By Nancy Desser
Photo by Sondra Stocker
As a 28-year resident of Santa Monica, and Chair of the Community Relations Committee of the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, rarely a day goes by that I don’t think about how blessed I am to get to call Santa Monica my home.
There are obvious things like the fabulous mild temperate weather (my sister lives in Baltimore, so I know this to be true!), and then there are the amazing array of activities, restaurants, shops, and general environmental benefits that residents and tourists alike are able to enjoy and which make Santa Monica so special. Many of these perks are possible because of revenue collected from the hotel bed tax that goes to the City’s General Fund and supports our schools, parks and public safety programs, so it is to everyone’s advantage if we as a community, are actively engaged in the elements of tourism in our city. We invite all residents’ to act as an ambassador or a part of a welcome campaign, to share your knowledge and love for Santa Monica with others.
Fellow Santa Monicans, and visitors alike—get out there and enjoy all that our innovative city has to offer!
I don’t love that Santa Monica insists on bragging about itself. The truly worthy have no need of endless, tasteless, self promotion. I love the city, and its people, none of whom have any need of “branding”
to live perfectly happy lives
I certainly don’t love these annoyingly wide three-wheeled bikes, usually rented by hapless tourists, that perpetually clog the bike path