WHAT’S NEW IN SANTA MONICA – FALL 2024
Fall for Luxury Stays, All-New Dining, Unforgettable Entertainment and More this Autumn Season
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 21, 2024) – Autumn welcomes a vibrant host of new dining experiences, luxury stays, world-class entertainment and seasonal events as temperatures cool and fall festivities begin. Visitors are welcome to enjoy both harvest season vibes and sunny skies for a fall getaway on the sand of Santa Monica.
Summer is endless in Santa Monica with year-round warm weather. Situated along 3.5 miles of sparkling coastline, Santa Monica is a premier beach destination home to stunning accommodations, a delicious lineup of restaurants and one-of-a-kind experiences inviting guests to enjoy Southern California’s culture of laid-back luxury.
Here’s a look at the latest in Santa Monica this fall season:
HOTELS
Regent Santa Monica Beach (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – Luxury has reached new heights in Santa Monica. On October 1, Regent Santa Monica Beach debuted just steps from the sand, marking a historic return to North America for the Regent brand. This luxurious coastal oasis boasts a new standard for spaciousness, with accommodations beginning at 720 square feet for a truly luxurious retreat including rainfall showers, double vanities and soaking bathtubs. The property’s design includes elements catered to privacy and personalization, immersing guests in aesthetics reflective of the coastal location. Regent Santa Monica Beach also features Orla, a restaurant from celebrity chef Michael Mina transporting guests to the Mediterranean, as well as California cuisine and a curation of bespoke products at Sweet July in collaboration with Ayesha Curry. The luxury resort welcomes visitors to relax with a Guerlain wellness spa destination, an outdoor pool deck and beach butler service for a serene beach getaway.
santamonica.com/hotels/regent-santa-monica-beach
Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (Pico Blvd.) –Le Meridien Delfina reintroduces itself as Hyatt Centric Delfina, marking the first Hyatt hotel in the destination. The property will remain open to guests while undergoing an impressive renovation, set to unveil refreshed spaces in 2025 including 315 spacious rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, 24/7 fitness center and California cuisine dining at Coastal Harvest Bar & Kitchen Restaurant.
santamonica.com/hotels/hyatt-centric-delfina-santa-monica
Sandbourne Santa Monica (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – The new Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection continues to shine this fall 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, as well as one-of-a-kind offerings including ceramics classes and an Artist in Residency program.
santamonica.com/hotels/sandbourne-santa-monica
FOOD & BEVERAGE
AJA Vineyards (Downtown) – Downtown Santa Monica has welcomed its first wine tasting room, AJA Vineyards. AJA Vineyards invites visitors to experience a portfolio of famously delectable California wines crafted locally on the Malibu coast through wine flights, thoughtful pairings and insightful tasting events.
santamonica.com/restaurants/aja-vineyards
Bread Head (Montana Ave.) – Bread Head debuted in Santa Monica serving up sandwiches created with a unique focaccia recipe for a one-of-a-kind take on classic sandwich styles. After several years of culinary experience, menu development and pop-up events, chefs Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder opened their first permanent sandwich location in the Montana Avenue neighborhood.
santamonica.com/restaurants/bread-head
Edgemar (Main Street) – Modern American restaurant Edgemar joins the Main Street neighborhood’s lineup of standout culinary offerings, serving dishes with flavors inspired by Japan, India and Southeast Asian cuisines, as well as seafood options fitting for the restaurant’s location just blocks from the ocean. Situated in a Frank Gehry-designed complex, Edgemar welcomes diners to an upscale indoor-outdoor dining space.
Health Nut (Mid-City)– Health Nut, a family-owned business started in 1988, opened their fifth location in Santa Monica serving delicious meals in the Mid-City neighborhood. Health Nut is committed to healthy cooking methods and the freshest ingredients, with dishes available for those of many dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
santamonica.com/restaurants/health-nut
fōnuts (Montana Ave.) – Santa Monica welcomes fōnuts, a new addition to the city’s lineup of tasty donut shops offering a healthier take on the ultra-popular treat. fōnuts specializes in completely gluten-free donuts with low-to-no added sugar, prioritizing natural ingredients and healthier baking methods.
santamonica.com/restaurants/fonuts
ARTS & CULTURE
Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – Santa Monica celebrates the arrival of Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA to the Big Top beside the Santa Monica Pier October 19 through January 5, 2025. Santa Monica is recognized as the site of the troupe’s first-ever United States performance back in 1987, welcoming a joyous return of Cirque du Soleil near the iconic Pier.
