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Broad, glistening beaches stretch for 26 miles along the length of scenic Santa Monica Bay, from Malibu to Palos Verdes, with three miles of coastline and the widest stretch of beach on the Pacific Coast within Santa Monica proper. You won't have to stray too far from the beach to enjoy Santa Monica's many attractions. From the historic Santa Monica Pier and the new amusement park, Pacific Park, to the outdoor pedestrian boulevard Third Street Promenade, you will find attractions for the kids and the kids-at-heart! If it's walking along Santa Monica's Oceanfront Walk, picnicking in the Santa Monica Mountains or hiking in Will Rogers State Park, you will find a selection of great outdoor activities in Santa Monica for plenty of exercise.

A magnet for world-class dining, Santa Monica offers a diverse array of cuisines, from the upscale to the economical. More than 450 restaurants, cafes and pubs, many featuring alfresco dining year-round, are packed into our beach-side city. Those who want to expand their evenings beyond dessert will enjoy our nightlife. From Santa Monica's open-air pedestrian boulevard, the Third Street Promenade, the Ash Grove nightclub to billiards & brew and Jim Belushi's Cigar Cellar this city by the sea is never short of adventures that go well into the night.

Shopping in Santa Monica is an experience that should be a part of any visitor's stay with us. Our four distinct shopping areas, and some off the beaten path, reflect the City's personality and its neighborhoods, so bring your cash, credit cards and camera.

From the Bergamot Station's 22 contemporary galleries to the Museum of Flying, Santa Monica stands at the crossroads of a cultural explosion with 75 art galleries and museums citywide. Outdoor art featuring sidewalk sculptures and murals compliment the blue chip art galleries and ultra-modern museums. A bursting influx of theaters and performances, bookstores, and avant-garde entertainment are creating a new and thriving artistic edge in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica State Beach is excellent for swimming, body surfing, and picnicking. Surfing is permitted south of the Pier. A paved bike path parallels the sand and takes you along the ocean and under the Pier for walking, jogging, bicycling and rollerblading. On the beach adjacent to the path you can find volleyball courts, gymnastic equipment, the International Chess Park, public art and the lifeguard stations north of the Pier made famous by the television program "Baywatch". Will Rogers State Beach is located at the foot of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. There is a playground, volleyball and picnic facilities to augment the swimming, windsurfing and surfing. Other popular beaches include Venice, Topanga State Beach and Las Tunas State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu's famed movie "colony".

Santa Monica Pier - The oldest pleasure pier on the West Coast, built in 1908. The famed Santa Monica Pier is actually two piers that opened in 1909 (Municipal Pier) and 1916 (Looff Pier). For three generations it has been the focal point of the City's beaches and its leading attraction. On the Pier is the historic Looff Hippodrome building and carousel, and the spectacular attractions of the new Pacific Park. The public pier features shopping, restaurants, pubs, a nightclub, entertainment activities and a fishing balcony. Live music is featured in the summer at the Twilight Dance Series every Thursday evening, admission is free. The Pier is located at the west end of Colorado Avenue.

Hippodrome Building - The Looff Hippodrome building located on the Santa Monica Pier has housed a hand-carved carousel since 1916. The current one is a 1922 Philadelphia Toboggan carousel which was brought to the Pier in 1947. The 44 original hand-painted, wooden horses were restored in 1981. Rides cost 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for children.

Pacific Park - At the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is the West Coast's only amusement park to be located on a pier, over the ocean. A non-gated amusement park, guests only pay for the rides they use. The Park has nine other rides for the entire family, midway games, a food plaza, and shopping boutiques.

Palisades Park - The most famous and scenic of the many Santa Monica parks, this cliff-top park overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Park benches perch among 26 acres of lush greenery and shady palm trees where visitors can enjoy eye-dazzling views. The park has paths that border the ocean for walking and jogging.

Third Street Promenade - Located just three blocks from the Pacific Ocean in the heart of Santa Monica's commercial district, the Third Street Promenade is reminiscent of the many pedestrian shopping streets in European cities. Noted for its outdoor cafes, variety of restaurants, coffee shops, clubs, movie theaters, bookstores and shops, the Promenade is a popular entertainment stop at night. Located at 3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard.

