California small towns – Santa Monica, part 3: tips, food and accommodation

How to Get There and How to Get Around

Santa Monica can be reached via the Santa Monica Municipal Airport (3223 Donald Douglas Loop S.) or you can opt for Los Angeles International Airport (1 World Way). We always recommend using (or renting) a car to be as independent as possible while traveling, but you can also use local buses, for example, those of the Big Blue Bus line, which run in the city of Santa Monica and some areas of Los Angeles, or of the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority that circulate in Los Angeles County.

The Expo Line’s Light Rail, which is similar to the tram line, is 6.6. miles long and connects Santa Monica to the Culver City district further east and makes 80 stops on its route.

Day trips from Santa Monica

If you are in Santa Monica, you have the option of taking day trips in the surrounding area, for instance, to Beverly Hills and Bel Air (about 15-20 minutes) or you can tour to the homes of Hollywood stars, or go to Venice (about 15 minutes) to visit its beach, canals, and myriads of “characters” who compete along the boardwalk in extravagant performances.

You can go to Hollywood, home of cinema (about 25 minutes), to Long Beach (about 30 minutes) to explore its beach and to see the Queen Mary Transatlantic Hotel, and finally to Anaheim (about 40 minutes), the home of Disneyland. Further north, we recommend visiting beautiful places such as Santa Barbara (about 1 hour 30 minutes) and  Solvang (about 2 hours), where you can explore its Danish culture. To the south, you can visit the San Diego area, about 2 hours away from Santa Monica, where you can see La Jolla, a renowned coastal town, and Coronado, an exclusive peninsula.

Food

• El Cholo (1025 Wilshire Blvd.); Mexican cuisine which has been in business for twenty years. The place is part of a restaurant chain in California. You can enjoy lunch and dinner in a pleasant and authentic atmosphere that really makes you feel in Mexico.
• Cha Cha Chicken (1906 Ocean Ave.); Caribbean food, a family-run restaurant since 1996. You can either dine inside this colorful restaurant or on the patio with a garden. The restaurant also has takeout and provides catering services. Try the Jerk sauce, which is typical of Jamaica.
• Cabo Cantina (1240 3rd St. Promenade); offers a casual and fun atmosphere, especially during happy hour from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Buy one, get one free). On the menu, there are, of course, tacos and burritos. Sports fans can watch their favorite events on a high-definition screen. 
• Melisse (1104 Wilshire Blvd.); an elegant restaurant with two Michelin stars. The restaurant serves American cuisine with French influence that is created by talented owner and chef Josiah Citrin.

Accommodations

• Shutters on the Beach (1 Pico Blvd.) located directly on the beach, in all its elegance and refinement. The rooms and suites have scenic views of the waterfront and the interiors are designed in such a way “that guests wish this was their home on the ocean”. The hotel has a spa, a fitness center, and restaurants, such as Coast, a lovely casual-chic venue with a view of the beach and a family-friendly atmosphere. The menu is inspired by California cuisine. When you dine here, you can also enjoy your meal on the patio.
• The Cottage (2219 Ocean Ave), located close to the beach and the pier, is a fabulous Bed & Breakfast with refined rooms designed with light colors. From the attic, you can enjoy the view of the ocean. The property offers many services to its guests, such as a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room, 24/7 service, and a “utility room” with a washing machine, a dryer, and a closet, but in addition to all of this, it is the location of the property, and the fact that it is so peaceful, that makes this B&B so charming.
• SureStay Hotels (3102 Pico Blvd) for a more moderate price, not too far from the pier and the ocean. It has rooms equipped with a coffee maker and air conditioning, and some have a refrigerator and a microwave. The property has a 24-hour front desk service, covered outdoor parking, free Wi-Fi, laundry service, and a conference center. In the garden, guests have access to a barbeque grill and a patio with tables and chairs. The hotel is pet-friendly.
• HI L.A. Santa Monica Hostel (1436 2nd St) is a hostel with single rooms and shared dormitories. It offers laundry service, breakfast, and free wi-fi. Nearby there are shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and also the beach.