Go Green in
Santa Monica – One of the eco-friendliest cities of USA
When many hear “green travel” they think of camping in the
wilderness, but in Santa Monica you don’t have to sacrifice the indulgences of
luxury travel in order to “go green.” Santa Monica provides many eco-friendly
restaurants, hotels, attractions and transportation alternatives so you can
travel guilt-free and protect the destination you love to visit.
Green
Attractions
ANNENBERG
COMMUNITY BEACH HOUSE
A short and refreshing bike ride just north of the Santa Monica Pier
is Annenberg
Community Beach house – the country’s
first/only public beach club and a Gold LEED certified building that used
recycled blue jeans for insulation. This public facility is located on five
acres of oceanfront property that was initially developed during the 1920s by
William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies. Today, visitors can take a
dip in the same original marble pool where the old Hollywood elite did, play
volleyball, have lunch, take yoga classes and learn about Santa Monica history
with free docent tours at the Marion Davies Guest House.
SANTA MONICA PIER AQUARIUM
Featuring hands-on presentations and interactive exhibits,
the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium is a part of Santa Monica’s
own “Heal the Bay” program – an initiative to educate, inspire and empower its
visitors to be stewards of the environment. General admission is $5 per person;
kids ages 12 and under are free; groups of 10 or more are charged $3 per
person, regardless of age.
TONGVA PARK
The architect responsible for New York City’s
celebrated High Line Park, James Corner Field Operations, has designed Tonga Park’s six-acre urban oasis just two blocks from
the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy Santa Monica’s architectural park for winding walkways,
observation decks, picnic tables and ample open grass. The modern green space
faces the ocean and is centrally located, making it accessible.
PACIFIC WHEEL AT SANTA MONICA PIER
Named by Travel + Leisure as one of the “World’s Coolest
Ferris Wheels,” the 13-story Pacific Wheel is the world’s first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel. From a seat on the Pacific
Wheel, visitors and locals alike take in panoramic views of the Los Angeles
coastline and mountains from more than 185 feet above the Santa Monica Pier.
The Ferris wheel’s 174,000 energy-efficient LED lights create a 85-foot high
computer-generated light show for night time beach-goers to enjoy.
Green Hotels
Ocean View Hotel, Santa Monica Motel, Shore Hotel and The Ambrose Hotel are
Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified properties
that offer eco-friendly accommodations in addition to a variety of fantastic
amenities. To improve sustainability and allow guests to have an
eco-experience, these hotels feature a range of green business practices
including reduced water consumption, increased water and energy efficiency,
installation of solar panels and LED lighting and more. Additionally, many
hotels in Santa Monica are green business certified
including Hostelling
International LA/Santa Monica, Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica and Loews Santa
Monica Beach Hotel.
Go Car Free
Santa Monica
provides environmentally green transportation options and services for visitors
and residents to get around the city, such as Metro, Big Blue
Bus, Breeze Bike Share, a public bike share program, the Santa Monica
Shuttle Free Ride, a free service to transport riders to
Downtown Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, Main Street, and Montana Avenue,
and the Metro Expo
Line. Additionally, at just 8.3 square miles, it’s easy to
navigate the city on foot.
Eco-friendly
Eats
SANTA MONICA FARMERS MARKET
Named the best in the country by Travel + Leisure,
the farmers market sets the tone for Santa Monica dining.
With nearly 200 different growers and food purveyors at the beach city’s four
weekly farmers markets, Santa Monica continues to attract famous chefs who
value locally grown food and the celebrities and foodies who want to explore
the diverse culinary offerings.
Shopping
SANTA MONICA PLACE
Gold LEED certified, Santa Monica Place delivers
three levels of exciting retail and dining options with beautiful views of the
Pacific from the top Dining Deck. Originally operated as an indoor, enclosed
mall, Santa Monica Place was renovated into an open-air concept and reopened in
August 2010. The new design maximized sunlight and fresh-air throughout the
property and facilitated an uninterrupted walkable experience for shoppers to
navigate throughout the mall. Today, Santa Monica Place incorporates
water-efficient landscaping, a green roof element and many other sustainable
properties features to reduce their carbon footprint.
MAIN STREET
Also known as the “Green Light District,” this
eclectic street is where the locals go. It oozes laidback beach lifestyle and a
commitment to sustainability – this street has the more certified green
businesses than any other in Santa Monica and is also home to a community
garden. You’ll find boutiques, design galleries, cafes, bars, restaurants and more.
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