Just a few miles from LAX and Los Angeles, the beachside city of Santa Monica boasts some surprising attractions and hotels brimming with personality.
That was the message 03APR at Toronto’s Second Floor Events venue as a delegation from Santa Monica Travel & Tourism welcomed media and travel agents for cocktails and a destination update.
It’s clear that Santa Monica – with its legendary beachfront Pacific Park amusement park, complete with a solar-powered ferris wheel offering fab sunset views – offers an array of client-pleasing activities, restos and shopping opportunities without the bustle (read “stress”) of L.A. Santa Monica has over 40 hotels and close to 500 restaurants.
Proud of its reputation for being bike-and-pedestrian friendly, the city also boasts a pleasant summery climate year-round. “And there’s no need to rent a car,” Ozzie Otero, national sales manager for Santa Monica Travel & Tourism told Open Jaw.
There are 110 miles of Green (bike-protected) Lanes and bike rentals are widely available. Visitors staying at some hotels can summon the free electric Circuit Shuttle, a service which extends into Venice and Marina del Ray. And the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority also provides light rail access to Santa Monica via three stations. All just 13 miles from LAX.
Attractions include a Children’s Museum, California Heritage Museum, an Aquarium, and even the Original Muscle Beach.
Co-hosting the Toronto event were a group of luxury hotels including the 5-acre, 102 year old Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows which this summer will offer guests a night market every Thursday and movies by the pool on Saturdays. The well-known luxury brand Regent Santa Monica Beach is currently undergoing massive renovations with a grand opening slated for NOV this year, and will be the only Regent-branded hotel in North America.
Some advisors are already well aware of the destination's charms. “Santa Monica is also a great spot to break a longer journey from Canada to, say Hawaii , Australia or the Far East,” Bernadette Packert of Progress Travel in Pickering told Open Jaw. “Or to start or end a California fly-drive. More relaxing than L.A.!”
“We’re thrilled to see the international market come back,” Otero said. “Pre-pandemic over half of our market was international, led by the Japanese but including 460,000 Canadian visits. And we’re certainly seeing Canadians come back.”
Guests were given a tourist map of Santa Monica, outlining the city's eight distinct neighbourhoods with transport and dining options, and it also – a rare feature – addressed homelessness. “While the police to everything they can to keep the streets safe, visitors should realize that the homeless are a mix of individuals from different backgrounds. Please treat them with courtesy, kindness and dignity, but be circumspect.” Bravo, Santa Monica. If you’d like to take a tour of the neighbourhoods, click here.
Find out more about Santa Monica here.
