Santa Monica Vacation
Santa Monica is located on California’s southern coast and experiences beautiful weather almost year round. The city was named after Saint Monica of Hippo, the mother of Saint Augustine, because it was visited by Spanish missionaries for the first time on her feast day. Baywatch, the most popular television series of all time, was filmed on the beach in Santa Monica.1
Fast Facts
- Country: United States
- State: California
- Mayor: Herb Katz2
- Population: 96,500
- Incorporated: November 30, 1886
- Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
- Total land area: 8.3 sq mi
- Area Code: 310
- Airport Code: SMO
- Founded: 18753
Attractions
- Santa Monica Museum of Art: This museum features new and established artists and many contemporary works.4
- Paley Center for Media: This radio and television museum is home to 120,000 television and radio programs and commercials, including some television pilots that never even aired.5
- The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra: The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra provides free classical and contemporary concerts and their music targets audiences of all ages and nationalities.6
- The Third Street Promenade: Three city blocks in the city were sealed off from traffic to create this outdoor shopping center.7
- Muscle Beach: Fond of working out at the ocean? Visit Muscle Beach where top athletes and celebrities have broken a sweat on the beach-side exercise equipment.8
Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has been a tourist attraction since it was built in 1909. The Santa Monica Loof Hippodrome, a carousel, is located on the pier and was deemed a National Historic Landmark.9
Mahalo Suggests
If planning a trip, please see Santa Monica Hotels and Santa Monica Restaurants.
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