On the sunny coast of California, Santa Monica is a world-famous beach destination, but that’s just the beginning of what the city has to offer. You’ll quickly discover that Santa Monica can turn into an adrenaline packed adventure, or a relaxing respite from your typical routine. You can make your vacation your own in Santa Monica, and with a professional photographer from Localgrapher, you’ll have the advantage of having a local help you with suggestions and ensure the best moments are caught on camera. To get you thinking about the trip, here are a list of  some of Santa Monica’s best attractions.

Begin with the Beach 

The obvious place to start a trip to Santa Monica is on the beaches. With clean waters and well-maintained sandy areas, Santa Monica Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the surf or kick back and relax under a sun umbrella. In comparison with other southern California beaches, Santa Monica also has a lot wider variety of activities for you to try out. The 3.5 miles of spectacular sand is a great place for a seaside stroll or run along the beach if you’re looking for a more rigorous work out. Alongside the beach is the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which is 22 miles in total and passes some great coastal scenery. If you’re interested in water sports, there are plenty of places to rent paddle boards and surfboards to get out and ride the waves.

Explore the Artsy Side of Santa Monica  

If you’re interested in art, you can find over 70 galleries and museums in Santa Monica, ensuring you’ll never be left without something new to discover. The Bergamot is an interesting venue to visit; this old train station was converted into an art space and now houses over 30 different galleries of various artists. Particulalry during the summer, Santa Monica is also full of live events, street performances, and art fairs. It’s a good opportunity for a real cultural experience and a great chance for photographers in Santa Monica to get some unique pictures of the city.

Along the Pier  

One of the highlight attractions of Santa Monica and one of the most iconic sites in the pier. Take a ride on the famous giant red-and-yellow Ferris wheel, or go on some of the other amusement rides in Pacific Park for a fun and thrilling day. With numerous restaurants, games and activities for people of all ages, and often live music performances in the evenings, going to the pier always feels like a celebration. If you decide to rent a photographer, the Santa Monica Pier is a good place to go if you’re looking for a location that is characteristic of the city.

Shop till You Drop 

The shopping activities in Santa Monica are numerous and varied, so whether you’re looking for a unique souvenir or hoping to explore big name-brand stores you can find the place for you. Even if you’re not interested in buying anything, Third Street Promenade is a pleasant place to go walking. This pedestrian only area is close to the beach and in addition to the charming shops there is a weekly farmer’s market and often live performers giving music or comedy shows in the evenings. Step into the high-class shopping scene by going to the fancy Santa Monica Place where you can find notable brand stores and quality products.