Santa Monica


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Santa Monica [1] is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast, anchoring the West Side of Los Angeles County in Southern California.

Contents

[edit] Understand

Santa Monica was originally developed as a seaside retreat at the turn of the last century. The railroad owners built the first version of the amusement park on Santa Monica pier as an attraction to fill empty train seats on weekends. Santa Monica grew into an urban, eclectic, and prosperous beach city whose real estate values are amongst the most pricey in the world. Santa Monica is a very desirable city whose people are drawn to its accessibility and its progressiveness as a community. Today, Santa Monica is a mixture of very affluent, single-family neighborhoods, renters drawn by the high quality of life, lifelong surfers, young professionals and students.

Tourists visiting the Los Angeles region will find Santa Monica one of the best situated locations to base their trip. There are plenty of hotel, restaurant and entertainment options, as well as close accessibility to major sights like Venice Beach, Malibu and Beverly Hills. Visitors will also note the beach cities' moderate climate; during the summer and fall, as the mercury soars to 100 in the San Fernando Valley and 90 downtown, Santa Monica usually remains at a very comfortable 75 degrees.

[edit] Get in

Santa Monica is located at the western terminus of the 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway, about 20 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and 7 miles north of Los Angeles International Airport. The city is roughly bounded by Centinela Blvd to the east, Ocean Park Blvd to the south, San Vicente Blvd to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

The tourist center of Santa Monica is the downtown area located near the famous Santa Monica Pier, which was once the western end of historic Route 66. By car, take the 10 Freeway to the 4th/5th Street exit, then head left toward the ocean. From the north, turn left off the Pacific Coast Highway (California 1) at the California Incline, which deposits you just a few blocks north of the pier.

Santa Monica is accessible by bus from throughout the Los Angeles region.

Santa Monica Airport (ICAO: KSMO) is popular for general aviation and business jet travellers. Air taxi and air charter companies such as New Flight Charters [2]and Great Circle Aviation [3] fly a variety of private charter aircraft and jets, from charter luxury Gulfstreams down to economical piston twins for small groups and individuals.

[edit] Get around

Many of Santa Monica's tourist destinations are within easy walking distance of each other. The city Big Blue Bus system operates a number of lines that link not only places within the city, but also neighboring Brentwood, Westwood and Venice Beach, making Santa Monica one of the relatively few places in Los Angeles where one needn't drive to get around. Traffic is very heavy in the downtown area, and during rush hour the city's main arterial streets (Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica Blvd, Lincoln Blvd) are choked with cars.

[edit] See

Throughout Santa Monica there are numerous pieces of public art to discover. From large murals to huge sculptures, there are almost 40 of these to check out.

  • <see name="Bergamot Station Arts Center" address="2525 Michigan Ave." phone="+1 310-453-7535" email="" fax="" hours="M 9AM-4PM, Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM (Individual galleries may have different hours)" price="Free" url="">Over 30 art galleries, including the Santa Monica Museum of Art.</see>

[edit] Do

  • Montana Avenue is a local street with lots of small stores and restaurants. This is where the local rich folks hang out, so you'll see lots of rich folks shopping and going to Yoga. If you want to get an idea of what beach life is like for the rich folks check it out.
  • Main Street while most folks go to the Third Street Promenade when they come to Santa Monica, the locals hang out on Main Street and Montana Avenue. Main Street is a little more poor and pubs than the ritzy Montana Avenue.
  • Santa Monica Pier [4] is a bustling boardwalk whose huge Ferris Wheel is the city's icon. The long pier has an old-fashioned amusement park, with reasonable by-the-ride pricing, including a small roller coaster. The Pier has restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and some street performers. At almost all hours you'll find at least a few people fishing as well. The Santa Monica Pier has terrific coastline views of Malibu and the Southbay. The Pier is within easy walking distance to the Promenade.
  • Santa Monica Beach is a large, wide, beautiful beach on either side of the pier. Perry's rents bikes and roller blades or bring your own for use on the world famous *strand* that links all of the Westside beach cities. For some of the best people watching in the world, follow the strand south a couple of miles to Venice Beach. Hire a bike or skates and travel along the cycle path (there are a number of shops to hire from around and on the pier).
  • Third Street Promenade is a very successful Urban mall project: a vibrant, outdoor street full of restaurants, "better" street performers and musicians, movie theaters, shopping, bookstores, and bars. Only three blocks from the beach, the Promenade is one of L.A.'s most popular places to "hang out" for people of all ages.
  • Bergamot Station is a city-owned art gallery compound which includes the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

[edit] Buy

Santa Monica like the rest of the LA area is very cosmopolitan and attracts a lot of tourist shopping dollars, they are primarily spent in the two main shopping areas:

  • Montana Avenue [5] Located on Montana between 7 and 17th streets, this area is relatively free of major national chains but is full of quaint but expensive local boutiques and cafes.
  • Third Street Promenade is a completely pedestrianized street that is the region's most popular shopping destination. Though chain stores have pushed out independent ones, it is the vibrant street life that distinguishes Third Street from the rest.

