WHAT’S NEW IN SANTA MONICA – SUMMER 2025
Discover Splashy Openings, Summer Events and Community Celebrations as Santa Monica Celebrates 150 Years
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 16, 2025) – Enjoy the sunshine state of mind in Santa Monica this summer as new restaurants, innovative wellness experiences, vibrant cultural exhibitions and beloved community events take center stage. Settle into your summer break at the newly introduced The Eden Hotel, enjoy warm evenings by the sea at Night Market at The Bungalow and toast to your summer vacation at the highly anticipated Entertainment Zone on the Third Street Promenade. Read on to discover the best of Santa Monica’s coastal lifestyle, creativity and community spirit in Summer 2025.
SANTA MONICA’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Los Angeles’ premier beach city is celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer, marking Santa Monica’s development in 1875 by John P. Jones, a U.S. Senator from Nevada. From July through December, we welcome visitors to join us in reflecting on the city’s rich history, the people in our community that all make Santa Monica so special and all that lies ahead for our beloved beach destination.
The festivities kick off with bites and beverages, live performances and thoughts from local leaders at State of the City: A Celebration of Resilience and Growth on Thursday, July 17 from 4 to 7p.m.
To learn more about this milestone anniversary and more celebrations to come, visit:
HOTELS
The Eden Hotel (Pier/Ocean Avenue) – A longstanding beachfront building on Ocean Avenue formerly serving as the Hotel Shangri‑La and Sonder The Beacon has reopened this June under a refreshed identity: The Eden Hotel. Blending its historic Art Deco roots with modern luxury, the newly rebranded property celebrates Santa Monica’s outdoor lifestyle while prioritizing relaxation and sustainability. The Eden preserves its Streamline Moderne architecture while introducing green features and eco-conscious amenities. Set against panoramic Pacific views, The Eden offers 70 distinctive rooms and 30 suites styled as serene retreats where guests can start their day with a workout in the 24‑hour fitness center, unwind by the heated outdoor pool complete with a poolside dining service or gather for sunset cocktails on the rooftop terrace. Located steps from Santa Monica Beach, the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade, The Eden combines historic charm with the contemporary vibrancy that has drawn visitors to Santa Monica for generations.
santamonica.com/hotels/the-eden-hotel
Hyatt Centric Delfina Renovation (Pico Blvd.) – Following its rebranding as a Hyatt property in 2024, Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica has unveiled a $16 million transformation, bringing a fresh, modern aesthetic to this coastal retreat. The renovation has reimagined all 315 guest rooms, upgraded 15,000 square feet of meeting space and revamped multiple public areas, including a rooftop ballroom with panoramic ocean views. Situated just four blocks from the beach on Pico Boulevard, the hotel also features a vibrant new lobby, updated dining at Coastal Harvest Bar & Kitchen and enhanced amenities including a heated outdoor pool and fitness center.
santamonica.com/hotels/hyatt-centric-delfina-santa-monica
Shoreside at Shore Hotel (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – The vibrant Shore Hotel welcomes travelers to Shoreside Restaurant and Bar, a new dining concept serving an all-day menu reflecting the local flavors of Southern California. With close proximity to the beach, this modern coastal restaurant offers a fresh menu featuring locally sourced seafood, craft cocktails and inventive dishes. Guests will enjoy Shoreside’s warm indoor dining room as well as al fresco and poolside options surrounded by fresh ocean breezes and even fresher local ingredients.
santamonica.com/hotels/shore-hotel
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Dine LA Restaurant Week (Citywide) – Experience Santa Monica’s celebrated culinary scene with the return of Dine LA restaurant week this summer. Whether traveling from overseas or a neighboring city, visiting foodies will enjoy special menus at 47 Santa Monica restaurants from Friday, July 25 to Friday, August 8 showcasing the destination’s diverse culinary offerings, imaginative dining concepts and the best of farm-to-table cuisine. From Mediterranean flavors at Regent Santa Monica Beach’s Orla and tapas at Xuntos to Michelin Star dining at Mélisse and California cuisine at The Shore Hotel’s new Shoreside Restaurant & Bar, Dine LA restaurant week is a delicious reflection of Santa Monica’s range of dining destinations, unique menus and fresh local produce served daily.
