Sun and Surf in Santa Monica

September 2nd, 2010


In 1769, a Franciscan monk gave the city her name after being inspired by a free-flowing, beautiful spring. Over a hundred years later, in 1887, the city incorporated and became an international travel destination. With over 310 days of sunshine each year, it’s easy to see why people are drawn here.

The Santa Monica Pier located on Santa Monica Bay opened in 1909 and is one of the city’s most visited attractions. However, there is much more than just the ocean view in this great city. It is home to a wide range of movie theaters, including the Majestic, which opened in 1919. The Academy Awards were held in Santa Monica for many years at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and art museums can be found throughout the city. Baywatch and Three’s Company, as well as other popular shows were filmed here.

The skateboard culture owes its roots to Santa Monica and surfing is one of the most popular pastimes. Shopping is also a favorite and the Third Street Promenade offers three blocks of a pedestrian oriented shopping district. The city’s population is only about 85,000, but the huge influx of beach going tourists help to increase the daytime population two between 250,000 and 300,000 people.

Santa Monica is home to several major corporations, including Rand, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Lions Gate Films, and Playtune. Many other Fortune 500 companies have offices here, including Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Volkswagen, and MTV. Many of the video gaming companies call Santa Monica home, including Activision, High Impact and Naughty Dogs.

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How to Find a Good Dentist in Santa Monica

September 2nd, 2010


If you’ve recently relocated to Santa Monica or you are just not happy with your current dentist, there are a number of ways you can find a good one. The phone book alone has dozens listed, with some providing a list of services, coupons, and emergency hours. However, in today’s internet world, there is much more information available at your fingertips.

You will find several websites that let you search by city or general area, by specialty, or by types of insurance. If you have dental insurance, make sure you ask if it’s accepted when you call. Many dentists to take a number of different insurance plans, but most do not take all.

When looking for a great dentist, Santa Monica won’t disappoint you. For a specific service, such as dentures, implants, or pediatric services, you’ll be surprised at the options available. Then comes the difficult decision on which professional will be best for you. However, by reading through one of the patient reviews, you can get a better understanding of the level of care and service given.

It is also wise to ask your friends and family members for recommendations. Seldom will you get a reference that turns out to be completely wrong! However, each person has their own expectations and some are simply terrified no matter how good the dentist may be. You can find some that offer sedation or other similar practices to put you more at ease.

If you are looking for a great dentist, Santa Monica has several to choose from. The above tips will point you in the right direction. Your smile is so important, so don’t trust it to just anyone!

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Top 5 Dentists in Santa Monica

September 2nd, 2010


It is hard to find a dentist you trust, let alone one you actually look forward to seeing! Below, you will find the top five dentists in Santa Monica based upon patient reviews, offered services, and price. They also have informative, user-friendly websites. These professionals are sure to put a smile on your face!

1. Dr. Alan Samuel and Dr. Eric Videgain – Located on Wilshire Boulevard, These two dentists, as well as two others on staff, are highly trained and also teach at local colleges and dental schools. They offer a full range of dental services, including cosmetic and restorative service.

2. American Family Dental – Ray Farzam is the owner and president of this dental company and currently has over 5,000 patients. He has an extensive list of training and his office is conveniently located on Santa Monica Boulevard.

3. Dr. Julian Chen – Highly rated for his bedside manner and overall service, you will find Dr. Chen’s office on Montana Boulevard. All the dentists that practice here are also rated very highly.

4. Wilshire Dental – With two offices for convenience, Wilshire Dental has four dentists on staff, all with impressive educations. Their services include cosmetic dentistry, including whitening, and Invisalign, just to name a few.

5. Brian Alessini and Dan Alessini – Also located on Wilshire Boulevard, they offer a full range of dental services, including restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry. The staff is highly praised and seldom do appointment times run late.
There you have it – the top five dentists in the Santa Monica area. Of course, everyone will have their own opinions, but this list is made on the basis of many patients’ feedback. As with any healthcare provider, it is best to draw your own conclusions, but some help in the right direction shouldn’t be ignored!

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