Santa Monica Visitors Guide '13 by Ivy & Ink

official visitors guide

santamonica official visitors guide convention & visitors bureau

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the contents

08 SANTA MONICA, CA

The Celebrated City

12 the bEACH

Classic California

20 THE food

Dining by District

52 THE Shopping

Cool and Casual

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78 THE arts

Creative in the City

86 THE Outdoors

In Touch With Nature

93 The hotels

Stay in Style

100 Travel tips

All the Details

santamonica convention & visitors bureau

a publication of santa monica convention and visitors bureau

official visitors guide

santa monica convention & visitors bureau

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: Kristen Beinke, Kristen Beinke, Jonathan Rouse/Huntley Hotel.

departments

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the contents

featurettes

Santa Monica's 8 Districts

17 santa monica Sunsets

Spectacular Experiences

28 farmers' markets

The Local Bounty

34 Top chefs

Celebrated Innovators

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49 Nightlife

The City After Dark

76 Beauty Shopping & Spas

Pamper Thyself

89 green living

The Sustainable City

91 pet-friendly

Pets Need Vacations Too

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a publication of santa monica convention and visitors bureau

official visitors guide

santa 96 hotelmonica grid

A Quick-and-easy convention &Guide visitors bureau

104 santa monica maps

Navigating the City

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: Nik Wheeler, Jennifer Rau, Kristen Beinke.

10 districts

Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau 1920 Main Street, Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90405 310.319.6263 | Fax: 310.319.6273 Consumer: 800.544.5319 (Nationwide) Sales: 800.771.2322 (Nationwide) President & CEO Misti Kerns | mkerns@santamonica.com Vice President, Sales & Services Allison Best | abest@santamonica.com Director of Marketing Kim Baker | kbaker@santamonica.com For general information: santamonica.com | info@santamonica.com For visitor information, contact: Santa Monica Walk-In Visitor Information Center 310.393.7593 | Open daily 9am–5:30pm Santa Monica Visitor Information Kiosk 1400 Ocean Avenue (Palisades Park) 310.393.0410 Summer: open daily 9am–5pm Winter: open daily 10am–4pm Santa Monica Visitor Information Kiosk-Pier 322 Santa Monica Pier 310.804.7457 | Daily 11am–4pm Santa Monica Visitor Information Cart Third Street Promenade (1300 block) Daily 11am–4pm

Striker Media Group 1316 Third Street Promenade, Suite B2, Santa Monica, CA 90401 310.394.3413 | Fax: 310.394.3414 | strikermedia.com Publisher Lyndell F. Gooch

Art Director Ivy Brown

Vice President Kirstan N. Gooch

Graphic Designers Bill Booty Dani Lemus

Director of Operations Christine Thomas Editor/Writer Matt Jaffe

Advertising Sales Matthew Gibbons Gayle Greenberg

For advertising information: 800.578.5013 | sales@strikermedia.com Cover Photo by Kristen Beinke The 2012–2013 Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide is published for Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau by Striker Media Group. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information presented in this guide is up-to-date and accurate. Due to the vast number of sources used in collecting the data, Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau and Striker Media Group assume no responsibilties for errors, changes, or omissions. PrinteD in the USA on Recycled Paper

Thank you, 2012-2013 alliance partners

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With its world-class oceanfront hotels and glorious Pacific Ocean setting, Santa Monica certainly delivers the chic California beach experience that visitors crave. But for all of its irresistible appeal as a destination, Santa Monica offers something more for travelers. Spend a bit of time here and pretty soon you'll begin to feel less like a visitor and more like a local. It certainly doesn't take long: Santa Monica is such an open and inviting city (and so compact and easy to navigate) that you'll not only have the chance to spend time along 3.5 miles of beach and discover its historic attractions, including Santa Monica Pier, but experience

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the contemporary character and shopping and dining in the city's eight diverse districts. Santa Monica is where the city meets the sea. And whether you're a sophisticate or a surfer (or like many locals, a combination of the two), Santa Monica is an endlessly compelling city: beautiful, artistic, stylish, progressive, and a haven for anyone who loves to spend time outdoors. National Geographic honored Santa Monica as one of the Top 10 Beach Cities in the Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;right up there with Barcelona, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro. Which raises a question: So how exactly does a small city with a population of under 100,000 earn a place with these world capitals?

There's Santa Monica's food scene: With top chefs inspired by the California bounty found at our award-winning farmers' market, Santa Monica's internationally acclaimed dining ranks with the best anywhere. Santa Monica is in the culinary vanguard, and helped establish the trend for organic and locally sourced ingredients. The city's restaurants are always evolving, and you'll find everything from traditional American favorites to the latest in gastropubs and craft cocktails. The city's chefs are just one part of Santa Monica's eclectic creative community. Thanks to its many movie production companies and post-production facilities, Santa Monica is a hub for the entertainment

“Top Ten Beach Cities in the World”—National Geographic “America's Best Downtowns”—Forbes industry. And so many new media firms have relocated here in recent years, that Santa Monica has been dubbed Silicon Beach. A remarkable 40 percent of local residents work in creative businesses.

Sondra Stocker.

Creativity is definitely in the air in Santa Monica. The city has been a center for Southern California artists for generations, and today is home to more than 120 galleries, public art installations, theaters, and museums. Not surprisingly, Santa Monica's blend of urban energy, beach town atmosphere, and natural beauty have made it a popular residence for leading actors, musicians, and athletes. Celebrities love Santa Monica's laidback lifestyle, which is definitely an alter-

native to the Hollywood scene, so be sure to keep your eyes open while you're in town. The city's celebrity clientele has encouraged clothing and interior designers to set up shop in retail areas such as Downtown, Montana Avenue, and Main Street. Santa Monica's upscale boutiques pop up frequently in magazines and websites, and the city is in the forefront of national fashion and design trends. So if shopping is your thing, this is heaven. For all of Santa Monica's celebrated diversity, if there's one thing that unifies locals, it's their commitment to the city's natural environment, especially the beach. This is a city that loves the outdoors.

The ocean and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains encourage both residents and visitors to get out—and get moving. You'll see surfers, yogis, and volleyball players at the beach, hikers in the hills, and bicyclists just about everywhere. Santa Monica is such an active, fitness-oriented city that some visitors liken it to a giant open-air gym. Add it all up, and the allure of the Santa Monica lifestyle is unmistakable. So come here and live the local life. Find your style. And discover for yourself why people from all over the world travel to Santa Monica— then want to stay forever. Santa Monica State Beach and Historic Santa Monica Pier

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Downtown & Third Street Promenade This is the heart of the city. In and around the area from Ocean Avenue to 7th Street and on multiple blocks surrounding Third Street Promenade, you'll find a mix of national retailers, smaller boutiques, and, not to be missed, is the newly opened Santa Monica Place, an outdoor shopping experience that offers an incomparable retail line-up, ocean-view dining deck, and its artisan food hall, The Market. Downtown lures big crowds, who love the area for its pedestrian-friendly character and people watching, especially along car-free Third Street Promenade. With fine restaurants as well as movie theaters, nightclubs, and lounges, the neighborhood offers selection and convenience when you're looking for a night out.

