Guidebook for Santa Monica
Everything Else
Hot 8 Yoga
1422 2nd StGreat workout! Highly recommended!!
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont AveAmazing music venue!
Food Scene
If you enjoy pate, this restaurant has a great country style chicken liver parfait (sorry if you're a vegetarian!). Great cheese bar!!
http://www.figsantamonica.com/
115 locals recommend
SUGARFISH
1345 2nd StIf you enjoy pate, this restaurant has a great country style chicken liver parfait (sorry if you're a vegetarian!). Great cheese bar!!
http://www.figsantamonica.com/
Great spot for dinner! Seating is community style. Go early, or late, or be prepared to wait;)
http://www.miloandolive.com/
130 locals recommend
Milo & Olive
2723 Wilshire BlvdGreat spot for dinner! Seating is community style. Go early, or late, or be prepared to wait;)
http://www.miloandolive.com/
Bru's Wiffle
2408 Wilshire BlvdChicken & Waffles!! Amazing!! http://bruswiffle.com/
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica Blvd3 blocks from our house
Great vegetarian fare!! Casual atmosphere.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/veggie-grill-santa-monica#query:veggie%20grill
213 locals recommend
Veggie Grill
8000 Sunset BlvdGreat vegetarian fare!! Casual atmosphere.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/veggie-grill-santa-monica#query:veggie%20grill
This is a nice upscale place to grab a drink, or have dinner. Their focus is local, organic & seasonal - they also have a lovely back patio!
22 locals recommend
Wilshire Restaurant
2454 Wilshire BlvdThis is a nice upscale place to grab a drink, or have dinner. Their focus is local, organic & seasonal - they also have a lovely back patio!
Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica BoulevardAmerican (New) food with a focus on wood-fired cooking - delicious!!
Snug Harbor
2323 Wilshire BlvdGreat for breakfast, although it can be a bit pricey.
If you like oysters and clams this is the place for you! Check out their website - http://www.thejollyoyster.com/. Great way to spend an afternoon by the beach!!
15 locals recommend
The Jolly Oyster Ventura
911 San Pedro StIf you like oysters and clams this is the place for you! Check out their website - http://www.thejollyoyster.com/. Great way to spend an afternoon by the beach!!
P'tit Soleil
A great French Canadian restaurant that serves poutine!!
This is a great stop on your drive up/down the coast. I highly recommend getting an ocean view table and ordering the shrimp tacos and ceviche!
88 locals recommend
Gladstones Restaurant
17300 CA-1This is a great stop on your drive up/down the coast. I highly recommend getting an ocean view table and ordering the shrimp tacos and ceviche!
800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen Westwood
10889 Lindbrook DriveGreat pizza!!
The Veranda Restaurant, located on-site at historic The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. The beachfront locale sets the scene for a truly unique dining experience.
The Georgian Hotel
1415 Ocean AveThe Veranda Restaurant, located on-site at historic The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica. The beachfront locale sets the scene for a truly unique dining experience.
Sightseeing
Awesome way of getting some exercise, and enjoying the beach at the same time!
6 locals recommend
Santa Monica Bike Path
Awesome way of getting some exercise, and enjoying the beach at the same time!
This park has a great set of wide, nicely marked trails. Park staff and docents offer tours of Will Roger's Ranch House - check the website for more info.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=626
204 locals recommend
Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park RdThis park has a great set of wide, nicely marked trails. Park staff and docents offer tours of Will Roger's Ranch House - check the website for more info.
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=626
Charmlee Wilderness Park
2577 Encinal Canyon RdBeautiful spot to go for a hike!
The Getty Villa in Malibu is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyThe Getty Villa in Malibu is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
This museum presents the Getty's collection of European and American art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrThis museum presents the Getty's collection of European and American art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.
Venice Beach Boardwalk is fun, sad, amusing, slightly terrifying, stinky, and awesome all at the same time.
57 locals recommend
Venice Boardwalk Bike Rental
517 Ocean Front WalkVenice Beach Boardwalk is fun, sad, amusing, slightly terrifying, stinky, and awesome all at the same time.
Venice Skate Park
1800 Ocean Front WalkWorth checking out if you're in the area.
Drinks & Nightlife
On Tuesday from 5 - 9 food trucks set up shop. The Victorian lets you sit at their tables - no hassle. There's also a great Farmers Market in the same parking lot on Sunday mornings.
