in one of Santa Monica’s few surviving grand Victorian mansions – this one…
Santa Monica
In his creative life before the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Frank Gehry was primarily known as that crazy guy who sculpted houses from chain-link fencing,…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
10 of the top things to do in Santa Monica: experience the best of this chic beach city
Curated by Jade Bremner
Santa Monica
Santa Monica's original movie theater (c 1940) is now operated by American Cinematheque, where it screens old and neo classics, and offers Q&A sessions…
Santa Monica
Stretching for three long blocks sprawled between Broadway and Wilshire Blvd, 'the Promenade' is a case study in how to morph a dilapidated, dying main…
Santa Monica
Don’t miss this homespun, steampunk-paradise museum and shop, grinding with old gears and spare-part robots, antique clocks, concept planes and cars, old…
Santa Monica
You haven’t really experienced Santa Monica until you’ve explored one of its outdoor farmers markets stocked with organic fruits, vegetables, flowers,…
Annenberg Community Beach House
Santa Monica
Like a fancy beach club for the rest of us, this sleek and attractive city-owned spot, built on actress Marion Davies’ estate (she had a thing with…
Santa Monica
Once the very end of the legendary Route 66 and still the object of a tourist love affair, this much-photographed pier dates back to 1908 and is the city…
Santa Monica
There are endless ways to enjoy this 3.5-mile stretch of sand, running from Venice Beach in the south to Will Rogers State Beach in the north. Sunbathing…
Santa Monica
Sure, this mecca of musicianship sells guitars and other instruments, but you want to come for the concerts in the back room. Since 1969 everyone from…
Articles
Latest stories from Santa Monica
Activities
10 of the top things to do in Santa Monica: experience the best of this chic beach cityMay 12, 2022 • 6 min read
Wildlife & NatureCalifornia is building the world's biggest wildlife crossingAug 23, 2019 • 1 min read
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