Scott's Guidebook for Santa Monica
Shopping
Simply...THE BEST FARMERS MARKET IN LOS ANGELES!
People and purveyors come from near and far to peruse and pick from the most succulent produce around. Opens at 8AM and GO EARLY before the best stuff runs out!
34 locals recommend
Santa Monica Wednesday Downtown Farmers Market
155-199 Arizona AveSimply...THE BEST FARMERS MARKET IN LOS ANGELES!
People and purveyors come from near and far to peruse and pick from the most succulent produce around. Opens at 8AM and GO EARLY before the best stuff runs out!
Abbot Kinney was Venice's 1st developer. He was so famous they named a street after him....and a very cool one at that. Lot's of local shops and places to eat. Named the coolest street in America!
225 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney BLVD Shopping
Navarre CourtAbbot Kinney was Venice's 1st developer. He was so famous they named a street after him....and a very cool one at that. Lot's of local shops and places to eat. Named the coolest street in America!
If you miss the Wednesday Farmers Market - don't fret! Every Sunday on Main and Ocean Park is another!
Go early so you can get the most famous Harry's Berries before they sell out (they always do!).
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StIf you miss the Wednesday Farmers Market - don't fret! Every Sunday on Main and Ocean Park is another!
Go early so you can get the most famous Harry's Berries before they sell out (they always do!).
Montana Avenue
Montana AvenueMany eateries & shops dot chic Montana Avenue.
Lots of shopping opportunities and many places to eat. Not to miss!
3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
Lots of shopping opportunities and many places to eat. Not to miss!
At the end of the 3rd Street Promenade - a beautiful outdoor mall with the fancy shops you will recognize. Worth a trip to the open aired top floor, if only for the views and ocean breezes!
Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
At the end of the 3rd Street Promenade - a beautiful outdoor mall with the fancy shops you will recognize. Worth a trip to the open aired top floor, if only for the views and ocean breezes!
Essentials
Eric is the owner. He will pick up and deliver either dry cleaning and/or laundry. He is a lovely local service.
8 locals recommend
Plaza Dry Cleaners
1011 Wilshire BlvdEric is the owner. He will pick up and deliver either dry cleaning and/or laundry. He is a lovely local service.
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdWhole Foods - Grocery & Organic Food
CVS
12015 Wilshire BlvdPharmacy & conveniences
Local family owned store. His wine prices were better than Costco last time I checked! Right around the corner on Wilshire & 10th.
9 locals recommend
Santa Monica Liquor
1001 Wilshire BlvdLocal family owned store. His wine prices were better than Costco last time I checked! Right around the corner on Wilshire & 10th.
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveSanta Monica Urgent Care
524 Colorado AveUnited States Postal Service
1217 Wilshire BlvdPost Office
Providence Saint John's Health Center
Right up the street north of our property on the NE corner of (th & Wilshire Blvd.
Saint John’s Physician Partners Urgent Care
Right up the street north of our property on the NE corner of (th & Wilshire Blvd.
We have a caring and attentive Police Department. Of course, for any emergencies please dial 911.
Santa Monica Police Department
We have a caring and attentive Police Department. Of course, for any emergencies please dial 911.
This fabulous Bus Line goes all over Santa Monica as well as Westwood/UCLA. Check the map - it's a wonderful and easy safe way to get around.
8 locals recommend
Big Blue Bus
1660 7th StThis fabulous Bus Line goes all over Santa Monica as well as Westwood/UCLA. Check the map - it's a wonderful and easy safe way to get around.
Cha Spa
Great for Manicures and Pedicures!
Food Scene
Best and closest breakfast/brunch/lunch! Pretty much around the corner.
141 locals recommend
Huckleberry Cafe
1014 Wilshire BlvdBest and closest breakfast/brunch/lunch! Pretty much around the corner.
Best food in America! Eat on their patio, meet cool people and after you can walk past Gold's Gym and gawk at the muscle men and women!
447 locals recommend
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveBest food in America! Eat on their patio, meet cool people and after you can walk past Gold's Gym and gawk at the muscle men and women!
Around the corner - the largest distributor of seafood in the west. Provider of seafood for all the restaurants here.
53 locals recommend
Santa Monica Seafood Co
1000 Wilshire BlvdAround the corner - the largest distributor of seafood in the west. Provider of seafood for all the restaurants here.
