Best Things to Do in Santa Monica, California

Things To Do In Santa Monica

Photo by Heliberto Arias on Unsplash

Santa Monica is a beautiful coastal city found in California. This beautiful city is located west of downtown Los Angeles. Santa Monica has multiple places that you can visit during your trip there. During your visit, you can stop at the Santa Monica farmers market to meet the locals, buy local products, and enjoy meals prepared in the restaurants. Additionally, suppose you are craving an adrenaline rush, and you are visiting with children. In that case, you can visit the Santa Monica Pier, where you find the Pacific Park featuring an amusement park with thrilling rides.

You can stop by the aquarium located within the Santa Monica Pier to learn about the aquatic creatures in Santa Monica. Do you want to go surfing, or do you want to soak yourself in the sun while viewing the beach? Well, Santa Monica beach is the place to be while in the region. If you want to learn about the history of Santa Monica and California while in Santa Monica, then you should visit the California Heritage Museum, where you will find multiple artifacts showcasing the history of the city. If you are an art enthusiast, Santa Monica has something for you at Bergamot Station Arts Center. Further, Santa Monica has various parks that you can visit, camp, walk, or relax.

Santa Monica has an elevation of 32 m. This beautiful city covers an estimated area of 21.8 square kilometers. The number of people in Santa Monica is estimated to be 91,577 as per the 2019 census. The area codes are 310 and 424. Santa Monica has multiple places that you can visit while there to make your trip memorable.

Here are the best things to do in Santa Monica, California.

# 11 – Annenberg Community Beach House

The community beach house was initially privately owned by actress Marion Davies, but it is currently owned by the state. Annenberg Community Beach House is an open public place to visit with kids while in the city. Some of the amenities found at Annenberg Community Beach House include playgrounds, beach cords, a swimming pool, and a splash pad. Additionally, there is a tennis court, volleyball court, and a café located with Annenberg Community Beach House. If you are an art enthusiast, you can visit the Marion Davies Guest House situated within Annenberg Community Beach House, where you will find an art gallery featuring rotating art exhibits. This huge public facility is located at 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica, California.

Official site: https://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/

# 10 – Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Santa Monica, California, has multiple places that you can visit if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Additionally, suppose you love nature, and you would like to spend some time outdoors in Santa Monica. In that case, your destination should be 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, where Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is found. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is among the places you can visit as a family also. The Mountains national recreation are is considered among the most beautiful places in California and the entire United States.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area features around 20 parks. Some parks include Topanga Creek State Park, Point Mugu State Park, and Malibu Creek State Park. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is suitable for mountain biking, horse riding, playing sports. You can also visit the recreational spot located there. Additionally, there are walking paths and hiking trails in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. This is also one of the places in the city you can go camping in during your trip to Santa Monica.

# 9 – Santa Monica Farmers Market

Suppose you are in Santa Monica, California, and you want to interact with the residents, understand their culture, buy local products, or even enjoy the local dishes. In that case, you should visit Santa Monica, Farmers Market. Santa Monica Farmers Market has been operating since 1979, and it is open every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday all year round, no matter the season or weather. Some of the Santa Monica Farmers Market products include locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, fish, specialty nuts, flowers, and baked goods, plus many more. Additionally, events such as street musician performances and live cooking demonstrations also take place in Santa Monica Farmers Market. There are various stalls located within Santa Monica Farmers Market that serve local dishes.

Official site: https://www.smgov.net/portals/farmersmarket/

# 8 – California Heritage Museum

California Heritage Museum is the best place to visit during your trip to Santa Monica if you want to learn and understand the history of the city and California. The breathtaking building in which California Heritage Museum is found is a Victorian-era home called the Roy Jones House. Apart from the spectacular, beautiful, and unique architecture of the museum build, multiple exhibits are showcasing the history of Santa Monica. During your visit to California Heritage Museum, you will find documents, artifacts, photos, and memorabilia depicting the city’s local history. Additionally, the museum features a permanent exhibit highlighting the history of the Jones family and the house itself. Some of the exhibits found in the California Heritage Museum include On the Road, Broken Dreams, and Art Quilts. The museum is located at 2612 Main St, in Santa Monica, California.

# 7 – Palisades Park

Santa Monica, California, has multiple beautiful outdoor places, and Palisades Park is one of the places. If you are in the city and want to spend time outdoors while having stunning views of Santa Monica, then Palisades Park is the place to be. Palisades Park is located on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California. The Park spans around 26 acres, and it is a good place in the city to relax and soak yourself in the sun. This 26-acre park features picnic tables, benches, and restrooms.