Cirque du Soleil: KOOZA is an innovative journey through a zany kingdom told from the perspective of The Innocent, an endearing clown looking for his place in the world. The internationally acclaimed experience brings audiences electrifying fun as world-class performers bring the non-stop adrenaline of chills, thrills, tricks and laughs.
For the first time with any of its touring shows, Cirque du Soleil is offering hotel packages allowing guests more savings and time to explore the city’s renowned dining, shopping and activities.
Participating hotel properties include:
- Hotel Carmel (Downtown)
- Huntley Santa Monica Beach (Downtown)
- Cal Mar Hotel Suites (Downtown)
- Palihouse Santa Monica (Downtown)
- Hotel Casa del Mar (Pier/Ocean Ave.)
- The Georgian Hotel (Pier/Ocean Ave.)
- Shutters on the Beach (Pier/Ocean Ave.)
- Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica (Pico Blvd.)
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (Wilshire)
- The Ambrose Hotel (Mid-City)
Additional business specials throughout Santa Monica include:
- Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows: $11 valet for the first 2 hours with food and beverage purchase at FIG, SOKO or Lobby Lounge.
- The Surfing Fox: Enjoy a complimentary themed cocktail with a purchase of entrée.
- Santa Monica Place: Enjoy up to $250 in savings from Santa Monica Place retailers including 7 For All Mankind, Cayton Children’s Museum, The Curious Palate and more using password “SAVINGS”.
- Candles on Tap: 10% discount.
- Santa Monica History Museum: Free admission during regular public hours (Thursday 2pm – 5pm and Friday, Saturday, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm).
For the full list of business specials, visit santamonica.com/cirque
Bergamot Station Art Center’s 30th Anniversary (Mid-City) – Bergamot Station Arts Center is celebrating 30 years as a pillar of Santa Monica’s renowned arts and culture landscape. Bergamot Station is the largest art gallery and cultural complex of its kind on the West Coast, with over 100 years of history as an active railroad station and factory before being repurposed as a creative campus. Bergamot Station contains over 25 individual galleries and creative venues highlighting rising artists, abstract pieces, stunning photography, architectural design and more. Visitors are invited to make a day of it at Bergamot Station exploring the galleries, visiting Le Great Outdoor for a delicious meal and enjoying an evening of comedy at The Crow.
Bergamot Station welcomes several new exhibitions this season, including:
- “Chris McCaw | Marking Time” at Marshall Gallery now until November 2
- “Primarily in the Right Hemisphere” at Lois Lambert Gallery now until November 9
- “Alchemy in Materiality” at ROSEGALLERY now until November 9
- “Her: The Great Women Photographers” at Peter Fetterman Gallery now until November 23
- “Lost & Found” at E2 Artspace now until December 28
santamonica.com/things-to-do/bergamot-station-arts-center
“Tom Van Sant: An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn” at 18th Street Arts Center (Mid-City)– 18th Street Arts Center presents “An Earth Twin at the Digital Dawn” by local artist Tom Van Sant. Begun in 1988, Van Sant’s GeoSphere Project set out to utilize the era’s most advanced technologies to develop the first accurate, interactive replica of the Earth. Now until February 1, 2025, visitors can view the first border-free global map referenced by scientists, activists and even the creators of Google Earth.
santamonica.com/things-to-do/18th-street-arts-center
“Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors” at Santa Monica Art Museum (Downtown) –The Santa Monica Art Museum welcomes the spooky new exhibit “Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors” for the autumn season. Located on the iconic Third Street Promenade, the experience dares guests to enter eight immersive chambers highlighting classic horror festivities including scary surprises, haunting artwork and photo-ops with the monsters themselves.
santamonica.com/things-to-do/santa-monica-art-museum
SHOPPING/RETAIL
Barnes & Noble (Downtown)– Santa Monica is proud to celebrate the return of bookseller Barnes & Noble to the world-famous Third Street Promenade. The store welcomes guests to browse an extensive collection of volumes at this two-story haven for book lovers, serendipitously located in the former home of the beloved Midnight Special Bookstore carrying on a legacy of literature in the space.
