Living in Santa Monica puts one in the heart of a bustling hub of activity, beautiful beaches, beautiful people and hip entertainment. A romantic stroll along the moonlit boardwalk of Santa Monica Pier serves as the perfect compliment to any young lover's evening by the beach.

During the day, the shops and walkways of the Third Street Promenade are teeming with visitors looking to indulge themselves in everything this particular part of the city has to offer. The Promenade and surrounding streets tender delights for the eyes, wallets, and senses to consume. The restaurants one will encounter along the way offer delicacies and feasts for the palate arguably unrivaled throughout the coastal region of Southern California. From sushi to Thai, Italian cuisine to pizza or crepes on the go, there are a plethora of different dining choices available to suit each individual taste. Street performers also offer a different form of entertainment for the passerby as they ply their crafts. From musicians to magicians, balloon blowers to balladeers, peace activists to environmentalists there is never a dull moment under the Santa Monica sun. In fact this sort of kitschy entertainment adds flair of unpredictability to the atmosphere that defines this slice of Southern California life.

If films are more your thing, art-house independent theaters and general movie houses are generously located throughout the city.