at a fraction of the cost, watch a beautiful sunset and meet Santa Monica residents. View all of the city's happy hours, their times and their offers at santamonica.com/happyhour.
Free concerts at the Pier
One of the most popular summertime activities is the annual Twilight Concert Series at the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. Back for its 31st year, this free open-air concert series features top jazz, pop and iconic music performances that are ideal for all ages on Thursday evenings during the summer. The concerts draw families, couples and friends who gather on the pier and the beach below to picnic and enjoy the music next to the Pacific Ocean.
Get around via bike
Santa Monica Bike Centre is the nation's largest full-service bike centre. Biking has become one of the most scenic and economical ways to navigate the city, thanks to bike-friendly streets that have well-marked bike lanes and routes.
Buy local
The city is home to eight different neighbourhoods for shopping, all with their own vibe and flavour as a result of the many locally-owned small clothing stores, art galleries, restaurants, and more. Support these locals by stopping into their businesses, meeting them and buying locally. Learn more at buylocalsantamonica.com.
Soak up the local art culture
An urban outpost for cutting-edge arts and culture, Santa Monica is home to more than 120 museums, art galleries, live theatres and public art displays. Drop by Bergamot Station, Southern California's largest art complex and cultural centre, and check out works by local artists, designers and photographers. If performing arts is more your style, check out the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage at Santa Monica College or one of the many local performing arts venues.
Protect the beach and bay
The Santa Monica community cares deeply about preserving the beach and its surrounding bay. Locals work hard to keep it clean and safe and regularly work in conjunction with the Heal the Bay organisation to do so. HealtheBay.org.
Work out
Santa Monica locals are known for their emphasis on an active lifestyle. Take advantage the abundance of outdoor spaces, winding bike paths and running trails that Santa Monicans use regularly as their outdoor gym. Explore even more unexpected and unusual ways to get healthy with flying trapeze lessons on the pier or synchronised swimming and stand-up paddle board classes at the Annenberg Community Beach House.