[edit] Eat

Very diverse food selection, from high end cuisine to burgers and tacos.

[edit] Budget

  • Pradeep's, 1405 Montana Ave, (310) 395-6675. Offers Indian Cuisine with a California consciousness. Emphasis is on healthy, so sauces are lighter, but flavor is still great.
  • Snug Harbor, 2323 Wilshire Blvd, (310) 828-2991. A great breakfast place! A small "hole in the wall" with a relaxed atmosphere and competent service, you'll find many locals trying to wake up on Saturdays and Sundays. Offering up traditional bacon and eggs with a twist the food is fresh and good. Meat lovers should try Uncle Zeke's scramble.

[edit] Mid-Range

  • Blue Plate,1415 Montana Ave, (310) 260-8877. Blue Plate is a small, cozy little place where it is always full of life. It has many customers and has great food to satisfy everybody, especially the kids. Blue Plate is right on Montana Avenue were there are many shops to the left, right and across the street from it; so after your meal, just walk around and SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP!
  • Fathers Office, 1018 Montana Ave. (310) 323 BEER (2337), [6]. Best Burgers in Santa Monica in this tiny and wildly popular pub. Some days you'll have to wait a while to get in, and you can't change any of the items on the burger--it's their way or the highway.
  • El Cholo, 11th and Wilshire. A Los Angeles institution and this Santa Monica branch offers great margaritas and wonderful traditional Mexican food. The green corn tamales, available from May to October each year, are a specialty.
  • The Hump, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S., Third Fl., +1 310-313-0977. With a fireplace and warm colors highlighting a cozy interior, The Hump resembles a stylish cabin somewhere in Aspen. Alas, this sushi/Japanese restaurant overlooks the tiny Santa Monica Airport and serves arguably the finest sushi in town. The Asian-inspired bar/restaurant Typhoon is located just downstairs.
  • Typhoon, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S. (Santa Monica Airport) (310) 390-6565. Best known for its exotic fried insects, this pan-asian restaurant also serves dim sum and sushi, Malasian and Thai, in a unique setting with a view of the runway. Upstairs is The Hump, a less exotic (but still good!) sushi bar.

[edit] Splurge

  • The Lobster, (Colorado Blvd & the Santa Monica Pier), (310) 458-9294, [7]. One of the few restaurants in Santa Monica that actually has a view of the Pacific Ocean. Located at the Eastern end of the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster provides good seafood dishes, great cocktails and a little bit of a scene. While a little noisy and on the expensive side ($120+ for two with alcohol), the food, fun and view can make it worthwhile.
  • Michael's, [8]. Along with Chez Panisse in Berkeley, lead the nouvelle cuisine movement. Using fresh vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, locally caught fish and excellent meats every dish is sublime. While not cheap, a meal at Michael's does not disappoint.

[edit] Drink

Unfortunately since LA and specifically the west side of LA is famous the world over for its night life going out and drinking in Santa Monica is expensive, normal prices for a domestic beer are $5 and martini's frequently range over $15. To that end the bars listed below are sorted by type and not price:

[edit] Local Bar/no dress code

  • Father's Office, 1018 Montana Ave. (near 10th & Montana), [9]. Offers beers from over 20 different micro-breweries, a nice wine selection, but alas no full bar. The other downside is that its a small space and very popular so long lines quickly spring up.
  • Britannia Pub, 318 Santa Monica Boulevard, near 3rd Street Promenade. Small but very friendly Brit style pub, popular with locals and budget travelers. Good and cheap snacks and meals.

[edit] Trendy Bar/dress code

  • Etoile, 1111 2nd St. (top floor of the Huntley Hotel), (310) 393-8080. Located in a newly remodeled space on the top floor of the Huntly Hotel, decent selection of margaritas and martini's, good view of the beach.

[edit] Night Club

  • Circle Bar- Located on Main st at 2926, this is a deep dark space that as you would imagine has a circular bar, popular with the twenty-something I drink to much crowd.
  • Mor Bar [10] located just a few doors down on the other side of Main st Mor bar is a larger space than circle bar and is a popular dance spot.

