Visiting Santa Monica in
Southern California From the Sea to the Mountains
by Halie Schmidt
Bike Path, Kristen Beinke Photo
Along the West Coast of Southern California is a gem of a city, Santa Monica, where there are more than 340 sunny days each year and average winter daytime highs hover in the mid-60s to low 70s F (18-22° C).
Santa Monica offers more than its beach and its phenomenal weather. Its proximity to the greater Los Angeles area makes Santa Monica the perfect base for vacationers and snowbirds. On its own, Santa Monica is a walkable 8.3 square miles (21.5 km2) – pedestrian-friendly beach city. Each of its eight districts offers a diverse mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, outdoor recreation and, thanks to its unmatched public transportation system, metropolitan convenience.
For travelers aiming to discover the rest of Los Angeles and the greater Southern California region, Santa Monica serves as a convenient hub for broader exploration. Located only eight miles (13 km) north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and only 13 miles (23 km) from the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica provides easy access to neighboring areas and attractions. Santa Monica is also close to other popular Southern California cities such as Beverly Hills and Hollywood.
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Both a seaside town and bustling city, Santa Monica has activities for all taste, from beach games and bike paths to art galleries to shopping and fitness to theater and concerts. World-renowned designers, name brands and independent boutiques line the streets of Santa Monica. And because of the central location, it is simple to travel
outside of Santa Monica’s walkable districts to explore the multitude of Los Angeles shopping possibilities – Melrose Avenue, Rodeo Drive, the Beverly Center and much more.
In Santa Monica proper and greater Southern California as a whole, the attractions are numerous. From the Santa Monica Pier and Muscle Beach to Disneyland and Universal Studios, there are a variety of activities to choose from for fun, education, culture and adventure. A highlight of local attractions is Santa Monica’s cultural offerings, which run the gamut, with more than 75 museums and art galleries within the city limits, not to mention the array of public art and sculpture exhibited in the streets.
Santa Monica is famous for it’s food, from fresh options at the world-famous farmer’s markets to the collection of exquisite restaurants with a growing list of famous chefs, Santa Monica restaurants have received considerable recognition. Zagat Survey named the city of Santa Monica the best neighborhood for dining in all of Southern California in 2007 and again in 2008. While there’s no single definition for the diverse Southern California dining experiences available in Santa Monica, it is the reputed birthplace of “California” and “fusion” cuisine – marked by an artistic blending of culinary styles and the freshest of organic ingredients. Expect remarkable presentation and global flavors in any of the options available in Santa Monica. For cooking on your own, outdoor farmer’s markets are the place to find fresh, beautiful
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www.rvsnowbirds.com
www.rvsnowbirds.com | October/November 2010
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