Discover Richard Meer’s cutting-edge architecture at the Getty Center, plus works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt. Perched high above Los Angeles, it’s one of the world’s largest arts organizations. Take in the splendor of the seasonally changing gardens and, on clear days, breathtaking views of the Los Angeles and Pacific Ocean. Among the best museums in Los Angeles, don’t miss the Hammer Museum’s edgy contemporary art. Round off any trip to Santa Monica with a visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the largest art museum in the west where you can explore cultures from ancient times to the present.

Famous Route 66 leads directly to the Santa Monica Pier, one of the city’s most celebrated activities since 1908. It’s impossible to miss the iconic Ferris wheel, vintage carousel, and roller coaster. Don’t miss the free concerts and outdoor movies in the summertime. Along Ocean Avenue, alfresco dining spots and the palm-lined Palisades Park provide enviable beachfront hangouts. And no visit to Santa Monica is complete without a trip to a local farmer’s market. Join more than 900,000 shoppers to enjoy the city’s selection of fresh, seasonal produce year-round.

There’s no better way to enjoy Southern California than at the beach. Get refreshed and relaxed at Santa Monica Beach where year-round sunbathing and swimming are a given. Or escape the beach for the Pacific Palisades at Temescal Gateway Park, one of the most popular in the Santa Monica mountains. More than 140 acres of oak and sycamore canyons, views, and more await adventurous travelers seeking the “Big Wild” – complete with 20,000 acres of nature trails to explore. At the Self-Realization Center, you can switch off the outside world for a quiet oasis with yoga and meditation.

Carefree and car-free, the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica has the best shopping in town. Grab a bite to eat, explore one of the city’s farmers' markets, or shop for new clothes. Experience the laid-back vibe of nearby Venice on the mile-long Abbot Kinney Boulevard, full of upscale boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. And no trip to LA would be complete without a visit to famous Rodeo Drive, the three-block stretch in Beverly Hills where well-heeled locals shop for Gucci and Dior.

Get your art fix in this expansive warehouse complex that houses the Santa Monica Museum of Art, independent galleries, shops and a theater. Formerly a railroad station, it’s now mecca for anyone looking for the up-and-coming and the avant garde.

This 13-mile regional trail connects the beach to a network of trails, parks and open spaces. You can follow it from the Pacific Ocean to the Baldwin Hills Parklands. It’s broken down into six parts — Stocker Corridor, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Blair Hills - Segment C, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City Park and Ballona Creek Bike Path — and each offer a different way to experience nature, with striking views of the Los Angeles Basin along the way.

Two sets of wooden and concrete stairs may sound like no big deal. But these are world-famous — especially for those that want an adrenaline rush. Every day, locals run up and down them, stopping to jump rope, do push-ups and sit-ups, and stretch. If you’re not exercising, it’s entertaining to simply sit back and watch the hardbodies in action. If it’s too crowded, head to the little-known La Mesa stairs next door, between the 404 and 410 entry.

Venice gets its name for a reason: It features three canal-lined blocks that recall the charming Italian city. Find the canals between Venice Boardwalk (a vibrant one-mile street market) and Abbot Kinney (a posh shopping strip). There are plenty of photo opps on the arching pedestrian bridges. And its beach houses that will inspire real estate envy. While you can’t rent a boat on the canals, you can rent paddleboards for self-guided tours or bring your own non-motorized vessel. Enter via the launch ramp at Venice Boulevard.