For the full list of participating Santa Monica restaurants, visit:
santamonica.com/dine-la-restaurant-week
Renovations and New Offerings at Pasjoli (Main Street) – Acclaimed dining destination Pasjoli has officially reopened with new menu items, updated design and a refreshed approach. Chef Dave Beran’s Pasjoli has evolved into a relaxed, neighborhood-style bistro, reflecting both Beran’s own growth and the shifting tastes of LA diners. The updated experience features an expanded bar, casual à la carte menu and a warm, intimate atmosphere, complete with a bright turquoise exterior and cozy, mood-lit interiors. Signature favorites like the Pressed Duck (now back with a nightly tableside presentation) remain and are joined by craveable new dishes like Poutine with duck meat, French Onion Souplette and Steak Frites.
santamonica.com/restaurants/pasjoli
Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar (Downtown) – Neighborhood favorite Esters Wine Shop launches a new identity as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar. Celebrating 10 years serving diners, Esters introduces a refreshed menu featuring an extensive raw bar and thoughtful seasonal dishes to accompany the sophisticated wine list and chic cocktails the shop is known for.
santamonica.com/restaurants/esters-wine-shop-bar
LAxLA Dinner Series at Rustic Canyon (Wilshire) – Favorite neighborhood restaurant Rustic Canyon introduces a new culinary series celebrating the flavors of both New Orleans and Los Angeles, inviting diners to experience special meals by Rustic Canyon Chef Elijah Deleon and a standout guest chef from New Orleans’ acclaimed dining scene. Curated by General Manager Lorenzo Reef taking inspiration from his time studying the culinary arts in New Orleans, the series takes place on select Thursday evenings from July 17 through September 4 showcasing the ingredients, techniques and flavors of these two top dining destinations.
- July 17: Chef Mike Stoltzfus
- July 31: Chef Mike Gullota
- August 7 & 8: Chef Ana Castro
- August 28: Chef Adolfo Garcia Jr.
- September 4: Jewel of the South
santamonica.com/restaurants/rustic-canyon
Diner Antonette (Wilshire) – Nestled along Wilshire Boulevard is Diner Antonette, resurrecting a beloved local restaurant space with a modernized interior while maintaining its Art Deco elements. The redesign, featuring neutral tones, sleek black leather booths, original terrazzo flooring and bold new artworks by Sara Abbott, is paired with a thoughtfully curated American‑bistro menu by Chef Jordan Lynn spotlighting seasonal dishes like steak au poivre, branzino Provençal, handmade pasta with fresh seafood and an inventive olive‑oil‑saffron cake. Enhanced by a retail wine shop, boutique and hidden patio, the reborn dining destination balances nostalgic charm with contemporary dining tastes.
santamonica.com/restaurants/diner-antonette
Bacio di Latte (Downtown) – Bacio di Latte has opened a brand-new shop on Santa Monica Boulevard in the Downtown neighborhood, marking the latest location of the Milan-founded Italian gelato chain. Here, gelato is made fresh daily on-site using premium ingredients including pistachios imported from Italy, Belgian chocolate and organic cream sourced from Sonoma County family farms. The gelateria serves a rotating menu of classic flavors like Stracciatella, Pistachio and Hazelnut, alongside fruit sorbets and limited-edition creations rotating seasonally.
santamonica.com/restaurants/bacio-di-latte
Junior Cookies (Main Street) – Beloved LA dessert destination Junior Cookies has opened its second storefront on Main Street, bringing its signature “world’s freshest cookies” to Santa Monica. Founded in 2022 by the Sevis family, this family-run brand has gained a passionate following through its bite-sized, baked-to-order cookie cups with standout flavors like Banana Pudding, KitKat Tiramisu, Salted Almond Chocolate Chip, Turkish Pistachio and Crème Brûlée. This opening marks the brand’s first venture beyond its original location.
santamonica.com/restaurants/junior-cookies
Bread + Butter (Main Street) – Bread + Butter, a beloved Tasmanian bakery and café, has opened its first U.S. location on Main Street in Santa Monica, bringing its signature small-batch pastries, artisan sourdough and expertly brewed coffee to the States. The charming new bakery prides itself on fresh daily pastries made from cultured butter and high‑quality ingredients, with offerings like buttery croissants, morning buns and house-made jams served alongside Proud Mary coffee. Each morning, Bread + Butter delivers a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for locals and visitors alike.
santamonica.com/restaurants/bread-butter
New York Bagel Deli & Bakery (Wilshire) – New York Bagel Deli & Bakery, a new family‑run shop on Wilshire Boulevard, has opened its doors with a heartfelt nod to its founders’ rich heritage and Long Island upbringing. Owner Lenny Rosenberg, inspired by childhood memories surrounded by his father’s breads and baked goods, brings decades of artisanal baking experience to Santa Monica alongside co-owner Adaeze Nwanonyiri. This deli and bakery aim to blend nostalgic New York-style bagels and loaves with welcoming, community‑focused hospitality, offering Santa Monica locals and visitors delicious food baked fresh daily.
