Visiting the US? Here's how you can explore Santa Monica beyond the beaches

The United States of America is vast and for travellers who love exploring the country there is a lot to see in many different parts but if you are looking at Santa Monica and arent a beach person then there is a lot more you can do thereSanta Monicarsquos iconic coastline has long attracted visitors from around the world to its sunsoaked beaches ocean views and laidback seaside charm However beyond the shores Santa Monica also offers a thriving arts scene From street murals and theatres to studios and galleries Santa Monica is a vibrant hub for arts and culture Explore Santa Monicarsquos artistic side through its galleries public sculptures murals museums live performances and artistled experiences discovering how creativity shapes the city beyond its famous coastlineMuralsAs an arts and culture hub Santa Monica is home to 170 street art murals all within its 83 square miles and eight neighbourhoods The murals are brought to life by a combination of different entities from across the city local business improvement districts private groupspeople as well as Beautify Earth Beautify Earth is a nonprofit whose mission is to transform every wall into a beautiful piece of art Responsible for a majority of the murals in Santa Monica they began adorning walls along Lincoln Boulevard six years ago and have since grown into an international movement Visitors can embark on a selfguided walking tour spotting murals located across all eight Santa Monica neighbourhoods and navigating the cityrsquos rich public street art sceneBergamot stationSanta Monica is home to over 55 museums galleries and creative venues showcasing works ranging from contemporary art pieces to priceless items with rich history One such institution is Bergamot Station Arts Center 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 several individual galleries and creative venues highlighting rising artists abstract pieces stunning photography architectural design and more Stop into galleries such as William Turner which represents midcareer and rising artists such as Ed Moses and his son Andy Moses18th Street Arts CenterArt is undoubtedly a force for good as evidenced by 18th Street Arts Centerrsquos groundbreaking work over its 30year history 18th Street Arts Center is dedicated to supporting the creation of meaningful work utilising performance art and fine art to foster positive social change and support engaging diverse artists The centre 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 programsPublic art installationsIf you are eager to explore even more of Santa Monicarsquos public art dive into the cityrsquos thrilling array of masterpieces and stunning permanent installations from sculptures to largescale outdoor works BallNogues Cradle is a giant version of a Newtonrsquos Cradle hanging on the exterior wall of a parking garage next to Santa Monica Place Mall Be sure to visit midday when the bustle of passersby creates a stream of reflections on the highly polished steel orbs Singing Beach Chairs on the beach north of Pico are 18foottall scalable works that are outfitted with sets of aluminium pipes meant to harness the ocean breeze into tunes On windy days strong gusts create musical interludes audible to 500 feet Wind or not they provide a perfect yearround perch to enjoy the sunset Located at the precise spot where Wilshire Boulevard rises to offer westbound drivers a glimpse of the Pacific The Big Wave sculpture was one of the earliest pieces of public art commissioned by the city Fully restored with energyefficient LED lights the wave is especially striking in the early evening hours when its blue silhouette becomes visible against a darkening skyMuseumsSanta Monica boasts a diverse and vibrant arts and culture scene with leading museums that keep the rich history and legacy of Santa Monica alive At the Museum of Flying just in the shadow of Santa Monica Airport see historic Douglas World Cruisers a replica of Orville and Wilbur Wrightrsquos biplane and a US Navy Skyhawk You can even step into the cockpit of a Boeing 727 airliner Along Main Street in a historic 1894 Victorianstyle house the California Heritage Museum showcases craftsman furniture folk art tiles and collectables as well as photographs of a sprawling ostrich farm that occupied much of the Ocean Park area back in the 1890s Adjoining the Santa Monica Public Library the Santa Monica History Museum features several dedicated permanent exhibits including exhibits on the life of the Tongva the original inhabitants of the Santa Monica Bay area the Outlook Santa Monicarsquos oldest local newspaper and the townrsquos rise as a resort destination The museum is also responsible for archiving upwards of 600000 photographic prints negatives glassplate negatives and slidesTheatre dance music and filmsSanta Monica vibrant arts scene also features live theatre dance performances music concerts and film screenings throughout the year The impressive Eli and Edythe BroadStage at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center has hosted performances from legendary acts such as Sutton Foster Patti LuPone and Helen Hunt The grand venue welcomes performances of many genres including theatre music dance film opera symphony and more For film enthusiasts the historic Aero Theatre is a mustvisit venue allowing audiences today to experience Hollywood classics and historic cinema on the silver screen Many showings are accompanied by special programming and unforgettable inperson discussions with filmmakers and leaders in cinema providing priceless insight into the films shown at the theatreArt and pottery classesLearn to paint with a variety of mediums oil acrylic watercolour or gouache a type of opaque watercolour at the femaleowned PaintLab which has been offering art instruction for adults kids and teens since 2009 For pottery classes delve into the world of ceramics at Still Life Studio a spacious airy studio offering oneoff wheel sessions as well as specialised workshops focused on glazing making moulds and Raku firingThis tourist guide will help you discover a different side of Santa Monica through its art galleries museums public sculptures live performances and more and experience the city beyond its famous beaches