Venice

Take a stroll along Santa Monica’s signature pier at sunset, that enormous sun sinking into the Pacific, and you'll probably wonder if it can get much better than this. But wait; it can. Right here. First, there’s an amusement park—perched right on the pier—called Pacific Park, with not-too-scary roller coasters and classic carnival rides that make a nice mix even for little ones. Then there are incomparable views from the top of the pier’s solar-powered Ferris wheel. On weekends, you can join free historical walking tours to learn more about the pier, which dates back to 1909. And then there are those simple pleasures—a creamy thick milkshake or a simple necklace of seashells, at snack shacks and trinket shops lining the pier. And there are the local fishermen adding colour to the scene; hang out for a while and you’re bound to hear some good yarns and watch some slippery fish reeled in. Find out what those fish might be by heading under the pier (directly below the turn-of-the-century wooden carousel), to the inviting Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, with some 100 species of fish and aquatic animals, and lots of family-friendly educational displays.

And then of course, there’s the beach, a broad expanse of pale yellow sand lining the coast for 3.5 miles. For the complete beach treatment, explore the ocean atop a paddleboard (various hire equipment and lessons are available) or go VIP with your own Perry’s on the Beach Butler service. 

Whether you want to wake up with an ocean view out your window or prefer to feel like a high-style fashionista, Santa Monica has a luxury hotel that suits your style.

Check into The Huntley Hotel for its alluring blend of beachside chic and urban sophistication, plus the hot scene and chilled cocktails at The Penthouse, which offers sweeping ocean views. There’s the streamlined art deco glamor of Hotel Shangri-La, a 1939 landmark where you can join the hip crowd at ONYX, a rooftop bar and lounge. Or live like a star at Viceroy Santa Monica in an ocean-hued room as cool and breezy as the nearby Pacific.

With its Cape Cod-inspired architecture and homey, yet elegant rooms created by star designer Michael S. Smith, oceanfront Shutters on the Beach epitomizes Santa Monica’s relaxed coastal charms. Or just down the beach, step inside the graceful Mediterranean-style lobby of the 1926 classic Hotel Casa del Mar, where rooms offer flawless ocean views through your arched floor-to-ceiling windows.

With oceanfront vistas as pretty as a picture, it’s no surprise that Santa Monica has become a major art hub, with more than 120 museums, galleries, and public art installations within the city’s roughly 8 square miles/21 square kilometres. 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. Worthy stops include Bergamot, housing Santa Monica’s single largest concentration of art galleries, and Broadway Gallery Complex for contemporary works by local and international artists.

Dance and the performing arts find strong support here too. In summer, the Santa Monica Pier becomes a stage for a series of outdoor concerts. The 3rd Street Promenade is a well-known place for catching quality street musicians and performers. Downtown venues for music, dance, and theatre include state-of-the-art The Broad Stage, on the campus of Santa Monica City College, and Edgemar Center for the Arts.