Santa Monica Hotels

Santa Monica, California

From surfers to Hollywood stars, everybody loves Santa Monica in Los Angeles; this beautiful beach-front city epitomizes everything that is great about the sunny Southern California lifestyle. It is easy to get outdoors and enjoy the gorgeous weather, find fun activities for all of the family and sample an abundance of delicious food and wine. Find a stay at a budget, or book any of the luxury 5-star hotel in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Pier

A significant spot for visitors and locals alike, the Santa Monica Pier has provided a center of culture and entertainment for more than a century. The clock is really turned back to a charming yesteryear thanks to the vintage carousel and Ferris wheel, while other sights of interest include the Pacific Park amusements and Santa Monica Aquarium. For those who have always fancied being a circus performer, the Trapeze School New York is located on the pier and it is possible to have a go on the trapeze swing. During the summer months, outdoor music concerts draw large crowds every evening.

Culture, Food and Shopping

Santa Monica has a vibrant art scene and more than 40 public art works are located across the city, encompassing murals, sculptures and interactive installations. Besides the Santa Monica Museum of Art, another must-visit sight is the Bergamot Station – a renovated 19th Century railroad building that houses multiple galleries, and takes its name from the beautiful wild bergamot that flourishes here. American decorative and fine arts are exhibited at the California Heritage Museum, and a farmers’ market takes place in the car park here every Sunday.

This city is famous for its quality food markets; on Sundays, Main Street turns into a haven of delicious cuisine, live music and kids’ activities like face painting. Brilliant places for retail therapy are Santa Monica Place and the 3rd Street Promenade, which are also home to plenty excellent restaurants that serve everything from classic American fare to Spanish tapas and French crêpes. Pico Boulevard is well known for its wealth of music shops.

Beaches and Parks

No trip to California would be complete without visiting the beach and there is no shortage of options. This is where Baywatch was filmed and almost every day here is guaranteed to be a dazzlingly sunny, so it is no wonder that enjoying the golden sands is a regular pastime.

Santa Monica State Beach is the main stretch where popular activities include swimming, surfing and volleyball, whereas the iconic Venice Beach is a cultural hub known for its eccentric artsy vibe as much as for its brawn (the famous Muscle Beach is located here).

Pop-up galleries can sometimes be seen along the boardwalk and volleyball, basketball and tennis courts are available. The picturesque Palisades Park to the north of the city provides a breath-taking ocean-front space featuring striking coastal bluffs replete with rugged appeal - this is an ideal spot for hiking, biking and relaxing.

Are you planning a visit to California? Take a look at our accommodation options in this state.