Santa Monica.com:
Welcome to Santa Monica
Golden beaches and a sultry Pacific Ocean coastline, urban walkways and sandy terrain, gourmet cuisine and world-class dining, and first-rate couture and upscale boutiques. Santa Monica has all of the corporate amenities your clients require, from spacious meeting rooms to European-style nooks, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) access, city transporters, and state-of-the-art technology with first-class accommodations. What makes Santa Monica unique? It’s the quintessential urban beach community. Where else can your conference attendees be on the cutting edge of corporate trends while sinking their toes into the warm shoreline sand and soaking in our local culture?
It’s easy to see why Santa Monica is considered the first choice for a Southern California beach vacation. This seaside city blends the charm and appeal of a coastal getaway with an unforgettable beach and the sophistication of an urban center—a magnetic combination.
Known for its healthy lifestyle, Santa Monica is situated in a compact, walkable 8.3 square miles. This environment- and pedestrian-friendly city also boasts one of the most respected public transportation systems in the nation, making the entire city easily accessible and convenient, even without a vehicle. Additionally, the city's world-famous beach and bike trail offer a vast assortment of outdoor recreation and activities.
Santa Monica is the perfect base for vacationers and business travelers seeking easy access to metropolitan Los Angeles and the rest of this destination-rich region. Located only eight miles north of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the city is a short drive from downtown Los Angeles and less than an hour from virtually every major visitor destination in Southern California. After a day of sightseeing, Santa Monica is a tranquil, easygoing haven where you can get to everything good in the city without even getting back in the car.
The beach setting is the number-one reason many people visit Santa Monica and the city's world-class restaurants and first-rate shops also draw thousands of families, couples, celebrities, international travelers and first-time vacationers each year. Nearly 400 dining options and hundreds of retail shops contribute to an immensely satisfying destination for travelers.
City of Santa Monica website: Open Space Management Division
More than 420 acres of public open space and approximately 173,000 square feet of community facilities in the City of Santa Monica serve thousands of residents and visitors each year. The Open Space Management Division maintains these areas and encourages the enjoyment of our parks and beaches. The division oversees the city's community forest as well as contract services (e.g., beach concessions and lifeguard services) and manages community events in city parks and on the beach. Division staff assist event planners in using city resources, securing permits and following city guidelines.
Santa Monica's open space system includes 245 acres of state beach, 24 regional, community and neighborhood parks, five Playground Partnership playfields, over 50 other public landscaped areas, 27 community facility sites and the community forest. In addition to landscaping and maintaining numerous playfields, tennis and basketball courts and 10 community centers, the Open Space Management Division is responsible for maintaining the 47,440 square foot Santa Monica Swim Center, the Miles Memorial Playhouse at Reed Park and The Cove, Santa Monica's new skatepark located at Memorial Park. Park Rangers patrol and monitor park activities on a daily basis. They help promote safety in the parks and are available to answer questions.
Other important public landscapes under the division's supervision are City Hall, the new Public Safety Facility, the Civic Auditorium, the Third Street Promenade, libraries, fire stations, parking lots and city streetscapes, which together constitute a highly visible representation of the city's well-being. Among current construction projects that will allow the city to better serve its residents, a small neighborhood park is planned adjacent to 1525 Euclid Street. The newly-renovated Virginia Avenue Park, which has been expanded to 9.5 acres, is now open to the public.
Open Space Management provides important direct services to the public, including information and referral, and reserving and staffing community meeting rooms. Division staff also provide support to the city’s Recreation and Parks Commission.