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Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Avenue, Ocean Front Walk Dating back to 1909, the pier is a true Southern California icon. The busy beach promenade of Ocean Front Walk runs parallel to the city's section of the famous 22-mile-long South Bay Bicycle Trail. Home to upscale hotels and stylish restaurants, Ocean Avenue blends South of France-style sophistication with classic California views from atop the palisades. Palisades Park runs along the avenue and is popular for strolling and jogging—and unforgettable sunsets too. For information, stop by the district's two Santa Monica Visitor Information Kiosks in Palisades Park at 1400 Ocean Avenue and at 322 Santa Monica Pier (across from Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.).

Mid-City

Main Street

Mixing residential streets with wide boulevards lined with stores and restaurants, this is a surprising and vibrant area. Theater fans and architecture buffs will love The Broad Stage, centerpiece of Santa Monica College's arts complex on its Madison Campus. For a look at Southern California's art scene, check out Bergamot Station— home to the region's largest concentration of galleries and the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Thanks in part to the district's easy proximity to fine dining and cafes, many well-known companies have chosen to set up shop in Mid-City, including Universal Music, Sony, Viacom, IMAX, and Beachbody.

“A world away from the ordinary, a block away from the beach.” That pretty much sums up Main Street's combination of Santa Monica's beach lifestyle and the city's creative urban vibe. You'll find chic clothing stores, eco-friendly shops, and art galleries—as well as a weekly farmers' market. With all sorts of restaurants, cafés, pubs, and clubs, it's a great area to hang out with the locals and catch the neighborhood scene. And be sure to check out what's happening around town at the Santa Monica Walk-In Visitor Information Center near the corner of Main Street and Pico Boulevard.

what's NEW? santamonica.com

Downtown & Montana Ave.: ThatGirlProductions.com, Santa Monica Pier: Nik Wheeler, Mid-City: Benny Chan.

8 districts

the districts

With its eight diverse districts, Santa Monica is a city of neighborhoods. At just 8.3 square miles, the city is so compact that it doesn't take long to discover great streets filled with local character and outstanding shopping and dining. Santa Monica definitely lets you pick your scene, so here's a quick guide to get

Main St.: Sondra Stocker, Pico & Ocean Park: ThatGirlProductions.com, Santa Monica Airport: Greg Peterson.

you oriented.

Montana Avenue

Pico Boulevard

Ocean Park Boulevard

Santa Monica Airport

You never know who you'll see on stylish and upscale Montana Avenue in the northern end of Santa Monica. Both a neighborhood street and an international destination, it draws stars (many live nearby) who may be here to run errands, to stretch and meditate in yoga classes, or to find the latest in fashion, home décor, and jewelry design at Montana's incredible boutiques. More relaxed than posh, Montana is perfect for strolling, browsing, and lingering over brunch or dinner with friends. The shopping goes on for 10 blocks, you could easily spend your whole day here.

Located toward Santa Monica's southern end, Pico Boulevard is an eclectic street that runs from the city's eastern edge to the ocean. It's home to art studios, Santa Monica College and the school's Drescher Planetarium, as well as the fabled music venue McCabe's Guitar Shop, where everyone from Jackson Browne to Linda Ronstadt has played. There's also a growing culinary scene here: Foodies love Pico for its landmark restaurants, including Valentinos and Josie's, as well as downhome spots like retro diner Rae's and Gilbert's, a Mexican classic. And its weekly farmers' market is a Santa Monica institution.

Friendly Ocean Park lets you discover an authentic side of Santa Monica. Its stores, boutiques, and galleries draw a big contingent of neighborhood residents, as does Ocean Park's collection of restaurants, including gourmet burger spot The Counter, the Italian favorite Il Forno Trattoria, and Thyme Café & Market, a Best of L.A. winner in Los Angeles magazine. Ocean Park is also home to the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, where you can dine at Bistro 21 on outstanding (and inexpensive) dishes prepared by culinary arts majors. With a kids area and views of runways at Santa Monica Airport, Cloverfield Park is a popular gathering spot.

Most airports are places to pass through—and quickly. But Santa Monica Airport is more like a city park. It's home to the newly reopened Museum of Flying, the monthly Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market, innovative restaurants including Typhoon (where you can enjoy drinks or dinner while watching planes on the runway), and special events at Barker Hangar. Once the site of Douglas Airplane Company, the airport is popular with aviation buffs who love the close-up look at unique aircraft during takeoffs and landings.

L–R: Public Art on Third Street Promendade, Historic Santa Monica Pier Sign, The Broad Stage in Mid-City, Urth Caffe on Main Street, One-of-a-kind shops on Montana Ave., McCabe's Guitar Center on Pico Blvd., Thyme Café & Market on Ocean Park Boulevard, Deck view from Santa Monica Airport.

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For all its big city amenities, Santa Monica is a small beach town at heart. Life here is oriented toward the classic L–R: Kristen Beinke, Sondra Stocker.

sweep of Santa Monica Beach, where you can swim, surf, and catch unforgettable sunsets.

What makes Santa Monica Beach so unique is its combination of urban energy and natural splendor. With dolphins swimming just offshore and dramatic views of coastal mountains dropping to the Pacific, the beach is an escape from the busy world of nearby Los Angeles. And 6.7 million people head to the roomy expanses of Santa Monica Beach each year. So the beach is about more than sand, surf, and sun (although there's plenty of all three). In naming Santa Monica Beach one of the 10 Great Public Places in America, the American Planning Association (APA) described it “the most photographed beach in California” and “a place where human theatre unfolds daily against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean”. There's always action on Santa Monica Beach, where locals get their daily rejuvenation time by the ocean and camera-toting visitors from all over the world marvel at the glories along the far edge of the continent. You might see a movie or fashion shoot, then watch world-class beach volleyball players battle it out in the sands. Then spot celebrities and athletes jogging down the bicycle trail, the world's longest oceanfront bike path. santamonica.com

the beach

peter paris

surf-life

"In constant pursuit of a better surf-life, I realized long ago that nowhere spreads out the summer crowds like the Santa Monica beach break. We have 4 miles of sand and waves. It may not get as big as other as other spots, but there's always something. Living and working in the Santa Monica area, I get to surf or stand-up paddle every day." —Owner, Go Surf LA

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Plus you'll find plenty to do that's more strenuous than people-watching too. The surf is mild, and so Santa Monica Beach is ideal for swimming, boogie boarding, and bodysurfing. And if you've always wanted to try surfing or stand-up paddle surfing, you'll find expert instructors who'll get you up on a wave in no time. Aqua Surf was named best surf school in Southern California by AOL Time Warner.

