Looking to pick up more than a Santa Monica hoodie on your visit? How about a new skill set? Santa Monica offers a multitude of opportunities to pick up a fresh hobby. Here are some of our favorites:
Trapeze Class
Ever dream of running away with the circus? Start building your skills now, with a trapeze class at the Santa Monica Pier. That's right, in a netted, cordoned-off area of the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Trapeze School Los Angeles offers classes and workshops in trapeze, lyra, aerobatics and trampoline. Take in the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean as you fly through the air with the greatest of ease!
Surf's up
You know it's on your bucket list- and riding a wave is a thrill you shouldn't leave Santa Monica without experiencing. Poseidon Paddle & Surf will greet you with coffee and even hook you up with a hot shower after your surfing lesson. Each session is two hours long and all equipment is provided (even wetsuits). And don't worry: no prior experience is needed.
Crush stand-up comedy!
Learn stand-up and improv at the Santa Monica Playhouse from "Professor of Stand-up" Greg Dean, who can count Whoopi Goldberg among his students. Greg and the instructors at Greg Dean's Stand Up Comedy Classes address Putting Together a Routine, Managing Hecklers and so much more.
Calling all Foodies
Touted as one of the best cooking schools in Southern California, The Gourmandise School in downtown Santa Monica offers hands-on recreational cooking and baking classes for all- beginners to professionals, including kids (6 and over) and teens. Popular offerings include: Sushi 101, Croissant Workshop and Hosting a French Bistro Dinner. Classes are held in the school's state of the art commercial kitchens on the third floor of Santa Monica Place.