santamonica.com/restaurants/new-york-bagel-deli
Su Casa x JuneShine (Main Street) – A new café concept has arrived as local coffee brand Su Casa takes over JuneShine Santa Monica, transforming the popular kombucha tasting room into a daytime gathering spot. The café residency will welcome guests Mondays through Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a relaxed environment serving expertly brewed Su Casa coffee by day and refreshing JuneShine hard kombuchas each evening.
santamonica.com/restaurants/juneshine
ARTS & CULTURE
Santa Monica Artists in Residence, 2020-2024 at the Annenberg Community Beach House (Pier/Ocean Avenue) – The City of Santa Monica proudly presents “Santa Monica Artists in Residence, 2020–2024,” a retrospective on view at the Annenberg Community Beach House now through Sunday, October 5. This free, public exhibition spotlights the creative journeys of local artists whose residencies were paused by pandemic closures and revives work that delves into important themes of consumer culture, bodily autonomy, climate change, displacement, identity and cosmic exploration.
santamonica.com/things-to-do/annenberg-community-beach-house
Disney Animated Films at the California Heritage Museum (Main Street) – A new exhibition titled “Disney Animated Films” invites visitors to step behind the scenes of Disney’s most beloved classics through a stunning display of over 100 original works of art. On view at the California Heritage Museum on Main Street Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. now until November 2, the collection features rare concept sketches, character studies and production artwork, offering an intimate look at the artistry and creative process behind generations of animated storytelling. All pieces are generously on loan from the esteemed Mark Hilbert Collection, making this a must-see for animation enthusiasts and Disney fans alike. Visitors will also enjoy complimentary screenings of classic Disney films throughout the exhibition’s run, inviting museum goers to witness the artwork and sketches displayed on gallery walls come to life on-screen.
santamonica.com/things-to-do/california-heritage-museum
Summer Exhibitions at Bergamot Station Arts Center (Mid-City) – Bergamot Station is the largest art gallery and cultural complex of its kind on the West Coast, with over 100 years of history as an active railroad station and factory before being repurposed as a creative campus. Bergamot Station contains over 25 individual galleries and creative venues highlighting rising artists, abstract pieces, stunning photography, architectural design and more. Bergamot Station is the perfect place to spend a day, with an afternoon browsing the galleries and an evening of delicious dishes at Le Great Outdoor or Birdie G’s on the grounds. This season, Bergamot Station welcomes new exhibitions including:
- “Chloe Sherman – Renegades” at Von Lintel Gallery now through July 26
- “Marc Katano | Paper Cut” at Leslie Sacks Gallery now through August 2
- “Jennifer Wolf – Utopalypse” at William Turner Gallery now through August 16
- “Greg Miller – True Romance” at William Turner Gallery now through August 26
- “Jo Ann Callis – Dish Trick” at ROSEGALLERY now through August 16
- “Charlotte Schmid-Maybach: Veiled Terrain” at Lois Lambert Gallery now through August 23
- “Patrizia Mussa: Palazzo Dreams” at Galerie XII now through August 30
- “Redux 1995-2025: William S. Burroughs” at the Robert Berman Gallery now through September 13
santamonica.com/things-to-do/bergamot-station-arts-center
Summer Exhibitions at 18th Street Arts Center (Mid-City) – 18th Street Arts Center is dedicated to supporting the creation of meaningful work, utilizing performance art and fine art to foster positive social change and support engaging, diverse artists. The Center also hosts the largest artist residency program in Southern California, providing artists space to create and share the impactful results with the public through exhibition and community engagement programs. 18th Street Arts Center’s new exhibitions this season include:
- “Jen-Pei Cheng: A recipe is a treasure map to find home” now through August 25
- “Carol Zou: beauty/violence: aria” July 21 through September 1
santamonica.com/things-to-do/18th-street-arts-center
SHOPPING/RETAIL
Entertainment Zone at the Third Street Promenade (Downtown) – Santa Monica has unveiled Southern California’s first Entertainment Zone on the Third Street Promenade, now operating Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every weekend. Throughout the new zone, residents and tourists 21 years of age and older can responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages outside in the Santa Monica sunshine between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard on the picturesque Third Street Promenade. With valid identification, patrons are invited to purchase drinks from participating licensed businesses including 1212 Santa Monica, Barney’s Beanery, Cabo Cantina, Casa Martin, Holey Moley, Pickle Pop and Ugo Santa Monica to enjoy while strolling the area. For more information on rules, regulations and safety within the Entertainment Zone, please visit the City of Santa Monica’s official webpage.
