Santa Monica Hotels Renowned as a luxurious resort town, Santa Monica, California is a popular destination for all types of people. Santa Monica is a beachfront US city that has a population close to 90,000 people. There are several features that make this a popular place for both tourists and locals – hence, the need for so many Santa Monica hotels. Santa Monica boasts a few popular historical sites that date back into the early 20th century. The Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome is actually listed as a National Historic Landmark. This building housed a carousel and was part of a larger amusement pier. It is one of a few structures of its type that remain and was restored fully in 1981. Also located on the Santa Monica Pier is the La Monica Ballroom. This ballroom was once a major landmark in the US. It was one of the largest such structures in the US and hosted several New Year’s Eve broadcasts. In addition, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium hosted the Academy Awards for a period of time stretching across several decades. Santa Monica may be best known for its shopping scene, however. There are three distinct shopping districts within the city. Montana Avenue is located on the northern part in the city, with Main Street located to the south, and the Downtown District is located in the very center of Santa Monica. Montana Avenue offers a slightly more expensive, upscale shopping experience. There are smaller specialty stores, restaurants and hotels here. Main Street contains a slightly more varied and extensive collection of merchandise. The Downtown District is probably the most famous of the three. This is where the popular Third Street Promenade is located. The Third Street Promenade is a three-block stretch of stores where cars are not allowed. This allows pedestrians the ability to stroll about in search of various items. Regardless of attractions and the shopping experience, Santa Monica’s climate offers a reason to visit the area. The city averages 310 days of sunshine per year. The weather can be slightly cooler and different from nearby Los Angeles at times, but the cooler temperatures can be quite pleasant. This is because Santa Monica typically experiences a cool breeze that blows in off of the Pacific Ocean. This breeze helps to keep smog and dirty air from the area. Consequently, the air in Santa Monica is usually fresh and clean. Santa Monica is a good place for just about anyone to visit – check out some of the great Santa Monica hotels! From shoppers to surfers, this city offers a little bit of everything.