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Santa Monica became a tourism resort site in the 20th century, and its popularity has continued to grow among visitors to the California area of the U.S. Most of its tourist destinations are within walking distance, and there is a city bus line for transportation in the area. Wiki Travel recommends these places of interest for visitors staying in beautiful Santa Monica vacation rentals:
- Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Avenue has over 30 art galleries (including the Santa Monica Museum of Art) plus an antique and contemporary dolls museum.
- Chess Park is near the famed Santa Monica Pier and the action can be fierce as players complete in class B standard chess matches. If you’re brave, you can challenge one of the pros!
- Main Street attracts many surfers and bikers because it’s 2 blocks from the ocean. Open air cafes offer a variety of culinary delights. If you’d rather walk the streets with the rich and famous, stroll down Montana Avenue.
- Santa Monica Beach is where you can rent bicycles and take a scenic ride along the strand.
- Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets are colorful places to visit and lush with fresh breads, cheeses, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Downtown Farmers’ Market is on Arizona Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets. It’s open Wednesdays and Saturdays. Pico Farmers’ Market is at 2200 Virginia Avenue, open Saturdays. Main Street Farmer’s Market is located at 2640 Main Street and offers live music, pony rides, face painting and chefs offering breakfast and lunch. This market is open on Sundays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Santa Monica Pier is a busy boardwalk featuring the city’s icon, an enormous Ferris Wheel. Restaurants, bats, souvenirs and street performers will keep you and your family entertained for hours.
- Third Street Promenade has some of the finest street performers in the U.S. This urban mall has something for everyone: restaurants, theaters, shopping, bars, and bookstores.
- Twilight Dance Series on the Santa Monica Pier begins July 2013 and continues through September. Music begins at 7:30 p.m. Previous performers include Los Lobos, Indigo Girls, Patti Smith, and music can be anything from reggae to rock. These free concerts have become a major attraction and sometimes there will be as many as 10,000 people in attendance! Arrive early and bring something on which to sit.
The drive-time from your Santa Monica rental is approximately 45 minutes to Anaheim’s Disneyland and 25 minutes to Universal Studios Theme Park.
Your Santa Monica vacation rentals can offer deluxe accommodations for your family or group for days or weeks.
Mike likes to take vacations all over the country and record his experiences.
