Guidebook for Santa Monica

Vanessa
Guidebook for Santa Monica

Food Scene

Great local pub with good food- a variety of options. Not too $$. Two blocks from the house.
96 locals recommend
Library Alehouse
2911 Main St
96 locals recommend
Great local pub with good food- a variety of options. Not too $$. Two blocks from the house.
BEST PIZZA PLACE! Love this pizza. Fun spot for an informal dinner with great food. Fun atmosphere. Well priced. 5 blocks from the house.
141 locals recommend
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main St
141 locals recommend
BEST PIZZA PLACE! Love this pizza. Fun spot for an informal dinner with great food. Fun atmosphere. Well priced. 5 blocks from the house.
LOVE these burritos. Great to-go Mexican joint. Cheap. 1.5 blocks from the house
32 locals recommend
Holy Guacamole
2906 Main St
32 locals recommend
LOVE these burritos. Great to-go Mexican joint. Cheap. 1.5 blocks from the house
Organic coffee. Nice staff. Tiny shop. Good vibe. 1.5 blocks from the house.
300 locals recommend
Groundwork Coffee Co.
671 Rose Ave
300 locals recommend
Organic coffee. Nice staff. Tiny shop. Good vibe. 1.5 blocks from the house.
One of my favorites local spots to eat. The veggie burger is amazing- even non-meat eaters love it. Rumor has it the lambwich is fantastic. GREAT wine selection. Friendly staff. 6 blocks $$
192 locals recommend
Venice Beach Wines
529 Rose Ave
192 locals recommend
One of my favorites local spots to eat. The veggie burger is amazing- even non-meat eaters love it. Rumor has it the lambwich is fantastic. GREAT wine selection. Friendly staff. 6 blocks $$
Italian. Really yummy and well priced happy hour that I believe goes all night if you can snag a seat on the right side of the restaurant. Great wine. 6 blocks from house.
34 locals recommend
Hostaria Del Piccolo
512 Rose Avenue
34 locals recommend
Italian. Really yummy and well priced happy hour that I believe goes all night if you can snag a seat on the right side of the restaurant. Great wine. 6 blocks from house.
Healthy eating with a great patio. A little bit of everything. Good people watching. 4 blocks from my house. $$
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main St
256 locals recommend
Healthy eating with a great patio. A little bit of everything. Good people watching. 4 blocks from my house. $$
Italian. High end. Some of the best Italian in the city. Wonderful intimate atmosphere. Feels very Italian. Two blocks from my house. Expensive.
39 locals recommend
Via Veneto
3009 Main St
39 locals recommend
Italian. High end. Some of the best Italian in the city. Wonderful intimate atmosphere. Feels very Italian. Two blocks from my house. Expensive.
Really good coffee. Pretty relaxing atmosphere. A 2 block walk from my house
10 locals recommend
Espresso Cielo
3101 Main St
10 locals recommend
Really good coffee. Pretty relaxing atmosphere. A 2 block walk from my house
Awesome restaurant. Unique plates. Delicious and cool atmosphere. Roughly 6 blocks from the house. Expensive.
92 locals recommend
Superba Snack Bar
92 locals recommend
Awesome restaurant. Unique plates. Delicious and cool atmosphere. Roughly 6 blocks from the house. Expensive.
Some people love it! 1 block from the house.
52 locals recommend
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
2901 Main St
52 locals recommend
Some people love it! 1 block from the house.
If you are Starbucks drinker you are in luck because this is HALF A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE.
573 locals recommend
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica Blvd
573 locals recommend
If you are Starbucks drinker you are in luck because this is HALF A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE.
Love this Mexican joint. 1 block away. Never a wait. Good bar too if you want to watch sports and/or have a more festive night. Well priced.
28 locals recommend
Lula Cocina Mexicana
2720 Main St
28 locals recommend
Love this Mexican joint. 1 block away. Never a wait. Good bar too if you want to watch sports and/or have a more festive night. Well priced.
GREAT Italian. Fun atmosphere but also romantic. In an old converted house. Expensive. 4 to 5 blocks from the house.
68 locals recommend
Barrique
796 Main St
68 locals recommend
GREAT Italian. Fun atmosphere but also romantic. In an old converted house. Expensive. 4 to 5 blocks from the house.
People love this place! Coffee and great food & pastries. 2 blocks from the house.
14 locals recommend
Amelia's Espresso & Panini
2645 Main St
14 locals recommend
People love this place! Coffee and great food & pastries. 2 blocks from the house.
Very high end Italian. Really good food but crazy expensive.
26 locals recommend
Capo
1810 Ocean Ave
26 locals recommend
Very high end Italian. Really good food but crazy expensive.
Organic food and fun bar scene. Right on the beach. 4 blocks from the house.
321 locals recommend
The Commons Ale House
129 Broadway
321 locals recommend
Organic food and fun bar scene. Right on the beach. 4 blocks from the house.
Wolf Gang Puck's restaurant. Spendy but fun. Literally behind my house.
31 locals recommend
Chinois On Main
2709 Main St
31 locals recommend
Wolf Gang Puck's restaurant. Spendy but fun. Literally behind my house.
Sweet little panini shop right behind my house. Well priced.
