If you are visiting Santa Monica city, in California, there are plenty of things to see and do aside from just relaxing by the beautiful beaches. From shopping to art appreciation, great museums and parks, there are plenty of options to entertain yourself while vacationing in the city.
You can visit the Pier Aquarium in Santa Monica, which is a small aquarium of the Pacific sea life, situated of the historic Route 66 of Santa Monica. It serves as a marine educational center, where you can see more than 100 different species of sea animals and plants that have been found in the Bay area of the city. If you like, you can even touch some of the sea creatures in the aquarium. In fact, this aquarium is part of the ‘Heal the Bay’ program of the town, which aims to educate and inspire its visitors. It also offers a number of restaurants and bars, where you can relax and enjoy the view of Malibu and the South Bay.
If you like aircraft, you can pay a visit to the Museum of Flying. Founded by Donald Douglas Jr., the museum opened for the first time in 1979. It is located virtually on the same spot where the aircraft company of the Douglas family was actually founded in 1922. There you can see a vast collection of many original artifacts, as well as different exhibits and aviation art. It also features the Wright Flyer replica.
Another option is Palisades Park, which is a beautiful stretch of paths, gardens and outdoor sculptures with an incredible coastal view. Rent a bike and take in all the sites of Ocean Avenue as the park runs alongside this road.
Foodies will love the Farmer’s Market on Arizona Avenue, which is the largest market in the Los Angeles area. The market is famous for attracting the city’s residents and local chefs with the freshest produce, meats, cheeses, fish and more. Moreover, you can sign up to meet up with famous chef Michael McCarty, a pioneer of California cuisine, who will introduce you to all his favorite vendors.
One of the more popular things to do while in Santa Monica city is shopping. Head to the Third Street Promenade Shopping Center, where you can find all kind of shops that cater to every preference. It’s actually been called the shopping version of Disneyland. You can shop, take walks or visit the mall at the south end of the Promenade. The mall was renovated just a few years ago and today features some great designer shops, as well as restaurants.
Before leaving the city, don’t forget to visit Route 66, which has often been called the Mother Road or America’s Main Street. It’s still known for its unique car culture throughout the West. In addition, there you can see creative highway signage, trading posts, motels and service stations. Finally, don’t forget to visit Santa Monica Pier, which coincidentally is where Route 66 starts and ends.
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