Things to Do in Santa Monica

Gardens, sculptures, and the smell of the ocean infuse Tongva Park, encompassing six acres off Ocean Avenue, south of the Santa Monica Pier. It's inviting for a relaxing moment, taking a break from downtown and is a great spot to enjoy an afternoon picnic away from the crowds at the beach.

Santa Monica offers four different farmers' markets throughout the week, rain or shine. Two different markets take place on Saturdays, and two others take place on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.

North of the Santa Monica Pier and stemming from the city's Gold Coast era of the 1920s, Annenberg Community Beach House was once a private beachside mansion belonging to the actress Marion Davies.

Venice Beach is the southern city bordering Santa Monica, connected by the Marvin Braude Bike Path, also known as The Strand Beach Path. Venice offers its own distinct flavor of coastal appeal that's a bit more bohemian in spirit. The oceanfront district is well regarded for the art found on the streets and the style represented by the community.

Part of the Santa Monica experience is enjoying a meal out on the town. The city's food scene is wide and varied and highly lauded. From downtown digs to oceanfront views, it's easy to find something for everyone's taste.

The heart of downtown Santa Monica is the 3rd Street Promenade. This pedestrian-only shopping space features a lot of foot traffic and tons of entertainment. Shops, restaurants, and talented street musicians line every block well into the night when this lighted area really shines. But whether day or night, something is bound to catch the eye on this fashionable retail strip.

Tourists and residents tend to gravitate toward Palisades Park. This 26-acre coastal bluff park on Ocean Avenue overlooks the Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Monica State Beach and provides a well-manicured space with non-stop ocean vistas.

The 22-mile Marvin Braude Bike Trail, also known as The Strand, spans the entirety of the Santa Monica shoreline. It stretches from Will Rogers State Beach north of Santa Monica all the way down to Torrance County Beach. And navigating this sandy expanse is one of the most popular things to do when visiting.

Santa Monica State Beach spans over 3.5 miles on either side of the iconic Santa Monica Pier. It's one of the top beaches in the Los Angeles area, less than 15 miles from Hollywood, attracting millions of beachgoers to spread their towels out on the sand each year.

The Santa Monica Pier is a classic landmark of the city and the seaside terminus of historic Route 66. It's surrounded on both sides by Santa Monica State Beach and this family- and dog-friendly pier is filled with fun things to do and plenty of people to watch.