Created in partnership with:
- Buy Local
- City of Santa Monica
- Downtown Santa Monica
- Main Street Business Improvement Association
- Montana Avenue Merchants Association
- Pico Improvement Organization
- Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Monica Daily Press
- Santa Monica Travel + Tourism
ELIGIBILITY AND VOTING PROCESS
Voting Period February 9, 2026, 6:00 AM PST – March 13, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
How to Vote
- Visit smdp.com/vote
- Register with a valid email address
- Verify your email through the confirmation link
- Vote in at least 5 categories to submit your ballot
Voting Rules
- One vote per category, per verified email address
- Vote in as many categories as you like (minimum 5 required)
- You may update your selections anytime during the voting period—only your most recent vote in each category will count
Winner Selection
- The top three vote-getters in each category will be named winners
- The business with the most votes earns first place
- Businesses may win in up to two categories
Winner Recognition Winners will be announced at the Most Loved Contest Celebration in May 2026 and earn official bragging rights as "Santa Monica's Most Loved Business." Recognition includes:
- Feature in the Annual Most Loved Businesses Magazine
- Recognition on smdp.com and in the Santa Monica Daily Press email newsletter
- Recognition in the Santa Monica Daily Press podcast
Promotional Rights Participating businesses may promote their participation via email, social media, print, audio/video, and other reasonable advertising. Advertising opportunities in Contest publications are available for purchase but not required.
General Conditions
- No purchase necessary to participate or win
- Void where prohibited by law
- Sponsors reserve the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the Contest if fraud, technical failures, or other factors impair its integrity
- By participating, entrants agree to these Official Rules; Sponsors' decisions are final
- Winners may be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability Release, and Publicity Release
SPONSOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Santa Monica Daily Press
2219 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 458-7737
Email: dina@smdp.com
All rights reserved. ©2026 Santa Monica Daily Press and partnering organizations
The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Contest sponsors reserve the right to interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims, or ambiguities concerning the rules or the Contest.