Panini Garden
2715 Main St
Sweet little panini shop right behind my house. Well priced.
A local favorite. Good happy hour. Crowd can be a little cheesy sometimes but the food is great as are the cocktails.
153 locals recommend
Chaya
110 Navy St
153 locals recommend
A local favorite. Good happy hour. Crowd can be a little cheesy sometimes but the food is great as are the cocktails.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN LA! Call as soon as you get to my house to make a reservation as it's difficult to get in. Or try your luck at the communal table. It's worth it.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney Blvd
1062 locals recommend
ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS IN LA! Call as soon as you get to my house to make a reservation as it's difficult to get in. Or try your luck at the communal table. It's worth it.
A little taste of Gjelina without the wait of a table. Great for lunch or picnics. Also have awesome breakfasts. A good stroll in the morning...about 20 to 25 minute walk.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney Blvd
1062 locals recommend
A little taste of Gjelina without the wait of a table. Great for lunch or picnics. Also have awesome breakfasts. A good stroll in the morning...about 20 to 25 minute walk.
Another one of my favorites. Expensive but good. Hard to get a reservation but try or walk in and try and sit at the bar.
395 locals recommend
The Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd
395 locals recommend
Another one of my favorites. Expensive but good. Hard to get a reservation but try or walk in and try and sit at the bar.
A newer restaurant to Venice and really good.
109 locals recommend
Salt Air
1616 Abbot Kinney Blvd
109 locals recommend
A newer restaurant to Venice and really good.
Old school restaurant and bar. GREAT food. Fun people watching. They have music some nights but I'm not sure when. Fun to sit at the bar and take in the eclectic crowd.
139 locals recommend
Hal's Bar and Grill
1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd
139 locals recommend
Old school restaurant and bar. GREAT food. Fun people watching. They have music some nights but I'm not sure when. Fun to sit at the bar and take in the eclectic crowd.
I like this place a lot for lunch. Some people love it for all meals- brunch and dinner included. Healthy but fun dishes. Pretty garden in the back.
57 locals recommend
Axe
1009 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
57 locals recommend
I like this place a lot for lunch. Some people love it for all meals- brunch and dinner included. Healthy but fun dishes. Pretty garden in the back.
Fun tapas bar. Great atmosphere and fun staff. Sangria!
139 locals recommend
Hal's Bar and Grill
1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd
139 locals recommend
Fun tapas bar. Great atmosphere and fun staff. Sangria!
Behind my house on Main St. You can get slices too. Their spinach salad is great. Cheap.
48 locals recommend
Ashland Hill
2807 Main St
48 locals recommend
Behind my house on Main St. You can get slices too. Their spinach salad is great. Cheap.
GREAT pizza slices. Or full pizza if you like. Try the salad pizza!
184 locals recommend
Abbot's Pizza Company
1407 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
184 locals recommend
GREAT pizza slices. Or full pizza if you like. Try the salad pizza!
We order delivery from this place all the time and LOVE it. Fast delivery and really well priced AND delicious.
7 locals recommend
Tandoor-India
2622 Pico Blvd
7 locals recommend
We order delivery from this place all the time and LOVE it. Fast delivery and really well priced AND delicious.
GREAT indian. 10 minute drive away.
28 locals recommend
Akbar
3115 Washington Blvd
28 locals recommend
GREAT indian. 10 minute drive away.
Super healthy- raw or vegan food but everyone loves it! It's a pretty atmosphere...they might take themselves too seriously on the happy spiritual front but it really is a great place.
488 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
512 Rose Ave
488 locals recommend
Super healthy- raw or vegan food but everyone loves it! It's a pretty atmosphere...they might take themselves too seriously on the happy spiritual front but it really is a great place.
Sausage kitchen! Soooo good and fun. And if you go early it's kid friendly. Vegetarian pizzas too and great beer and wine.
243 locals recommend
Wurstküche Restaurant Venice Beach
625 Lincoln Blvd
243 locals recommend
Sausage kitchen! Soooo good and fun. And if you go early it's kid friendly. Vegetarian pizzas too and great beer and wine.
Pretty outdoor patio for dining.
54 locals recommend
Areal Restaurant
2820 Main Street
54 locals recommend
Pretty outdoor patio for dining.
Don't let the 80's decor fool you; this is great Italian. Amazing happy hour and great dinners.
71 locals recommend
La Vecchia Cucina
2654 Main St
71 locals recommend
Don't let the 80's decor fool you; this is great Italian. Amazing happy hour and great dinners.
Fun coffee shop.
69 locals recommend
Dogtown Coffee
2003 Main St
69 locals recommend
Fun coffee shop.
Fun and small tapas restaurant. You can also take your own wine.
37 locals recommend
Manchego
2518 Main St
37 locals recommend
Fun and small tapas restaurant. You can also take your own wine.

