Welcome to Santa Monica, home of the famous Santa Monica Pier!   Enjoy the beautiful panoramic coastline and beach.  Take a stroll through the Pacific Park amusement park and the outdoor pedestrian-oriented Third Street Promenade.

Need a bite to eat?  400 restaurants are at your selection!  Looking for art?  Street performers are obvious to the eye, but there are also scores of art galleries, theaters and performance spaces.  Also get your shopping done at four shopping districts.

To get to the start of the tour:
Use the Metro Trip Planner

Important Note: Please make sure to always check times and schedules for transportation, destinations and events.

 Santa Monica Beach (1400 Ocean Avenue)
Nothing symbolized the Southern California lifestyle more alluringly than the beach of Santa Monica. You've seen it in countless movies, in numerous TV shows. What you've seen is what you'll get. Three and one half miles of sun-washed sand, a gentle caressing breeze, slowly swaying palms and the broad Pacific to loll you into leisure. One look and you're hooked! One day in its embrace and you're destined to return. Ride a wave or wade in one. Work on your tan. Build a sandcastle or build up your body. Pedal or skate along the sand. Play games that are good for the body and the brain.

 Santa Monica Pier (Colorado/Ocean Ave.; 310/458 -8900)
From the beach, to either the left of right of you is the Pier, a place for families and fun, for amusement and amazement. They can ride a roller coaster, dine at an ocean view restaurant, or simply relax and watch the waves.

 Santa Monica Pier Aquarium (1600 Ocean Front Walk; 310/393-6149)
Underneath the pier lies 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.

 Ocean Front Walk (Ocean Front Walk) 
This broad, paved footpath which stretches south from the Pier to just below Bay Street gives you access to every beach activity.

 Palisades Park (1400 Ocean Ave.; 310/393-7593) 
Palisades Park is a neighborhood focal point for readers and runners, sunbathers and sketchers, art lovers and animated conversationalists.

 Third Street Promenade (1351 Third Street.; 310/393-8355)
Within the downtown center is the world famous Third Street Promenade, an open-air pedestrian promenade alive with cafés, bookstores, kiosks, cinemas, fashion boutiques and novelty shops.

 Arizona Street Farmers' Market (Arizona b/w 2nd & 3rd)
Wednesdays between 8:30am and 1:30pm and on Saturdays between 8:30am and 1pm, these 2-1/2 blocks of downtown Santa Monica become a feast for the eyes and stomach.

 Puppet & Magic Center (1255 2nd St; 310/656-0483) 
It contains exhibits of more than 500 puppets and ventriloquist figures, as well as live performances in a 40-seat theatre. Adults and children will be mesmerized.

 Montana Avenue Shops & Restaurants (Montana Ave)
In the midst of Santa Monica's prominent residential area is Montana Avenue where you'll find 130 sophisticated, upscale, one-of-a-kind shops that cater to elegant taste in fashion.

 Santa Monica Place (Colorado/Main St.; 310/319-0431) 
Santa Monica Place at the base of Third Street Promenade is Santa Monica's only indoor shopping center.

 Ye Olde King's Head Pub & Restaurant (116 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310/451-1402) 
Traditional British fare, with daily specials including roasts, are served in a comfortable and casual setting.

 Anastasia's Asylum (1028 Wilshire Blvd.; 310/394-7113)
It will remind you of a living room on the first floor and a Parisian café on the mezzanine, where musicians periodically perform.

 Douglas Park (2500 Wilshire Blvd.) Opened in 1916, there's a great big new playground (including a water park), the two public tennis courts were resurfaced and the lawn bowling green preserved.

 Santa Monica Outdoor Antique Market (Airport/Bundy Ave.; 323/933-2511) 
The first and fourth Sundays belong to the Santa Monica Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market (8am-3pm) at the Santa Monica Airport.

 Bergamot Station/Santa Monica Museum of Art (2525 Michigan Ave.; 310/586-6488)
Located in the heart of Santa Monica, in the Bergamot Station Arts Complex, the non-profit Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA) presents dynamic exhibitions of contemporary art that embrace diverse aesthetic, cultural, and ideological perspectives, complemented by outstanding educational programs for people of all ages.

 Novel Cafe (212 Pier Ave.; 310/396-8566)
This café is a fine place to mix literature and latte, and to take in the unique surroundings of southern Santa Monica.

 Downtown Santa Monica Farmers' Market (Main St./Heritage Square) 
Each Sunday from 9:30am to 1:00pm a vibrant bazaar takes over the grounds between and around the California Heritage Museum and the Victorian at Heritage Square.

 California Heritage Museum (2612 Main St.; 310/392-8537)
The Museum is located on Main Street, one of Santa Monica's most charming areas. It is surrounded by galleries, boutiques, specialty stores and restaurants, and is only one block from the beach and bike paths.

 Eames Gallery (2665 Main St.; 310/396-5991) 
An intriguing gallery showcasing the design genius of Charles and Ray Eames, the industrial design and architecture team whose furnishings are also displayed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. 

 Santa Monica Playhouse (1211 4th street ; 310/394 - 9779) 
Santa Monica Playhouse is an internationally acclaimed professional intimate theatre and educational conservatory, presenting exciting year-round Main Stage productions, Family Theatre musicals, workshops for youth, pre-schoolers and adults, classes in private and public schools and birthday parties. In almost half a century of operation it has garnered over 200 awards and commendations.