Great Fun & Food on the beach. Sit down and be served or get it to go - this is the best informal food to eat to take to the sand.
39 locals recommend
Back on the Beach Cafe
445 CA-1Great Fun & Food on the beach. Sit down and be served or get it to go - this is the best informal food to eat to take to the sand.
Italian Deli. Famous for their Godmother and hot Parmesan sandwiches. There is usually a wait but you can order online and pick up which is quicker.
141 locals recommend
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln BlvdItalian Deli. Famous for their Godmother and hot Parmesan sandwiches. There is usually a wait but you can order online and pick up which is quicker.
Joe's Pizza
8539 Sunset BlvdThe best NY Style thin crust Pizza in Los Angeles.
One of the original game changing quintessential California restaurants. A Michelin Guide restaurant that is short walk away and an unforgettable memory of a meal!
63 locals recommend
Rustic Canyon
1119 Wilshire BlvdOne of the original game changing quintessential California restaurants. A Michelin Guide restaurant that is short walk away and an unforgettable memory of a meal!
This is by far the BEST breakfast in town. A bit of a longer walk to get to but worth is. It's south of the Pier on Ocean Ave. Your host goes there 2X week - they have the best Huevos Rancheros!
29 locals recommend
Cora's Coffee Shoppe
1802 Ocean AveThis is by far the BEST breakfast in town. A bit of a longer walk to get to but worth is. It's south of the Pier on Ocean Ave. Your host goes there 2X week - they have the best Huevos Rancheros!
Very simply the tastiest Burger and Pizza you will find anywhere. Get the Matt Burger and ANY (Detroit/Sicilian style) Pizza. You will remember it and probably go back 2X during your stay!
Emmy Squared Pizza
Very simply the tastiest Burger and Pizza you will find anywhere. Get the Matt Burger and ANY (Detroit/Sicilian style) Pizza. You will remember it and probably go back 2X during your stay!
The tastiest old school donuts in LA. Randy's is so iconic and famous they just opened a branch in S. Korea. The coffee is also wonderful.
Randy's Donuts
The tastiest old school donuts in LA. Randy's is so iconic and famous they just opened a branch in S. Korea. The coffee is also wonderful.
A short drive but worth it! Both NY AND Neopolitan pizza and the best Chicken Parmigiana in town. Wonderful back patio - you will remember this place.
Ghisallo
A short drive but worth it! Both NY AND Neopolitan pizza and the best Chicken Parmigiana in town. Wonderful back patio - you will remember this place.
A "Hole in the Wall" neighborhood favorite with bragging rights sushi. The chef has a coveted designation on the wall that only sushi aficionados will spot! The Chef is one of the first five that came to Los Angeles to establish Sushi as a mainstream delicacy.
22 locals recommend
Sushi King
1330 Wilshire BlvdA "Hole in the Wall" neighborhood favorite with bragging rights sushi. The chef has a coveted designation on the wall that only sushi aficionados will spot! The Chef is one of the first five that came to Los Angeles to establish Sushi as a mainstream delicacy.
Yup, this is one of LA's oldest and best authentic Mexican restaurants, and it's a few block away. You will enjoy and remember it! Iconic and famous - you will remember it!
46 locals recommend
El Cholo - The Original
1121 S Western AveYup, this is one of LA's oldest and best authentic Mexican restaurants, and it's a few block away. You will enjoy and remember it! Iconic and famous - you will remember it!
They do big volume here, it's up the street on Wilshire and the food is always piping hot and fresh as can be. They are happy to modify to how you like your order and are as nice as a staff can be!
11 locals recommend
Benny's Tacos & Chicken Rotisserie
915 Wilshire BlvdThey do big volume here, it's up the street on Wilshire and the food is always piping hot and fresh as can be. They are happy to modify to how you like your order and are as nice as a staff can be!
Amazing Pasta Bar. It's flown in from Italy, made fresh in front of you. You will likely get 2 portions because it is so delicious. The vegetable sides are also memorable.
17 locals recommend
UOVO
1320 2nd StAmazing Pasta Bar. It's flown in from Italy, made fresh in front of you. You will likely get 2 portions because it is so delicious. The vegetable sides are also memorable.
Amazing unique dining experience. A Michelin Starred Restaurant and a must go once for any foodie who appreciates the best.
Fia Restaurant
Amazing unique dining experience. A Michelin Starred Restaurant and a must go once for any foodie who appreciates the best.
