Guidebook for Santa Monica
Food Scene
This greasy spoon restaurant is just right when you're in the mood for burgers or breakfast burritos and you want better than McDonalds. Plus it's only about 2 blocks away.
12 locals recommend
George's Burgers
3101 Lincoln BlvdThis greasy spoon restaurant is just right when you're in the mood for burgers or breakfast burritos and you want better than McDonalds. Plus it's only about 2 blocks away.
I've always loved good rotisserie chicken and theirs is the second best on the Westside (second to Zankou). Their side dishes are even better though. Great for a fast and healthy lunch/dinner.
90 locals recommend
California Chicken Cafe
424 Lincoln BlvdI've always loved good rotisserie chicken and theirs is the second best on the Westside (second to Zankou). Their side dishes are even better though. Great for a fast and healthy lunch/dinner.
The pros: This place is the only real soul food place I can recommend. Even their cole slaw is good and I hate cole slaw.
The cons: They're not a well kept secret, so there's usually a small crowd.
154 locals recommend
Baby Blues BBQ - Venice
444 Lincoln BlvdThe pros: This place is the only real soul food place I can recommend. Even their cole slaw is good and I hate cole slaw.
The cons: They're not a well kept secret, so there's usually a small crowd.
Don't go here for atmosphere, because there is none. But I eat for flavor and when I'm in the mood for Thai, this place has the best.
13 locals recommend
Poom Thai Cuisine
2204 Lincoln BlvdDon't go here for atmosphere, because there is none. But I eat for flavor and when I'm in the mood for Thai, this place has the best.
This place serves the best meatloaf I've ever had, or even imagined. They might have other good food, but I've never bothered to try :)
89 locals recommend
Thyme Cafe and Market
1630 Ocean Park BlvdThis place serves the best meatloaf I've ever had, or even imagined. They might have other good food, but I've never bothered to try :)
They're a little expensive and a little posh, but they do have excellent coffee and great atmosphere. Get a quick taste of the Santa Monica vibe by going here and people watching.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StThey're a little expensive and a little posh, but they do have excellent coffee and great atmosphere. Get a quick taste of the Santa Monica vibe by going here and people watching.
Good sandwiches at one of the few real deli's nearby. And even better, one of the lesser known deli's.
Buds Deli
2727 Ocean Park BlvdGood sandwiches at one of the few real deli's nearby. And even better, one of the lesser known deli's.
I have a weakness for Middle Eastern food. This place makes it well and has a clean modern atmosphere too.
10 locals recommend
Taste of Tehran Restaurant
1915 Westwood BlvdI have a weakness for Middle Eastern food. This place makes it well and has a clean modern atmosphere too.
This is the best rotisserie chicken place within 20 miles. They also have some other good dishes too, although their kabobs are not that great.
121 locals recommend
Zankou Chicken
5065 Sunset BlvdThis is the best rotisserie chicken place within 20 miles. They also have some other good dishes too, although their kabobs are not that great.
This is similar to Chipotle, but with a bit more creative menu, better atmosphere, and a brownie that's so big and rich it will put you in a coma. Try to microwave for 10 seconds and then pass out.
17 locals recommend
Freebirds World Burrito
5001 183AThis is similar to Chipotle, but with a bit more creative menu, better atmosphere, and a brownie that's so big and rich it will put you in a coma. Try to microwave for 10 seconds and then pass out.
For you froyo fans...and there's about 5 or 7 restaurants right next door.
7 locals recommend
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
2901 Ocean Park BlvdFor you froyo fans...and there's about 5 or 7 restaurants right next door.
Bubble Boba
2829 Ocean Park BlvdFor you boba fans...and there's about 5 or 7 restaurants right next door.
Jersey Mike's Subs
530 N Sepulveda BlvdMy personal favorite sandwich place. So what if it's a chain!
Expensive and mouthwatering burgers. Bring a book because they take a while to make it.
26 locals recommend
Shaka Shack Burgers
1701 Ocean Park BlvdExpensive and mouthwatering burgers. Bring a book because they take a while to make it.
Incredible if you like Carribean food. Some of it is a bit spicy, but not too bad. It has really unique flavors. Parking is tough to find around here sometimes.
83 locals recommend
Cha Cha Chicken
1906 Ocean AveIncredible if you like Carribean food. Some of it is a bit spicy, but not too bad. It has really unique flavors. Parking is tough to find around here sometimes.
If you're anti-Starbucks, here's the next best multi-national coffee conglomerate.