96 locals recommend
The Victorian
2640 Main StOn Tuesday from 5 - 9 food trucks set up shop. The Victorian lets you sit at their tables - no hassle. There's also a great Farmers Market in the same parking lot on Sunday mornings.
Fun spot to grab a drink. Great happy hour!
http://www.themisfitbar.com/
199 locals recommend
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdFun spot to grab a drink. Great happy hour!
http://www.themisfitbar.com/
Laid back "beach chic" bar. Great ambiance. Pricey. Get there before 9:00 pm if you don't want to wait in line.
21 locals recommend
Fairmont Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows
101 Wilshire BlvdLaid back "beach chic" bar. Great ambiance. Pricey. Get there before 9:00 pm if you don't want to wait in line.
I would recommend this spot for before/after dinner socializing - I've heard the food isn't that great. The view however is spectacular!
786 locals recommend
Perch
448 S Hill StI would recommend this spot for before/after dinner socializing - I've heard the food isn't that great. The view however is spectacular!
Great outdoor lounge area. I've never seen this place packed which is a nice contrast to the Bungalows.
35 locals recommend
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean AveGreat outdoor lounge area. I've never seen this place packed which is a nice contrast to the Bungalows.
This restaurant/bar turns into quite the scene at night. It's a great spot to watch the sunset. Food is available.
95 locals recommend
The Penthouse
1111 2nd StThis restaurant/bar turns into quite the scene at night. It's a great spot to watch the sunset. Food is available.
Great place to watch the sunset. Art deco decor. Bring a jacket or a sweater and think about sitting outside :)
18 locals recommend
ONYX Rooftop Bar
1301 Ocean AveGreat place to watch the sunset. Art deco decor. Bring a jacket or a sweater and think about sitting outside :)
This place has a great view of Los Angeles - it's one of the only times I've found the 'sprawl' attractive. Go early and avoid waiting in line, best to enter through the hotel. Definitely chic.
152 locals recommend
Skybar
8440 Sunset BlvdThis place has a great view of Los Angeles - it's one of the only times I've found the 'sprawl' attractive. Go early and avoid waiting in line, best to enter through the hotel. Definitely chic.
Harvelle's Blues Club
1432 4th StThis is a great blues club that features live music!
Awesome happy hour deals and a nice selection of cocktails that will please anyone.
26 locals recommend
Copa d'Oro
217 BroadwayAwesome happy hour deals and a nice selection of cocktails that will please anyone.
Elegant, interior design has vintage charm with Victorian flair, antiqued mirrors, polished wood, marble bar, damask wallpaper, cute victorian style seats as well as modern. Great cocktails.
25 locals recommend
Bar Chloe
1449 2nd StElegant, interior design has vintage charm with Victorian flair, antiqued mirrors, polished wood, marble bar, damask wallpaper, cute victorian style seats as well as modern. Great cocktails.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StFun & lively pizza bar!!
The restaurant/ bar is well designed, lively, and filled with good looking people. American (new) food.
80 locals recommend
Brick + Mortar
2435 Main StThe restaurant/ bar is well designed, lively, and filled with good looking people. American (new) food.
Entertainment & Activities
Amazing park! Great tennis courts and play structure!! Check out the yelp reviews - http://www.yelp.com/biz/douglas-park-santa-monica
32 locals recommend
Douglas Park
2439 Wilshire BlvdAmazing park! Great tennis courts and play structure!! Check out the yelp reviews - http://www.yelp.com/biz/douglas-park-santa-monica
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdLess than 2 blocks from our home
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveI love Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveI love Trader Joe's!
Vons
17380 Sunset BlvdGood for a traditional grocery store.
Andrew's Cheese Shop
728 Montana AveCheese shop. AMAZING!
Sweet Lady Jane Bakery
1631 Montana AveA delicious bakery. Extremely pricey.
Shopping
Fantastic stretch of unique boutiques, food trucks, galleries, bars & restaurants. If you have some free time and want to walk around, Abbot Kinney is a great spot to go to.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardFantastic stretch of unique boutiques, food trucks, galleries, bars & restaurants. If you have some free time and want to walk around, Abbot Kinney is a great spot to go to.
amazing home made ice cream - so good!! $2.00 for a small scoop before 2:00 PM Mon - Fri
10 locals recommend
Beach City Creamery
1209 Wilshire Blvdamazing home made ice cream - so good!! $2.00 for a small scoop before 2:00 PM Mon - Fri