Sunny Southern California Vacations in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, California is much more than its picture-perfect sunsets and soft sandy beaches. This charming city is where high-energy entertainment melds seamlessly with a relaxed beachfront lifestyle.

The city of Santa Monica is located along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, just northwest of Los Angeles. Blessed with an idyllic Mediterranean climate, Santa Monica averages more than 340 sunny days annually and enjoys pleasant temperatures most of the year, making it a brilliant destination for outdoor recreation and dining al fresco.

Start your vacation in Southern California with a scenic morning jog along Santa Monica Beach and then spend the afternoon shopping in the hip boutiques and unique shops of the Bayside District. Round out your day with a sumptuous meal at one of the many fine dining establishments, and when the sun goes down, the nightlife is just starting to sizzle. With a glittering selection of trendy bars and nightclubs, downtown Santa Monica is always a nighttime hotspot.

If you are planning a visit to Santa Monica, here are some useful and interesting facts about this city:

• Santa Monica Beach stretches 3.5 miles and is staffed by lifeguards during daylight hours
• Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, features an historic hand-carved carousel from 1922
• Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier is the only admission-free amusement park in Los Angeles and is located entirely over water
• Santa Monica features three farmers' markets which take place year round, in downtown, Main Street and Pico
• Whether you are coming in the winter or summer, average temperatures are mild and skies are usually clear
• Casual dress is the norm in Santa Monica – none of the restaurants in this city require a jacket or tie; you may also want to dress in layers, the breeze from the ocean can be quite cool and temperatures may drop significantly after the sun sets

Whether visiting for a day or a week, your trip to Santa Monica will surely end far too soon. From blissfully relaxing days spent lounging on the beach to action-packed itineraries filled with shopping and sightseeing, Santa Monica, California is the ultimate oceanfront destination.

Check out our superb Santa Monica hotel specials for your stay!