Santa Monica, California

The continuous 3.5 miles of golden beaches in Santa Monica California are the perfect place to bask in the glowing rays of the sun, catch a wave, or challenge other sun-worshippers to a game of beach volleyball. With over 300 fine, sunny days every year, trips to Santa Monica are almost guaranteed to result in golden tans, as a glance around the beach will attest. Santa Monica is located on the western edge of Los Angeles County, just ten miles from Los Angeles International Airport, and is in close proximity to other Southern California destinations such as Malibu, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Universal Studios, and Disneyland.

Beaches are often the prime destination for a vacation in Santa Monica California. With their pristine strips of sand, they are the perfect place to indulge in some much needed relaxation. The more athletically inclined visitors will appreciate the opportunities for jogging, rollerblading, biking, and skateboarding on the South Bay Bike Trail, and they'll jump at the chance to play volleyball or throw a Frisbee around.


If sipping a cold drink while lounging by the shore is more your thing, your vacation in Santa Monica can include the services of a Beach Butler, a private valet who will set up beach chairs, a table, and an umbrella for you, and serve you cold drinks. Surfing is also an obsession in Santa Monica, as in most of Southern California, and is permitted year round at Santa Monica beaches.

Santa Monica travel includes more than just beaches, however. No vacation in Santa Monica would be complete without a visit to the 100-year old Santa Monica Pier and the adjoining Pacific Park, a historic amusement park that includes the famous Santa Monica Ferris Wheel, a vintage carousel, and many other things to do. On summer evenings, soak up the warm weather and the music, and dance along with the crowd at the weekly Twilight Dance Series held at the Pier.

Santa Monica California, with its proximity to LA and other popular destinations, is understandably a treasure trove for film aficionados, with vintage movie theaters and the popular Santa Monica Film Festival gracing its screens every year. Movie theaters dot many main areas, including the Third Street Promenade, a pedestrian shopping district not far from the beaches that boasts many trendy chain stores, boutiques, and restaurants.

During their vacation in Santa Monica, patrons of the arts need not fear a cultural desert as Santa Monica is home to more than 100 art galleries, including the Santa Monica Museum of Art, and there are performances at many theaters, including the newly built state-of-the-art Broad Stage. Food and wine lovers can also rejoice, as Santa Monica travel also includes many fine restaurants and top chefs, many of whom are leaders in market-to-table movement of Californian cuisine, with dishes made from the freshest organic ingredients.

If you'd like to do your own cooking or just want fresh fruits and vegetables, one of Southern California's best farmers markets takes place on the Third Street Promenade every Wednesday and Saturday. When the sun goes down, travelers who still have energy can join in a happening nightlife on Main Street, or fall asleep in one of Santa Monica's hotels right by the beach, such as the historic and newly renovated Shangri-La Hotel, a testament to the timelessness of Art Deco beauty.

Santa Monica travel is sure to please the bar-hopper, the surfer, and the beach lounger alike, and a vacation here offers a variety of options to suit any visitor, no matter what their tastes and budget may be.