Located west of downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica offers a range of things to do. A sandy beach, an ocean pier, a farmers market, and a museum are just a few of the activities available in this beach town. You can also check out the beachside pier’s pier-side restaurants and art galleries.
Santa Monica is a beach town
Santa Monica is a beach town in California with a temperate climate and a rich history. Its 3.5 miles of beaches attract a wide variety of visitors, from families with kids to celebrities. It’s an excellent choice for vacationing, but it can also be a good place to build a home. There are many types of housing in Santa Monica, from modern luxury condos to craftsman houses. Each has its own character, and many are newly renovated and equipped with modern amenities.
Santa Monica is also home to more than 70 art galleries and museums. The town has an impressive number of public art installations. You can even see a snow-covered tree in the winter or a vibrant display of colorful flowers in the spring. The city also has a rich cultural scene with acclaimed theatres, galleries, and concerts.
Located between the ocean and the Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica’s coastline is home to two major beaches. The North Beach offers a vast expanse of sand, while South Beach is home to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. It’s here that the modern “beach culture” began. In addition to the beach, the city is home to two luxury hotels. In the 1990s, a proposal to build a large luxury resort ignited a fierce citizen protest. This resulted in the creation of a landmarks commission and a historic preservation ordinance.
It has a pier
If you’ve ever visited Santa Monica, you’ve probably noticed that the city has a pier. Until the 1920s, this pier was used to pump treated sewage into the ocean. Now, the pier is an attraction that is a landmark of the city. The pier is also officially designated as a historic landmark.
The Santa Monica pier is free to enter, although rides cost from $5 to $10 each. Some rides are not family-friendly, so plan accordingly. You’ll find restaurants and cafes near the pier, ranging from cheap to expensive. You can also splurge on delicious seafood in one of the many seafood restaurants. Parking around the pier is free as long as you’re staying for 90 minutes or less. Otherwise, you can take public transportation.
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular tourist attraction and has been a staple of Los Angeles for over 100 years. Visitors can enjoy free events throughout the year, including the Twilight Summer Concert Series and other popular events.
It has a farmers market
The Santa Monica Farmers Market is one of LA’s most thriving markets, attracting more than 9,000 food lovers each week. The market features artisan cheeses, natural meats, baked goods, and fresh seafood. It’s an open-air shopping experience with an unparalleled selection and the opportunity to interact with local producers.
There are two main farmers markets in Santa Monica: the Wednesday market and the Saturday market. The Wednesday market is the longest-running, with more than 75 growers each week. The Saturday market is smaller, but has fewer vendors than the Wednesday market. Both markets are packed with local produce and are popular with local restaurants and chefs.
The Santa Monica Farmers Market is open every Wednesday from 8am to 1pm. There are 75 farmers spread over four blocks. The market is open to the public with free 90-minute parking and bike stands. The market is located near the Central Avenue Constituent Services Center. The market’s farmers are passionate about providing fresh, organic produce to local residents.
The Sunday Farmers’ Market is located in Heritage Square, an historic building with Victorian homes. Its spacious lawn is a great place to enjoy a picnic. In addition to fresh produce, you’ll find local retailers, crafts, and local musicians. The market often features live music, cooking demos, and seasonal events.
It has a museum
If you love the arts, Santa Monica has several museums to choose from. The Santa Monica Museum of Art, for instance, has six permanent galleries and a rotating exhibition schedule. The museum also includes a research library. The facility is conveniently located next to the main campus of the Santa Monica Public Library. The museum is open to the public and offers free parking.
For families with kids, there is a hands-on area where kids can create and design their own model aircraft. There is also a static cockpit trainer for a Lockheed T-33 aircraft. Another museum is the California Heritage Museum, which is housed in a historic Victorian home. Inside, you can see craftman furniture, folk art, ceramics, and tile, as well as photos from the ostrich farm that used to be located nearby.
For a more in-depth look into Santa Monica’s history, visit the Santa Monica History Museum, which houses more than one million items. Founded in 1975, the Santa Monica History Museum aims to preserve local artifacts and memorabilia. The museum features six galleries, more than 6,000 photos, and a research library.
It has a theme park
If you’re a kid at heart, Santa Monica has a theme park that’s sure to keep you entertained. Pacific Park is an oceanfront amusement park in Santa Monica, California. It has roller coasters, water slides, and more. It’s also a great place to meet other people who share your interests.
The park is surrounded by beautiful ocean views and is a popular place for families. The pier is also packed with food options. You can also ride the Ferris wheel. It’s a popular spot during the summertime. There’s no shortage of things to do in Santa Monica.
The Santa Monica Pier has been home to various amusement parks over the years. The Santa Monica Pier is home to Pacific Park, which restored the pier to its former glory during the 1930s. It has five roller coasters and other rides. Avabucks and snacks can be found at the Oceanview Diner. You can also enjoy the beautiful ocean views and sea breeze at the pier.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive theme park, Pacific Park may be the place for you. It’s the only amusement park in Los Angeles where admission is free. In 2014, Pacific Park’s attractions contributed more than $57 million to the local economy.
It has an outdoor shopping mall
Whether you’re shopping for a gift or need a quick pick-me-up, Santa Monica has a variety of outdoor shopping options. In addition to the beach, the city boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year, which is conducive to retail therapy. In addition to shopping in a mall, Santa Monica has an array of outdoor dining options.
The Santa Monica Place outdoor shopping center is one of the best places to shop and eat in Santa Monica. This three-level complex offers high-end retailers as well as local favorites. The mall features designer outlets, top-notch department stores, and quality rooftop eateries. The outdoor shopping mall also features a flagship REI store, a national retailer known for their environmental stewardship and classes.
Located between famous downtown attractions like the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place is a world-class urban shopping center with a modern design. The complex features a state-of-the-art parking structure, an impressive range of restaurants, and a world-class shopping experience. It is a model for revitalizing aging malls. OMNIPLAN, as Executive Architect, was responsible for creating a design solution that connects the mall and Third Street Promenade. The firm partnered with Los Angeles design firm JERDE on the design solution.
It has a museum of flying
If you’re a plane enthusiast, Santa Monica has a museum of flying for you. This museum is full of airplanes, and the museum staff knows a lot about them. While you’re here, check out the observation deck and see planes take off and land. Even if you’re not an aircraft fanatic, you’ll be able to learn a lot about aviation from the staff.
The Museum of Flying is located at 3100 Airport Avenue. A Douglas DC-3 airplane greets you as you enter, and the exhibits feature the history of aviation in southern California. You can also view the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk jet used by the Blue Angels, the BD-5J Microjet from the movie “Octopussy”, and a replica Wright Flyer and Lockheed Vega.
The museum focuses on air travel history, and the museum’s building is designed to reflect this spirit. Since the museum celebrates the history of flight, it is important that the structure reflect the spirit of innovation. Reliance Foundry retractable bollards are the perfect solution for the Museum of Flying, providing sleek aesthetics and easy access for authorized individuals. The retractable posts are designed to open and close flush to the ground, keeping visitors safe.
