Autumn turns our thoughts to harvest festivals, seasonal fare in our local farmers’ markets, and warm fall beach days complete with that perfect ocean breeze.
Here are our top recommendations for enjoying the new season in Santa Monica:
The Beach
A day at the beach is a day well spent, no matter what time of year. But there is something about fall that encourages longer hours of relaxation.
Find your midday oasis beneath the shade of our iconic beach umbrellas. They will be waiting for you along with a personal lounge chair, beach towel, newspaper, and menu of savory beach bites, courtesy of our Beach Activities Centers at Shutters and Casa. The concierge can also make arrangements for surfing, paddleboarding, and other beach activities.
Front Porch Cinema
Held on the iconic Santa Monica Pier (also known as Santa Monica’s front porch), Front Porch Cinema is a weekly fall series that features family-friendly films and live music by the sea. The event is free to attend, with music beginning Friday nights at 6 pm and movies following at 7:30 pm. It is a must-see for fall. Full schedule below:
Sept. 30 Zootopia
Oct. 7 City of Gold
Oct. 14 Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Oct. 21 Labyrinth
Oct. 28 Tight Loose
Biking
Embrace the local fit lifestyle with a ride along the oceanfront bike path. It’s a great way to see the city from the beach, with the path stretching 8.5 miles through Santa Monica (and continuing north to Malibu and south to Manhattan Beach).
Beach cruisers are available on an à la carte basis at the Shutters and Casa Beach Activities Center for 1 hour, 2 hours, or a full day.
Shopping in the City
The farmer’s market is a fitting place to begin your exploration, offering a bounty of seasonal produce and homemade goods in several locations throughout Santa Monica. From there, enjoy the shops downtown or along Main Street (just two blocks from the beach) without the throngs of summer visitors, and wrap up your stroll with a look at the eclectic artwork housed in Bergamot Station Arts Center.
Fall Festivals
From foodie gatherings to Halloween-themed bashes, some of the best events of the year take place during the fall. To start the season, head to Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, October 1 for the Off the Hook Seafood Festival, where you will find fresh, local seafood prepared by some of the city’s most renowned chefs. Then on Sunday, October 9, swing by the Moss Theatre for Orchestra Santa Monica’s season-opening concert along Olympic Blvd. You can expect a variety of renditions on Mozart, Beethoven, and modern Chinese composer Chen Yi, led by conductor Allen Robert Gloss and brilliant pianist Mark Robson.
