Email List
Shows
Sections
Classifieds
Directories
Contact
Weather
Currently:
Thu:
High: 68 F, Low: 56 F
Fri:
High: 68 F, Low: 57 F
News, Santa Monica, Tourism
New Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide Arrives
Posted Jun. 20, 2012, 8:27 am
Mirror Staff
Visitors to Santa Monica can now find their way around the City a little bit easier after the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau (SMCVB) announced today the release of its free 2012-2013 Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide.
The publication offers valuable information on what to see and do in California's quintessential beach city including the latest information on area attractions, recreation, overnight accommodations, shopping, dining, cultural experiences, travel tips, and a street map.
This year's edition also features local perspectives from key community members, inviting visitors to embrace the city's chic beach lifestyle.
"With near-perfect weather, endless outdoor activities and streets that welcome pedestrians and bicyclists, its easy for visitors to get fully immersed in the Santa Monica lifestyle and feel like a local when they are exploring our destination," said SMCVB President/CEO Misti Kerns, CDME, CMP. "Our goal was to create a resource for both residents and visitors alike. Whether you are planning a day at the beach or a full summer vacation, this guide can help you create a full and rich itinerary."
Santa Monica fans can now get a sense of the destination's lifestyle on Pinterest, the hugely popular social bookmarking site that lets users collect and share things they like on the web.
Santa Monica's Pinterest page features pin-worthy boards that highlight dining, arts and culture as well as summer essentials.
To kick off Santa Monica's Pinterest page and celebrate the release of the 2012-2013 Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide, fans of the destination are invited to pin their "Santa Monica PIN-spirations" for a chance to win a three-night stay at the luxurious beachfront Hotel Casa del Mar along with a beach tote bag filled with gift certificates for Santa Monica's attractions, shopping and dining. Fans can enter by doing the following:
• Follow the Official Santa Monica Pinterest page
• Create a new Pinterest board titled "My Santa Monica PIN-spirations" under the category "Travel and Places" with 10 pins that showcase the Santa Monica lifestyle
• The board MUST contain 3 pins from any of the Official Santa Monica Pinterest boards OR the Santa Monica destination website, SantaMonica.com. Photos pinned to your contest entry board must contain the hashtag #SMpinspiration.
One winner will be selected by SMCVB from one of the top five Santa Monica PIN-spiration Pinterest boards with the most repins. For more information on the contest and to view the entry form, visit www.santamonica.com/contest.
Anyone can request a free copy of the 2012-2013 Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide by calling 800.544.5319 or view an electronic version in page-turner format at SantaMonica.com.
The guide will also be prominently displayed at Santa Monica's four Visitor Information Centers along with maps, tickets to area attractions and Santa Monica souvenirs.
Comments
Jun. 20, 2012, 9:20:19 am
Mr. Visitor said...
This is the most amazing visitors guide I have ever seen! We've been using it since we arrived in Santa Monica, and have discovered the most amazing restaurants and shops. I can't wait for our surf lesson! We've bought watches at Jewel Shop, ate dinner at Blue Stove in Nordstrom - who knew it was even there - and really love our room at Shangri-La!
Jun. 20, 2012, 9:28:26 am
OzTrip said...
Mr. Visitor is right! We would have never found The Lowes Hotel if wasn't for the Official Santa Monica Visitors Guide. What a view! And talk about a pool - I feel like a movie star! Speaking of which, my husband and I saw David Duchovny at True Food Kitchen - which, by the way, we have nothing like it in Australia - we looked over and saw what he and his guests were eating, so we ordered the same thing! I guess you could say that we ate lunch with a movie star! Then we turned to page 74 and 75 in the Official Santa Monica Visitors Guide and discovered a high street called "Montana Ave." We went there after lunch and found the most incredible shops. Step! Shoes had some of the most comfortable yet stylish shoes I've ever put on, and we bought gifts for all of our friends back home at this little store called "Limonaia". Suddenly - flash! flash! click! click! - the paparazzi was going mad. It turned out that the whole time we were shopping, so was one of hte cast members from a popular American telly show called "Despirate Housewives"? "Marsha Cross" I beleive she was called. Just looked like a skinny sheila to me. But it was mad!!! I love Santa Monica! Thank you Official Visitors Guide!
Jun. 20, 2012, 9:50:07 am
UKinLA said...
I totally agree with the other commentators, the visitors book is brilliant. We were able to find a comfortable room at the Seaview Hotel, smack bang next to several of the grand resorts for only a mere fraction of the spend. Being ardent enthusiasts for all things Japanese, we had our tea at Ozumo on the top tier of the Santa Monica shopping center at the start of the high street. It was a sumptuous meal in a contemporary setting not unlike some of the newer restaurants in Tokyo, but again, at low US prices. We're getting a fantastic exchange on our money, so we took to the shops afterwards, and walked out with several carier bags. Notably, we found very good gear at Kitson, including some embroidered pillows for the sofa, an antire new collection of dresses, skirts, tousers, blouses and accessories at Eva Varro - we've never seen anything like it at Harrod's - brilliant! Little diamond bears at Tous, which are from Spain, but cost less here, and ended our mad spree at Nordstrom. There, we were attended to by a brilliant stylist on the second floor, who kited us out in the latest designer fashions. We had so many carrier bags, that we realized we didn't have enough suitcases, so we popped downstairs where the helpful concierge guarded our carrier bags whist we purchased new luggage at The Shop. All-in-all, a perfect first day! We can't wait to see the rest of the high street, and explore some of the other shops in the adverts in the Visitors Guide. Cheers!
Jun. 20, 2012, 10:12:02 am
E. Bayless said...
I grew up in a house that celebrated Mexican cuisine and culture. I have traveled extensively throughout Mexico, and have eaten at some of the finest Mexican restaurants - from street vendors on push cars to taquerias to the highest level of fine dining, but I have never had such amazing Mexican food as I did at Border Grill. Thank you Santa Monica Visitors Guide! Of course I'm very familiar with the Two Hot Tamales, Mary Sue Milliken and Suzanne Feniger, but I've never quite known that their first restaurant was located in in Santa Monica, not to far from my hotel. When I picked up the Visitors Guide and saw their picture, it was an "Aha!" moment. That place is HERE. Actually right HERE They aren't just characters on Top Chef Masters, they are real women who show up to work and schvitz behind a hot stove. So, I went and had the green corn tamales that they are famous for - fab! The chicken mole verde, which is similar to a pipian mole, and some honey lime yams on the side. To die for!!! Thanks again to the Santa Monica Visitors Guide. Tomorrow, breakfast at Cafe Crepe - amazing photo on page 43, lunch at Cha Cha Chicken on page 44 - sho can resist a place with a name like that? Then dinner at Ushuaia on page 40 - Argentine steak? Hello! Pass the chimichuri norteno!!!
Jun. 21, 2012, 3:45:36 am
alan lerwill said...
i am coming to Santa monica in August and again in November for my sons wedding please can you sent me your guide many thanks Alan Lerwill, Maddox Down Farm, East Down, Barnstaple, Devon, EX314NA UK
Jun. 21, 2012, 4:53:30 am
ToOZtrip said...
Oztrip, do you know who DD was eating with?:) I feel curious;)
Jun. 22, 2012, 5:31:10 am
SMTraveller said...
Hi Alan, Santa Monica Official Visitor Guides can be requested online by visiting http://www.santamonica.com/request-free-publications/.