Santa Monica Pier With its arched neon gateway and brilliantly glowing Ferris wheel, 103-year-old Santa Monica Pier is one of Southern California's most recognizable symbols. Along with the Hollywood Sign, no landmark is used more often as an establishing shot in national television broadcasts from Los Angeles than the pier. Coastal Living magazine named Santa Monica Pier one of the country's top ten piers and one of the top ten boardwalks. That's no surprise: The pier lets you get out over the waves, where you can take in sweeping coastline views, and linger

over extraordinary Pacific sunsets. You can fish too. Thanks to the Santa Monica Pier Bait and Tackle Company, you can try to catch sea bass and leopard shark—no license required. With a 1922 Carousel housed in the Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome and Pacific Park, an amusement park that recalls the era when local beaches were lined by Coney Island-style attractions, the pier is a definite throwback. But it's not all about nostalgia. Go out in summer when the Twilight Concert Series kicks into gear and you'll find yourself in the middle of one of Southern California's most happening scenes.

Pier Attractions • pacific Park With 160,000 LED lights, the park's glowing Pacific Wheel is a multi-colored spectacle. But for all its brilliant hues, one color stands out: green. That's because this is the world's only solar-powered Ferris wheel—and a remarkable reminder of Santa Monica's environmental commitment.

the BEACH

annenberg Community Beach House Santa Monica is home to the country's only public beach club, Annenberg Community Beach House. Built in the 1920s by William Randolph Hearst as an escape for actress Marion Davies, it was once the largest estate on Santa Monica's Gold Coast. The property featured buildings designed by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan, including the Guest House, now the club's centerpiece. But after years of neglect, the city sought to turn the property into a public facility. When noted philanthropist Wallis Annenberg learned of these plans, she donated the $27.5 million that made today's public beach club a reality.

Clockwise: Kristen Beinke, Nik Wheeler, Kristen Beinke, Peter Figen.

The Ferris wheel gives riders a one-of-akind perspective. Imagine not only being out over the ocean but 13 stories up, with city and coastline views that you won't get anywhere else. Pacific Park's other big attraction is the West Coaster, a five-story roller coaster that offers old-fashioned thrills above the waves. In addition to its 12 rides, you can play amusement park games and indulge in classic food favorites, including cotton candy and funnel cakes.

• Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome A national historic landmark, the Hippodrome made a cameo appearance in the Academy Award-winning Paul NewmanRobert Redford film The Sting. These days, it's a place where kids discover that even in the age of iPads, there's still something special about a calliope music and ups-and-downs and roundand-rounds of a carousel ride. Especially when you follow it up with an ice cream cone or sundae from an old-fashioned soda fountain.

• Santa Monica Pier Aquarium The aquarium takes you beneath the ocean surface—without getting your feet wet. That doesn't mean you'll stay totally dry however, not with three touch tanks that let you meet the locals (all of the sea creatures here are from Santa Monica Bay). You'll also find a shark and ray tank and the 2,200-gallon Pier Tank, which is home to species that live in the waters beneath the pier. Operated by Heal the Bay, an organization instrumental in pushing for the protection and restoration of Santa Monica Bay, the aquarium offers weekly naturalist presentations and Shark Sundays programs.

Not only has the Annenberg Community Beach House created unique ways for visitors to experience the coast, in keeping with Santa Monica's environmental commitment, it earned a Gold LEED rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Its insulation is even made from recycled blue jeans. You can swim, take yoga classes, or enjoy numerous fitness and sports activities (see Outdoors section p. 86). The beach house also hosts a busy schedule of cultural offerings. The Beach=Culture Series includes free lectures and concerts on Tuesdays in summer and Mondays in winter. The house's gallery features photography exhibits, and you can also take free, 30-minute tours of the Marion Davies Guest House with docents from the Santa Monica Conservancy.

• Playland Arcade Test your skills on classics including Surfside Skeeball and Riptide Ring Toss, as well as pinball machines and air hockey. Then ham it up in one of the arcade's photo booths.

L–R: Strolling along Santa Monica State Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Enjoy the sun and a beverage from Perry's beach butler.

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the BEACH

beach basics Parking. While we encourage you to walk, bike, or use public transit, you’ll find eight beach parking lots north and south of Santa Monica Pier along Pacific Coast Highway. Five beach lots are near the pier (two north, three south, and the Pier Parking Deck), and two beach lots are located farther south at Bicknell Avenue and at Ocean Park Boulevard. There are also several shortterm parking lots. Metered parking rates are approximately $1 per hour. In some lots, visitors deposit money in a central self-pay kiosk according to space number. The kiosk produces a stub to be placed on dashboards. There are also lots where you pay at a booth. For a comprehensive city parking map and real-time parking space availability, visit http://parking.santa-monica.org. And a tip from locals: Always read signs carefully!

Information. Stop by our Santa Monica Visitor Information Kiosk at 322 Santa Monica Pier (across from Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.). You can also pick up tickets for Starline Tours (named L.A.’s best ultimate fun tour) at the company’s pier box office.

More BEach Attractions • Muscle Beach—the Original If Santa Monica is a giant outdoor gym, this bodybuilding landmark is where it all began back in the 1930s. In its heyday, celebrities frequented Muscle Beach, including Mae West, Kirk Douglas, and Jayne Mansfield. Pioneering fitness guru Jack LaLanne and other internationally known bodybuilders also worked out at Muscle Beach. Come here and you'll see amazing acrobatic displays as people work out on the beach's parallel bars and rings.

• International Chess Park In Santa Monica, we keep our minds in top shape too. So give your brain a workout at this park's built-in chess tables. Or watch the intense rivalries among the regulars, including some master-level players. Then try a game on the giant board built into the sand. 16

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• Carousel Park A popular family stop, the park just south of the pier features a giant stone-walled sandbox and a Viking ship. When you press a knob on the ship's wheel, mist sprays from a nearby dragon's snout.

• Trapeze School of New York With classes for all skill levels, the school offers circus-style high-flying fun. For information, see ‘Keeping Fit’ on page 90.

• Volleyball Courts Beach volleyball was born in Santa Monica and you can play on the same courts where Olympians and professionals train. See ‘Keeping Fit’ on page 90 for more information.

Clockwise: Trapeze School of New York, Carousel Park, Pier dining at Mariasol, Volleyball on Santa Monica State Beach, Get your feet wet in Santa Monica's Pacific waters.

Clockwise: Karen Maze, Greg Peterson, Kristen Beinke, Nik Wheeler, Kristen Beinke.

Wheelchair Access. Four 11-foot-wide wooden boardwalks extend onto the beach from Ocean Front Walk. The city also provides free, all-terrain non-motorized wheelchairs for two hours. They’re available at Perry’s (310.939.0000) north of the pier at 930 Pacific Coast Highway on weekends only, and south of the pier at 2400 Ocean Front Walk.

the beach

BEach and pier Dining “Life is uncertain, so eat dessert first,” is the motto at Soda Jerks on Santa Monica Pier. It's a throwback to classic soda fountains, and all shakes and sundaes are fresh and handmade. Dubbed “the last burger on land,” the classic beach burgers at Pier Burger have earned raves from local foodies, as has its delicious frozen custard. The Lobster combines the inventive seafood dishes of executive chef Collin Crannell with some of Santa Monica's best views. Named a distinguished restaurant by the California Restaurant Writers Association, Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the pier celebrates ’60s surf culture, seafood, and beach favorites—plus there's karaoke, pool, and live music. Mariasol lets you sip margaritas as you listen to mariachi music and dine on Mexican dishes over the waves. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. remains a family favorite for its friendly atmosphere and great seafood. And for variety, Pacific Park’s food court offers all sorts of quick and easy dining. Located in a building that dates back to 1902, Big Dean’s Oceanfront Café is still a popular choice to hang out over beers and burgers. Ocean Front Walk has all sorts of casual selections too, including four Perry’s Cafés (perfect for a quick, healthy bite while on the South Bay Bicycle Trail) as well as the Carousel Café, which dates back to the 1940s. And just guess what beach classic you can enjoy at Hot Dog On A Stick? With terrific beach grub, tables located so you can put feet in the sand, and room to play, Back on the Beach at Annenberg Community Beach House is another ideal spot to take the kids. santamonica.com

the beach [sunsets]

santa monica sunsets In Santa Monica, you’ll find endless ways to experience that spectacular time when the sun drops toward the Pacific.

