Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier. It is fitting that the country’s most iconic highway ends at its most iconic west coast pier. The pier is great, but there is much more to do in this city.
Although I live in Northern California, we make it to Los Angeles several times a year. I love Santa Monica. It is a beachfront city in Los Angeles County whose western border is the Pacific Ocean. There is so much to do in Santa Monica. Last time we brought the kids, but since we were able to keep them busy, it was a great family trip.
Santa Monica Attractions Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90401 310-458-8900
The Santa Monica Pier is world-famous and open 24 hours a day. However, each merchant has their own hours, so if there is a particular place you want to go, check before you go. The pier has amusement parks with rides for all ages, unusual shops, and all kinds of food. They allow fishing off the pier without a license and there is a bait and tackle shop on the pier. I have caught some fish from the pier and threw them back for others to catch.
Throughout the year there are free concerts on Thursday nights. When I am in town, going to the pier for a free concert with vendor supplied food and drink is a delightful way to pass an evening.
Third Street Promenade
Third Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401 310-393-8355
This outdoor shopping mall has it all. Tons of retail shops, restaurants covering almost every known culture (ranging from family friendly to fine dining), art galleries, live theaters, and 20 movie screens crammed into the 3 blocks of the Promenade make it a movie lover’s haven. This is one of my wife’s favorite spots to go.
Museum of Flying
3100 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405 310-398-2500
Founded in 1974 by the family that owns the Douglas Aircraft Company, the museum has thirty planes on exhibit. Kids are especially in awe of the planes on exhibit – includring the original jet used in James Bond movie Octopussy. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm, with our last entry at 4:30pm. This is my son’s favorite. He could spend days here.
26-Mile Bike Path
The Santa Monica Pier is a popular starting point for the number one attraction in Santa Monica. It is an easy, flat ride with many rest rooms and spots for drinks and food dotting the path. The path stretches from Will Rogers State Park to the end of the Palso Verdes Peninsula in Torrance. Bike riders join joggers, walkers, skateboarders, and folks on roller blades navigating the path. Venice and Manhattan Beaches are favorite resting areas. Last time here, we all rode about five miles and had so much fun!
Santa Monica Beach
Come to this gorgeous 3.5-mile long beach. Following an ambitious cleanup, the ocean is clean, and beachgoers enjoy swimming, surfing, volleyball, and more. Thanks to offshore breezes, the beach is always cooler than the city – one of the best beaches we ever visited.
Fast Facts About Santa Monica
- Only 14 miles from Los Angeles
- Temperature: January – 50 to 64; July – 62 to 69 F
- Population: 84,084
- Average Family Size: 2.8
- Art and culture are predominant in the city of Santa Monica, home to over 120 museums and art galleries.
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Photo Credit: Prayitno. License:Creative Commons. Courtesy: WikiCommons
Published on 2014-07-29 09:10:29
