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>> this weekend, american history tv is joining our spectrum to the partners to showcase the history of santa monica, california. to learn more, visit c-span.org/citiestour. we continue now with the history of santa monica. to live here in santa monica, you enjoy incredible weather. we have 300 days of sunshine per year. there's an abundance of sunshine, fitness studios large and small. it's very easy to live that california, healthy lifestyle. >> while in santa monica, we tour of the city sidoriak. kim, where are we going to

go? am: we are going to see couple places with the sunset. route 66. this is the site of an historic diner called the penguin. obviously a road from chicago to los angeles. 1936.ad opened in lawmakers extended the road to santa monica, and the end is here at olympic boulevard and lincoln boulevard. there is a little debates. this is the actual edge. of we do a lot of -- a lot enthusiasts, historians, people

doing motorcycle chores come to santa monica and do the whole of route 66 and they love to celebrate the end of the journey . so in 2009, santa monica. was named the spiritual. -- weare on ocean avenue are coming up on santa monica p is one of the most iconic destinations in the country. one of the most instagrammed spots in the country. it has a rich history. today it houses everything from , it has ant park roller coaster, carnival games, .he ferris wheel definitely a beloved destination, historic, full of surprises.

visit pery people year? kind of give us respective. santa monica, being its own city is very well-funded cause of a diverse economy. a gift was contributed to the general fund in 2017 on on top of that, visitors to santa monica contributed about $12 million in sales tax revenue. so, that revenue goes into the city and gets utilized for , police, firerks department, street improvements, libraries, schools. that quality of life is santa monica. we are entering downtown and monica, which is the most lively, bustling area.

-- people who work in downtown santa monica. there's also the access to the whichstraight promenade is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare which is essentially santa monica's living room. .ou see street performers here we are. this is one of the places you will see a lot of local santa monica and's -- santa monicans. number of homes, apartment buildings, condos. main street is off the main street. lots of individually owned art galleries, bars, shops. during the daytime you will see locals who have just on for a workout and they are coming to , a yoga class. it's a very, very health conscious community.

rights, we have these really historic homes that were and moved to this site in the 70's. i do not know how they did that. with exhibitsum surfing,toos, california tiles, the influence of native american history. to our rights, there's the fairmont hotel. this is an interesting sites. thegrounds are home to cofounder of santa monica. jones built his home here. one of the interesting features of the fairmont, it's welcoming

symbol is this history. and it ised this tree still here welcoming visitors. >> so, where are we right now? what are we seeing? kim: 80% of santa monica residence are renters. you see lots of apartment buildings, condos. santa monica homes, single-family homes are hard to come by. it's a pretty special quality of life here. home prices are in the millions. what industries are most people in? kim: most people in santa monica of the some form creative industries. whether it is film, advertising, arts, santa monica is becoming

more known as silicon beach. they are becoming known as a hotbed or incubators, capitalist. thatech companies know they will be able to attract top talent. >> do you often get put in the same basket as l.a.? i think that's really our charge as santa monica is to and tourism, establish awareness of santa monica in its own right. we urge people to base themselves in santa monica if they want to come to southern california, los angeles. here, itse your hotel

is a place where you can stay in a hotel and walk out. by all means, we encourage you anaheim. but basing yourself here makes for a really exceptional day. kim, thank you for taking us around town. kim: my pleasure. >> our cities tour staff recently traveled to santa monica to learn more about its rich history. learn more about santa monica and other stops on artur at c-span.org/citiestour. "the communicators -- you're watching american history tv. all weekend, every weekend on c-span 3. c-span, where history unfolds daily. as a79, c-span was created public service by america's

television companies and we continue to bring you unfiltered coverage of congress, the supreme court, the white house, and public alysia vinson washington, d.c. and around the country. c-span, brought to you by your cable or satellite provider. announcer 2: next, documentary filmmaker ken burns sent down with service -- smithsonian institution david skorton to talk about how he uses archives and libraries to research his films. the two also discussed the importance of learning history. this smithsonian library hosted this 40-minute event. [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, ken burns and the secretary of the smithsonian, david skorton. [applause]