Guidebook for Santa Monica
Essentials
Walking distance down Rose and a circus of people-watching pleasure, amazing foodstuff.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdWalking distance down Rose and a circus of people-watching pleasure, amazing foodstuff.
Ocean Park Library
2601 Main StWalking distance and open MON-SAT 12-9.
Surf Liquor and Wine
2522 Main StLos Angeles Times available here: $2.18
Food Scene
Sit in sunny Frank Gehry-designed square off of Main Street: SM Tourists Center, theater w/school, restaurant, salon.
13 locals recommend
Peet's Coffee
2439 Main StreetSit in sunny Frank Gehry-designed square off of Main Street: SM Tourists Center, theater w/school, restaurant, salon.
Rose Avenue
Rose AvenueNY TIMES recently highlighted Rose between here and Lincoln.
Fig Tree
431 Ocean Front WalkOn beach boardwalk and half-price great breakfasts before 9.
Deli food, and free music by local acts. Every third Wednesday see Suzy Williams the sweetest chanteuse in town, say hello!
35 locals recommend
Danny's Venice
23 Windward AvenueDeli food, and free music by local acts. Every third Wednesday see Suzy Williams the sweetest chanteuse in town, say hello!
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StPeople-watching and Spanish lattes
Acai (from Brazil) makes for delicious breakfast bowl.
I take my computer and work there. Mimi runs it and say hello to Jacob from Hank!
9 locals recommend
Novel Cafe & Pizzeria
2720 Neilson WayAcai (from Brazil) makes for delicious breakfast bowl.
I take my computer and work there. Mimi runs it and say hello to Jacob from Hank!
Open late, two doors down from Angel City Bookstore, morning shade and afternoon sun.
8 locals recommend
Cafe 212 Pier
212 Pier AveOpen late, two doors down from Angel City Bookstore, morning shade and afternoon sun.
On street full of new restaurants. Nice folks run it; try the acai breakfast and enjoy plenty of hipster locals for dessert.
174 locals recommend
Flake
513 Rose AveOn street full of new restaurants. Nice folks run it; try the acai breakfast and enjoy plenty of hipster locals for dessert.
San Francisco-style with motto "One Cup At A Time." Next to Main Library downtown Santa Monica.
51 locals recommend
Philz Coffee
525 Santa Monica BlvdSan Francisco-style with motto "One Cup At A Time." Next to Main Library downtown Santa Monica.
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica BlvdWSJ, New York Times, Los Angeles Times available here, w/out tax.
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdWalk on Abbot Kinney South to Venice Blvd.
Tastes like nothing else on Main Street. (Next door to excellent Apple repair shop run by Ali and Felix - "MAC 911")
11 locals recommend
Fork-In Aussie Pie Kitchen®
2510 Main StreetTastes like nothing else on Main Street. (Next door to excellent Apple repair shop run by Ali and Felix - "MAC 911")
New address on 2nd almost to Rose Ave which is even closer. Authentic, inexpensive, family feel. Opens 10:30 AM. The Rose Cafe is at the corner for diff experience: artsy, hip, early, not inexpensive.
44 locals recommend
La Fiesta Brava
259B Hampton DrNew address on 2nd almost to Rose Ave which is even closer. Authentic, inexpensive, family feel. Opens 10:30 AM. The Rose Cafe is at the corner for diff experience: artsy, hip, early, not inexpensive.
My favorite place on Montana for lunch. Close to Aero Theater along boutique-filled Montana Ave.
31 locals recommend
Blue Plate
1415 Montana AveMy favorite place on Montana for lunch. Close to Aero Theater along boutique-filled Montana Ave.
Delicious soups, pastries and atmosphere and good spot to begin stroll along Montana Avenue 7th Street to 17th.
28 locals recommend
Marmalade Cafe
710 Montana AveDelicious soups, pastries and atmosphere and good spot to begin stroll along Montana Avenue 7th Street to 17th.
Shopping
Chaya
110 Navy StSushi happy hour and excellent $$$ dinners.
CVS Pharmacy on Main/Rose, unique Bulletproof Coffee (yak butter) and classic Sparky's Yogurt at Main/Navy.
105 locals recommend
Main Street Santa Monica
Main StreetCVS Pharmacy on Main/Rose, unique Bulletproof Coffee (yak butter) and classic Sparky's Yogurt at Main/Navy.
