VISIT SANTA MONICA

Santa Monica is
LA’s laid-back beach city

For holidays that have it all, head to Santa Monica. Begin your LA adventure in this cosmopolitan coastal city – and stay at the beach. Santa Monica’s hotels are all within four miles of the ocean, with most adjacent to (or a short stroll from) the beach. Pick from more than 40 options, with something for every taste and budget: from laidback beachside hangouts to A-list beauties. 

Soak up the sun-kissed beach life at Santa Monica, which turns up the heat with more than 280 days of sunshine on average each year. This is where you’ll see some of the most magnificent molten-gold sunsets on the whole West Coast. Getting around this walkable, bike-friendly city is a delight – and there are plenty of pit stops to enjoy along the way, from brunch spots and vegan cafes to bars, beaches and boutiques. Factor in time for the town’s iconic calling cards: from Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade to special events and more. Expect art, culture and attractions to amaze the whole family. Big smiles: guaranteed.

If you want a holiday that’s good for your health, you’re in the right place: Santa Monica offers nutritious cuisine, an abundance of spas, outdoor activities at every pace and access to an incredible cast of wellness experts, including yoga teachers (fancy sun salutations on the beach?), sound healers and sports coaches. Relax and unwind with outdoor dining, clean, green spaces and an energising, sustainable lifestyle that you can take back home.

Santa Monica’s
attractions

Santa Monica has more than its fair share of attractions and adventures in the great outdoors. Start with Santa Monica Beach: relax and unwind on the sand, admire the locals keeping fit, or explore Santa Monica Pier, which has a retro amusement park. For rides of a different kind, hire bikes and conquer the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, aka the Strand. Art-lovers are in luck: lures include around 120 galleries, public installations, museums and theatres; expect a packed calendar of concerts, plays, dance shows and other performances. Don’t miss Bergamot Station, a former rail yard that hosts contemporary art galleries. Come hungry and thirsty: Michelin-star restaurants, relaxed taquerias, bustling farmers’ markets, beachfront wine bars, nocturnal bars and enticing delis await. Expect outdoor dining options galore – and plenty of space. Santa Monica’s menu is healthy, playful, exciting and diverse – just like the city itself. Mother Nature takes centre stage: all that sunshine makes for delicious, vitamin-packed produce, and the crystalline local waters are home to delicious fish and succulent seafood. Santa Monica is the California people dream about.

win a trip to santa monica

Santa Monica Travel & Tourism has teamed up with United Airlines, Viceroy Santa Monica, Le Méridien Delfina Santa Monica and The Lobster to give one lucky winner and guest a chance to create their own Santa Monica adventure. To enter, simply answer the question below and submit your details.The competition ends on 30th September 2022.