Guidebook for Santa Monica
Food Scene
Great take away or dine in options, desserts, coffee, sandwiches, wine and beer. Locally owned and supported.
89 locals recommend
Thyme Cafe and Market
1630 Ocean Park BlvdGreat take away or dine in options, desserts, coffee, sandwiches, wine and beer. Locally owned and supported.
Delicious menu for vegans and carnivores a like. Wood burning stove makes excellent flat breads, ingredients are locally sourced. Great wine and cocktail list.
44 locals recommend
Local Kitchen & Wine Bar
1736 Ocean Park BlvdDelicious menu for vegans and carnivores a like. Wood burning stove makes excellent flat breads, ingredients are locally sourced. Great wine and cocktail list.
Great service, great coffee and a large accommodating space. Closed on Sundays, but otherwise a great secret hangout.
16 locals recommend
18th Street Coffee House
1677 BroadwayGreat service, great coffee and a large accommodating space. Closed on Sundays, but otherwise a great secret hangout.
Authentic and affordable mexican food. This is one that only the locals know about. Sshh.
35 locals recommend
Lares
2909 Pico BlvdAuthentic and affordable mexican food. This is one that only the locals know about. Sshh.
The biggest farmers market in Santa Monica. Wednesday's market is often shopped by celebrity chefs, local restauranteurs and the healthy folks of Santa Monica. The farmers market is also open on Saturday mornings.
34 locals recommend
Santa Monica Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market
155-199 Arizona AveThe biggest farmers market in Santa Monica. Wednesday's market is often shopped by celebrity chefs, local restauranteurs and the healthy folks of Santa Monica. The farmers market is also open on Saturday mornings.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Penthouse
1111 2nd StViews and hip cocktails.
Great hole in the wall cheap and cheerful bar with pool tables. The locals hang here.
43 locals recommend
Daily Pint
2310 Pico BlvdGreat hole in the wall cheap and cheerful bar with pool tables. The locals hang here.
Parks & Nature
It is always a scene in Venice Beach. Remains a cultural mash up of tourists, locals, artists, purveyors and surfers.
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkIt is always a scene in Venice Beach. Remains a cultural mash up of tourists, locals, artists, purveyors and surfers.
Saturday morning farmer's market with live music, coffee and an excellent selection of organic produce, breads and eggs.
26 locals recommend
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia AveSaturday morning farmer's market with live music, coffee and an excellent selection of organic produce, breads and eggs.
Needs no further explanation. A variety of trails and beautiful vistas and a short ride from Santa Monica.
Even the car ride is fabulous.
580 locals recommend
Malibu
Needs no further explanation. A variety of trails and beautiful vistas and a short ride from Santa Monica.
Even the car ride is fabulous.
Shopping
High end fashion, home, collectibles and restaurants along Abbott Kinney. The SoHo of the area.
225 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney BLVD Shopping
Navarre CourtHigh end fashion, home, collectibles and restaurants along Abbott Kinney. The SoHo of the area.
Antique and Vintage shopping with several dealers and curiosities. Not as expensive as New York, but not as cheap as a Flea Market. You will find all sorts of interesting finds.
13 locals recommend
The Mart Collective
1600 Lincoln BlvdAntique and Vintage shopping with several dealers and curiosities. Not as expensive as New York, but not as cheap as a Flea Market. You will find all sorts of interesting finds.
Essentials
Smaller, family owned and on weekends has BBQ in the parking lot. They are located across the street from ice cream and it is very walkable and nestled amongst shops. Beer and Wine is for sale too.
76 locals recommend
Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park BlvdSmaller, family owned and on weekends has BBQ in the parking lot. They are located across the street from ice cream and it is very walkable and nestled amongst shops. Beer and Wine is for sale too.
Slightly higher end than Bob's Market, but less pricey than Whole Foods. Great selection of wines, organic food, take away dishes, bakery and flowers.
108 locals recommend
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln BlvdSlightly higher end than Bob's Market, but less pricey than Whole Foods. Great selection of wines, organic food, take away dishes, bakery and flowers.
Everything Else
For fitness, people run the stairs. Not an essential must see, but certainly something the locals do.
57 locals recommend
Santa Monica Stairs
699 Adelaide DrFor fitness, people run the stairs. Not an essential must see, but certainly something the locals do.
Entertainment & Activities
Variety of Yoga classes from Hatha to Vinyasa. Several locations in Santa Monica and Venice and West LA. The Main Street location is surrounded by several coffees shops, cafes and shopping.
73 locals recommend
YogaWorks Main St
2215 Main StVariety of Yoga classes from Hatha to Vinyasa. Several locations in Santa Monica and Venice and West LA. The Main Street location is surrounded by several coffees shops, cafes and shopping.