Great place to sit in sunshine plaza designed by Frank Gehry and next to SM Tourists Center, Peets...
9 locals recommend
Ben & Jerry’s
2441 Main StGreat place to sit in sunshine plaza designed by Frank Gehry and next to SM Tourists Center, Peets...
Aaron is old-timer very friendly Persian fellow. For doing your own, 4th and Rose is best bet and Tony there a great guy.
Aaron Cleaners & Laundry
4254 Lincoln BlvdAaron is old-timer very friendly Persian fellow. For doing your own, 4th and Rose is best bet and Tony there a great guy.
Sightseeing
Restaurants, food trucks, antiques, galleries. Walking distance.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardRestaurants, food trucks, antiques, galleries. Walking distance.
Great fish and chips and right on the ocean and a fun ride up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to get there. Just don't go during rush hours or you may sit in traffic...
161 locals recommend
Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market & Patio Cafe
25653 CA-1Great fish and chips and right on the ocean and a fun ride up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to get there. Just don't go during rush hours or you may sit in traffic...
Everything Else
Only 15 minutes away by car. Also the #3 Big Blue Bus on Lincoln takes less than an hour to LAX for a dollar.
461 locals recommend
Los Angeles International Airport
1 World WayOnly 15 minutes away by car. Also the #3 Big Blue Bus on Lincoln takes less than an hour to LAX for a dollar.
Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm. Neighborhood hangout for food and acoustic music and meet locals too.
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StSundays from 9 am to 1 pm. Neighborhood hangout for food and acoustic music and meet locals too.
Bookstore a block from here run by sweet fellow named Rocco -- tell him Hank sent you, he'll try and sell you one of my books!
Angel City Books & Records
218 Pier AveBookstore a block from here run by sweet fellow named Rocco -- tell him Hank sent you, he'll try and sell you one of my books!
BOOKMARK CAFE on premises and busy, free, Martin Luther King auditorium events. Open daily 10AM while closer Ocean Park branch (Main Street) opens 12:00.
26 locals recommend
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica BlvdBOOKMARK CAFE on premises and busy, free, Martin Luther King auditorium events. Open daily 10AM while closer Ocean Park branch (Main Street) opens 12:00.
Walking distance and less crowded than post offices in Venice (they recently closed their main P.O.) and downtown SM.
18 locals recommend
United States Postal Service
2720 Neilson WayWalking distance and less crowded than post offices in Venice (they recently closed their main P.O.) and downtown SM.
Close place to buy beer and LA Times/NY Post and on the way to the beach in Venice.
8 locals recommend
Davy Jones Liquor Locker
63 Navy StClose place to buy beer and LA Times/NY Post and on the way to the beach in Venice.
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln BlvdBrand new market replacing Albertson's as of March, 2016
Arts & Culture
Best local bookstore, a nice walk down Venice boardwalk south of Figtree restaurant and next to Sidewalks Cafe.
23 locals recommend
Small World Books
1407 Ocean Front WalkBest local bookstore, a nice walk down Venice boardwalk south of Figtree restaurant and next to Sidewalks Cafe.
Excellent weekend movies, changing almost daily, featuring special Hollywood guests. Location is 14th & Montana Avenue, great for strolling north side of Santa Monica.
57 locals recommend
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana AveExcellent weekend movies, changing almost daily, featuring special Hollywood guests. Location is 14th & Montana Avenue, great for strolling north side of Santa Monica.
Wonderful outdoor theater up in Topanga Canyon hosting Shakespeare and other classics done in new and fun ways. Founded by Geer, from "Little House on the Prairie" and run by his family.
62 locals recommend
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N Topanga Canyon BlvdWonderful outdoor theater up in Topanga Canyon hosting Shakespeare and other classics done in new and fun ways. Founded by Geer, from "Little House on the Prairie" and run by his family.
Drinks & Nightlife
Gary Gordon and his Band play there once a month on Wed, and you can stumble home rocked out by his tight unit featuring most excellent guitar, Leon Rubenhold. Say hello to Gary, Leon from Hank!
54 locals recommend
Areal Restaurant
2820 Main StreetGary Gordon and his Band play there once a month on Wed, and you can stumble home rocked out by his tight unit featuring most excellent guitar, Leon Rubenhold. Say hello to Gary, Leon from Hank!