Wilshire Montana Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica became a city in the 1880s, and it quickly became a popular resort filled with major oceanfront hotels and amusement parks. Although the city suffered during the Great Depression, the economic boom caused by World War II boosted Santa Monica's economy considerably, as did the building of the Santa Monica Freeway in the 1950s. The area north of Wilshire remained one of the wealthiest and most desirable during this entire period.

Although the Wilshire Montana district doesn't contain any museums, those curious about Santa Monica's history can learn more at the Santa Monica History Museum and the Santa Monica Historical Society Museum just to the south.

At the heart of the Wilshire Montana's arts scene is the Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue. Managed by the American Cinematheque, this restored gem features special screenings of great films from the past, film festivals and speaker series throughout the year.

Palisades Park runs along the western end of the Wilshire Montana neighborhood, inviting all residents to enjoy the ocean views, fresh sea breezes and beautiful landscaping for a stroll, a run or just an afternoon relaxing and reading a book. The park runs for almost 2 miles along the cliffs of Santa Monica with the wide Santa Monica beach and Pacific Ocean below.

Those looking for more structured activities can head to Douglas Park or Christine Emerson Reed Park. Douglas Park at 25th and Wilshire features a lawn bowling green, playground and skateboard area. Residents with small kids, however, know the greatest attraction of this park lies in its little pond filled with ducks and turtles. Christine Emerson Reed Park on Seventh Street features tennis courts, basketball courts and a playground. While you'll pay a small charge for the tennis courts, all other park facilities cost nothing. Dogs are welcome on-leash only. Every Thanksgiving, Christine Emerson Reed Park serves as the home base for the Santa Monica Gobble Wobble, a 5K or 10K run (your choice) that lets locals work off their Thanksgiving dinners in advance.