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As the city kicks off a citywide celebration marking its 150th anniversary, these neighbourhoods offer unique celebrations in the spirit of the special event.
Ocean Avenue is famous for its idyllic coastline, cool ocean breezes and the 115-year-old Santa Monica Pier – home to Pacific Park with its towering, solar-powered Pacific Wheel
While Santa Monica is celebrated for its coastal elegance, the cultural and historical essence of the city lies in its eight distinctive neighbourhoods, each infused with their own character and attractions across the city’s 8.3 square miles. From shopping and dining to wellness and culture, these neighbourhoods shape Santa Monica’s charm. As the city kicks off a citywide celebration marking its 150th anniversary, these neighbourhoods offer unique celebrations in the spirit of the special event.
Downtown Santa Monica / Third Street Promenade
Located just blocks east of the Pier, Santa Monica’s downtown hub is a retail-therapy destination featuring everything from high-end designer finds to on-trend home décor. With more than 100 restaurants, Downtown also serves as a diner’s paradise for those looking to indulge. The famed Third Street Promenade, an open-air, pedestrian-only street, features dozens of retailers and offers lively street entertainment and events like outdoor movie screenings and popular farmers markets. The neighbourhood also includes nine hotel properties to choose from and a Metro E Line station that connects Downtown Santa Monica to Downtown Los Angeles by rail, allowing visitors to stay by the coast while easily exploring the rest of the region.
Santa Monica Pier/ Ocean Avenue
Ocean Avenue is famous for its idyllic coastline, cool ocean breezes and the 115-year-old Santa Monica Pier – home to Pacific Park with its towering, solar-powered Pacific Wheel. Miles of sandy shores populated with surfers and sunbathers, along with hotel properties like the hotly anticipated Regent Hotel and the historic Georgian Hotel – a favourite of Hollywood stars Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin – define this iconic neighbourhood. Visitors cannot miss the sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the chance to snap a picture on the Pier in front of the “End of the Route” sign for the legendary Route 66, which officially ends its 2,500-mile journey just a few blocks away.
Main Street
Main Street is located just south of the Pier and two blocks from the beach, with a charming neighbourhood feel that makes it a favourite for local Santa Monica residents and visitors from around the globe. This sun-drenched street stretches for nearly a mile, beckoning foodies, shoppers, and wellness fanatics to its laid-back blend of restaurants, fitness studios and boutiques. Once affectionately known as “Dogtown,” the neighbourhood is considered by many to be the birthplace of skateboarding on the West Coast. Additionally, visitors and residents flock to Heritage Square for the weekly farmers market, which features live music and free valet parking for cyclists. Just two blocks west of Main Street is Ocean Park Beach, a five-acre park just south of the Santa Monica Pier.
Montana Avenue
This picturesque, tree-lined street is known for its upscale boutiques, quaint restaurants, and the historic movie theatre, The Aero. Sitting at the city’s northern edge, the 10-block stretch between 10th and 17th streets boasts more than 150 retailers and restaurants. During the daylight hours, the street hums with stylish locals, A-list celebrities and visitors sipping espressos in chic cafes and browsing shops from high-end designers – all with a welcoming and laid-back luxury vibe.
Mid-City
Accessible by major thoroughfares Wilshire Boulevard and Interstate 10 as well as two Metro E Line stations, Mid-City is a burgeoning arts district anchored by destinations like the BroadStage, 18th Street Arts Center and the community-focused Bergamot Station, the home to 18 art galleries and live performances. A diverse array of food and beverage options adds to the neighbourhood’s appeal, like the famed Tartine Bakery and Santa Monica Brew Works. Travellers will also find accommodations available at five hotel options, including The Ambrose Hotel.
Ocean Park Boulevard / Santa Monica Airport Area
With its trendy eateries, four family-friendly parks, artisan shops and museum, Ocean Park Boulevard offers a variety of sights. The Santa Monica Airport – servicing private and charter planes – is the long-time home of the Museum of Flying. First opened in 1974, the aviation museum reopened in 2012 and houses a trove of historic aircraft and a modern flight simulator. Other attractions include community-oriented nursery Merrihew’s Sunset Gardens, a twice-monthly antique market held at the airport and The Ruskin Group Theatre. Ocean Park Boulevard runs from the sand to the city’s eastern edge with endless local gems to be found in between.
Pico Boulevard
Anchored by Santa Monica State Beach, Santa Monica College and Virginia Avenue Park, Pico Boulevard’s shop- and café-lined blocks are at the heart of city life. This bustling boulevard connects Santa Monica State Beach from the west to Downtown Los Angeles in the east and runs through some of the area’s most diverse neighbourhoods. More than 50 large-scale murals adorn the boulevard’s 35 blocks thanks to the community initiative Beauty Earth alongside a variety of hotels, delicious restaurants, and locally-owned boutiques.
Wilshire Boulevard
This well-travelled thoroughfare claims the stunning Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and Santa Monica Proper Hotel, cutting-edge workout studios, unique retailers, and landmark restaurants. Beginning at Ocean Avenue and running through Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and ending in Downtown Los Angeles, Wilshire Boulevard is one of the most well-known streets in town. It borders the Third Street Promenade on its southwestern edge and the hugely popular Douglas Park, known for its playing fields and lawn bowling.
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi…Read More
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi… Read More
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