Stay in beautiful Santa Monica - the jewel of Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California is the USA’s second most populous city. It is a huge urban sprawl stretching 44 miles from north to south, 29 miles from east to west and covers an area of almost 500 square miles. Numbering 18 million residents, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area is home to a number of locations that have been made famous by the silver screen, including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice Beach and a veritable roll-call of other well-known towns and locations. Due to its sheer size LA offers enough attractions and sight-seeing opportunities to keep visitors busy for years, let alone a two-week break!

But, where is the best place to stay if you want to switch your holiday focus between sight-seeing and spending time on the beach developing a healthy Californian tan? The answer is obvious: Santa Monica. Only eight miles (or approximately half-an-hour by car) from Los Angeles International Airport, this superb beach resort puts you within easy reach of everything that Los Angeles has to offer.

Located on the coast to the west of Beverley Hills, Santa Monica prides itself on being a city with a healthy outlook. Essentially, it's a pedestrian-friendly city with an excellent public transportation system. Boasting several beautiful beaches, the city is also home to a host of first class restaurants and the staple activity of any American holiday - great shopping! It offers the visitor a view of the gentler side of LA, and is certainly less brash than the Downtown melee.

Santa Monica benefits from great road access to the rest of Los Angeles. Using the Santa Monica Freeway as your starting point, you can get to most of Southern California’s attractions within an hour. The region is home to the world’s motion picture industry with Universal Studios, Hollywood, Burbank and Century City all within easy reach.

Night-owls may want to visit notable spots such as Downtown LA, Silver Lake and West Hollywood, home to the infamous Sunset Strip. All are easy to get to from Santa Monica, as are notable shopping districts such as Hollywood and Highland - next to Mann’s Chinese Theatre, and the Beverley Centre.

Like most of Southern California, Santa Monica benefits from a Mediterranean-type climate, having hot summers and warm winters; although cool Pacific winds can bring more rain in winter than you’d normally expect in a true Mediterranean climate. Water sports are popular in Santa Monica, so be prepared to try something new or brush up on your surfing, water-skiing or snorkelling skills.

Alternatively, if you are a fan of spectator sports then Los Angeles has a lot to offer, including basketball, baseball and even ice hockey! In addition, soccer fans will soon be able to see England’s David Beckham playing for LA Galaxy, the city’s Major Soccer League franchise.

Whatever you want to do during your stay in LA, you could do little better than to base yourself in one of the beautiful beachside hotels in Santa Monica. From here you’ll be in easy driving distance of the best that Los Angeles has to offer.

Article Source: http://www.mycontentbuilder.com

Andrew Regan is a freelance online journalist who travels frequently.

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