Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a unique destination that is both chic and laid-back, with a population that ranges from surfers, skateboarders, and yoga devotees to techies and business people. The beautiful stretch of golden sand along the coast and the famous Santa Monica Pier, with its iconic Ferris wheel, are what most tourists come to enjoy, but you can find a variety of experiences in this beachfront city next to LA. The downtown district of Santa Monica is lively throughout the day and night. Shoppers will find a range of options, from quirky vintage stores to high-end boutiques. Check out the Third Street Promenade for shopping and people watching, including catching the various street performers. For a little activity, check out the 26-mile bike path along the waterfront. This lengthy paved path spans nearly the entire Santa Monica Bay coastline, connecting all the best beaches near Santa Monica. A few visitor favorites include Venice Beach to the south and Will Rogers State Beach to the north.
Getting to Santa Monica is now much easier since the opening of the new Expo Metro line, connecting downtown LA to Santa Monica. Santa Monica (Spanish for ‘Saint Monica’) is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, United States. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is bordered on five sides by different neighborhoods of the city of Los Angeles: Pacific Palisades to the north, Brentwood on the northeast, West Los Angeles on the east, Mar Vista on the southeast, and Venice on the south. The 2020 U.S. Census population of Santa Monica was 93,076. Due to its favorable climate and proximity to Los Angeles, Santa Monica became a resort town by the early 20th century, attracting celebrities such as Marion Davies to build magnificent beach front homes on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The city has experienced a boom since the late 1980s, through the revitalization of its downtown core, significant job growth, and increased tourism. Popular tourists sites include Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and Palisades Park atop a bluff over the Pacific Ocean. As in other coastal beach communities, coastal erosion, due to coastal infrastructure and high human usage, is an increasing challenge, and will become worse due to sea level rise. Santa Monica has a history of developing environmental and sustainability strategies, with the most recent focus on community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 or sooner.
Santa Monica connects everything you love about the classic Southern California beach town with a vibrant cityscape full of adventure, art and style. Los Angeles’ coolest neighbor is nestled alongside the Pacific Ocean, and is a seaside playground offering something for everyone. Shop, eat, and see street performers at the Third Street Promenade. View the Santa Monica Pier and beyond from atop Pacific Park’s shimmering ferris wheel. Peruse the farmers markets and take in an art gallery on Pico Boulevard. Feel the energy of Main Street or take a stroll up Montana Avenue. Santa Monica is home to upscale accommodations, world-class restaurants, swanky nightlife and unmatched shopping, all rubbing shoulders with the laid back surf culture that can only be found by the Santa Monica Bay. Come explore for yourself.
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