With Santa Monica having been a key partner at the recent IPW travel trade show – the destination dubbed LA’s “beach city” was the site of after-show festivities for delegates, including Canadian attendees, over the course of two nights – the timing was right last week for Team Santa Monica to follow up with their annual Canadian mission to engage and update the trade in this country on the latest happenings in the SoCal destination.

Known for its famous beach and the iconic Santa Monica pier (and adjacent Pacific Park amusement park), which has presided over the beach for over a century, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) director of sales Ozzie Otero noted to a handful of VIP travel advisors at an elegant dinner at Casa Madera in Toronto (the night before the main event) that the coastal California enclave is also the closest LA-area community to LAX (20 km.), which is notably desirable detail in a metropolis known for its traffic congestion.

And while unique in its own right, the city is also a gateway to the rest of LA – 25 kms to downtown, 21 to SoFi Stadium, 11 km to Beverly Hills and 22 to Hollywood, making Santa Monica a “great base” for touring the area.

But for those staying close to home base in Santa Monica, there are countless galleries and museums – don’t miss Bergamot Station (a converted railway terminal) – shopping, and 170 unique street murals.

There are also over 400 restaurants and 41 hotels, the latter represented on the Canadian mission by reps from the dual property Casa del Mar-Shutters on the Beach; Fairmont Miramar Hotels and Bungalows, a sprawling two-hectare urban resort; and the soon-to-open Regent Santa Monica Beach; plus, Sandbourne Santa Monica, An Autograph Hotel (formerly Le Merigot Santa Monica), which has recently reimagined with a US$25 million renovation including new pool and rooftop bar.

But while Santa Monica – where celebrity sightseeing are routine – is known for luxury and urban sophistication, and of course, the famous beach, Otero emphasized that “there’s something for everyone” in the city’s eight distinct neighbourhoods.

Indeed, visitors don’t have to go far for great hiking and biking trails, or to find community spirit in places like the local farmer’s market or along the beach (including picnics, volleyball, and surfing) and adjacent boardwalk.

And while highly walkable – “you don’t need a car” – an insider’s tip is to use Circuit Santa Monica, a free shuttle service within the limits of Santa Monica that can be arranged by app.

“The Canadian market is very important to us,” Otero concluded, noting that travel advisors can access plenty of collateral material on the destination through SMTT, not least on the destination’s many new developments, as well as recommendations to pass on to clients.

“It’s a brand-new Santa Monica,” he enthused, and offered: “And I am your boots-on-the-ground resource.”