GETAWAYS: SANTA MONICA
If you find yourself in Santa Monica for the day, weekend, or longer, here’s our pick of the the places to eat, drink, sleep, be entertained, or just hang out.
Muscle Beach, Santa Monica Beach, South of Santa Monica Pier
Muscle Beach is a series of tall metal bars, like an adult jungle gym on Santa Monica Beach. It is the original Muscle Beach, though the contemporary Muscle Beach Venice has inherited most of its fame and glory. I’ve seen yoga enthusiasts do the splits suspended between hanging rings, and everything from fashion photographers to endorphin junkies make use of this hangout spot.
Muscle Beach Venice, 1905 Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach +1 310 399 2775
If the above hangout appealed to you, take a stroll to the outdoor fitness centre on Venice Beach that attracts about as many tourists as it does body builders. As might be expected, it’s the site where Arnie Schwartzenegger first pumped iron during body building contests. Home to the annual Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach competition. A visit to this ‘weight pen’ is definitely an entertaining way to spend an hour or two.
Chess Park, South of Santa Monica Pier
Ironically located opposite Muscle Beach, Chess Park is where all the brawny brains hang out. Separated from each other by the boardwalk and a few palm trees, Chess Park is a place to take your chess set and sunbake over tough checkmates. Great characters here, so keep your eyes open.
Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier # A, Santa Monica +1 310 394 8042
The Pier, in all its fairground regalia, is a fun place to take a (toll-free) stroll. The original ferris wheel was sold on eBay for $132, the new one is fit out with $1.5 million worth of computer generated special-effect lighting. On the reasonably small strip of pier, you’ll find all manner of Americana, including Soda Jerks – an old fashioned, full service soda foundation that offers 14 speciality sundaes, shakes and ice-cream sodas galore.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica +1 310 458 6700
Loewes Hotel has a bar and large, open, half moon balcony that overlooks Muscle Beach through the palm trees, towards the glittering Pier and Ferris wheel. The gas fire pits are glorious, especially on cooler summer nights, and the food and drinks from the bar are great for a late night snack-chat. Make sure you rug up or cuddle close on cooler nights.
Hotel California, 1670 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica +1 310 393 2363
If you’re looking for a hotel right on the beach that doesn’t blow the budget, check out the Hotel California. Legend has it that if you rock up with a surfboard, you’ll receive 10% off the room price. The rooms are awesome enough to feel great in, but not chi-chi enough to feel bad about leaving sand everywhere. The LA times reports “pristine facilities” while Fodor’s Guide finds Hotel Cali to be “a gem of a hotel in a prime location.”
Chez Jay, 1657 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica +1 310 395 1741
Chez Jay is a lounge/steakhouse/seafood/divey shack off the side of Ocean Ave opposite Hotel California. Great family feel, free peanuts, and with more than 50 years of business, your check will come to a heck of a lot of character. There is an old school jukebox in the back, not far from where Marilyn Monroe used to sit. Oh, and apparently the bar is falling apart, so don’t lean on it too hard.
Cha Cha Chicken, 1906 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica +1 310 581 1684
With almost 600 reviews online, Cha Cha is killing it. Caribbean Cuisine and a total backyard reggae beach vibe, Cha Cha Chicken is a BYO alcohol establishment, with no corkage fee (nada). The atmosphere is what makes it special, but the food is sigh-in-your-stomach worthy too: ropa vieja (a slow cooked shredded skirt steak in sauce), jerk chicken, spinach quesadillas, dirty rice, fried plantains, veggie stews, salmon and crunchy red cabbage slaws. It’s all good!
Cora’s Coffee Shoppe, 1802 Ocean Ave Santa Monica +1 310 451 9562
Tuck yourself away in dappled shade behind the leafy walls of Cora’s courtyard outside for brunch, lunch or afternoon tea. Service is generally exceptional and swift; you will often be put on a list and wait by the mailboxes out front. The food is five star, especially for brunch –the fresh juice, huevos rancheros and smoked salmon eggs benedict are all highly rated. There’s also a free parking lot located in Cora’s derriere.
Reel Inn Market and Restaurant, 18661 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu +1 310 456 8221
Technically located in Malibu, this an epic fish shack/ family restaurant located on the Pacific Coast Highway just after the Topanga Canyon turn off. Right across the road from the water, the Reel Inn is the quintessential post-beach-or-surf pitstop for any manner of seafood, done any way you want it, with a choice of sides, for down-home prices. The atmosphere is ancient divey genius. Open for lunch and dinner (they serve drinks too.)
Urth Caffe, 2327 Main St, Santa Monica +1 310 314 7040
If you like exotic teas, strange and wonderful lattes, coffees, organic anything and outdoor tiled fountains in sunny, leafy courtyards, try Urth Caffe. Good for a late night Moroccan Mint Latte, or an afternoon bubble tea, the NY Times recommends the organic coffee company for its “excellent coffee” and industry eavesdropping opportunities. The sweets are heaven sent, the people are friendly, and the atmosphere is 100% generous.
Shutters On The Beach, 1 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica +1 310 458 0030
You can’t get a better view of Santa Monica beach than from this luxurious hotel. If staying a night or two isn’t an option, stop in for brunch, lunch, or dinner at Santa Monica’s most popular hotel dining room One Pico. For a more casual option, try their beachside cafe and bar Coast.
By Sophie Ward
