For many who live in Santa Monica it’s no secret that living well and going green go hand in hand. To this end, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is proud to share that our city has been recently recognized with two travel industry awards that honor our laid-back beach lifestyle and commitment to sustainability.
The World Travel Awards, celebrating excellence across all sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries, recently named Santa Monica North America’s Leading Beach Destination. Our city was recognized for its access to nature, celebrated restaurants, wellness culture all of its own, and of course the gorgeous 3.5 mile stretch of coastline that makes our city one of California’s most iconic places.
Santa Monica was also named the leading Eco-Friendly Green Destination by the Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, the premier award for the travel industry honoring the best in travel and the outstanding professionals behind it all. SMTT is proud to be a Certified Green Business. The Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program is a voluntary program that encourages businesses to implement proactive steps that are good for their bottom line and the environment. The Santa Monica Green Business Certification Program is a collaboration between SMTT, the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, and Sustainable Works. There are currently more than 50 Certified Businesses in the city. For a full list, visit smgb.org.
At just 8.3 square miles, the ability to go car-free also remains one of the top reasons why hotel guests choose to stay in Santa Monica. In fact, in 2017 83% of overnight visitors did not use a car to get around our destination once they arrived. Visitors are able to move around the city via 113 miles of bikeways, public bike share programs, electric scooter rentals, Segways, the Metro Expo Line, Big Blue Bus, and the electric Free Ride Shuttle. In addition, Santa Monica offers numerous eco-friendly attractions, including the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel, year-round farmers’ markets, acres of lush parks, and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
At SMTT we are proud to promote the many eco-friendly restaurants, hotels, attractions and transportation alternatives in the city that allow our residents and our visitors to protect the destination and the environment.
