WHAT’S NEW IN SANTA MONICA – SUMMER 2024
Summer is Here in Santa Monica with Seasonal Hotel Specials, New Dining Experiences and Exciting Events.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 1, 2024) – There’s no better time to visit Santa Monica as the city shines under the summer sun! Santa Monica hotels are ready to welcome vacationers and staycationers alike with exclusive summer offerings, while new restaurants, splashy attractions and beach experiences like Perry’s Café and Rentals’ Beach Butler service make for an unforgettable getaway. Summer art exhibits featuring Hollywood icons and skateboarding legends as well as new community-oriented shops also invite visitors to dive into the destination’s storied past and unique local talent.
Santa Monica epitomizes the ultimate summer break with 3.5 miles of glistening coastline, the vibrant Santa Monica Pier and an exciting lineup of summertime events welcoming travelers to immerse themselves in our beachside community.
ACCOLADES
Santa Monica celebrates a series of recent accolades for the destination and our exceptional hotel properties. Notably, Santa Monica State Beach has been honored with a 2024 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Beach in California by USA TODAY 10Best. Placing sixth on the list of top ten beaches after nomination by experts and extensive voting by readers, Santa Monica State Beach is an iconic example of Southern California’s famed beachfront lifestyle.
In addition, Santa Monica properties Hotel Casa del Mar, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Shutters on the Beach and The Georgian Hotel were awarded the prestigious honor of One MICHELIN Key in the first iteration of the MICHELIN Key selection in the United States. The MICHELIN Keys represent hotels that are “a true gem,” offering outstanding architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for the price and significant contribution to the guest experience.
These achievements are just the latest for Santa Monica hotels with The Georgian Hotel’s inclusion in Condé Nast Traveler’s Best New Hotels in the World: 2024 Hot List selection and Travel + Leisure’s 100 Best New Hotels of 2024 list, while Shore Hotel was recognized for its exceptional guest experience and reviews in the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best 2024 list as the #1 hotel in the United States.
HOTELS
Sandbourne Santa Monica (Pier/Ocean Ave) – Just in time for the summer season, Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection made its debut as a coastal luxury retreat in the former Le Merigot Santa Monica space. This reimagined hotel presents chic design by architect Gulla Jónsdóttir reflecting the hotel’s beachfront environment across its 175 guest rooms and suites and outdoor pool and patio spaces. The hotel also welcomes an all-new dining concept, Marelle, by beloved Santa Monica Chef Raphael Lunetta.
sandbournesantamonica.com
Santa Monica Proper Hotel (Wilshire) – Santa Monica Proper Hotel welcomes several new luxury offerings in time for the summer season, including the new Recovery Suite. Exclusive to hotel guests, this wellness experience offers a hot sauna and cold plunge for a revitalizing contrast therapy session. The hotel’s on-property restaurant, Palma, launched a new breakfast menu featuring morning pastries, wellness juices and California classic dishes. Guests can also enjoy their new Proper Presents event series, hosting performances and collaborations at the hotel’s stunning venues throughout the year.
properhotel.com/santa-monica
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (Wilshire) – Each Sunday at 7 p.m. now through September 1, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows invites visitors to the Poolside Cinema Series in partnership with Hulu. Reserved seating is complimentary for hotel guests, though visitors can pre-purchase a ticket including admission, popcorn and a pre-fixe dinner menu. The series will screen fun summer films from Hulu’s extensive library ranging from family comedies to action blockbusters. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s new Lobby Lounge Live series where master pianist Jason Pelsey plays modern hits and beloved classics paired with hand-crafted cocktails and bites each Friday from 7-10 p.m.
fairmont-miramar.com
Hotel Casa del Mar (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – As the days grow warmer, Hotel Casa del Mar’s Patio del Mar reopens for the season welcoming guests for al fresco dining complete with ocean views and seafood dishes. This summer, the hotel partners with the nearby Sweet Rose Creamery for a pop-up ice cream cart at the Patio on Fridays and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. serving sweet treats and an exclusive Lemon Chiffon flavor.
hotelcasadelmar.com
Santa Monica Hotel (Main Street) – After a comprehensive renovation, Santa Monica Motel unveiled a full new look and rebrand as Santa Monica Hotel complete with a bright new color scheme, bold exterior mural and revamped guest room spaces. The hotel also now offers breakfast bites, an outdoor game area and e-bike rentals for exploring the city.
