WHAT TO VISIT IN SANTA MONICA?

Little by little, the city became an economically prosperous place, especially at the end of the 19th century, when the first hotel was built ( you can check the hotels in Santa Monica here ). At the beginning of the 20th century, the famous port of Santa Monica was built, which should have been the main port of Los Angeles, and at that time the largest in the world, but finally the US Congress decided to give LA its dock.

 

Although the first response from the citizens of Santa Monica was negative, they soon realized that owning a small pier would allow them to add a unique charm to the city. Furthermore, with the construction of the railroad that linked Los Angeles and Santa Monica, every day more people came to visit the pier and swim on its beaches.

SANTA MONICA PIER

Being made of wood, this place recreates a bucolic atmosphere. We recommend visiting the Santa Monica Pier before nightfall so you can see the sunset, and that moment is priceless. Furthermore, when night comes, from the pier you can see how the Pacific Park Ferris wheel opens its lights and how, also, the entire city is illuminated.

OCEAN DRIVE

This boardwalk runs along the entire coast of Santa Monica. Ocean Drive is the stretch that connects Santa Monica Beach with Venice Blue. The Ocean Drive tour can be done on foot, by bike, or on roller skates, since in LA it is customary to go with these two means of transportation and, therefore, there are several stores where you can rent them. Furthermore, on this avenue, you will see the changes from Santa Monica Beach to Venice Beach, since they are different places. During this walk, you can also take the opportunity to get out of the heat and take a bath in different areas of the beautiful beaches of Santa Monica. 

PALISADES PARK

It is a point of interest that is often overlooked by most visitors, and if you want to get away from the tourist area of ​​the Santa Monica Pier you should stay at the end adjacent to Pacific Palisades, passing the majestic Wilshire concrete sculpture and the colorful totem in San Vicente.

SANTA MONICA BEACHES

Here you can play volleyball, and beach soccer, and have a drink or eat in countless restaurants. These beaches are ideal for spending the day with family or friends. It is a popular place for tourists and also for local people themselves. When you enter a beach in Santa Monica it will probably seem like you have been there before, since a large number of movies and the two very famous television series Pacific Blue and Baywatch have been filmed there.

Muscle Beach

Its name is due to the incorporation of a gym and from there, it has become internationally famous. Muscle Beach is located next to Venice Beach and it is a curious place, since on how many coasts have you seen a gym in the middle of the beach and the open air?

Venice Beach

Two kilometers from Santa Monica, you will find Venice Beach (we have told you about it in the list of the best beaches in Los Angeles ). Although it is a good place to surf, the most interesting thing about Venice is not exactly its beaches, but the street shows of all kinds that this area offers along its colorful promenade. The Venice Beach district is very popular with bohemian artists of all kinds, and some shows are so interesting that it is relatively easy to find a television program that is filming these peculiar street stars. You can also feel the essence of the different urban cultures of California since it is an eclectic style street that gives off a counterculture atmosphere.

THIRD STREET PROMENADE

This street in Santa Monica is the heart that waters the city. Third Street Promenade is the hub of shopping. Being a pedestrian area, you can also enjoy the atmosphere by taking a leisurely walk or sitting down and having a drink. If you like designer clothing, it is interesting to visit Santa Monica Place, since there you will find clothing of all kinds and from great designers (we must warn that the prices are high). Apart from the countless clothing and accessory stores that Third Street Promenade offers, you can find everything you want. There are even spa centers for dogs!

SANTA MONICA STAIRS

One of the secret places to visit in Santa Monica, only for the brave and people who are in shape. Here you will find a walkway made up of more than 300 wooden steps and foundations. You will find them within a quiet residential neighborhood less than a mile from the ocean. Although it is quite difficult to find parking around here, it is not unusual to see crowds of people exercising on these stairs.

END OF ROUTE 66

To officially mark the end of the highway, the Santa Monica Pier was marked as the final stopping point. A sign mysteriously appeared, perhaps as a movie prop, on the corners of Santa Monica Blvd. and Ocean Ave, and after 50 years, it mysteriously disappeared. The sign in question said "Santa Monica" above a bold "66," below which it clearly said: "End of Route." When the pier was officially designated as the last stop on Route 66, it only made sense that a replica of the sign would be erected, but this time they placed it facing the Pacific, to symbolize the final destination of so many Lax to Orange County car service in the last century.

You'll find the sign at the end of the pier, past the Bubba Gump Shrimp, and just before the Playland Gallery., Annenberg Community Beach House opened with the historic pool and Marion Davies Guest House restored to its former glory and new event spaces. There are volleyball courts, tennis courts, and soccer fields available. 

CAMERA OBSCURA ART LAB

Camera Obscura is something peculiar that may be interesting, especially to photography fans. A camera obscura is a dark room that acts like the inside of a chamber by letting in a controlled amount of light. The light beam projects an image of the scene onto a plate. In this case, the light source is a periscope on top of the building that can be moved to look toward the ocean or the street. The image of the outside scene is projected on a circular plate like a table in the center of the room. Tilt the table to adjust focus. The Camera Obscura is part of a community centre in Palisades Park and offers art workshops for all ages.

BERGAMOT STATION

In North Santa Monica, far from the beach, you'll find this world-renowned creative space. Once a railroad station and later a warehouse complex, the city of Santa Monica purchased the (abandoned) property in 1994 and converted it into the Bergamot Station Art Complex. Here you will find the nearest black car service to visit numerous galleries and workshops, with rotating exhibitions by artists from around the world. Best of all, exhibits and parking are free.