The back story
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The back story
Santa Monica: the back story
The Pier, the beach, Palisades Park and beach hotels: Los Angeles by the sea.
Neighbourhood guide · Los Angeles
Santa Monica: Our Favourites
Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park, the beach and Palisades Park, beach hotels and Mélisse.
What's onThis week in Los Angeles
What to see and do
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Pacific Park and the sea
Santa Monica Pier
The historic pier at the end of Colorado Avenue, with Pacific Park’s Ferris wheel, an aquarium and fishing.
200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
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Rides on the Pier
Pacific Park
The amusement park on Santa Monica Pier, with its Ferris wheel and roller coaster.
380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
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Wide sand and the Pier
Santa Monica State Beach
The wide sandy beach on either side of Santa Monica Pier, with a beach path to Venice.
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Along the sand
Santa Monica Pier to Venice Beach
Walk or cycle the beach path from Santa Monica Pier south to the Venice boardwalk.
Where to eat
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Two MICHELIN Stars (2026)
Mélisse
Josiah Citrin’s intimate modern French tasting room in Santa Monica, with two MICHELIN stars; Citrin, with one star, shares the building.
1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
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Italian by the beach
Giorgio Baldi
A small Italian restaurant by the ocean at Santa Monica Canyon.
114 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402Explore View on map
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At the entrance to the Pier
The Lobster
A seafood restaurant at the entrance to Santa Monica Pier, with ocean views.
1602 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
Bars and nightlife
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Ocean views from the roof
Calabra at Santa Monica Proper
The rooftop pool-deck restaurant and bar at Santa Monica Proper, with ocean views.
700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
Shopping
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Santa Monica’s shopping street
Third Street Promenade
A pedestrian shopping street in downtown Santa Monica, three blocks from the Pier.
Where to stay
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On the sand in Santa Monica
Shutters on the Beach
A Cape Cod-style beach hotel directly on the sand, with ONE Spa and ocean-view dining.
1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405Explore View on map
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A Mediterranean-style beach hotel
Hotel Casa del Mar
A restored beach club on the sand next to Shutters, with ocean-view dining at Terrazza and a spa.
1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405Explore View on map
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Bungalows above the Pier
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
Bungalows and a pool on the bluff above Santa Monica Pier, with Fig restaurant and afternoon tea.
101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
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Rooftop pool and Surya Spa
Santa Monica Proper
A Kelly Wearstler-designed hotel with the Calabra rooftop restaurant and pool, and Surya Spa.
700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401Explore View on map
Share your Santa Monica tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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