santamonicahotel.com
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Dine LA Restaurant Week Returns July 12 to July 26 (Citywide) – Dine LA Restaurant Week is the perfect time to experience Santa Monica’s standout culinary scene with special menus and dining deals during the summer iteration of the event. From Friday, July 12 to Friday, July 26, diners can enjoy exclusive offerings at over 30 Santa Monica restaurants and counting during this culinary celebration with menus designed especially for Dine LA.
santamonica.com/events/dinela
Pacific Park’s “Snackville” (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – With iconic views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park unveiled a vibrant culinary destination curated by the Saga Hospitality Group, owner of two Michelin Star restaurants in New York City. This new eatery area will feature elevated amusement park flavors with restaurant concepts including Smashie’s Burgers, Mr. Nice Fry, Churrita Churro, Scoops Creamery, eegee’s and Cosmic Funnel Cake.
pacpark.com/snackville
Mélisse’s 25th Anniversary (Wilshire) – MICHELIN Two Star restaurant Mélisse celebrates 25 years of culinary excellence this July. Led by the renowned Chef Josiah Citrin, Mélisse is an intimate dining experience serving French cuisine cooked with the freshest local ingredients. Several beloved Mélisse dishes have remained on the menu since the restaurant’s inception, including Egg Caviar, Chocolate Souffle and Lobster Bolognese. The restaurant will celebrate with an exclusive event on July 14 featuring 19 guest chefs.
citrinandmelisse.com
Triple Beam Pizza (Main Street) – Favorite Los Angeles pizza spot Triple Beam Pizza opened its first Westside location in Santa Monica. From acclaimed chefs Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina, Triple Beam Pizza serves Roman-style pizzas with local ingredients and seasonal flavors.
triplebeampizza.com
Chelsea (Wilshire) – Inspired by Chef Manolo Espejel’s roots and travels, Chelsea serves London-inspired cuisine with flavors from India, East Africa and beyond. Guests can enjoy dishes ranging from harissa lamb tartare and tikka masala to scalloped sweet potatoes and yellow sashimi, paired with playful cocktails like “Early Fog,” a twist on the classic English tea, “London Fog.”
chelseasm.com
New Offerings at Xuntos (Downtown/Third Street) – Tapas bar Xuntos invites visitors to their brand-new Happy Hour XUNTANZA from 5-7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Meaning “get together” in Galician, XUNTANZA will serve specially priced bites and cocktails of the day. The restaurant now offers brunch service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays as well, serving up shareable brunch plates and sweets.
barxuntos.com
Jinky’s (Downtown/Third Street) – The beloved Los Angeles brunch franchise is slated to return to Santa Monica soon in the heart of the Downtown neighborhood. Jinky’s will serve up classic breakfast and lunch dishes prioritizing high-quality ingredients and a variety of cuisine styles.
jinkys.com/menu-santa-monica
Petitgrain Boulangerie (Wilshire) –This cozy Wilshire Boulevard bakery specializes in croissants and French and Mexican pastries baked with California’s finest grains and produce. From the minds of talented local bakers Clémence de Lutz (co-owner of The Gourmandise School) and her partner, Tony Hernandez (Bread Lounge), Petitgrain Boulangerie emphasizes traditional techniques and locally-sourced ingredients.
petitgrainboulangerie.com
ARTS & CULTURE
DNA Festival (Citywide) – Santa Monica welcomes an all-new arts & culture event this year with DNA Festival, standing for Digital New Arts Festival. The inaugural iteration of the festival will include exhibitions, installations, panel discussions and performances throughout Santa Monica’s creative venues including Bergamot Station Arts Center, 18th Street Arts Center and Santa Monica College now through November. The festival kicks off with a group exhibition at the Barrett Gallery running through July 21, and an art installation to follow unveiling August 8.
dnafestivalsm.com
California Heritage Museum’s “Dogtown and the Legendary Z-Boys – From the Inside Looking Out” (Main Street) – Skateboarding and surfing aficionados can delve into the cultural and historical impact of the legendary Z-Boys and the Dogtown surf/skate movement at California Heritage Museum now through October 27. Curated by one of the original Z-Boys, Nathan Pratt, this exhibition highlights their role as the pioneers of modern skateboarding in the 1970s. Visitors will enjoy a collection of art, boards and photography by Shepard Fairey, Peggy Oki and other artists.
