Attractions in Santa Monica

The Santa Monica beachfront grew into a giant funfair city when it was linked to downtown LA by the suburban streetcar system. It was the location for many of the underworld stories of Raymond Chandler, most memorably as "Bay City" in Farewell My Lovely , but today Chandler wouldn't recognize the place. The gambling ships and bathing clubs have gone, and Santa Monica is now well known for its tight rent control policy and stringent planning and development regulations. For these perceived infractions, local right-wingers refer sneeringly to the city as the "People's Republic."

The Beach
The world famous 3.5-mile Santa Monica Beach has appeared in countless movies and TV shows epitomizing the beach life of Southern California. Here visitors can ride a wave or wade in one. Work on the perfect tan. Build a sandcastle or build up their body. Pedal or skate along the sand. Play games that are good for the body and the brain or just watch the waves kiss the shore. On Santa Monica Beach visitors can be as active or laid back as they want to be, because in Santa Monica being who you want to be is the way of life.

Pacific Park
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-8744
What visitors do on the Pier today isn't very different from what they did more than 100 years ago. They fish day or night, watch the waves, view the wonders of the undersea world, dance under the stars, ride a carousel horse or a roller coaster, dine at an ocean view restaurant, and entertain themselves at an arcade and shop for souvenirs. The Pier is a place for families and fun, for amusement and amazement.

The Carousel on the Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-8744
The highlight of the original Pier, which was built in 1912 and restored lovingly in 1990, is the famed Santa Monica Carousel which is housed in its own Victorian style hippodrome building at the inland side of the Pier. This merry-go-round carved by Charles Looff in 1922 was featured in the Paul Newman/Robert Redford film The Sting. The Carousel, which harks back to a more innocent time, is still extremely popular with today's visitors.

Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Under the Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-260-8744
Tucked under the Pier is the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, a beach level aquarium which uses appealing, hands-on presentations to convey a sense of the fragility and beauty of the marine life in Santa Monica Bay. Touch tanks are full of delicate, endangered sea specimens. An 8-foot octagonal tank glows with its population of luminous lilac jellyfish. Exhibits display ways to help preserve and protect the ocean environment.

Ocean Walk
This broad, paved footpath which stretches south from the Pier to just below Bay Street gives visitors access to every beach activity. At its foot is the children's playground, and as visitors move south along it, they pass volleyball courts, the International Chess Park, the famed Muscle Beach, and public art installations. People watching is never better than from this sidewalk by the sea.

Palisades Park
1400 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-393-7593
Palisades Park is a neighborhood focal point for readers and runners, sunbathers and sketchers, art lovers and animated conversationalists. At any time of the day it's breathtaking, but don't miss seeing the sunset from this Ocean Avenue landmark.

Muscle Beach
Located along Ocean Front Walk
As visitors stroll along Ocean Front Walk they'll come upon California's original Muscle Beach, the famous outdoor workout venue. Newly restored in 2000, this bit of beach has attracted suntanned fitness buffs since 1930. The combination of a gorgeous location coupled with a wide array of gymnastic and balance apparatus draws fitness experts and novices alike. There's even an exhibition area where the fittest are likely to do some flexing for those watching.