Guidebook for Santa Monica

Sarah
Guidebook for Santa Monica

Food Scene

Trendy, top restaurant. Call ahead for reservation unless it's weekday mornings.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney Blvd
1062 locals recommend
Trendy, top restaurant. Call ahead for reservation unless it's weekday mornings.
Amazing because it's open ALL the time, is upscale but relaxed and has the best brunch ever :)
85 locals recommend
M Street Kitchen
2000 Main St
85 locals recommend
Amazing because it's open ALL the time, is upscale but relaxed and has the best brunch ever :)
A restaurant AND an amazing Scandinavian deli - they serve awesome breakfast, coffees, omelettes, along with the cutest German and Nordic foods and treats!
29 locals recommend
Shoop's Delicatessen
2400 Main St
29 locals recommend
A restaurant AND an amazing Scandinavian deli - they serve awesome breakfast, coffees, omelettes, along with the cutest German and Nordic foods and treats!
Iconic, well-known organic kitchen is famous from Entourage and is a quintessential Santa Monica eatery and cafe. Amazing teas and coffee!
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main St
256 locals recommend
Iconic, well-known organic kitchen is famous from Entourage and is a quintessential Santa Monica eatery and cafe. Amazing teas and coffee!
Awesome and inexpensive casual Indian fare. Their food is great and ranges from traditional naan and samosas to whole buffet of healthy, exotic choices. Very clean, new, and chic!
53 locals recommend
Samosa House
11510 Washington Blvd
53 locals recommend
Awesome and inexpensive casual Indian fare. Their food is great and ranges from traditional naan and samosas to whole buffet of healthy, exotic choices. Very clean, new, and chic!
This is our fav upscale Italian restaurant. It's always packed with the well-to-do locals of Santa Monica. Order a classy glass of wine and enjoy their amazing home-made bread while waiting for their eggplant parmigiana - to die for!
71 locals recommend
La Vecchia Cucina
2654 Main St
71 locals recommend
This is our fav upscale Italian restaurant. It's always packed with the well-to-do locals of Santa Monica. Order a classy glass of wine and enjoy their amazing home-made bread while waiting for their eggplant parmigiana - to die for!
Rose cafe just reopened and it's amazing! We LOVE it. It's got an amazing wine and spirits (full) bar, scrumptious upscale food, a gorgeous formal outdoor dining patio, and a more casual outdoor patio ... it's huge! And it gets great crowds on weekend evenings. It's also full of "Googlers" and other tech scene peeps :)
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose Ave
347 locals recommend
Rose cafe just reopened and it's amazing! We LOVE it. It's got an amazing wine and spirits (full) bar, scrumptious upscale food, a gorgeous formal outdoor dining patio, and a more casual outdoor patio ... it's huge! And it gets great crowds on weekend evenings. It's also full of "Googlers" and other tech scene peeps :)

Drinks & Nightlife

Hip and happening spot for late-night drinks or brunch. Gets busy and bustling!
80 locals recommend
Brick + Mortar
2435 Main St
80 locals recommend
Hip and happening spot for late-night drinks or brunch. Gets busy and bustling!
The Victorian is a GORGEOUS and romantic spot for drinks, eats, and live music.
96 locals recommend
The Victorian
2640 Main St
96 locals recommend
The Victorian is a GORGEOUS and romantic spot for drinks, eats, and live music.
This lovely, chic hotel has an outdoor pool area and cabanas that are positively magical at night! Great drinks and good food! They do have DJs, but it's more of an upscale lounge than a club
35 locals recommend
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Ave
35 locals recommend
This lovely, chic hotel has an outdoor pool area and cabanas that are positively magical at night! Great drinks and good food! They do have DJs, but it's more of an upscale lounge than a club
This upscale, casual venue has gorgeous outdoor seated (heated) with patio lights as well as a full dining room. It's one of our favorite restaurants, even though many come late-nights for the social scene. They have to-die-for brunches and amazing afternoon happy hours. Great woodfired pizzas and brussels sprouts too :)
54 locals recommend
Areal Restaurant
2820 Main Street
54 locals recommend
This upscale, casual venue has gorgeous outdoor seated (heated) with patio lights as well as a full dining room. It's one of our favorite restaurants, even though many come late-nights for the social scene. They have to-die-for brunches and amazing afternoon happy hours. Great woodfired pizzas and brussels sprouts too :)

Sightseeing

Famous Santa Monica Pier has restaurants and the Pacific Park them park! Must-see
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier
2744 locals recommend
Famous Santa Monica Pier has restaurants and the Pacific Park them park! Must-see

Shopping

Named by GQ Magazine as the "trendiest block in America" it's a must-see - you'll enjoy tons of shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
1065 locals recommend
Named by GQ Magazine as the "trendiest block in America" it's a must-see - you'll enjoy tons of shops, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants

Parks & Nature

This park behind the house is adorable - filled with families, dog lovers, and the occasional friendly transient, this park is perfect for picnics or just getting out.
13 locals recommend
Mary Hotchkiss Park
3rd Street
13 locals recommend
This park behind the house is adorable - filled with families, dog lovers, and the occasional friendly transient, this park is perfect for picnics or just getting out.
It's only 3 blocks away! This beach, running trail, biking trail and beach cafe is about the best on earth! Rent a bike, grab an ice cream or just stroll - everything you need for your vacation.
315 locals recommend
Santa Monica Beach
315 locals recommend
It's only 3 blocks away! This beach, running trail, biking trail and beach cafe is about the best on earth! Rent a bike, grab an ice cream or just stroll - everything you need for your vacation.

Entertainment & Activities

Try your luck at the swinging rings - an iconic athletic park, inspired by the olympic athletes of the 1920's who trained on bars, balance beams, and rings ... You'll find a handful of tourists but also a number of locals who are skilled athletes and gymnasts (HINT: you'll often see tryouts for America Ninja Warrior here!)
7 locals recommend
Traveling Rings Set 1
7 locals recommend
Try your luck at the swinging rings - an iconic athletic park, inspired by the olympic athletes of the 1920's who trained on bars, balance beams, and rings ... You'll find a handful of tourists but also a number of locals who are skilled athletes and gymnasts (HINT: you'll often see tryouts for America Ninja Warrior here!)