Santa Monica California
A perfect Pacific Ocean sunset over the Santa Monica Pier
Browsing shops along the pedestrian-only Third Street Promenade
An ideal spot for meditation on Santa Monica Beach
“Love” by Allison Kunath at The Brixton – one of the city's 150-plus street art murals
Taking a surf lesson at Santa Monica Beach
A classic neon sign on the Santa Monica Pier
Acrobats and athletes training at the Original Muscle Beach
Picking up fresh produce at one of Santa Monica's farmers markets
Enjoying sunshine, sea breezes and fresh California cuisine at Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue
Boutique shopping at Goods in the Ocean Park neighborhood
- Major Airports:
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- States:
- California
A relaxing, coastal getaway just west of the city grind
Quintessential Coastal California
In a state known for icons, Santa Monica’s landmarks are impressive. Several can be found on its 5.6-kilometer Pacific Ocean beachfront, celebrated for its surfable waves and waterside recreation. Its centerpiece is the famed Santa Monica Pier, which stretches out over the waves and lights up the sky with its solar-powered Ferris wheel, the flagship ride at Pacific Park. There are also restaurants, an aquarium, games, street performers, sweet treats and nightly sunsets over the ocean. For a classic beach day, head north to the North Beach Playground and Annenberg Community Beach House, which features a pool, playground, splash pad and beach sports. It’s also free and open to the public, but has exclusive roots: It was built for actress Marion Davies by William Randolph Hearst and was visited by Hollywood icons such as Charlie Chaplin and Greta Garbo.
Activities Along the Shoreline
Your Santa Monica vacation shouldn’t stop at only seeing the breathtaking scenes and sights. To truly enjoy them, get out and experience them. On the south side of the pier, you’ll find the Original Muscle Beach, an outdoor gym area featuring ropes, parallel bars and other equipment, whe