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • <sleep name="Bayside Hotel" address="2001 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 396-6000 or 1-800-525-4447" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="$75-140" url="http://www.baysidehotel.com"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Ocean Park Inn" address="2452 Lincoln Blvd." phone="(310) 392-3966 or 1-800-605-5005" email="" fax="(310) 399-0502" checkin="" checkout="" price="$70-85" url="http://www.oceanparkinn-sm.com"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Holiday Inn Express West LA" address="11250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

phone="+1-800-843-6551" email="Reservations@dknhotels.com" fax="+1-310-478-1400" url="http://www.HieWestLA.com"></sleep>

  • <sleep name="Pacific Sands Motel" address="1515 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 395-6133" email="" fax="(310) 395-7206" checkin="" checkout="" price="$55-125" url=""></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Palm Motel" address="2020 14th St." phone="(310) 452-3861" email="" fax="(310) 450-8635" checkin="" checkout="" price="$65-95" url="http://www.palmmotel.homestead.com"></sleep>

[edit] Mid-range

  • <sleep name="Best Western Gateway Hotel" address="1920 Santa Monica Blvd." phone="(310) 829-9100" email="" fax="(310) 829-9211" checkin="" checkout="" price="$90-160" url="http://www.gatewayhotel.com"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Best Western Ocean View Hotel" address="1447 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 458-4888 or 1-800-452-4888" email="" fax="(310) 458-0848" checkin="" checkout="" price="$100-250" url="http://www.bestwestern.com/oceanviewhotel"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Holiday Inn" address="120 Colorado Ave." phone="(310) 451-0676 or 1-800-947-9175" email="" fax="(310) 393-7145" checkin="" checkout="" price="$180-280" url="http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/smoca?_requestid=173070"></sleep>

[edit] Splurge

  • <sleep name="Ambrose Hotel" address="1255 20th St." phone="(310) 315-1555" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="$175+" url="http://www.ambrosehotel.com">While 20 blocks from the beach, the Ambrose Hotel offers great style and comfort for less than the large beach-front hotels. Very convenient if visiting someone at St. John's Santa Monica Hospital.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Casa del Mar" address="1910 Ocean Way" phone="(310) 395-5555 or 1-800-334-9000" email="" fax="(310) 451-1111" checkin="" checkout="" price="$100-200" url="http://www.calmarhotel.com">One of the only hotels in Santa Monica that is directly on the Beach and has prices that reflect this rare amenity. Share pools, spas, etc. with Shutters.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="The Fairmont" address="101 Wilshire Blvd." phone="(310) 576-7777 or 1-800-866-5577" email="" fax="(310) 458-7912" checkin="" checkout="" price="$290-730" url="http://www.fairmont.com">A great hotel, but it only has ocean views.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Le Merigot (Marriott)" address="1740 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 395-9700 or 1-877-637-446" email="" fax="(310) 395-9200" checkin="" checkout="" price="$300-1200" url="http://www.lemerigothotel.com"></sleep>
  • <sleep name="Viceroy Hotel" address="1819 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 260-7500 or 1-800-670-6185" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="$300+" url="http://www.viceroysantamonica.com">The Viceroy Hotel is perfect for travellers who are seeking an ultra-hip experience and don't have any budget restrictions. One block from the beach, and few blocks south of the main part of downtown Santa Monica, the Viceroy still is able to command $300+ per night because of its status as "One of the 50 hottest hotels in the world".</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Georgian Hotel" address="1415 Ocean Aven." phone="(310) 395-9945 or 1-800-538-8147" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="$200-400" url="http://www.georgianhotel.com">The Georgian Hotel is an Art Deco classic that dates back to the 1920s. Located right on Ocean Avenue and in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, it is in the thick of the action. Rooms are smaller and prices are not cheap, but it is a great place to stay.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Shangri-la Hotel" address="1301 Ocean Ave." phone="(310) 394-2791" email="" fax="" checkin="" checkout="" price="" url="">The Shangri-la Hotel has huge rooms, ocean views, and free parking for guests.</sleep>
  • <sleep name="Shutters" address="One Pico Blvd." phone="(310) 458-0030 or 1-800-334-9000" email="" fax="(310) 899-1652" checkin="" checkout="" price="$450+" url="http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com">One of the only hotels in Santa Monica that is directly on the beach. Share pools, spas, etc. with Casa del Mar.</sleep>

[edit] Get out

  • Malibu. Located just a few miles to the northwest and accessible via the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Malibu is a beach town that is home to many entertainment stars and offers great beaches, surfing and restaurants for visitors.
  • Pacific Palisades. A neighboring town that is home to multi-million dollar homes set amongst the hills overlooking the ocean, as well as the J. Paul Getty Villa which features classical sculpture.
  • Culver City. A neighboring city and the home of Sony Studios that in recent years has been undergoing a rebirth and now has an increasing number of food, shopping and entertainment options.
  • Venice. The neighboring beach town offers miles of sand, an eclectic nightlife, and the infamous Muscle Beach.
  • Marina del Rey. The "marina of the king" is home to a vast number of restaurants, hotels, and the largest man-made pleasure craft harbor in th world; not as touristy as some of the neighboring beach cities is nonetheless a fun spot to spend an evening.
  • Beverly Hills and its fabled shopping is accessed by driving east on Santa Monica or Wilshire Boulevards.
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