Essentials

Great store. Organic and health food focused. I buy all my staples here. They make great juices too! 2 blocks from the house.
42 locals recommend
One Life Natural Foods
3001 Main Street
42 locals recommend
Great store. Organic and health food focused. I buy all my staples here. They make great juices too! 2 blocks from the house.
A really nice and big Whole Foods.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln Blvd
1701 locals recommend
A really nice and big Whole Foods.

Drinks & Nightlife

Great sports bar but not grungy at all. Classy and fun. Good food too...worth going just for a meal. Medium priced.
80 locals recommend
Brick + Mortar
2435 Main St
80 locals recommend
Great sports bar but not grungy at all. Classy and fun. Good food too...worth going just for a meal. Medium priced.
Bar hotel scene. Cool outdoor pool
35 locals recommend
Viceroy Santa Monica
1819 Ocean Ave
35 locals recommend
Bar hotel scene. Cool outdoor pool
EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT they have food trucks at the Victorian. So fun. 1.5 blocks away.
96 locals recommend
The Victorian
2640 Main St
96 locals recommend
EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT they have food trucks at the Victorian. So fun. 1.5 blocks away.
One of my favorite "dive" bars. It has a boat on the front of the bar & sawdust on the floor so it's bound to be awesome. . Fun local crowd. Always great people watching. 3.5 blocks from the hous
55 locals recommend
The Galley
2442 Main St
55 locals recommend
One of my favorite "dive" bars. It has a boat on the front of the bar & sawdust on the floor so it's bound to be awesome. . Fun local crowd. Always great people watching. 3.5 blocks from the hous
This is a hotel but the lobby bar is a wonderful place to catch the sunset.
99 locals recommend
Shutters on the Beach
1 Pico Blvd
99 locals recommend
This is a hotel but the lobby bar is a wonderful place to catch the sunset.
This is a hotel but they have an amazing lobby/bar. It's a great place to see the sunset.
76 locals recommend
Hotel Casa del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
76 locals recommend
This is a hotel but they have an amazing lobby/bar. It's a great place to see the sunset.
This is everything...a true French Cafe- it's a bar, it's a restaurant and it's a cafe. Go there for any meal or just a glass of wine or cup of coffee. You won't be disappointed. Fun local scene.
251 locals recommend
Zinqué
1440 Lincoln Blvd
251 locals recommend
This is everything...a true French Cafe- it's a bar, it's a restaurant and it's a cafe. Go there for any meal or just a glass of wine or cup of coffee. You won't be disappointed. Fun local scene.
Awesome salty bar. Fun place to eat though the food is only so-so but the atmosphere makes up for it.
46 locals recommend
Chez Jay
1657 Ocean Ave
46 locals recommend
Awesome salty bar. Fun place to eat though the food is only so-so but the atmosphere makes up for it.
Great bar. Cool music.
83 locals recommend
Basement Tavern
2640 Main St
83 locals recommend
Great bar. Cool music.
I'm not really a bar person anymore but this used to be fun. Gets crowded though.
70 locals recommend
Circle Bar
2926 Main St
70 locals recommend
I'm not really a bar person anymore but this used to be fun. Gets crowded though.

Everything Else

Great spa! 2 blocks from the house.
8 locals recommend
Raven Spa
208 Pier Ave
8 locals recommend
Great spa! 2 blocks from the house.
AWESOME Farmer's Market. Every Sunday. Great for family outings or just your weekly shopping. Good breakfast booths. All organic. Live music and animal petting zoo for the kids.
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main St
162 locals recommend
AWESOME Farmer's Market. Every Sunday. Great for family outings or just your weekly shopping. Good breakfast booths. All organic. Live music and animal petting zoo for the kids.
This street was recently named "the hippest street in America". This might be a good thing, might be a bad thing. It is busier than it used to be but it has a ton of great shops and restaurants.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
1065 locals recommend
This street was recently named "the hippest street in America". This might be a good thing, might be a bad thing. It is busier than it used to be but it has a ton of great shops and restaurants.
Cheap mani/pedi. And fast. 1 block away.
11 locals recommend
Main Attraction Nail & Spa
2654 Main St
11 locals recommend
Cheap mani/pedi. And fast. 1 block away.
Yoga!
73 locals recommend
YogaWorks Main St
2215 Main St
73 locals recommend
Yoga!
Yoga!
51 locals recommend
Exhale Los Angeles - Venice
245 S Main St
51 locals recommend
Yoga!
SUCH good fresh and healthy thai. Cheap!
60 locals recommend
Thai Vegan
2400 Main St
60 locals recommend
SUCH good fresh and healthy thai. Cheap!

Shopping

Local furniture/home store. Run by Jessica & Asher. Lovely people.
Weego Home
3792 Beethoven St
Local furniture/home store. Run by Jessica & Asher. Lovely people.
Outdoor mall.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street Promenade
1595 locals recommend
Outdoor mall.
Great clothing store. Women's and Men's. Run by Christine who is amazing.
hiptique
2727 Main St
Great clothing store. Women's and Men's. Run by Christine who is amazing.
If you have a craving!
9 locals recommend
Ben & Jerry’s
2441 Main St
9 locals recommend
If you have a craving!

Sightseeing

Fun for kids. Great ferris wheel. A fun walk from the house or quick drive.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier
2744 locals recommend
Fun for kids. Great ferris wheel. A fun walk from the house or quick drive.