How to Visit Santa Monica, California
- 1). Enjoy million-dollar views at Palisades Park, located at 1501 Ocean Avenue. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the park is perched on a red sandstone outcrop a long way above the beach. Bring a picnic lunch and relax under beautiful palm trees. In the evening, you can watch glorious sunsets to bring each day to a perfect close.
- 2). Spread your beach towel on the Santa Monica State Beach, where there’s lots of beachfront action. With 3.5 miles of white-sand oceanfront, it’s a popular public-access beach. You can walk or jog the length of the beach along the water’s edge, ride the waves on a surfboard, or join a volleyball game.
- 3). While in the neighborhood, visit the Santa Monica Pier located on Ocean Avenue and Palisades Beach. Open in 1909, the family-fun theme park offers a variety of rides, attractions, and entertainment. Go for a whirl on the 1922 carousel, or the large, solar-powered Ferris wheel. Then stop at Pier Aquarium located beneath the Santa Monica Pier. You’ll discover a variety of awesome exhibits. The 2,200-gallon Pier Tank gives you a glimpse of the animals that live right under the pier.
- 4). Take a break from the sand and surf to explore some other area attractions. If you enjoy wandering among stalls piled with fruits and vegetables, the Farmer’s Market in the downtown neighborhood at Arizona Avenue and Third Street offers a variety of fresh produce and beautiful flowers. It’s open four days a week and sometimes at twice weekly at different locations. The market can be crowded at times, so it’s best to go early. The vendors are really friendly and will be happy to let you sample something before you buy. Don’t hesitate to ask.
- 5). Take a stroll along Montana Avenue, a charming 10-block shopping district lined with upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants. Located just a few blocks off the Santa Monica luxury coastline, there's no better place to spot local celebrities. Here, you'll find an excellent culinary scene from American to Cuban to Japanese.
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