1 East meets west

4 Catch It

7 Seafood & Scenery 9 Out Over the Waves

Shutters on the Beach Hotel may remind some visitors of New England. But the sunsets views from the hotel’s restaurants—One Pico, Coast, and The Living Room—are pure Santa Monica.

Whether from a window-side table or the bar, the real catch of the day at Casa del Mar is the glorious sunset view from its restaurant—Catch.

180 degree views from The Lobster restaurant look out over the historic Santa Monica Pier.

2 High in the Sky

5 Above the City

Ride the Ferris wheel at Pacific Park and catch the sunset from 130 feet up.

The outdoor Dining Deck at Santa Monica Place lets you look out across the rooftops to the ocean.

3 Views on the Move

6 From the Fireside

The sunset sky is ever-changing and so too is the perspective as you ride along the South Bay Bicycle Trail through Santa Monica State Beach.

Settle in by an outdoor fire pit at the oceanfront Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

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8 Go Deco Find a spot outdoors at The Veranda along the front of the Art Deco landmark The Georgian Hotel. Or toast the sunset from Suite 700, the rooftop bar at the Streamline Modernedesigned The Hotel Shangrila. The hotel hosts the Explore Santa Monica Beach Cam. Preview its panoramas at Explore.org/#!/live-cams/player/santamonica-sunset-cam

Settle in for drinks or dinner at Mariasol on Santa Monica Pier.

10 High-Style Eighteen stories up, The Penthouse– the Huntley Santa Monica Beach’s rooftop restaurant and ultra-lounge– combines sweeping views and the award-winning design of Thomas Schoos.

11 the City’s Balcony Palisades Park stretches for 1.6 miles atop the bluffs overlooking the beach.

By #: (2,3) Sondra Stocker, (5) Kristen Beinke, (6) Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, (7,11) Nik Wheeler.

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Ask the locals and they'll tell you that the Santa Monica dining scene is right up with the beach on their list of what makes this L–R: Kristen Beinke, Jennifer Rau.

city so appealing. That's because from hot dogs to haute cuisine, Santa Monica takes its food seriously. Very seriously.

Santa Monica emerged as an international culinary destination more than 30 years ago, and has remained in the top echelon of American dining ever since. World-renowned Santa Monica chefs, including Wolfgang Puck and Michael McCarty, helped revolutionize American dining. At Michael's restaurant, McCarty combined the foundations of classical French cooking with a more contemporary California approach, which led Wine Spectator to name him one of the five chefs who “radically changed the way America dines.” Puck has gone on to create a global food empire but it was in Santa Monica in 1983 where he blended Asian cooking with French influences and a California emphasis on fresh ingredients to pioneer fusion cuisine at Chinois On Main. In naming Puck to its list of the Top 25 American Food Entrepreneurs, Gourmet. com described him as “possibly the most recognizable chef on the planet.” Then there's Piero Selvaggio. Forty years after his landmark Italian restaurant Valentino opened, he's still at the top of his game and just earned a nomination for national restaurateur of the year from the James Beard Foundation. santamonica.com

the food

santa monica place The City's Newest Dining Landmark While you'll find infinite dining choices around Santa Monica, if you're looking for a big selection all in one location—plus ocean breezes and sunset views—then head over to Santa Monica Place. Foodies will feel like they're in heaven when they first begin to browse at The Market, a collection of local artisan food purveyors offering wines, cheeses, bread, chocolate, and other gourmet items. In addition to quick and casual choices at its Food Court, the third-story Dining Deck offers impressive fine dining. Rising star chef Roman Petry helms two very different restaurants: Ozumo brings a contemporary take to Japanese dishes while seasonal wine country small plates and entrees are available at Sonoma Wine Garden. Celebrated chef Richard Sandoval displays his modern touch with Mexican dishes at La Sandia and a creative approach at the eclectic Zengo, which blends Asian and Latin flavors. Stop at Pizza Antica for Roman-style woodfired pizzas in a friendly atmosphere. Located inside The Market, the artisanal, farm-to-table hotspot The Curious Palate will satisfy even the most inquisitive taste buds with a menu inspired by American favorites and global street foods. Located in Nordstrom, Blue Stove has an exhibition kitchen that turns out small plates, as well as an outstanding selection of wines by the glass.

And last year the pioneering Downtown Farmers' Market celebrated its 30th anniversary by taking honors as the best farmers' market in the U.S. from Travel + Leisure magazine. The market was in the vanguard of the locavore movement and its emphasis on locally grown foods decades before the term even existed. These days, the market is better than ever. So is the Santa Monica culinary scene. While celebrated restaurants, such as Josiah Citrin's Michelin Guide two-star winner Mélisse, remain among the country's finest, a new generation of chefs is reinvigorating Santa Monica's dining with their own inventive approaches. So many local food figures have competed on Bravo Network's hit show Top Chef that some have joked that there should be a cook-off between Santa Monica chefs. The Santa Monica food experience is also about more than its destination restaurants. Not only can you savor the brilliance of celebrity chefs, you might spot Hollywood celebrities too. As Coastal Living magazine described it, “Dozens of Southern California's finest restaurants

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offer a chance to glance nonchalantly, between courses, at faces made famous in that city next door.” Santa Monica is also part of the world's most diverse metropolis, and the range of its international dining offerings reflects Southern California's incredible cultural and ethnic mix. For that matter, you'll also find old-school American joints, great burgers, and healthy spots that emphasize vegan cooking and organic ingredients. The city is such a culinary destination that Santa Monica hosted a most selective— and opinionated—group of foodies during the 2011 International Food Blogger Conference. One participant, Elizabeth Nyland, wrote on her Guilty Kitchen blog, “We walked for miles in Santa Monica… searching for all the greatest food. We found many inspiring restaurants, stores, hole in the wall cafes, and raw food bars.” Exploring Santa Monica's food community can be invigorating. But not nearly as satisfying as taking that first bite of a brilliantly prepared creation once you've finally reached your destination.

the food

eat in Downtown & On Third Street Promenade

Clockwise: Kristen Beinke, Kristen Beinke, ThatGirlProductions.com, Kristen Beinke.

