Santa Monica

Santa Monica in southern California is the perfect destination for a vacation or a weekend getaway. The city is a beachfront community with exceptional shopping and dining. It is home to the Santa Monica Pier, which is well known for popular amusement park attractions, and the Santa Monica Beach. It also offers excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, swimming, surf boarding and kayaking.
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Top places to visit

1Santa Monica State Beach

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Beach
Outdoor Activities
State Parks
This iconic beach in Santa Monica is a must-see for anyone visiting the city. With its mild surf, wide range of businesses and easy access for visitors, it's perfect for all ages. The beach stretches 3.5 miles and can be divided by North of Pier and South of Pier so visitors can get their bearings. In winter, the beach becomes unrecognizable without the masses of people that flock to it in peak months, making it great for early morning walks.
California, USA

2Downtown Santa Monica

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Shopping mall
Concerts & Shows
Downtown Santa Monica is a shopping mall located in Santa Monica, California. It is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Los Angeles, and features luxury retailers such as Armani Exchange, H&M, LUSH, and Apple Store. The mall also contains several movie theaters, including Regal Cinemas and Loews Cineplexes.
1351 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttp://www.downtownsm.com/

3Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier

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Amusement park
Water & Amusement Parks
Theme Parks
Island-themed amusement park with 12 roller coasters and games including an iconic ferris wheel.
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttps://pacpark.com/

4Palisades Park

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Park
Nature & Parks
The Palisades Park is a beautiful park located in Santa Monica that offers stunning ocean views. The trail runs along the edge of the bluff, with lush eucalyptus trees and palm trees dotting the landscape. The park is great for a stroll or to take in local nature and wildlife.
Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttp://www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS/content.aspx?id=31700

5Santa Monica Place

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Shopping mall
Shopping
Santa Monica Place is a popular open-air shopping mall in Santa Monica, CA. It features luxury brand shops and a food court, as well as movie theater.
395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttps://www.santamonicaplace.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=o

Top places to eat

1Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

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affordable
Seafood restaurant
American restaurant
This seafood restaurant offers a unique setting with views of the ocean and harbour. The menu includes items such as shrimp cocktails, salads, sandwiches, soups and grilled dishes. There is also a children’s menu available.
301 Santa Monica Pier Building 9, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttps://www.bubbagump.com/location/bubba-gump-santa-monica-ca/

2The Lobster

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4.0
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expensive
Seafood restaurant
The Lobster offers up some of freshest seafood in town, with views of the Pacific Ocean across from the Santa Monica Pier. It's a stylish restaurant with its own pier entrance, and it's always packed to the rafters. Reservations are a must, but they're well worth it when you get to enjoy some of the most delicious dishes around.
1602 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttp://thelobster.com/
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affordable
Health food restaurant
True Food Kitchen is a trendy, environmentally conscious chain that offers a variety of healthy dishes, including vegan alternatives and creative cocktails. Located in Cheviot Hills, this daytime market/restaurant prides itself on serving delicious breakfast items with friendly service. While you could easily make your own eggs or granola at home, the food at True Food Kitchen surpasses homemade meals in taste and comes with an intriguing backstory about 1970s Brooklyn from the owner.
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expensive
Seafood restaurant
Water Grill is a seafood restaurant in Santa Monica with extensive raw-bar options and a menu updated daily. It's popular for its upscale setting, panoramic views, and wide variety of seafood dishes. The restaurant also offers cooked options such as crab cakes, fish tacos, and the signature wild Mexican Mahi Mahi entrée.
1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttps://www.watergrill.com/smWater Grill reservations
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affordable
Mexican restaurant
If you're looking for delicious Mexican fare with coastal views, Blue Plate Taco is the place to go in Santa Monica. The restaurant's tacos are made with fresh ingredients and feature a modern twist, making them a great choice if you're looking for something different from your typical Mexican fare. In addition, their margaritas are refreshing and perfect for summer days.
1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USAhttps://www.blueplatetaco.com/Blue Plate Taco reservations

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Santa Monica?

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