Santa Monica Raring to Go!
Slowly but surely, our quarantined society is gaining momentum. Here in Santa Monica, the community’s engine is revving with the energy necessary to rejuvenate and revitalize our businesses and economy. The spirit of Santa Monica is undeterred!
Santa Monica remains home to beachgoers, movie stars, and creatives. We’ve had a hiatus, but we are still a top travel destination for visitors and voted “One of the Top Ten Beach Cities in the World” by National Geographic. Santa Monica also boasts gourmet restaurants, world-class shopping, and incredible accommodations. The city welcomed nearly nine million visitors in 2019, and together they spent more than $1.95 billion. To really experience all that the city has to offer, you have to set out and explore.
Shopping
It’s incredibly easy to get around in Santa Monica, but don’t let the beachy boutiques and easygoing vibe fool you. The city’s shopping options are world-class and easily rival those found in Manhattan and nearby Beverly Hills. From well-known brands to one-of-a kind chic, visitors have a variety of offerings to choose from that range from one-of-a-kind artwork and eco-inspired housewares to iconic labels and straight-from-the-runway styles. Santa Monica’s businesses generated $3.2 billion in taxable sales in 2018 and raised $16 million for local schools.
The city is home to several unique shopping districts that have something for everyone.
Although our world-famous Pier remains temporarily closed, the Third Street Promenade is available for conscientious retail therapy. The Promenade consists of three open-air, car-free blocks that include a number of global brands, unique boutiques, bookstores, restaurants and coffee shops.
Delectable Dining
Santa Monica is proud to host a diverse collection of restaurants and eateries. We all know protocols for restaurants have changed during the past several months. Our restauranteurs and their culinary teams remain on the ball and are practicing the safest standards of preparation and service for hungry guests. The question is, what are you craving?
Some of the best restaurants in all of Los Angeles are still found in our city, which is known for its vibrant fare and inventive, sometimes unusual, and always delicious approach. From organic, vegetarian fare to California fusion, diverse international influences and al fresco dining with ocean views, there are menus for every palate, taste and budget.
Stay & Play
With 300 days of sunshine, cool ocean breezes and year-round warm weather, there is no off season in Santa Monica. The city is the perfect base for vacationers and business travelers, and visitors have their choice of 40 extraordinary hotels with rooms that range from high-end hideaways to world-famous oceanfront resorts, as well as a number of comfortable and surprisingly affordable properties. Most hotels are close to restaurants and are adjacent to or within walking distance of the beach. Our world-class accommodations boost the local economy too.
With so much to see and do, a weekend just isn’t enough to explore all that Santa Monica has to offer. It’s no wonder that the city – filled with world-class shopping, incredible restaurants, countless hidden gems, and some of the best beaches in the world – has visitors coming back again and again. After all, there’s no place like Santa Monica.