Dining in this always bustling district comes a delicious side of Santa Monica's vibrant, urban scene. Along with the beach, this is the city's great gathering place for both locals and people from all over the planet enjoy street performers and incomparable people-watching—often front-row seats from the sidewalk cafes.

as a triple pork burger and a port-andStilton burger. It's located at Fred Segal. For rustic modern dishes, Tar & Roses, incorporates local, sustainable ingredients. Key to the restaurant is a wood-burning oven with a changing selection of woods. There's coffee and then there's the pourover drip coffee at The Refinery, where the minimalist interior features a distinctive work by graffiti artist Codak.

• AMerican fare

• From Across the Pacific

Earning a spot on Zagat's list of the five best restaurant settings in Los Angeles, The Misfit gastropub has a two-story interior, tile floors, and a bar stretching the full length of the dining room. A stylish downtown spot, the Thomas Schoosdesigned The Penthouse, won honors for top décor in the Los Angeles Zagat Survey®, plus positively amazing views.

Discover sushi legend Kazunori Nozawa's traditional approach at Sugarfish. The stylish contemporary setting at Wokcano is the perfect complement to its menu of sushi and Chinese dishes, while Musha offers the atmosphere of a lively Tokyo izakaya tavern. Sunset magazine recently featured its tofu fries with wasabi mayonnaise and sweet chilli sauce.

Always busy for breakfast, Jinky’s Café is home to fabulous pumpkin pancakes and even a crabcake Benedict. Leading food critic Alan Richman named Umami Burger “the burger of the year” in GQ magazine, thanks to innovative variations

Thai is a popular cuisine downtown and you can find this spicy fare at Thai Dishes and T’s Thai. For an exotic, tropical atmosphere reminiscent of Bali head over to Monsoon Café. And Buddha’s Belly also offers a Pan-Asian selection.

• Italian Not only does La Botte Ristorante have an authentic Italian wine cellar atmosphere, its Veneto-style food is so good that the restaurant earned a star in the 2009 Michelin Guide. Food writer Jay Weston wrote on The Huffington Post that “the best Northern Italian meal I have had in many years” was at Locanda del Lago. The restaurant's outdoor patio also has some of Third Street Promenade's most amazing people-watching and showcases the delicious potential of vegetarian and vegan dining during its weekly Meatless Mondays event. Its sister restaurant Café Bellagio provides a more casual alternative with panini, salads, and gelato. Bravo Cucina brings a touch of New York's Little Italy to Santa Monica. Regulars come here just for the gnocchi. And for “comforting and familiar” food that “really tastes like Italy” according to Los Angeles Times food critic S. Irene Virbila Hostaria del Piccolo is the place to go. Clockwise: Drinks on Sonoma Wine Garden's terrace, Salad at Huntley Hotel, Outdoor dining at Locanda del Lago, Fresh fruit drinks at True Food Kitchen.

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For a menu based on traditional dishes from the Yucatan and Oaxaca, Border Grill is a colorful and energetic spot.

• Pizza An outpost of the New York original, Joe’s Pizza serves up thin-crust slices that the Travel Channel dubbed, “the rockstar of all pizza.” As its name suggests, Johnnie’s New York Pizza is another haven for thin-crust aficionados.

• European Variations Leading chef Joe Miller's Bar Pintxo delivers the flavors of Barcelona and was listed as one of L.A.'s five top tapas restaurants in the Los Angeles Times. Hans Röckenwagner is a noted Southern California restaurateur. His Röckenwagner Bakery/Café combines his European influences with those of his adopted California home. Try a sandwich on one of his legendary pretzel baguettes. With its bistro fare and sidewalk seating, Monsieur Marcel SM brings a Parisian boulevarding experience to the Promenade. Food critic Jonathan Gold called Jiraffe “a real California bistro” with its blend of french

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cuisine and West Coast verve. Chef Raphael Lunetta is a real California chef too–a devoted surfer. Santa Monica remains a center of the British expatriate scene. With an atmosphere of an old English inn, Ye Olde King’s Head has traditional favorites and numerous English beers on tap. And Coastal Living magazine included its fish and chips among the country's ten best. In addition to English classics, sports are always on the menu at Britannia Pub. The venerable Tudor House is one of the county's oldest tearooms and an inviting spot for high tea.

• For your sweet tooth How about cupcake wars? When asked by Lucky magazine who makes the best cupcake in L.A., food blogger Claire Thomas said, “Hands down, Vanilla Bakeshop. The buttercream frosting is rich and smooth, with a subtle creamcheese tang, and the cake is moist, flavorful, and not too sweet.” Meanwhile, fans on Citysearch voted Yummy Cupcakes the best in Los Angeles. Both shops are located within a block of each other, so visit both and judge for yourself.

eat on Santa Monica Pier, Ocean Avenue & Ocean Front Walk Blending Riviera-style elegance with the laid-back fun of a vintage California beach town, this district is filled with dining destinations for all moods and budgets. You may have come for the sea breezes, patio dining, and wonderful views but you'll soon be savoring some of Santa Monica's most creative restaurants.

• Lavish by the Pacific Many of Santa Monica's top restaurants are located in its luxury hotels and offer the city's most dramatic dining rooms and finest ocean views. Chef Ray Garcia's FIG at the Fairmont Miramar is definitely a hot spot. Los Angeles Times food critic S. Irene Virbila hailed Garcia for his “bright California cooking.” Garcia grew up in Southern California, and works with local Santa Monica high school students to better acquaint them with healthy cooking as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity initiative. L–R: Enjoy Border Grill's unique décor, Blue Plate's Pomegranate Salad.

L–R: Christine Thomas, Jennifer Rau .

• Mexican

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inspiration

“As a chef, one of the best things about Santa Monica is its Farmers' Markets. They are located throughout the city on varying days. My personal favorite is the Wednesday market on Arizona. It is a gathering spot where the city's best chefs get inspiration from the country's best farmers.” —Chef, FIG Restaurant

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As gorgeous as the views at Shutters on the Beach's One Pico may be (Zagat named it one of L.A.'s ten best), it also boasts an inviting and refurbished interior that's a perfect setting for executive chef Michael Reardon's fresh Cal-Med dishes. One Pico is a recipient of Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, and its sommelier, Peter Neptune, is one of only 96 master sommeliers in the U.S. For delicious and casual beachfront dining at Shutters on the Beach Hotel, Coast

serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also hosts three-course farmers' market dinners on Wednesdays. Offering California-influenced French cuisine, The Dining Room at Hotel Shangrila features a curving bar and graceful streamline-inspired décor, plus a raw bar and views of the ocean and Palisades Park. The Veranda at The Georgian Hotel has both outdoor seating along Ocean Avenue and a more traditional dining room for such favorites as its signature French toast souflée and a tapas menu. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a mother-of-pearl sushi bar, Catch in Hotel Casa del Mar features the seasonal menus of executive chef Jason Bowlin, whose specialties include a whole sizzling black bass in bouillabaisse broth. It earned a spot on Food and Wine's list of the “Ten Best Restaurants With A View.” Also at the hotel, The Veranda can turn a breakfast or light meals into events thanks to 20-foot-high windows that embrace spectacular ocean views. You'll see surfers and maybe even dolphins swimming by.

