1. The Ultimate SoCal Destination
No, it's not Disneyland. You have to visit the legendary Santa Monica Pier-it's a Southern California icon. A number of memorable attractions await including an amusement park, an aquarium, an indoor 1920s carousel, great restaurants and much more.
2. Get Your Thrills Above The Water
Located on the Santa Monica Pier, the oceanfront Pacific Park offers tons of family fun and entertainment with rides, a food court and midway games. The solar-powered Ferris wheel (the only one of its kind in the world) gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the ground!
3. Santa Monica's Recipe For A Perfect Day
Third Street Promenade is the perfect spot for date night or a day out day with family, with the best in dining, shopping, movies and more. You'll even have talented street performers serenading you as you stroll.
4. Get Inspired To Break Out The Paintbrush
The independent Santa Monica Museum of Art adds a dash of culture to the flashy tourism of Santa Monica with works by emerging and established contemporary artists from around the world.
5. And Then Unleash Your Inner Picasso
PAINT: LAB is a relaxed environment where families, couples or even a group of friends can express their creative side. The lab offers painting classes, workshops and art camps for children and teens-plus, they serve champagne and cheese during classes!
6. Santa Monica's Ode To The Sea
The Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is home to more than 100 species of native marine animals and plants. While you're there visiting your aquatic friends, don't forget to check out the work by Heal the Bay to protect and promote local marine conservation.
7. Oldies But Goodies
Classic movie lovers will be in heaven at the Aero Theatre, which screens old favorite as well as foreign and art films. The theatre reopened in January 2005 with a new screen and new sound and projection equipment, so your trip down movie Memory Lane will be even better.
8. Home Of The Perfect Crab Cake
A trip to Santa Monica isn't complete without a stop at Rusty's Surf Ranch for the delicious Louisiana-style crab cakes, or anything else on the menu. The restaurant also has live music of all genres, including rock, alternative, pop, reggae and more.
9. Jump Right In, The Water's Fine!
The beautiful (and famed) Santa Monica beach speaks for itself. It's the ultimate place to cool off and relax on hot summer days. It's crowded for good reason.
10. A Guitar Lover's Paradise In Santa Monica
You bet. McCabe's Guitar Shop has been a staple of Santa Monica's music scene for more than 50 years. The legendary store specializes in acoustic and folk instruments, and offers private lessons and group classes. You might also spot some big names like Lucinda Williams playing live.
11. Come Fly With Me...In Santa Monica
Take a trip back in time at The Museum of Flying, on the south side of Santa Monica Airport. The museum retells the fascinating history of flight-but if that's not exciting enough for you, the new Maxflight Simulator will give you a more...ah, immersive experience of what flight is really like.
12. Find Some French Flair In Santa Monica
Melisse is the best of the best of contemporary French cuisine-don't believe me? It's been voted one of the Top 40 Restaurants in the country since 2006 by Gayot, and Forbes named it one of the top five-star properties anywhere. Bon appétit!
13. Chill Out With Smooth Grooves And Booze
Stop by Harvelle's for a drink and some great live blues, jazz or soul music. It's the oldest live music venue on the Westside, and books top local, national and international talent. Don't miss the cabaret dancers!
14. Santa Monica Serves Happiness Fresh Out Of The Oven
La Monarca Bakery's team of experts know how to keep it sweet. All of their cakes, pastries and breads are prepared from scratch with fresh, top-quality ingredients and are 100 percent natural. The savory stuff is awesome too-try the Mexican molletes and traditional cazuelas.
15. City Life Getting To You? No Problem
The Santa Monica Mountains are some of Southern California's most incredible natural beauty, especially up close. Venture into the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation to breathe deep after so much urban crowding.
16. Settle Into Summer With Some Great Music
The Pier's not all about games and rides. The annual Twilight Concert Series has drawn thousands of music lovers for 30 years, and hosts artists from almost every music genre.
17. Or You Can Dance The Night Away
Burn up the dance floor at Zanzibar, one of the hottest clubs in town. The lively, high-energy venue has top-notch DJs who keep things poppin' with a variety of music styles.
18. It's Almost Not Even Exercise
Palisades Park is the perfect place for your daily jog, power walk, or yoga session. There are plenty of personal trainers around to keep you motivated-as if the gorgeous view of the ocean wasn't enough to keep you going.
19. You Can "Make 'Em Laugh"
Tickle your funny bone at M.i.'s Westside Comedy Theater, home of renowned improv comedy group Mission IMPROVable. The cozy comedy club, theater and bar features top comedy talent and offers six levels of comedy classes and workshops for children and teenagers.
20. Santa Monica's Haven For Shopaholics
Grab your credit cards (all of them) and head over to Montana Avenue, Santa Monica's destination for luxury shopping with more than 150 high-end boutiques. Bonus: it's a great location for celebrity-watching, if that's your thing.
21. You Can Go Around In Circles
The iconic Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome is a must-see in this fabled beachfront city. Opened in 1916 on the Newcomb Pier, this architectural marvel has housed multiple vintage merry-go-rounds and Wurlitzer organs over the years. Film buffs might recognize it from a little film called "The Sting."
22. And That's Checkmate
Test your skills and strategy at the International Chess Park with permanent, built-in chess tables or go big with the human-sized chessboard. If you're not interested in playing yourself you can watch regulars go head-to-head.
23. You Can Rock (Climb) On
The team at OnRope Consulting offers training in rock-climbing for all levels of climbers, and offers climbing trips, clinics, retreats and more. The real outdoorsy types can try a wilderness adventure trip with kayaking, backpacking or white-water rafting.
24. Santa Monica Will Pump You Up
If that New Year's resolution is still making you feel guilty, stop by to watch the athletes and bodybuilders at Muscle Beach. It's enough to get you to renew that gym membership today. Once you've gotten back in shape, make everyone else feel insecure on the rings and parallel and chinning bars.
25. You Can Explore An Urban Oasis
The recently opened Tongva Park spans more than six acres with walkways, picnic tables, rolling hills, children's play areas and two observation decks with spectacular views of the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Ocean.
26. Comic Book Lovers: Assemble
Hi De Ho Comics & Books with Pictures is nirvana for comic book nerds. The shop offers a huge selection of comics and graphic novels along with the best of geeky toys, magazines, books, trading cards, posters, t-shirts and fantasy items.
27. Santa Monica Won't Forget
Learn about a side of the city you never knew at the Santa Monica History Museum. The interactive exhibits and collections let visitors see how far the city has come, and special exhibits like "Santa Monica Women of World War II" focus on the city's role in history.
28. A Seafood Explosion
When the mood for seafood suddenly hits in this oceanside city (which is often) look no further than Enterprise Fish Co. for more freshly caught seafood than you could ever eat, like sesame crusted ahi tuna and lobster tails. Be sure to catch their awesome happy hour too. 