californiaheritagemuseum.org
Santa Monica History Museum’s “Telling Stories of Mexican California: Real Life & Myth Making” Pop-Up Exhibition (Downtown/Third Street) – Now through August 18, the Santa Monica History Museum’s latest exhibition explores the truth about Mexican history in California as told by individuals and families of Spanish Mexican descent. Admission to the exhibition is free to guests, inviting museumgoers to consider the factual and fictional narratives emerging from this period of state history.
santamonicahistory.org
Santa Monica Art Museum’s “Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition” (Downtown/Third Street) – Wes Anderson fans and film fanatics can discover the picturesque world of the beloved director’s iconic aesthetic with this whimsical photography exhibition. Visitors will enjoy the satisfying symmetry and vibrant color palette that defines Anderson’s unique style through photos displayed from all around the world.
santamonicaartmuseum.com/exhibitions
SHOPPING/RETAIL
Pico Roots (Pico) – Inspired by a commitment to supporting small businesses, Pico Roots is a new marketplace showcasing local creators and brands. This community-oriented shopping destination celebrates diversity with a curated collection of goods ranging from clothing and accessories to coffee and stationery. The shop will even host events and workshops for all ages to celebrate the neighborhood.
picoroots.com
Bay Street Boards 10 Year Anniversary (Mid-City) – Beloved neighborhood shop Bay Street Boards celebrates 10 years outfitting Santa Monica’s surfers and skaters with boards, gear and apparel. Founded by local brothers, Bay Street Boards reflects Santa Monica’s legendary surfing and skateboarding culture. The shop not only stocks boards for purchase, but offers repairs, rentals and lessons perfect for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Santa Monica’s boarding scene both at the park and on the water.
baystreetboards.com
EVENTS
Fourth of July in Santa Monica (Citywide) – Independence Day weekend in Santa Monica is full of festivities including the annual Fourth of July Parade traveling down Main Street on Thursday, July 4, loved by visitors and locals alike. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., the parade will feature community members and organizations including Santa Monica Travel & Tourism making their way down the charming street. This year’s theme celebrates our creative community and vibrant arts and culture landscape. The Pacific Wheel at Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park will also shine bright in a special red, white and blue display from July 3-7 in celebration of the holiday. Families are invited to stop by our Visitor Information Center at 2427 Main Street on July 4 and continue the celebration with free kids’ goodie bags including an art kit, coloring sheet and Santa Monica treats. Don’t forget to bring back your completed coloring sheets to be displayed for all to enjoy!
santamonica.com/things-to-do/fourth-of-july
Roll @ Santa Monica (Downtown/Third Street) – From August 10 to October 14, Downtown Santa Monica invites guests to lace up for a lively roller-skating session under the sunny sky with a new outdoor rink. The inaugural season of this outdoor roller-skating rink welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy this summer’s grooviest new attraction.
rollatsantamonica.com
Night Market at The Bungalow (Wilshire) – Night Markets are back for the summer at The Bungalow at the Fairmont Miramar & Bungalows with family-friendly activities, live music and a variety of food and beverage vendors every Thursday night now through August 29. Visitors can enjoy delicious offerings from local favorites like Tacos 1986, Bootsy BBQ and Good Times Ice Cream accompanied by celebrity guest appearances and DJ performances.
thebungalow.com/santa-monica
Main Street’s Summer Soulstice (Main Street) – The Main Street tradition returns on July 13 to celebrate its 20th anniversary transforming the street into a vibrant community festival. Visitors and residents can enjoy live music, fun activities, food and drink vendors, an artist gallery, kids’ corner and much more.
mainstreetsm.com/calendar
Festival of Chariots (Main Street) – The Los Angeles Festival of Chariots, also known as Ratha Yatra, is an annual festival beginning on Main Street featuring a procession of beautifully decorated chariots accompanied by traditional Indian music and dancing. This year’s event on August 4 also includes cultural performances, vegetarian dishes and a marketplace offering Indian arts and crafts items in celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage.
larathayatra.com
Dog Days in August (Montana Ave.) – Canines are welcome at Montana Avenue’s Dog Days event on August 24 for a day of puppy pampering. This dog-friendly event offers fun treats, Bark Bars and special activities for guests’ furry friends. The festivities continue with exclusive shopping deals and charming photo opportunities.
montanaave.com/events
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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For more information visit santamonica.com email info@santamonica.com, or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), Twitter (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
Media Contact
Emily Ohara
Public Relations Manager
eohara@santamonica.com
