Explore Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast, anchoring the West Side of Los Angeles County in Southern California. Because of its agreeable weather and good location, Santa Monica is a great place to stay. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and entertainment options, as well as close accessibility to major sights like Venice Beach, Malibu and Beverly Hills. Many of Santa Monica's tourist destinations are within easy walking distance of each other and the city Big Blue Bus system operates a number of lines that link not only places within the city, but also neighboring cities. Visit the Santa Monica Museum of Art, the Santa Monica Heritage Museum and shop at the Third Street Promenade, a major outdoor pedestrian-oriented shopping district. Walk and enjoy the view of the ocean at Palisades Park which stretches out along the crumbling bluffs overlooking the Pacific. The Santa Monica Hippodrome (carousel) is a National Historic Landmark located on the Santa Monica Pier. Santa Monica hosts the annual Santa Monica Film Festival and every fall the Chamber of Commerce hosts The Taste of Santa Monica on the Santa Monica Pier. Visitors can sample food and drinks from Santa Monica restaurants.