Attractions - Get your kicks on Route 66, they say. Santa Monica is where Route 66 ends on the west coast. It's pretty exciting and you might want to check it out during your next visit.

Farmers Markets: Bustling European-style markets feature organic and exotic produce, flowers and herbs: Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m./Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Third Street Promenade; Main Street at Heritage Square, Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Virginia Park.

South Bay Bicycle Trail: A 22-mile (35 km) paved beachside stretch with cafes, bicycle and rollerblade rental concessions.

Palisades Park: A cliff top 26-acre (11 ha) greenbelt perched over the Pacific with miles of lush greenery and shady palms for walking, resting, jogging, picnicking and bicycling.

Public Art: Outdoor art is everywhere in Santa Monica, from a variety of murals to eye-popping beachfront sculpture, sea walls and statuary. More than 30 pieces of art dot the city. See the Art Trek Map for locations and details.

Santa Monica Pier: Oldest pleasure Pier on the West coast, opened in 1909. Pacific Park amusement ride center houses the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel. The Pier also features Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, historic Hippodrome and hand-crafted carousel (circa 1922) with 44 hand-painted wooden horses (adults 50 cents/children 25 cents), dining, amusement games, and shops. Year-round entertainment is offered, including the summer Twilight Dance Series (www.twilightdance.org) and the Santa Monica Drive-in at the Pier Series every fall.

DINING:
Voted best neighborhood dining in Southern California by the Zagat Survey in 2007 and 2008, Santa Monica offers an array of dining experiences, from the upscale to the economical. Nearly 400 restaurants, cafes and pubs are packed into 8.3 square miles (22 sq. km). Much of Santa Monica's cuisine is inspired by the fresh, seasonal offerings of the city's famous farmers' markets.

SHOPPING:
Distinct shopping areas are located within a small radius, each with its own character. Most stores are open seven days a week.
Downtown/Third Street Promenade: Sprawling, open air pedestrian boulevard particularly noted for its density of movie theaters, live "street" entertainment, retail shops and two bustling weekly farmers markets.
Main Street: Two blocks from the ocean, an eclectic mix of vintage clothing shops, designer studios, art galleries and restaurants.
Montana Avenue: European-style boutiques, designer showrooms and upscale restaurants dot this fashionable shopping strand.
Pico Boulevard: Stretching from the beach to Santa Monica's eastern border, Pico Boulevard features an array of hotels, restaurants, and unique shops.