With oceanfront vistas as pretty as a picture, it’s no surprise that Santa Monica has become a major arts and culture hub, with more than 120 museums, galleries, and public art installations within the city’s roughly eight square miles. But don’t expect ho-hum paintings of sailboats cruising into an endless sunset—this pedestrian-friendly waterfront city includes multimedia installations that are at the cutting edge of today’s art scene.
Santa Monica’s Museums
For most people, Santa Monica probably brings the beach and shopping to mind first, but the city is also home to an impressive array of museums. At the California Museum of Flying, visitors experience what it’s like to fly a plane in the Maxflight Simulator, while more than a dozen classic aircraft and plaques for astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin and other aviation icons await at the California Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Santa Monica Art Museum is a cultural incubator that gives artists the space, technology, and resources they need to create their work. For history buffs, the Santa Monica History Museum and the California Heritage Museum provide a historical perspective on the city and the state. If you’ve got kids along for the ride, the Cayton Children’s Museum is a family-friendly space with exhibits for children of all ages.
Art Galleries of Santa Monica
Worthy stops include 18th Street Arts Center, which champions early- and mid-career artists, and Bergamot Station Arts Center, home to Santa Monica’s single largest concentration of art galleries. At the latter you’ll find William Turner Gallery (abstract and contemporary art by emerging artists), Craig Krull Gallery (contemporary works with California themes), and the Peter Fetterman Gallery (20th-century documentary photography).
Other popular Santa Monica galleries include Del Vaz Projects, a non-profit art space that showcases projects from artists across generations and geographies, and Dorado 806, known for exhibiting spectacular group shows as well as giving up-and-coming artists their first solo show.
Dance and Performing Arts in Santa Monica
In summer, the Santa Monica Pier becomes a stage for a series of outdoor concerts. The 3rd Street Promenade is a well-known destination for catching quality street musicians and performers.
Downtown venues for music, dance, film, and theater include the state-of-the-art The BroadStage, where you’ll find jazz, classical, and international music performers such as flutist Sir James Galway and the New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Or check out the Aero Theatre, which screens both new and classic films.
Public Art of Santa Monica
Public art has long had strong support in Santa Monica, and the resulting works are on display everywhere. City Hall Mural is a large WPA-era artwork painted by American artist and Southern California Federal Art Project director Stanton MacDonald Wright, while Lives That Bind is a restorative justice exhibit located in the City Services Building.
The city’s Art of Recovery program connects artists with business improvement districts and other entities in an effort to highlight Santa Monica “as a place of culture and unique experiences.” If there’s something specific you want to see, the Public Art Archive features a long list of attractions.
The best way to make sure you don’t miss anything? Take a self-guided tour, hitting 21 suggested sites. Or meander on your own, discovering one or a dozen of the more than 170 murals around the city.
More Things to do in Santa Monica
Shopping in Santa Monica is always an adventure, whether you’re chatting with local artisans about their creations on Main Street, perusing the national brands that are sprinkled throughout the Third Street Promenade, or browsing the curated boutiques that line Montana Avenue.
When it’s time for a bite, there are plenty of restaurants in Santa Monica, too, ranging from high-end to casual. You’ll also find four lively farmers markets, bustling on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Don’t miss the western end of Santa Monica Boulevard, the official terminus of the famous Route 66—a perfect photo op before riding the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park or cooling off with a swim at Annenberg Community Beach House.