L–R: Border Grill, Kristen Beinke, Ocean & Vine, Christine Thomas.

ray garcia

Keith Roberts, executive chef at Ocean & Vine in Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, is a devotee of the Wednesday farmers' market (hotel guests can join him for field trips), and his dishes masterfully incorporate local seafood, produce, and products from artisan food purveyors. In an Angeleno magazine article on rising cooking stars, Whist executive chef Tony DiSalvo was asked to describe his restaurant in three words. He needed six: “Evolving. Fresh. Fun. Or maybe coastal, modern, Mediterranean.” The restaurant definitely has an all-star team: Whist's chef de cuisine, Chris Crary, appeared in the ninth season of Top Chef.

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In JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot, Cézanne updates traditional French cuisine with California influences in a dramatic room with high-backed banquettes and gorgeous saffron-hued chandeliers.

• Along Ocean Avenue Look for the opening of Blue Plate Taco, a stylish, updated take on coastal Mexican cuisine in Shore Hotel. It's part of the same restaurant group as nearby Blue Plate Oysterette, a must for aficionados of lobster rolls and oysters. Seafood fans have plenty of options in this district. Crab cakes, plenty of celebs, and ocean views are signatures of fabled Ivy at the Shore. Celebrated for fine seasonal seafood, contemporary design, The Lobster offers some of Santa Monica's top ocean views. With its extensive menu and outstanding raw bar, Ocean Avenue Seafood is another favorite for seafoodby-the-seashore. Sushi lovers can try Sushi Roku, where you should keep watch for celebs. People magazine reported seeing David and

Victoria Beckham dining with famed chef Gordon Ramsay here. Or for a different take on Japanese cuisine, head over to its Robata Bar pub for Katana-style Robatayaki skewers. As for steak-lovers, they should head over to BOA Steakhouse and bask in the contemporary setting where gnarled, twisting trees rise from the floor like sculpture. Italian is well-represented on Ocean Avenue too, thanks to the perennially popular Il Fornaio. Intimate Capo (16 tables) specializes in seafood, chophouse favorites, pastas, desserts and a 1,200item wine list. Colorful and Caribbean Cha Cha Chicken may look like a simple shack. But its jerk chicken enchiladas and other favorites earned it a James Beard Foundation award for culinary excellence.

L–R: Delicious Border Grill tacos, Ahi tuna at Blue Plate Oysterette, Fireside oysters and wine at Ocean & Vine, The Lobster's patio dining.

eat in Mid-City Locals know that Mid-City is home to innovative Santa Monica restaurants that have won raves from Southern California food writers. Head out for a day of exploring the galleries at Bergamot Station or a night of theater at the Broad Stage, and you can try some of L.A.'s top restaurants.

• Modern American and Californian Focusing on the seasonal and organic, Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen is the epitome of Santa Monica restaurants—whether you come for burgers or handcrafted pastas. Angeleno magazine food critic Brad A. Johnson wrote, “Whenever anyone asks for a recommendation in Santa Monica, my first response is always Rustic Canyon.” The team behind Rustic Canyon, as well as the acclaimed Huckleberry Café & Bakery (Josh Loeb, Zoe Nathan, and Evan Funke) also bring their talents to and creativity to wood-fired pizzas and rustic pastries and breads at Milo and Olive (continued on pg 30)

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farmers' markets With exquisite fresh fruits and vegetables, the famed downtown farmers' market serves as the city's cornucopia.

That's no exaggeration. Gourmet magazine included Wilshire, Josie, and Rustic Canyon on its list of the U.S.'s best farm-to-table restaurants. Opened in 1981, the Downtown Farmers' Market was in the vanguard of the

locavore movement and its emphasis on locally grown foods—decades before the term even existed. As the Los Angeles Times describes it, “The Santa Monica Farmers Market is a giant among its peers, with its huge assortment of vendors and its reputation as the place to spot interesting produce and famous chefs.” The ever-evolving selection reflects the seasons and showcases both traditional favorites and the latest crops from Southern California's boutique farms. In addition to such rare produce as Australian finger limes, you'll find specialty foods including

grass-fed bison and unique clams and oysters. Anne Willan, food author and founder of Burgundy's world-renowned La Varenne cooking school said of the Downtown Farmers' Market, “You can tell that this market has really been supported by the local community and the chefs and the local government. I get a very strong feeling of a market that is looking to the future, of accomplishing something important, of showing the way.” Nearly 200 different growers and food purveyors participate in the city's four markets. But as wonderful as the food

may be, the city's different farmers' markets are also the best way for visitors to get inside local life in Santa Monica. As you browse and graze your way through the offerings, you'll mingle with the full cross-section that makes Santa Monica such a unique community. You'll see starlets and retirees, celebrated chefs checking out new harvests, and stroller-pushing parents putting together the night's dinner. There are the glamorous and the eccentric, busy downtown workers looking for a fast lunch and surfers fueling up before heading back to the waves.

Local Farmers' Markets Downtown Farmers' Market Arizona Ave., 2nd & 3rd Streets Wednesday, 8:30am–1:30pm Saturday, 8:30am–1:00pm Pico Farmers' Market Virginia Park, Pico & Cloverfield Blvds. Saturday 8:00am–1:00pm Main Street Farmers' Market Main Street at Ocean Park Boulevard Sunday 9:30am–1:00pm

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Clockwise: ThatGirlProductions.com, Jennifer Rau, ThatGirlProductions.com, Jennifer Rau, Jennifer Rau, Mathew Caine.

Named the best in the country by Travel + Leisure, the farmers' market definitely sets the tone for Santa Monica dining. Pulitzer Prize-winning food journalist Jonathan Gold likened the market to a giant planet “in the local culinary universe, influencing the orbit of restaurants even miles away and bringing local stoves into tight compliance with its rhythms.”

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The L.A. Weekly even named it the second best bakery in the Los Angeles area. Top Chef runner-up Stefan Richter reinvigorates small plate creations at Stefan at L.A. Farm. And at Wilshire, another Top Chef participant, Executive Chef Nyesha Arrington, brings her skills to the restaurant's New Urban Cuisine. Santa Monica Seafood is a leading fish market with an impeccable selection. Come for its oyster bar, seafood café, and sushi-to-go. Tiato Market Garden Café is a gourmet “grab and go” spot with an Asian/California menu of breakfasts, salads, and sandwiches. Enjoy brunch with live music on the restaurant's outdoor patio and garden. Ebru Fidan reimagines what a waffle can be at Bru’s Wiffle, where, in addition to classics, you'll discover such innovations as a pizza waffle and chicken curry salad waffle. Daily Candy saluted Funnel Mill as brimming “with Zen-like ambiance and one of the best brewed cups in town.” Located atop the loading dock of a onetime water heater factory, Bergamot Café is the perfect spot for breakfast and lunch while browsing the galleries and Santa Monica Art Museum at Bergamot Station. Settle in on the patio for inventive sandwiches and delicious salads. As for cool treats, Beachy Cream’s organic ice cream sandwiches (plus cones, cups, and sundaes) are made from a changing selection of 12 flavors.

