16 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Monica - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, California

Route 66: End of the Trail

A sign at the end of the Santa Monica Pier marks the end of the legendary American highway, symbolizing that this road only ended when the sea stood in its way.

Santa Monica, California

Jadis

Legendary prop shop filled with one man's collection of scientific curiosities.

Santa Monica, California

Santa Monica Camera Obscura

An offbeat angle on the ocean viewed through an antiquated lens.

Santa Monica, California

Farnam House

On a quiet suburban street stands a peculiarly decorated house covered in mosaics.

Santa Monica, California

Frank Gehry Residence

Perhaps the most unique of any Frank Gehry design for one simple reason: Gehry himself actually lives here.

Santa Monica, California

Chez Jay

A treasure hunter's tiny bar, harboring celebrities since 1959.

Santa Monica, California

Georgian Hotel

One of the first skyscrapers in Santa Monica, and a famous getaway for the Hollywood elite of then and now.

Santa Monica, California

The Galley

Santa Monica's oldest restaurant, decorated with set pieces from the Mutiny on the Bounty.

See All 16 Things to Do in Santa Monica See All 16 Places

Upcoming Experiences
Near Santa Monica

Exploring Historic Homes of the Stars

Santa Monica, California

Guided Bug & Wine Pairing

Cooking with Critters

A Walking Tour of Hollywood Jazz History

Hollywood Miniature Magic

Los Angeles, California

Clifton’s Curiosities and Cocktail Crawl

Los Angeles, California

Red Thread

Los Angeles, California

Celebrated sleight of hand artist Siegfried Tieber takes us on an evening of magic and mystery in an unexpected location.

Atlas Obscura Trivia for the World’s Most Adventurous Explorers

Los Angeles, California

It Doesn't Want to Sound Good

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Holllywood, Los Angeles, California

Lost and Long-Gone Graveyards of L.A.

Los Angeles, California

Bunk Up On the Battleship Iowa

$175 per person

The Largest Public Telescope in the World

Los Angeles, California

$225 per person

Gaze beyond our galactic borders with a groundbreaking telescope used by astronomy legends like Edwin Hubble.

Flirting with Love

City of Industry

Atlas Obscura Trips

Dark Skies, Desert Beasts: Night Photography in Borrego Springs, California

Journey deep into the desert of Southern California to explore and photograph the Dark Sky Sculptural Oasis of Borrego Springs.

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Explore Santa Monica, California

Launch Map

Upcoming Experiences
Near Santa Monica

Exploring Historic Homes of the Stars

Santa Monica, California

Guided Bug & Wine Pairing

Cooking with Critters

A Walking Tour of Hollywood Jazz History

Hollywood Miniature Magic

Los Angeles, California

Clifton’s Curiosities and Cocktail Crawl

Los Angeles, California

Red Thread

Los Angeles, California

Celebrated sleight of hand artist Siegfried Tieber takes us on an evening of magic and mystery in an unexpected location.

Atlas Obscura Trivia for the World’s Most Adventurous Explorers

Los Angeles, California

It Doesn't Want to Sound Good

The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Holllywood, Los Angeles, California

Lost and Long-Gone Graveyards of L.A.

Los Angeles, California

Bunk Up On the Battleship Iowa

$175 per person

The Largest Public Telescope in the World

Los Angeles, California

$225 per person

Gaze beyond our galactic borders with a groundbreaking telescope used by astronomy legends like Edwin Hubble.

Flirting with Love

City of Industry

Santa Monica Leaderboard

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Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Santa Monica Activity

cryptidcache wants to go to Chez Jay

cryptidcache wants to go to Frank Gehry Residence

cryptidcache wants to go to Farnam House

meaganpeters wants to go to Church of Type

meaganpeters wants to go to Chez Jay

Stories
About Santa Monica

Ricky Grigg, unknown, Vicki Williams, and Nick Gabaldón enjoying Malibu, California, ca. late 1940s–early 1950s.

The Legendary Black Surfer Who Challenged Stereotypes

In his short 24 years, Nick Gabaldón made an impact on California surfing culture that is still felt today.

October 4, 2018

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Santa Monica