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

Santa Monica

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Santa Monica, California

Unusual Attractions in Santa Monica

Atlas Obscura Trips

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

May 7—May 10, 2019

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 Events Near Santa Monica

Bollards.
Dec 15
Los Angeles, California

Hunting Bollards in the Wild

Discover a distinctive feature of car culture in a walking tour guided by the 'World's foremost bollard photographer.'
The Chapel of Radiance (mausoleum upstairs)
Dec 16
Altadena, California

Mountain View Cemetery

Wind your way though a labyrinth of crypts and niches, a corridor with ceilings depicting scenes from the Bible, and hallways illuminated by beautiful stained glass.
Drew Lobenstein's private home in Reseda.
Jan 12
Reseda, California

Homeward Bound: Pigeon Navigation

Meet a flock of homing pigeons and explore the mystery of bird navigation with the L.A. Pigeon Club.
Examining store items with Smitha.
Jan 12
Artesia, California

Global Gastro, Local Tastes

Step up your Indian cooking skills with an expert home cook from League of Kitchens.
Sleeping Beauty's castle, in Disneyland.
Jan 16
Anaheim, California

The Secret Life of Disneyland

Discover the hidden world inside the Magic Kingdom.
Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.
Jan 19
Van Nuys, California

Sci-Fi Sewage Sanctuary

Tour a water recycling plant better known as Starfleet Academy, and the Japanese garden it irrigates with sewage water.
Ryan and Regina Cohn.
May 18
Los Angeles, California

Oddities Flea Market: Exclusive VIP Presale Tickets

The legendary Oddities Flea Market curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn and Regina Cohn is returning to Los Angeles! TWO DAYS this time. Atlas Obscura has your ticket to skip the line and get in early!

Santa Monica Leaderboard

Recent Santa Monica Activity

juliefh wants to go to Santa Monica Camera Obscura
janvanpinxteren has been to Pacific Park Solar Ferris Wheel
emilytilson0531 wants to go to Santa Monica Camera Obscura
emmag12 emmag12 wants to go to Jadis
eazyeschendor wants to go to Frank Gehry Residence

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.
by Anna Kusmer
October 04, 2018

Lists Featuring Santa Monica

19 Unusual Hotels in California
Look familiar?
The ivy covered hotel.
Hotel Vertigo
Mid Eastern-themed billiards room

19 Unusual Hotels in California

Remarkable places to stay—or at least visit—in the Golden State.

19

Including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Venice Beach House, and Hotel Vertigo

11 Homes Transformed Into Amazing Mosaics
(Flickr/andreakw)
La Maison Picassiette
The bathroom
Some of the decorations include broken crockery that have been priced back together

11 Homes Transformed Into Amazing Mosaics

If you own your property, why not bedazzle it?

11

Including Wyckoff Street Mosaic, La Maison Picassiette, and House of Mirrors