Santa Monica contains the best of the California coast, on the westside of Los Angeles, a diverse business economy and an unequalled quality of life for visitors and residents.
Santa Monica is 8.3 square miles of businesses and homes; high profile corporate headquarters, a large hi-tech entertainment district, beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, delectable restaurants and some of the finest shopping in the Southern California. It is a stimulating atmosphere for living, vacationing and a dynamic place for business.
Founded in 1875 on the site of the land grant of Don Francisco Sepulveda, and incorporated in 1886, Santa Monica is situated on the Westside of Los Angeles County, due west from downtown Los Angeles, at the crossroads of the Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate 10. Santa Monica offers convenient access to major freeways, bus lines and airports, and is just 8 miles north of LAX.
Santa Monica’s coastal Mediterranean climate provides an ideal atmosphere for taking advantage of the famous California lifestyle. Centered on three miles of wide, white sandy beaches, the City enjoys a mild climate averaging about 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Air quality is consistently good in the coastal district.
For more information on where to eat and stay in Santa Monica, please visit our Restaurant and Dining Guide and Hotel and Accommodation Guide.
Santa Monica
www.santamonica.com
We are all things Santa Monica! Stop by any of our four Visitor Information Centers for free visitor guides and maps, tickets to area attractions, and Santa Monica souvenirs. We have information on dining, shopping, events, nightlife, museums, and galleries. Visit our website for up-to-date happenings, happy hour specials, and more. Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, the official tourism board, is your one stop shop!
Santa Monica Pier
www.santamonicapier.org
The beautiful, 100 year old, Santa Monica Pier offers a variety of entertainment, dining and shopping experiences, including the thrill rides of Pacific Park; a historic 1922 Carousel, the end of famed Route 66 and an interactive aquarium. As you stroll the planks of the Pier, enjoy lively street performers — from musicians to artists plus fabulous vendor carts and don’t miss some of the best sunsets along the California coast. The Santa Monica Pier is open 365 days a year. Admission is free.
Great times never end at L.A.’s own family amusement park located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier. Step onto one exciting ride after another. Catch your breath, play a game, show off your skill and collect your prize. Grab a treat then look around…it’s the beach, with sun, surf and more fun than you thought possible. And it’s all right here!
Main Street
www.mainstreetsm.com
“A World Away from the Ordinary. A Block Away From the Beach”. Main Street Santa Monica is an eclectic collection of restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and various services stretching for about a mile from Pico south to the Santa Monica City limit. Historic and going Green, the street offers shopping and dining experiences that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.
Montana Avenue
www.montanaave.com
Set among one of Santa Monica’s most beautiful neighborhoods, you could spend an entire day walking Montana Avenue. That’s because there are over 150 merchants with one-of-a-kind stores and warm friendly service. From the latest fashions, to antiques, fine art and amazing restaurants, Montana Avenue has it all.
Downtown Santa Monica
www.downtownsm.com
Downtown Santa Monica is a vibrant retail, dining and entertainment area in the heart of the city. Nestled on L.A.’s fashionable Westside, just seconds from the Pacific Ocean, the area has become a symbol of the Southern California lifestyle at its finest. Third Street Promenade, an exciting open-air pedestrian street pulsates with an international mix of people enjoying an eclectic blend of restaurants, unique retail shops, movie theaters and nightclubs. The best in dining, shopping, entertainment and a non-stop kaleidoscope of street performers combine to make Downtown Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade a favorite destination for visitors and residents alike.
All four Santa Monica markets are Certified Farmers’ Markets. They are organized and managed by the city for the mutual benefit of all who enjoy them. An estimated 900,000 shoppers visit the markets every year. Collectively, vendors provide their customers year-round with a selection of fresh, seasonal produce that is pre-eminent among market programs in the state.
Bergamot Station
www.bergamotstation.com
Housing over 40 galleries in rehabilitated warehouses on the former site of a historic trolley depot, Bergamot Station has become a popular destination for visitors from around the country and the world.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
www.nps.gov/samo/
If hiking is your thing, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to explore the Santa Monica Mountains. Rising above Los Angeles, along the curve of Santa Monica Bay and reaching their highest peaks facing the ocean, forming a beautiful and multifaceted landscape, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area contains a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The mountains also have an interesting and diverse cultural history, which begins with the Chumash and Gabrielino/Tongva peoples and continues today in “L.A.’s backyard.”