Farmers Market - Two mornings a week a farmer's market sets up at the Third Street Promenade and Arizona Avenue. Featuring colorful European-style displays of flowers, fruits, vegetables and organic herbs every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Other markets sell fresh produce at Pico & Cloverfield every Saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Main Street & Ocean Park every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Artists Murals - Art is everywhere in Santa Monica.. Track down David Gordon's "Unbridled" and Daniel Alonzo's "Save the Whale" at the Ocean Park Boulevard underpass. Also worth noting is Gilbert Lujan's "Another Magical Sunset at Santa Monica Beach", in the #3 parking structure at 1320 Fourth Street. Walking tours are available to view the numerous original outdoor murals painted by area artists through the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles.

Sunset Views - The fiery red sky streaked with blue and purple is a sight to behold. We suggest you try the following great locations:

Santa Monica Pier: The locals gather at the staircase at the end of the pier to watch the sun sink into the sea.

Wind Harp Chairs: The elevated views from these 14-foot-high oversized lifeguard chairs is spectacular. Find them set in the sand just south of the Pier.

Palisades Park: Go to the north point called Inspiration Point for a panoramic sunset view.

Our seaside resort community lies on the West Coast of California overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Santa Monica is situated at the crossroads of Pacific Coast Highway and the Santa Monica Freeway I-10, making it easily accessible to the many visitor attractions and business areas of greater Los Angeles. Whether your mode of transportation is by plane, train or bus, the following information should make your transit easy, as you discover all roads lead to Santa Monica.

Arriving in the greater Los Angeles area, even for a seasoned traveler, can be an overwhelming experience. Santa Monica is a great city for walking with a multitude of shops, restaurants and attractions within a few blocks from the ocean. But if you want to venture a little further out, or just want to sit back and relax.

Once you have explored Santa Monica, you may also want to venture beyond our boundaries and visit our neighboring cities and attractions, so check out some convenient ways to travel to UCLA/Westwood, Beverly Hills, Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland.

In addition to the nearby Los Angeles International Airport, Santa Monica has one of the major general aviation airports in the nation. Opened in 1912, it has a mile-long runway and accommodates twin engine planes, turbos and jets, including small Lear jets. Planes with a 47-foot wing span can land.

The Tide Shuttle is a FREE service that takes you to major hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment at the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the beach, the Pier, Main Street, and to business appointments in the downtown and Civic Center areas. The Tide shuttle operates daily from Noon until 10:00 p.m. every 15 minutes. You can get information on the Tide Shuttle at the Santa Monica Visitor Center in Palisades Park.

Want to explore the UCLA campus and Westwood area? Check out Beverly Hills? Just hop on the #20 or #320 MTA bus at Wilshire Boulevard and hop off when you have reached your destination. Sightseeing tours can bring you to area attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland, but if you like to explore on your own, public transportation can get you there.

Hospitality is a tradition in Santa Monica. There are dozens of hotels and motels, many of which are just steps from our world-famous beach. So, select the accommodations appropriate to your style and budget, relax to the sounds of the ocean waves and sleep tight!

The rate range indicated by the price categories represent the lowest single and double room costs per night at each hotel. When making a reservation, ask for detailed information on the hotel's cancellation policy. The hotel room tax in Santa Monica is currently 12%. Most Santa Monica hotels honor VISA, MasterCard, American Express and other major credit cards. Electricity is 110V and may be converted to 220V with an adapter.

Santa Monica is the location for a variety of events, weekly happenings, theater performances and special shows at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Check below for happenings that run all season, and for a detailed list of events by month, check our current calendar dates section.

Farmer's Market - Enjoy three separate markets of fresh produce & flowers. Third Street Promenade & Arizona Ave. Every Wed 9:30-3 p.m. & every Sat 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Pico & Cloverfield every Sat 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Main St. & Ocean Park (The Victorian at Heritage Square) includes pony rides for children, nominal fee, if any. Every Sun 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Art Galleries. Santa Monica is home to some of the West's most renowned art galleries offering the best contemporary art in the area today. Many are concentrated along Colorado and Broadway at 9th, and in the new art center, Bergamot Station, at 2525 Michigan. Look for ARTSCENE magazine, usually found at galleries or at the Santa Monica Visitor Center, 1400 Ocean Avenue.