A one of a kind neighborhood place. Amazing food and the nicest staff you will experience!
7 locals recommend
pasjoli
2732 Main StA one of a kind neighborhood place. Amazing food and the nicest staff you will experience!
One of the Rustic Canyon Restaurants. A great comfort food and other favorites menu and worth the drive or Uber ride.
Birdie G's
2421 Michigan AveOne of the Rustic Canyon Restaurants. A great comfort food and other favorites menu and worth the drive or Uber ride.
Rub elbows with someone famous - this attracts all the paparazzi because there are always Hollywood people there to see who want to be seen!
44 locals recommend
Giorgio Baldi
114 W Channel RdRub elbows with someone famous - this attracts all the paparazzi because there are always Hollywood people there to see who want to be seen!
Not in Santa Monica but just past the border with Venice. This outdoor Steak restaurant if fun, full of energy and has just great food. Worth the short trip, you will have great memories of this place.
26 locals recommend
The Window at American Beauty
425 Rose AveNot in Santa Monica but just past the border with Venice. This outdoor Steak restaurant if fun, full of energy and has just great food. Worth the short trip, you will have great memories of this place.
Drinks & Nightlife
Great outdoor scene on the ocean with the appropriate breezes and fun!
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdGreat outdoor scene on the ocean with the appropriate breezes and fun!
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdGreat Food, Great Drink & always fun!
The Huntley Hotel Santa Monica Beach
1111 2nd StGreat Rooftop eats and bar.
Parks & Nature
Closest & most beautiful hiking trail. Parking can be expensive, but you can save $ by parking on the street too!
38 locals recommend
Temescal Gateway Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority
15601 Sunset BlvdClosest & most beautiful hiking trail. Parking can be expensive, but you can save $ by parking on the street too!
It is very quiet here. Even on busy weekends, there is a place on the beach of solitude here.
127 locals recommend
Will Rogers State Beach
17580 CA-1It is very quiet here. Even on busy weekends, there is a place on the beach of solitude here.
You can walk straight down Arizona Avenue, go to the end, down the stairs and your are HERE!
169 locals recommend
Santa Monica State Beach
You can walk straight down Arizona Avenue, go to the end, down the stairs and your are HERE!
These are the famouns STEPS - two sets of them, go down one, up the other and then....
repeat above!!!
57 locals recommend
Santa Monica Stairs
699 Adelaide DrThese are the famouns STEPS - two sets of them, go down one, up the other and then....
repeat above!!!
Local city park with Children's playground, basketball, tennis courts and a workout circuit on the perimeter.
Christine Emerson Reed Park
1133 7th StLocal city park with Children's playground, basketball, tennis courts and a workout circuit on the perimeter.
Nature at its best! Wonder fun hiking loops and breathtaking views or all of Santa Monica, The Ocean and Los Angeles.
204 locals recommend
Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park RdNature at its best! Wonder fun hiking loops and breathtaking views or all of Santa Monica, The Ocean and Los Angeles.
Sightseeing
Gorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Best every night at Sunset!
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueGorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Best every night at Sunset!
Designed to mimic Venice, these man made canals are worth the walk!
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Designed to mimic Venice, these man made canals are worth the walk!
Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame Ben Weider
1817 Ocean Front WalkWorth the visit - it's famous for good reason!
Entertainment & Activities
Literally around the corner! Check the website for unique & special performances from around the world.
26 locals recommend
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
1310 11th StLiterally around the corner! Check the website for unique & special performances from around the world.
You don't need a tour guide to tour the famous Venice Boardwalk. Stop on Westminster Ave for some delicious snacks and go down the block a bit to inspect Tim Burton's spectacularly gargoyled and decorated house on the right!
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkYou don't need a tour guide to tour the famous Venice Boardwalk. Stop on Westminster Ave for some delicious snacks and go down the block a bit to inspect Tim Burton's spectacularly gargoyled and decorated house on the right!
Public pool right on the beach! Playground and fun! Check their website for schedule and activities.
152 locals recommend
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast HwyPublic pool right on the beach! Playground and fun! Check their website for schedule and activities.
Don't miss the small but fun Aquarium (under the Santa Monica Pier). The kids will love it!
36 locals recommend
Heal the Bay Aquarium
1600 Ocean Front WalkDon't miss the small but fun Aquarium (under the Santa Monica Pier). The kids will love it!