Santa Monica Pier
Whenever tourists in Los Angeles ask me for activity suggestions, I instantly say, “head straight to Santa Monica Pier”. Suspended over the sand and Pacific Ocean by wooden pylons, it’s the idyllic place to decompress after a long car ride or flight — and get acquainted with your new time zone. In addition, the steep walk down onto the pier from the famous arch is pretty epic. Your senses will get quickly occupied with salty smells, maritime breezes and scenic ocean views.
Once on the Pier you can ride the carousel, merry go round, or other kiddie amusement park rides — or just find a bench to perch on. The restaurants on the pier can be slightly touristy with hiked up prices and dialed down food quality, so it’s best to eat on the mainland beforehand.
If you a traveling by car, I highly recommend paying the $10 (or so) to park on the Pier, because street parking in Santa Monica is few and far between — especially near the ocean.
Santa Monica - credit to Trip Advisor
3rd Street Promenade
When growing up in the 80′s we referred to these three blocks of dilapidated commercial strip as The Old Mall. But, in the early 90′s it underwent a major, Hollywood style face-lift and re-invention that any aspiring actor would be proud of. What emerged was one of the ritziest outdoor malls in the Los Angeles area at the time — and a great place to catch a flick, bite to eat and watch street performers do their thing.
In Santa Monica you may notice more homeless people than you’d expect, especially on 3rd Street and around the beach. This is because Santa Monica has better shelters and social services than many surrounding cities. It is this acceptance, compassion and sense or responsibility that makes me proud to be from Santa Monica.
Bike Path
It isn’t by accident that Santa Monicans tend to be more fit than the average American. We take advantage of the comfortable year-round weather by blazing hiking trials, basketball courts and bike paths. This cement bike path extends from Will Rogers Beach (just north of Santa Monica), all the way down to Palos Verdes.
You can rent bikes at Station 26 on Ocean Park, and other points along the path. If anything, the path is a little too narrow to accommodate all the different speeds and levels of the bikers, roller skaters and pedestrians. There are toddlers on scooters sharing the roadway with speed cyclists yelling “left” and they pass you. This path will take you south under the Pier down to Venice Beach.
Venice Beach (adjacent to Santa Monica)
This Berkeley on the water is a bohemian paradise with more dreadlocks per square mile than any other Southern California city. Along with the grungy, hippie vibe are urban, athletic creations in the form of street basketball courts, paddle tennis courts, a skate park and gym (Muscle Beach).
The easternmost basketball court is where the serious ballers play. The level is high and resulting disagreements can get emotional — sometimes each team will stand on each side for up to 10 minutes in protest. But, they will typically just “shoot for it” to reach a judgment, because “the ball never lies”.
The restaurant situation on Venice Beach suffers from the same symptoms as those on SM Pier — high buck and low quality. It’s best to venture up a side street for a good eatery. Use the Yelp or Urban Spoon app to locate one. The only food I’ll buy on Venice Beach is a slice of pizza — that’s about it.
Have a Warm Trip, Dude!
Santa Monica always looks warmer outside than it really is. Don’t let the swaying palm trees and sunny weather fool you. It can get chilly near the ocean at night, so dress accordingly to ensure a comfortable evening.
Since accommodations in Santa Monica can be steep, check the latest Hotels.com coupon codes for discounts, or stay outside the city limits in West LA, Westwood or Westchester for cheaper rates.
Related Reading:
The Santa Monica Farmers' Market Cookbook: Seasonal Foods, Simple Recipes and Stories from the Market and FarmOne of Cooking Light Magazine's Top 100 Cookbooks of the Last 25 Years!For more than a quarter century, the Santa Monica Farmers' Market has i... Read More >
Flowering Plants: The Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal and Chaparral Regions of Southern CaliforniaThe book includes: * Plants organized within family groups * 214 color photographs and 51 original botanical drawings accompanying text * Details on 2... Read More >
Santa Monica Mountains Trail GuideDiscover the magic of the Santa Monica Mountains! “Consult the Santa Monica Mountains Trail Guide and just moments later you’ll know where to g... Read More >