santamonica.com/barnes-noble-bookstore
Candles on Tap (Downtown)– Candles on Tap invites visitors to create their own unique souvenir with a scent-making experience in the Downtown Santa Monica neighborhood. Offering an extensive selection of scent options, including an exclusive Santa Monica Pier scent, Candles on Tap welcomes guests to create their own custom blend made from natural soy wax and skin safe oils.
santamonica.com/shopping/candles-on-tap
MINISO (Downtown)– Third Street Promenade welcomes popular global retailer MINISO marking the brand’s 200th United States location. Known for its array of trendy accessories, innovative beauty products and merchandise from buzzworthy brands including Disney and Sanrio, MINISO is a charming addition to the Promenade.
santamonica.com/shopping/miniso
EVENTS
Wags & Witches at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows (Wilshire) – Guests and their pups are invited to Wags & Witches, a stylishly spooky evening in the Miramar Gardens on Thursday, October 24. This Halloween event will include a special Happy Hour menu and dog costume contest, alongside exciting prizes and on-site pet portraits in the Gardens.
santamonica.com/event/wags-witches
Día de los Muertos Celebration (Downtown) – Santa Monica’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration returns to Third Street Promenade on Saturday, October 26. The festivities invite guests to enjoy live entertainment, a Latinx pop-up market, public art, family and pet-friendly activities and a colorful display of community altars in celebration of the holiday.
santamonica.com/event/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration
Trick-or-Treat Downtown (Downtown) – Guests are invited to enjoy spooky celebrations with a free Halloween block party on Third Street Promenade. On October 31, visitors are welcome to arrive in their best costumes for a trick-or-treating adventure gathering candy from participating businesses at this all-ages event.
santamonica.com/event/trick-or-treat-downtown
Día de los Muertos at the Pier (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – The iconic Santa Monica Pier invites visitors and locals to join in celebrating Día de los Muertos from November 1-2 with live entertainment, community altars, art installations, a Ferris wheel lighting at Pacific Park and a colorful procession honoring loved ones.
santamonica.com/event/dia-de-los-muertos-at-the-pier/2024-11-02
Howl-o-Ween (Main Street) – Visitors and their furry friends are invited to Howl-o-Ween, a pet-friendly Halloween celebration at Pacific Street Dog Park on Saturday, November 2. This not-so-spooky event features local vendors, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin decorating, food trucks and a costume contest for both pets and their owners.
santamonica.com/event/howl-o-ween-2024
Holiday Cheer on the Pier (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – The Santa Monica Pier will celebrate the season with a lineup of holiday events from November 21 to December 19. Beginning with a Grand Unveiling Ceremony on November 21, the Santa Monica Pier will welcome guests to experience a series of festive window displays and holiday installations at the Carousel Building, as well as holiday music and performances throughout the season including a visit from Santa and a Holiday Car Show on December 19.
santamonica.com/event/holiday-cheer-on-the-pier/2024-11-21
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony (Downtown) – On November 21, Downtown Santa Monica welcomes locals and visitors to a holiday celebration where Santa Claus himself will light the official tree on Third Street Promenade. The festivities include live entertainment, holiday activities and even snow in Southern California.
santamonica.com/event/holiday-tree-lighting-ceremony
Miracle on Main Street (Main Street)– Celebrate the holiday season this year with Miracle on Main Street, a beloved annual event taking place on December 8 at the California Heritage Museum. The festivities will include a tree lighting ceremony, carolers, holiday activities and even a visit from Santa Claus.
santamonica.com/event/miracle-on-main-street
Ice at Santa Monica (Downtown) – Ice at Santa Monica returns to the Downtown neighborhood from November 8, 2024 to January 20, 2025. Skaters of all skill levels are invited to step out on the ice and experience this beloved holiday tradition just blocks away from the Pacific Ocean for a festive winter activity with a Southern California twist.
santamonica.com/event/ice-at-santa-monica/2024-11-08
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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), X (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
Media Contact
Emily Ohara
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