• mexican A true Southern California classic, El Cholo serves up legendary green corn tamales. Casa Escobar is another local 30

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institution thanks to killer margaritas and abundant combination plates. With hundreds of reviews on Yelp.com, Tacos Por Favor is a go-to spot for foodies craving authentic Mexican favorites. With traditional pan dulces and Mexican hot chocolate, La Monarca Bakery brings the sweet tastes of Mexico to Santa Monica.

• International Flavors California Shabu Shabu brings a distinctive Japanese cooking tradition to Santa Monica. At the restaurant, you'll cook and create your own combinations of meats, seafood, noodles, and vegetables in a hot pot. Located in a century-old Craftsman house, Warszawa is an outpost for Polish specialties, including handmade pierogis and roast duckling. Nawab of India took a spot as one of the five best Indian restaurants in Los Angeles. And for a taste of Jamaica, go for jerk chicken or goat curry at Port Royal Restaurant. Along with its huge inventory of imported products, Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery is the place if you're hankering for a memorable sub sandwich. L.A. Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold included its legendary sandwich The Godmother on his list of “99 Things To Eat In L.A. Before You Die.”

• Old-School Classics Pacific Dining Car is the Santa Monica branch of a 90-year-old favorite that remains one of Southern California's best steakhouses. Dubbed “the best little neighborhood diner in Santa Monica,” Snug Harbor has a throwback atmosphere and a menu of comfort foods. L–R: Pizza made with fresh ingredients, Santa Monica Seafood, Library Alehouse's back patio, M Street Kitchen, True Food Kitchen's Ahi Tuna Sliders.

eat on Main Street Like the neighborhood itself, many of restaurants along Main Street have a free-thinking, artistic sensibility. Close to the beach and with a fun and funky spirit, it's an ideal dining destination for beach-goers and anyone eager to experience the best of Santa Monica's creative, independent vibe—and terrific food too.

• Italian and Pizza Walk down Main Street and you may become entranced by the aroma of pizza wafting through the air. That's because it's all about the crust at acclaimed Stella Rossa Pizza Bar, where handcrafted dough is fermented for at least 18 hours to ensure a crisp golden crust, chewy center and unique artisan flavor. Zagat named its chef Jeff Mahin to its list of hottest young up-and-comers on the L.A. food scene and declared, “His pies have become a centrepiece of the insurgent pizza revival in Los Angeles.” Thanks to its trattoria cuisine and romantic atmosphere, Via Veneto is one of Santa Monica's highest-ranked restaurants in the Zagat Guide. Zagat also hails La Vecchia Cucina as an outstanding neighborhood Italian restaurant and cited its “heavenly pastas.” The sibling restaurant of downtown's Bravo Cucina, Bravo Pizzeria specializes

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healthy dining California Monster Salads. Massive portions of organic produce and 10 scratch-made organic dressings daily. Take your salad to go in a one-of-a-kind edible salad cone. Euphoria Loves RAWvolution. A certified green business, this Main Street café serves raw, organic, and vegan versions of favorites from nachos to sushi. Golden Mean Vegan Café. L.A. Weekly hailed the surprising vanilla coconut cake at this healthful community gathering place in Mid-City. Greens Up! Assemble a salad from locally grown and sustainable produce, then top it with innovative, homemade dressings. The Montana Avenue location was so successful that Greens Up! opened a second location on Main Street. Interim Café. An organic café on Wilshire with plenty of gluten-free dishes and delicious baked goods prepared in house.

in classic, New York-style thin-crust slices. In addition to traditional thin crust, Wildflour Pizza bakes up a wheat crust and even has cheese-free options.

L–R: Pizza Fusion, ThatGirlProductions.com, ThatGirlProductions.com, M Street Kitchen, Christine Thomas.

• American Favorites, New and Traditional The menu at Areal is about fresh, locally grown, sustainable and organic foods including a made-from-scratch pizza, vegan stew and organic salads.With an eclectic menu from wood-fired pizzas to Indian-inspired dishes—categorized under Earth, Ocean, Sky, Land, and Fire— the exotic California cuisine at Naresh’s on Main defies easy labels. Located in a 1917 brick structure, Enterprise Fish Co. has updated the atmosphere of a classic fish house and charcoal grills impeccable seafood. Coastal Living magazine named the restaurant one of its seafood favorites in the U.S. Well-known for its eco-friendly initiatives, The Library Alehouse serves an encyclopedic range of microbrews, as well modern gourmet pub grub.

Kreation Kafe. This certified green business on Montana Avenue relies almost exclusively on locally grown organic items. Mrs. Winston’s Green Grocery. Stop at its two Santa Monica locations for an outstanding organic salad bar and soups. M Street Kitchen. M Street emphasizes fresh, seasonal, and organic ingredients in a lively, inviting Main Street atmosphere. Planet RAW by Juliano & Ariel. Decadent foods and perfect nutrition is the boast of this downtown restaurant where nothing is heated beyond 120 degrees. Real Food Daily. Organic vegan dishes by restaurant founder and owner Ann Gentry led Bon Appétit magazine to say her food was, “as interesting and delicious as it is healthful.” Tender Greens. Featuring produce picked daily at Oxnard's Scarborough Farms, freerange chicken, and line-caught tuna, it serves tasty, healthful dishes in an atmosphere inspired by a vintage beach cottage. True Food Kitchen. Starting with great-tasting, flavorful recipes, this newly-opened restaurant at Santa Monica Place incorporates locally grown, fresh, and nutritious ingredients into each dish. You will enjoy their artfully created salads, pizzas, pastas, even cocktails! Urth Caffe. The country's first all-organic coffee company, it offers 16 types of whole bean coffees. The Main Street restaurant's health-conscious choices include organic salads and vegan and low-fat baked goods. The Veggie Grill. A colorful, modern interior offers a unique setting to enjoy a menu of surprising meat-free dishes.

Main Street is also home to several local institutions. Dating to 1934, nauticalthemed The Galley is the city's oldest restaurant and an old-time Hollywood and neighborhood hangout for seafood. Big breakfasts and an appealing brickwalled interior keep the lines long at The Omelette Parlor. santamonica.com

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• French and Spanish Madame Chou Chou blends the atmosphere of a 1920s bistro with a decidedly playful, modern sensibility—complete with servers in French maid outfits. Manchego is a romantic, affordable choice for tapas on Main Street.

• Japanese/Thai/Indian Sunny Blue is Southern California's first spot for omusabi, which are Japanese rice balls with such fillings as beef miso and spicy salmon. For flavorful and authentic dishes made entirely without animal products, Thai Vegan is the place to go for pad thai noodles, curries, and other traditional favorites. Family-run Dhaba Restaurant home-style regional dishes from India.

