Santa Monica City

The colorful city of Santa Monica is sandwiched between Venice and Malibu along the beautiful coastline of the Pacific Ocean. This lively California destination features over 65 museums and galleries and has been called the city of murals, as they can be found everywhere. The three major shopping destinations in Santa Monica are centered around Main Street, Montana Avenue and Third Street Promenade, which features Santa Monica Place. All are best explored on foot and lined with eclectic stores and specialty shops, sidewalk cafes and upbeat entertainers performing a musical act or magic show. Topiary dinosaur fountains, multi-screen movie theatres, upscale boutiques, free-standing pavilions and trendy sidewalk cafés have transformed a once dreary district into a popular pedestrian promenade. The Santa Monica Pier contains Pacific Park, a family amusement park with a large ferris wheel. It also has a carousel from the 1920s, an aquarium, shops, entertainers, an arcade, a pub, and restaurants. The Santa Monica Pier is a must-see destination in Southern California.