Mazatlan, Mexico (1961)

  • This city has one of Mexico's most active seaports dating back to the 1600's. A thriving, tourist friendly beach resort is just a two hour flight from Santa Monica.
  • Mazatlan also boasts that country's largest shrimp fleet. The old theater, Angela Peralta, has been restored and contributes to the redevelopment of the old section of the city. There are many indoor and outdoor performances there and fine arts (Bellas Artes) schools teach music, folklorico as well as baller, vocals and painting to many young people as well as evening classes to any of the citizens who choose to attend.
  • The city of over 500,000 swells during its famous pre Lenten Carnival. Mazatlan and Santa Monica residents have established many close friendships from these two sea-side cities.

Hamm, Germany (1969)

  • Our next affiliate in 1969. The city has a history of almost 775 years and now has a population of 180,000 warm, friendly inhabitants HAMM is known for its mining, steel and chemical industries. ​
  • What was previously a coal mining area has been transformed into a large park with a huge glass elephant as a central theme,a tribute to artistic
  • ingenuity and creativity. The "elephant" now houses art and cultural exhibits. Their "Kurhaus" is the site of the internationally known clinic of Physiotherapy for rheumatism and spinal disease.
  • Hamm's population increases during the "Shutzenfest" celebration and the friend-ships we have made encourage many social visits as well as an active student exchange program.

Fujinomiya, Japan (1975)

  • Fujinomiya, Japan is located about 75 miles southwest of Tokyo and is in a large forest with mountain spring water creating beautiful falls. Over half of this area is designated as Fuji Hakone-Izu Park.
  • Over half of this area is designated as Fuji Hakone-Izu Park.Its 123,000 residents enjoy camping, hiking and fishing. Their trout hatchery is famous for the development and utilization of all parts of the trout.
  • Besides Mt. Fuji, there are many places to enjoy such as the Art Museum, the five story Pagoda at Taiseki-ji and the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Shrine. Many visits and student exchanges have been successfully developed.

Kizugawa, Japan (1999) - Friendship City

Since 1999, the former Kizu town and now Kizugawa city has sent almost 150 junior-high school students to Santa Monica to experience American culture. The aim of this program is to give the next generation of Kizugawa’s children an opportunity to contribute towards a more international society and also to deepen the friendship between the cities of Santa Monica and Kizugawa.

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