Santa Monica Vacation

Los Angeles County in California offers great views of the ocean and a Santa Monica vacation is an ideal base to explore the area. It has become an extremely popular resort, renowned for its beach and pier. There are 325 days of sunshine in the year and plenty of entertainment, both outdoors and indoors. The Visitor's Center has all the information needed on attractions and sightseeing tours and maps of the area are available.

The pier was constructed in 1909 and has a famous carousel that is classified as an historical landmark. The pier is the site for Pacific Park, an admission free amusement park that has a nine-story ferris wheel and a roller coaster. The Taste of Santa Monica is an annual event on the pier, celebrating the food and drink from the area. Palisades Park is a great destination for visitors who want to walk the paths overlooking the Pacific. A Santa Monica vacation attracts a lot of hikers and bikers. Palms and scented eucalyptus line the way and there is a camera obscura.

Shopping is of course another favorite holiday activity and this region does not disappoint. There is an outdoor antique market and the main shopping district of Third Street Promenade contains a farmer's market and movie theaters. The area is frequented by street entertainers and it's a nice, laid back atmosphere.

Culture also plays an important part in the community and a Santa Monica vacation offers opportunities to visit the different museums and galleries. The Santa Monica Museum of Art has an excellent collection of contemporary art. The Museum of Flying traces the history of aviation with displays and memorabilia. The Santa Monica Heritage Museum is a showcase for decorative and fine arts and local crafts. Exhibits include pottery, glassware, furniture and quilts.

Nightlife is also thriving here, no matter what your tastes are. There are several themed pubs, including English and Irish pubs and sports bars. Wine bars are also popular. Clubs playing dance music are numerous and there are venues to listen to jazz and blues. There is even light opera concerts and magic and puppetry shows. Various theatres offer shows and plays and there are free city concerts during the summer months. A Santa Monica vacation has plenty to do during the sunshine filled days and after dark, with all the attractions you'd expect to find and some unusual ones too.