With enough designer stores to satisfy even the most hardened of shopaholics, Santa Monica Place is the perfect place to come for some retail therapy. Located at the south end of Third Street Promenade, where you can find three floors of exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, and Burberry, as well as a food court and movie theater, all set around a beautiful open-air courtyard.

Chill out in Tongva Park One of the most beautiful parks in Santa Monica, Tongva Park, takes its name from the indigenous people of Los Angeles. It's a fantastic space filled with all kinds of attractions and amenities, such as waterfalls, fountains, a playground, walking trails, picnic areas, and an amphitheater.

Have all the fun of the fair at Santa Monica Pier Home to Pacific Park, among other attractions, it'd be really easy to spend your entire vacation just at Santa Monica Pier. Pacific Park is the main attraction with its abundance of rides to suit all levels of thrill-seekers. You should also check out the 1920s carousel and the aquarium.

Take a ride on Pacific Wheel The jewel in Pacific Park’s crown, no one can resist a ride on Pacific Wheel when visiting Santa Monica! The world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel, a ride on Pacific Wheel will give you stunning panoramic views over the Southern Californian coastline.

Work up a sweat at Muscle Beach Muscle Beach may have started life as a place to watch gymnasts, acrobats and stuntmen perform their gravity-defying displays, but now it's possible for everyone to join in the fun! Here you can find loads of city-provided equipment for you to tackle, such as bars, benches, and weights. If you're not feeling particularly energetic, you can also just sit back and watch others do the hard work!

Get active – or not! - at Santa Monica Beach When it comes to the perfect beach, Santa Monica definitely has it all! With its soft white sand, sparkling blue waters and an amazing view of the Santa Monica skyline, it's no wonder that so many flock here throughout the year. Whether you want to surf, run, bike, skate, play chess, or simply lie back and watch the world go by, you can do it all at Santa Monica Beach.

Soak up the chilled out atmosphere on Ocean Ave Running parallel to Palisades Park and also home to Tongva Park, Ocean Ave offers the very best views over the ocean, as well as being a fantastic location for alfresco dining. It’s a great place to take a stroll or a jog, read a book or have a picnic. It’s also a popular area for events, so don’t be surprised if you come across one when you’re visiting.

Check out the street performers on Third Street Promenade Situated between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, Third Street Promenade is one of the very few pedestrian streets in the US which have managed to be successful. It's a fabulous shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, which is reason enough to visit. However, what really draws people here is the amazing array of street performers, so you will definitely see an impromptu performance when you are there.

Enjoy the mix of affluence and nature that Pacific Palisades has to offer While Pacific Palisades is known for being one of the most affluent residential areas in Santa Monica, there's plenty here to keep you entertained. It's a particularly great area for parks and recreation; Palisades Park offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as well as a whole host of trails, lawns, playgrounds and sports grounds. You'll also find loads of cool restaurants, bars, and boutiques in the downtown area known as the Village.