santamonica.com/experience-santa-monica/neighborhoods/downtown-santa-monica-3rd-street-promenade
Westside Dog Gang (Downtown) – Santa Monica’s offerings as a pet-friendly destination expand with Westside Dog Gang, the city’s first-ever dog clubhouse located on 7th Street. The full-service dog destination offers structured, class-based daycare with designated play, learning and relaxation sessions. The thoughtfully designed space features separate playgrounds for different energy levels, a calm relaxation room, a wellness room and a stylish, art-adorned environment with street-art murals and custom play equipment. With inviting staff keeping pets’ comfort and safety at the forefront, those traveling with their four-legged friends will find a trustworthy space in Westside Dog Gang for their pets to enjoy while they explore the destination.
santamonica.com/shopping/westside-dog-gang
KOOK – Founded by local scuba divers and ocean lovers, KOOK is a new Santa Monica-based brand creating hair and skin care products that protect swimmers from the sun and salt water, without using ingredients that harm coral reefs. With local events and nonprofit partnerships, KOOK invites beachgoers to join in their dedication to ocean advocacy and choose reef-safe products. With every purchase at KOOK, a mangrove is planted in Baja that protects marine life and supports local communities to further the cause and care for our ocean ecosystems. KOOK products are available online and at select retailers in Santa Monica.
WELLNESS
Heated Room (Wilshire) – Heated Room, a boutique fitness studio, is heating up Santa Monica’s wellness scene with its immersive, infrared-enhanced classes held in studios set to 100°F with 50% humidity. The brand offers a range of signature workouts from intense Full Body Burn and Power Pilates to Flow Sculpt and Recovery/Mobility Flow, all designed to sculpt the body, elevate breath with purposeful movement and deepen circulation through targeted heat and sound. Combining powerful instruction, high-energy music and a luxurious environment, Heated Room creates a truly transformative fitness experience.
santamonica.com/things-to-do/heated-room
EVENTS
Night Market at the Bungalow (Wilshire) – Night Market at The Bungalow is officially back for another season, operating at The Bungalow in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows every Thursday from 5 to 11 p.m. through August 28. This weekly outdoor event transforms the iconic beachside venue into a festive gathering space featuring an exciting lineup of local food vendors, refreshing drinks, live music, family-friendly activities and surprise celebrity guests. Each event is free to attend for all-ages and even pets, marking a beloved summer Santa Monica tradition all season long.
santamonica.com/event/night-market-at-the-bungalow-santa-monica/2025-06-05
Santa Monica Music Festival (Downtown) – The inaugural Santa Monica Music Festival, presented by the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, is set to take place from Thursday, July 17 to Sunday, July 20 at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica. This four-day festival will feature a diverse array of classical and contemporary compositions, including world and U.S. premieres by composers such as Will Healy, Libby Larsen, Pamela Z and Emma O’Halloran. The performances will showcase a blend of established works by Brahms, Mozart and Schubert, alongside innovative pieces that push the boundaries of classical music. With tickets starting at $35 for general admission and $15 for students and children, the festival offers an accessible opportunity to experience world-class music in an intimate setting.
santamonica.com/event/santa-monica-music-festival
Dog Daze of Summer (Montana Avenue) – Dog Daze of Summer is back for a one-day extravaganza on Montana Avenue, presenting a fun‑filled afternoon for pets and their owners on Saturday, August 23 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. This free, family‑friendly event features pop-up sales, tasty dog treats, giveaways and photo opportunities set against the lively backdrop of one of Santa Monica’s favorite shopping and dining streets.
santamonica.com/event/dog-daze-of-summer
A PIERfect Benefit (Pier/Ocean Avenue) – The Santa Monica Pier Corporation invites the community to its inaugural fundraising gala, A PIERfect Benefit, on Saturday, September 6 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the historic Carousel Building. This special event celebrates the Pier’s legacy with cocktails, appetizers and heartfelt moments while supporting the nonprofit’s mission to preserve and enhance our iconic landmark. Tickets are available for $175 per individual or$300 per couple.
santamonica.com/event/a-pierfect-benefit
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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For more information visit santamonica.com, email info@santamonica.com, or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), X (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
Media Contact
Emily Ohara
Public Relations Manager
