Top 10 Things to Do in Santa Monica
February 27th, 2008 Categories: Santa Monica, Things To Do
In my humble opinion, Santa Monica offers the best of everything if you want to be by the beach. It has the restaurants, shops, parks and casual atmosphere to suit just about everyone. Here’s a quick sampling of some of my favorite things to do in the area:
1. Visit the Santa Monica Pier. Play some games in the arcade. Watch the fisherman (or rent som
e gear and join in). Let your inner child out on the gorgeous carousel. Grab some good ol’ carnival food or run into Rusty’s Surf Ranch for a quick bite.
2. At sunset, enjoy drinks at the cush Casa Del Mar. This is a popular place to go at that time- so get there early…
3. Buy some straight-from-the-farmer produce at one of the Farmer’s Markets throughout Santa Monica. On Wednesday mornings, Santa Monica hosts the largest Farmer’s Market in the country near the Promenade. On Sunday, head to Ocean Park and Main St. for a market that feels more like a small town fair complete with pony rides, local music and mouth-watering brunch foods.
4. Stroll and shop along Montana Ave. in the northern part of town, where you’ll find 10 blocks of casual but luxurious shops, cafes, bistros and bakeries. You can find a specialty shop for nearly everything here.
5. Stroll and shop along Ocean Park’s eclectic and trendy Main St. in the southern part of town near the beach. Grab a bite at one of the many cafes, take a tour of the California Heritage Museum, walk the side streets nearby and view the local architecture of beach bungalows, craftsmans and modern homes.
6. Take a surfing lesson. Yes, the water gets cold in the winter so if you’re there at that time, rent a wetsuit- and some booties if possible. Try to go out in the early morning, you’ll most likely see dolphins and a seal or two if you’re lucky. Check the surf report before you go.
7. Grab some food at a local restaurant. Try Father’s Office for burgers and microbrews (get there early or be prepared for a wait), Border Grill for healthy and creative Mexican, Capo for pricier Italian faire (but worth every cent), sophisticated French cuisine at Melisse (always voted as one of the top LA restaurants), The Lobster for, well, lobster and fantastic seafood right by the Pier. The list could go on.
8. Throw on your workout gear and head to the Santa Monica Stairs. There are 2 sets- the official “stairs” are at 4th and Adelaide and then there’s another wider wooden set about 100 yards down (if you’re at the top of the stairs, it would be to your right). It makes for a nice loop- and it will test every shred of endurance you can muster. Follow those unwritten rules:
9. Stroll along the bluffs next to Ocean Avenue and enjoy the Promenade at Third St. (between Broadway and Wilshire). Take in the sunset at the bluffs, watch the performers along the Promenade- you’ll have a great time.
10. Rent a bike and tour the beach. Or play some volleyball. Or just hang out. It’s the beach, for Pete’s sake. You’ve got options.
Have fun!
