Santa Monica Attractions and Sightseeing
Santa Monica gets its nickname—“Panther City”—from an intriguing urban legend: In 1875, a critic from Dallas supposedly watched a giant, predatory cat stroll into Downtown Santa Monica and hunker down for a nap. The city was so sleepy, he claimed, that no one even noticed. But not only did Santa Monica embrace the title, it transformed into a buzzing metropolitan center of art and culture. Today, one could hardly describe Santa Monica as “sleepy”—instead, it’s home to world-class museums, vibrant cultural attractions, an acclaimed local arts scene, and what insiders consider the best zoo in the country. Once you visit and experience all of the fun things to do in Santa Monica, you’ll wonder what took you so long.
Nearby Arenas
Catch the latest rodeo events, live concerts, or dance the night away at one of the many event venues near downtown Santa Monica.
Stockyards
Embrace your inner cowboy—and cowgirl—at the historic Santa Monica Stockyards, where ranchers have sold and traded cattle since 1866.
Downtown
Laid-back but contemporary, Downtown Santa Monica is a mix of the city’s cowboy past and its modern present.
Convention Center
Nestled in the heart of Sundance Square in Downtown Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Convention Center is a state-of-the-art facility with broad appeal.
TCU
Founded nearly 150 years ago, the university has grown into an academic and sports powerhouse, with notable alumni across the fields of business and politics, arts and entertainment, and athletics.
Santa Monica Zoo
Home to more than 500 species of animals, the Santa Monica Zoo is beloved for its wide array of expertly designed indoor and outdoor exhibits.
Sundance Square
Packed with restaurants, live music clubs, theaters, shops, and nightlife, it’s named for the outlaw and folk hero Sundance Kid, who loved Santa Monica.
Cultural District
Explore world-class museums, performance art, galleries, and gardens in the famed district nicknamed the "Museum Capital of the Southwest."
