Guidebook for Santa Monica
Food Scene
5 block walk and Absolutely the best coffee and baristas for true coffee snobs!
Croissants sell out fast!
21 locals recommend
Demitasse
1149 3rd St5 block walk and Absolutely the best coffee and baristas for true coffee snobs!
Croissants sell out fast!
Great walk to dinner or breakfast… You can bring your own wine, beer, or "punch" to this place and the food is very yummy and european! all tables are outside in a courtyard. Make a rez on the weekends! Dog friendly! They also serve organic eggs/breakfast until 4pm every day!
11 locals recommend
The Courtyard Kitchen
1211 Montana AveGreat walk to dinner or breakfast… You can bring your own wine, beer, or "punch" to this place and the food is very yummy and european! all tables are outside in a courtyard. Make a rez on the weekends! Dog friendly! They also serve organic eggs/breakfast until 4pm every day!
10 block walk… Dog Friendly outside area & continuous service - awesome breakfast and brunch hang! Brunch Every day until 3pm. Social hour between 3-6pm has great small plates at lower prices. It's my favorite for breakfast over all the rest!
45 locals recommend
Art's Table
1002 Montana Ave10 block walk… Dog Friendly outside area & continuous service - awesome breakfast and brunch hang! Brunch Every day until 3pm. Social hour between 3-6pm has great small plates at lower prices. It's my favorite for breakfast over all the rest!
Easy walk! DO NOT MISS! organic organic organic and YUMMY!
8 locals recommend
Rori's Artisanal Creamery
910 Montana AveEasy walk! DO NOT MISS! organic organic organic and YUMMY!
Great Mexican/Spanish options - young crowd. Fun atmosphere but can be loud. Brunch on Sundays!
193 locals recommend
Mercado
7910 W 3rd StGreat Mexican/Spanish options - young crowd. Fun atmosphere but can be loud. Brunch on Sundays!
Cassia
1314 7th StEclectic and unique - make a rez!
Trois Mec
716 N Highland AveImpossible to get a table but TRY
Classic spot recently renovated and awarded for it's historical preservation… good food and great breakfast! Try their homemade hot sauce!
19 locals recommend
Ingo's Tasty Diner
1213 Wilshire BlvdClassic spot recently renovated and awarded for it's historical preservation… good food and great breakfast! Try their homemade hot sauce!
Capo
1810 Ocean AveOcean Ave classic… google this one!
OYSTERS! And lots more… great fun spot - sit at the bar and watch the cooks!
63 locals recommend
Blue Plate Oysterette
1355 Ocean AveOYSTERS! And lots more… great fun spot - sit at the bar and watch the cooks!
Amazing food.. no rez but always busy! If you can't get into Trois Mec - do this!
51 locals recommend
Petit Trois
718 N Highland AveAmazing food.. no rez but always busy! If you can't get into Trois Mec - do this!
Go for drinks or snacks or anything but GO - sit by the front windows and watch the sunset!
76 locals recommend
Hotel Casa del Mar
1910 Ocean WayGo for drinks or snacks or anything but GO - sit by the front windows and watch the sunset!
Drinks & Nightlife
great food and a hot spot for "the beautiful people" - check it out if you like a hopping noisy open air vibe. Easy walk!
152 locals recommend
R+D Kitchen
1323 Montana Avegreat food and a hot spot for "the beautiful people" - check it out if you like a hopping noisy open air vibe. Easy walk!
Everything! Basement of the Victorian Inn has live music… "MAIN" is an exclusive nightclub.. lots of food options - shopping - M street Kitchen for brunch - it's a MUST to do the classic SM Main street.
207 locals recommend
Main Street
Main StreetEverything! Basement of the Victorian Inn has live music… "MAIN" is an exclusive nightclub.. lots of food options - shopping - M street Kitchen for brunch - it's a MUST to do the classic SM Main street.
Father's Office
1018 Montana AveCraft Beers and fun neighborhood vibe - good food!
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdTapas and small plates, loud, fun, youthful!
THE BEST classy wine bar hangout … great food and wonderful atmosphere!
15 locals recommend
Esters Wine Shop & Bar
1314 7th StTHE BEST classy wine bar hangout … great food and wonderful atmosphere!
Classic Hollywood at its best - don't miss this place… sit where john wayne and the rat pack used to sit! have a drink and soak up the history! Bring the family in the morning for breakfast if you can't do drinks.
62 locals recommend
Polo Lounge
9641 Sunset BlvdClassic Hollywood at its best - don't miss this place… sit where john wayne and the rat pack used to sit! have a drink and soak up the history! Bring the family in the morning for breakfast if you can't do drinks.
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean AveYOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
Sightseeing
ALL LOCAL… UNIQUE! Don't miss GJelina, Salt & Straw or Blue Bottle… and of course BLUE STAR DONUTS - so much to see and experience. look for the tiny alley shops too!
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardALL LOCAL… UNIQUE! Don't miss GJelina, Salt & Straw or Blue Bottle… and of course BLUE STAR DONUTS - so much to see and experience. look for the tiny alley shops too!
Sunset Strip
You need to do it at least once….
Cool, iconic and free… just knock and they'll send you upstairs!
6 locals recommend
Camera Obscura Art Lab
1450 Ocean AveCool, iconic and free… just knock and they'll send you upstairs!
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierJust because….
Drive up the coast… check out Neptune's Net… see the famous Malibu homes… enjoy stunning ocean views!
580 locals recommend
Malibu
Drive up the coast… check out Neptune's Net… see the famous Malibu homes… enjoy stunning ocean views!
Parks & Nature
Cross the street and you're there! Many film shoots have used this park - you may see one! Bike path and walking path - plenty of grassy blanket and picnic space with amazing ocean views! This is literally outside my front door! No smoking and dogs must be leashed. Hefty Fine for not picking up dog waste!
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueCross the street and you're there! Many film shoots have used this park - you may see one! Bike path and walking path - plenty of grassy blanket and picnic space with amazing ocean views! This is literally outside my front door! No smoking and dogs must be leashed. Hefty Fine for not picking up dog waste!
Topanga Lookout Trailhead
Saddle Peak RoadArts & Culture
FREE! Just GO. You will not be disappointed. Book ahead for special exhibits!
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand AveFREE! Just GO. You will not be disappointed. Book ahead for special exhibits!
Shopping
The famous promenade - it has EVERYTHING… including Bloomingdales and Nordstrom!
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThe famous promenade - it has EVERYTHING… including Bloomingdales and Nordstrom!
Essentials
Quick walk or bike - everything you can ask for -there's 2 more close by as well! This one is closest to us.
124 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
500 Wilshire BoulevardQuick walk or bike - everything you can ask for -there's 2 more close by as well! This one is closest to us.