Where transcontinental Interstate 10 meets the Pacific Coast Highway at the western edge of North America lies iconic Santa Monica, a community of 90,000 known as the birthplace of skateboarding. Visitors and residents alike appreciate Santa Monica's historic pier, palm-lined neighborhoods and stylish shopping and restaurants.

Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Pier

Few Southern California scenic spots can turn an afternoon work break into a mini-vacation as well as Santa Monica's Palisades Park. Santa Monica Bay stretches out below the park’s bluffs, curving along the horizon from Palos Verdes to Malibu. The Santa Monica Pier, with its historic carousel and neon-clad Ferris wheel, juts out across the wide public beach. On the other side of Ocean Avenue, the Fairmont, the Huntley and other resortlike Santa Monica hotels offer even more expansive Pacific Ocean views.

Third Street Promenade and Beyond

A couple blocks from the cliffs, the Third Street Promenade offers a mix of retail shops, movie theaters and restaurants augmented by a steady stream of street performers — musicians, dancers, jugglers, magicians. From Abercrombie & Fitch to Z Gallerie, familiar retail names line the pedestrian mall, one of Southern California's most bustling street scenes. (At the south end of the Promenade, the Frank Gehry-designed Santa Monica Place has been torn down for a complete overhaul — but the Pritzker Architecture Prize winner's work can still be seen at his former residence, at Washington Avenue and 22nd Street.)

Elsewhere in the beachside city lie more shopper-friendly walkways. Along Montana Avenue, running west to east on the well-heeled north side of town, shoppers stroll past familiar L.A. fashion names, including Citron, Michael Stars and Planet Blue. On the south side of town, in the Ocean Park neighborhood known as Dogtown — the birthplace of skateboarding — Main Street runs into neighboring Venice, its sidewalks lined with boutiques, restaurants, bookstores, salons and spas; the vibe is independent and eclectic, with few big-name retailers.

Art and Culture in Santa Monica

Those seeking culture rather than commerce won't be disappointed. Santa Monica art galleries can be found in many parts of town, including the 18th Street Art Center and the Edgemar Center for the Arts, but the mother lode is Bergamot Station, housing 25 galleries just north of Interstate 10. A few blocks away is Santa Monica College, home base for the popular public radio station KCRW and several high-quality performance spaces. American Cinematheque screens revival-house fare at the Aero Theater, while the Nuart, just over the border in West L.A., programs indie films and cult classics, including its famed interactive Rocky Horror Picture Show screenings every Saturday at midnight.

Santa Monica Dining and Nightlife

As the sun goes down, the action shifts to dining and drinking in Santa Monica. Among the essentials are Michael's, a California cuisine pioneer; Border Grill, founded by Food Network "hot tamales" Nancy Milliken and Susan Feniger; Josiah Citrin's four-star French fare at Mélisse; Wolfgang Puck's Chinois; and tiny Father's Office, where restaurateur Sang Yoon created his much-imitated Office Burger. Red-hot newcomers include Anisette Brasserie, Riva and Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen.

After-dinner nightlife hangouts include Harvelle's blues club, the Anglophilic Ye Olde King's Head pub and Main Street's Circle bar. For the flavor of the minute try Copa d'Oro, where drinkers can pair their favorite spirits with the daily list of fresh herbs and produce from the Santa Monica Farmers Market, one of the state's largest certified farmers markets and a powerful component of Santa Monica's restaurant scene.