84 locals recommend
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
829 Wilshire BlvdIf you're anti-Starbucks, here's the next best multi-national coffee conglomerate.
3020 Lincoln Blvd
Nearest coffee with a drive-thru
James' Beach
60 N Venice BlvdOne of the most popular Venice restaurants for dinner.
One of my guests said it's the best steakhouse they've ever been to! Quite the recommendation!
56 locals recommend
BOA Steakhouse Santa Monica
101 Santa Monica BlvdOne of my guests said it's the best steakhouse they've ever been to! Quite the recommendation!
Pretty good Italian food and one of the nearest fine dining restaurants to the rental
46 locals recommend
Centanni Trattoria
1700 Lincoln BoulevardPretty good Italian food and one of the nearest fine dining restaurants to the rental
Essentials
One of the better farmers markets on the Westside. Open Sunday 9am to 2pm.
122 locals recommend
Mar Vista Farmers' Market
12198 Venice Blvd.One of the better farmers markets on the Westside. Open Sunday 9am to 2pm.
Sunday 9:30am to 1pm. I've been wanting to go here for months and never got around to it, which is strange because it's only a few blocks away.
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StSunday 9:30am to 1pm. I've been wanting to go here for months and never got around to it, which is strange because it's only a few blocks away.
201 Arizona Ave
201 Arizona AvenueThis is the biggest farmers market, open 8:30am-1:30pm.
The Mecca of all supermarkets. They're a tad pricier, with a good selection of healthy, organic, vegetarian, and pre-made foods.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdThe Mecca of all supermarkets. They're a tad pricier, with a good selection of healthy, organic, vegetarian, and pre-made foods.
Albertsons
Nearest grocery store, less than one block from the rentals
Sightseeing
One of the must see destinations in Santa Monica. Right in the heart of downtown with games, junk food, prizes, beach, and big crowds. Worth visiting at least once.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierOne of the must see destinations in Santa Monica. Right in the heart of downtown with games, junk food, prizes, beach, and big crowds. Worth visiting at least once.
In the top three most iconic sightseeing of Venice. Great for an easy or romantic walk and to see interesting architecture.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
In the top three most iconic sightseeing of Venice. Great for an easy or romantic walk and to see interesting architecture.
Street art, shopping, people watching, and street performers. This is where people go to watch and be watched, hot beach bodies, and freaks of every variety.
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkStreet art, shopping, people watching, and street performers. This is where people go to watch and be watched, hot beach bodies, and freaks of every variety.
Drinks & Nightlife
2640 Main St
2640 Main StreetApparently it's the shit, for a Santa Monica dive bar
The upscale bar just above The Basement, a divey bar. Both are very popular for the 20 something bar hoppers.
96 locals recommend
The Victorian
2640 Main StThe upscale bar just above The Basement, a divey bar. Both are very popular for the 20 something bar hoppers.
Probably the most popular and crowded bar in Santa Monica. Has a nice warm lounge atmosphere
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdProbably the most popular and crowded bar in Santa Monica. Has a nice warm lounge atmosphere
Shopping
This is the major mall with some major shopping, right next to the Promenade, with even more major shopping.
178 locals recommend
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceThis is the major mall with some major shopping, right next to the Promenade, with even more major shopping.
Must see highlight of Santa Monica for adults and kids, shopping, food, street performers, etc.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeMust see highlight of Santa Monica for adults and kids, shopping, food, street performers, etc.
This 8 or 10 block stretch of road between Venice Blvd and Pacific Ave is pretty iconic, seen in many movies and known for window shopping, people watching, cafes, and a few restaurants.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardThis 8 or 10 block stretch of road between Venice Blvd and Pacific Ave is pretty iconic, seen in many movies and known for window shopping, people watching, cafes, and a few restaurants.
Everything Else
Shopping, cafes, restaurants. There's a nice assortment of what Santa Monica has to offer but without the crowds of Third Street Promenade.
105 locals recommend
Main Street Santa Monica
Main StreetShopping, cafes, restaurants. There's a nice assortment of what Santa Monica has to offer but without the crowds of Third Street Promenade.
Great for running or biking, this stretches from Pacific Palisades, through Santa Monica, past the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and down to Marina Del Rey.
6 locals recommend
Santa Monica Bike Path
Great for running or biking, this stretches from Pacific Palisades, through Santa Monica, past the Venice Beach Boardwalk, and down to Marina Del Rey.
Entertainment & Activities
The only free beach house that I've heard of. Lounge chairs and tables right on the sand.
152 locals recommend
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast HwyThe only free beach house that I've heard of. Lounge chairs and tables right on the sand.