Santa Monica is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast, anchoring the West Side Region of Los Angeles County in Southern California. Santa Monica was originally developed as a seaside retreat at the turn of the last century. The railroad owners built the first version of the amusement park on Santa Monica pier as an attraction to fill empty train seats on weekends. Santa Monica grew into an urban, eclectic, and prosperous beach city whose real estate values are amongst the most pricey in the world. Santa Monica is a very desirable city whose people are drawn to its accessibility and its progressiveness as a community. Today, Santa Monica is a mixture of very affluent, single-family neighborhoods, renters drawn by the high quality of life, lifelong surfers, young professionals and students. Tourists visiting the Los Angeles region will find Santa Monica one of the best situated locations to base their trip. There are plenty of hotel, restaurant and entertainment options, as well as close accessibility to major sights like Venice Beach, Malibu and Beverly Hills. Visitors will also note the beach cities' moderate climate; during the summer and fall, as the mercury soars to 100 in the San Fernando Valley and 90 downtown, Santa Monica usually remains at a very comfortable 75 degrees.

Activities

 • Santa Monica Pier is a bustling boardwalk whose huge Ferris Wheel is the city's icon. The long pier has an old-fashioned amusement park, with reasonable by-the-ride pricing, including a small roller coaster. The Pier has restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and some street performers. At almost all hours you'll find at least a few people fishing as well. The Santa Monica Pier has terrific coastline views of Malibu and the Southbay. The Pier is within easy walking distance to the Promenade.
 • Santa Monica Beach is a large, wide, beautiful beach on either side of the pier. Perry's rents bikes and roller blades or bring your own for use on the world famous *strand* that links all of the Westside beach cities. For some of the best people watching in the world, follow the strand south a couple of miles to Venice Beach.
 • Third Street Promenade is a very successful Urban mall project: a vibrant, outdoor street full of restaurants, "better" street performers and musicians, movie theaters, shopping, bookstores, and bars. Only three blocks from the beach, the Promenade is one of L.A.'s most popular places to "hang out" for people of all ages.
 • Bergamot Station is a city-owned art gallery compound which includes the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

Dining

Very diverse food selection, from high end cuisine to burgers and tacos.
 • El Cholo (at 11th and Wilshire) is a Los Angeles institution and this Santa Monica branch offers great margaritas and wonderful traditional Mexican food. The green corn tamales, available from May to October each year, are a specialty.
 • The Lobster (Colorado Blvd & the Santa Monica Pier, (310) 458-9294), is one of the few restaurants in Santa Monica that actually has a view of the Pacific Ocean. Located at the Eastern end of the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster provides good seafood dishes, great cocktails and a little bit of a scene. While a little noisy and on the expensive side ($120+ for two with alcohol), the food, fun and view can make it worthwhile.
 • Michael's, along with Chez Panisse in Berkeley, lead the nouvelle cuisine movement. Using fresh vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, locally caught fish and excellent meats every dish is sublime. While not cheap, a meal at Michael's does not disappoint.
 • Pradeep's (1405 Montana Ave, (310) 395-6675) offers Indian Cuisine with a California consciousness. Emphasis is on healthy, so sauces are lighter, but flavor is still great.
 • Snug Harbor (2323 Wilshire Blvd, (310) 828-2991) is a great breakfast place! A small "hole in the wall" with a relaxed atmosphere and competent service, you'll find many locals trying to wake up on Saturdays and Sundays. Offering up traditional bacon and eggs with a twist the food is fresh and good. Meat lovers should try Uncle Zeke's scramble.

Drink

 • Father's Office (1018 Montana Ave., near 10th & Montana) offers beers from over 20 different micro-breweries, a nice wine selection, and awesome bistro food (current owners were formerly Chef's at Michael's). F.O. celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2003.

Lodging

 • Ambrose Hotel, 1255 20th Street, (310) 315-1555,, while 20 blocks from the beach, the Ambrose Hotel offers great style and comfort for less than the large beach-front hotels; typically $150-$250 per night. Very convenient if visiting someone at St. John's Santa Monica Hospital.
 • Best Western Gateway Hotel Santa Monica, 1920 Santa Monica Boulevard, (310) 829-9100, Fax: (310) 829-9211
 • Best Western Ocean View Hotel, 1447 Ocean Avenue, (310) 458-4888, Toll-free: (800) 452-4888, Fax: (310) 458-0848
 • Georgian Hotel, 1415 Ocean Avenue, (800) 538-8147,, the Georgian Hotel is an Art Deco classic that dates back to the 1920s. Located right on Ocean Avenue and in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, it is in the thick of the action. Rooms are smaller and prices are not cheap ($250 and up per night), but it is a great place to stay.
 • Holiday Inn, 120 Colorado Ave, (310) 451-0676
 • Le Merigot (Marriott), 1740 Ocean Avenue, (310) 395-9700, Toll-free: (877) 637-4468, Fax: (310) 395-9200
 • Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Avenue, (800) 670 6185,, the Viceroy Hotel is perfect for travelers who are seeking an ultra-hip experience and don't have any budget restrictions. One block from the beach, and few blocks south of the main part of downtown Santa Monica, the Viceroy still is able to command $400+ per night because of its status as "One of the 50 hottest hotels in the world"