Additionally, Palisades Park features a rose garden and petanque courts. You can visit the park to admire and take pictures of its beautiful flora. Palm trees and agave plants are some of the drought-resistant species found in Palisades Park.

# 6 – Bergamot Station Arts Center

Are you an art enthusiast? Well, if you are, then Santa Monica has something for you. A visit to Bergamot Station Arts Center located at 2525 Michigan Ave, in Santa Monica, California, will ensure you are sorted. Inside the arts center, there are rotating exhibits showcasing a mix of classical and contemporary works from multiple artists from all over the globe. Additionally, the building in which Bergamot Station Arts Center is located in a breathtaking, gorgeous fine piece of architecture. This building was a railroad station between 1875 and 1953. Admission to this art center is free.

Official site: https://bergamotstation.com/

# 5 – Museum of Flying

Are you an aviation enthusiast? Do you want to know and experience the history of flying technology while in Santa Monica? If you do, you should visit the Museum of Flying located at 3100 Airport Ave, in Santa Monica, California. The exhibits at the Museum of Flying showcase the changes, growth, and development in the flight industry over the years. During your visit, you will view a replica of the Wright flyer, a collection of jet age crafts, and a nosepiece of a Boeing 727. Additionally, crafts from South California aviation companies such as Hughes Aircraft, Northrop, Boeing, North America, and Lockheed are found at the Museum of Flying.

# 4 – Santa Monica Stairs

Have you ever taken over 300 steps in a public walkway stair? Santa Monica has a hidden gem. During your trip to Santa Monica, you can visit the Santa Monica Stairs to stretch your legs. Santa Monica Stairs features 199 steps of concrete and 170 steps of wood and is a popular sport in the city where you will find people exercising. The Santa Monica Stairs is located at 699 Adelaide Drive in Santa Monica, California.

# 3 – Tongva Park

Tongva Park is a great place in Santa Monica, California, with a tranquil environment that you can visit to rest your feet and mind. Additionally, Tongva Park offers an escape from the busy and noisy city atmosphere. This Park features sculptures, gardens, playgrounds, a fountain, and picnic locations. Tongva Park is an ideal place for walking, relaxing, picnicking, and many more while in Santa Monica. Tongva Park is located at 1615 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, California.

Official site: http://tongvapark.smgov.net/

# 2 – Santa Monica State Beach

Santa Monica State Beach is one of the most visited places in Santa Monica. It is one of the places in the city that is a must-visit if you are an outdoor enthusiast. Santa Monica State Beach spans more than 3.5 miles along the California coast. The state beach features soft sands, ideal weather, and breathtaking attractions. This state beach divides the city of Santa Monica from the shore. The state beach features a pedestrian path for walking, running, rollerblading, and bicycling.

Additionally, there are multiple beach amenities at Santa Monica State Beach. Some of the amenities include volleyball courts, beach seats, and a swimming pool. Further, there are picnic tables, bathrooms, and lifeguards. You can also visit Santa Monica State Beach if you want to go surfing while in the city.

 

# 1 – Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica, California, has something for everyone. Whether you are traveling with kids and want to have a great time with them or craving an adrenaline rush, Santa Monica has something for you. Additionally, your trip to Santa Monica will not be complete without visiting Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Pier is over 100 years old, and it features the Pacific Park and an Aquarium. The Pacific Park located within Santa Monica Pier is a great place to visit if you are craving an adrenaline rush since it features amusement parks with arcade games and thrill rides.

Some of the amenities you will find at the Pacific Park located within Santa Monica Pier include 12 exhilarating rides, a solar-powered Ferris wheel, a dragon-themed ship, a 44-feet tower ride, and a steel roller coaster. Whac-A-Mole, ring toss, and water races are some of the classic games at the Pacific Park. There are no admission charges for visiting the Pacific Park, and it opens daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. While still at Santa Monica Pier, you can stop by at the Zoos and Aquariums to learn about the aquatic creatures around Santa Monica. At the aquarium, there are over 100 local species of creatures exhibited.

Further, there are multiple hands-on activities that you can take on during your visit to the aquarium. Red octopuses, sea jellies, swell sharks, and stingrays are some of the creatures you may see during your visit to the aquarium located at Santa Monica Pier. The admission fee for the aquarium is $7 for persons of 13c years and above, while children below 13 have a free entrance. The aquarium opens daily from 12.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Furthermore, there are shops and cafes located at Santa Monica Pier. You can stroll while appreciating the ocean views and listening to multiple musicians playing on the boardwalk while at Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica Pier is located at 200 Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.

Official site: https://santamonicapier.org/

 

 

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