• Mexican Chef Geraldine Gilliland's informed approach to regional cuisines and nearly 300 tequilas make Lula Cocina Mexicana a distinct break from the typical. Hole-in-the-wall Holy Guacamole is busy with locals carrying out burritos. 32

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eat on Montana Avenue Both casual and stylish, Montana Avenue is a top Santa Monica dining destination for anyone looking for low-key glamour— and the occasional Hollywood celebrity too. Browse its renowned boutiques, then take a break at one of the many spots that embody Santa Monica's commitment to the fresh, organic, and local. Café Montana’s distinctive architecture and satisfying California cuisine and desserts make it a popular stop for celebs on the avenue; People magazine reported seeing Desperate Housewives' Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross dining here. The 17th Street Café & Bakery satisfies longtime regulars with an inviting art-filled interior and tasty California cuisine. “This place stinks” is the motto at Andrew’s Cheese Shop. While that hints at his unpretentious approach, owner Andrew Steiner is cheese expert and former Maitre d'Fromage at Patina. Father’s Office burger is nationally renowned for its combination of arugula,

Gruyêre cheese, Maytag blue cheese, and compote of applewood smoked bacon and carmelized onions. Also famous is burger creator Sang Yoon's no substitution policy. That means no ketchup too. Jane Lockhart's incomparable creations have made her the baker to the stars for more than 20 years. And when it named naming Sweet Lady Jane the world's number one on its list of The 10 Best Patisseries, the authors of the National Geographic book The Ten Best of Everything: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers concluded, “The decorated cakes are both culinary and visual masterpieces.” Speaking of sweets, the New York Times featured the irresistible creations at John Kelly Chocolates and the shop's dark chocolate fudge bites with French grey sea salt took top honors in the outstanding chocolate category from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. Java junkies will rejoice on Montana. Newcomer Primo Passo Coffee Co. serves individually brewed cups using micro-roasted direct trade beans. Zagat

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named Caffe Luxxe one of L.A.'s best coffee spots. Its baristas compete in national competitions, and the top-of-theline Synesso espresso machine makes perfect creme and artistic rosettas.

L–R: Nik Wheeler, ThatGirlProductions.com, Vanessa Stump.

Even if you resist the temptation of its popular burgers, you'll be plenty satisfied with R+D Kitchen’s Newporter and other big salad entrées. Go for a turkey-avocado wrap or check out daily chalkboard specials at Blue Plate. For a bit of spice, try the Caribbean and Mexican specialties at Babalu including blue-corn crab cakes. Like much of Santa Monica, Montana Avenue is well-stocked with Italian choices. Locando Portofino is an authentic neighborhood trattoria with sidewalk seating and a big wine selection. Owner and chef Vincenzo Nicoletta is likely to greet you at his Vincenzo Ristorante, where you'll find dishes that combine contemporary touches and rustic Italian cuisine.

L–R: Andrew's Cheese Shop, Delicious baked goods at Sweet Lady Jane, Outdoor seating at Blue Plate.

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top chefs: living the life

Nyesha Arrington

Josiah Citrin

Susan Feniger & Mary Sue Milliken

Josie Le Balch

Raphael Lunetta

Michael McCarty

Wolfgang Puck

Stefan Richter

Santa Monica's chefs don't just work and live in town, they personify the local emphasis on an active, healthy lifestyle where great food plays a central role. As C Magazine wryly put it, “In Santa Monica, the food isn't spoiled, but the chefs sure are.”

visitors travel from all over the world to experience. You'll see Santa Monica chefs checking out produce and talking with growers at our four award-winning weekly farmers' markets.

sensibilities go beyond the world of food too, so many chefs are regulars at Santa Monica's art galleries.

They're definitely lucky: Each day, our chefs get to indulge in everything that this oceanfront city offers, and that

Ray Garcia

Local chefs work hard but they play hard too. So if the waves are going off, they'll seize the opportunity to get out for some surfing before heading to the restaurant. Their innovative and creative

Josie Le Balch

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And for of all their fame thanks to appearances on Top Chef and Food Network shows, Santa Monica chefs are part of the community, and are always eager to help out with local charities.

Piero Selvaggio

Raphael Lunetta

Chris Jacobson

L–R along bottom: FIG Restaurant, Nik Wheeler, Raphael Lunetta, Jennifer Rau.

As busy as Santa Monica's innovative chefs get in their kitchens, they are also an active part of the city's local scene.

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A classic Southern California street, Pico Boulevard stretches as far east as downtown L.A. But it's along Santa Monica's stretch of Pico where you'll find the boulevards' best dining. Celebrated chef Jose LeBalch has opened Next Door by Josie, which is— where else?—next door to her landmark Josie Restaurant. It serves progressive American cuisine in a casually sophisticated interior with industrial touches. Upper West brings a TriBeCa mood to Santa Monica with décor that blends the rustic and urban, a changing menu of modern American comfort foods by executive chef Nicholas Shipp, and inventive specialty cocktails. Abbot’s Pizza Co. redefines just what a pizza can be with its bagel crust and creative combinations including a distinctive salad pizza. Rae’s Restaurant is a classic retro diner that's frequently used for movie and television shoots. One spot to catch the Pico vibe is the Unurban Coffeehouse where the baristas are pros and you can catch

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rising talent on open-mic nights. And in the finest Big Lebowski tradition, bowl a few games then refuel at Oceanside Cafe inside AMF Bay Shore Lanes. Pico also boasts outstanding casual Mexican cuisine including cash-only Gilbert’s El Indio, a favorite for margaritas and carne asada burritos.

eat In Ocean Park This district may be a bit below-the-radar compared to some Santa Monica neighborhoods but it's definitely on the map for in-the-know foodies. Talk about having it your way: With five patty choices, 12 cheeses, 30 toppings, 21 sauces, and four buns, The Counter is the ultimate build-your-own burger destination. It's building an empire too: born in Santa Monica, the restaurant now has locations as far away as Ireland. Thyme Café & Market was opened by Maire Byrne, who worked at Chez Panisse in Berkeley and Aqua in San Francisco. Browse its marketplace, settle in at the café, or pick up a boxed meal to bring to the beach.

A true discovery in Ocean Park, Bistro 31 is where culinary arts majors at the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles showcase and test their skills. Art-filled Bolivar Café & Gallery is another unique find thanks to its modern interior and Latin American dishes. A onetime head chef at Spago, Lisa Stalvey is now devoting her skills to creating memorable burgers at Shaka Shack Burgers. Every neighborhood needs its local diner—and in Ocean Park that's The OP Café, a popular breakfast joint. If you want your frozen treats on the lighter side, try Frutti Yogo, which also carries gelato.

eat at Santa Monica Airport Stylish Typhoon’s Pan-Asian specialties include its famous deep-fried whole catfish, which you can order with either a Szechuan or black-bean preparation. With its aviation theme, runway view, and selection of diner-style favorites, Spitfire Grill draws pilots from the airport and families who appreciate its fun atmosphere. L–R: Dish at Josie Restaurant, Thyme Café & Market.

L–R: Nik Wheeler, ThatGirlProductions.com.

eat On Pico Boulevard

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When the sun goes down, Santa Monica does something surprising: It heats up. That's because the city has an eclectic collection of nightlife spots. Dance the night away at a club or savor artisan cocktails at high-fashion places popular with the Hollywood crowd. In a more mellow mood? Relax with friends at an elegant hotel bar or hang with locals at modern gastropubs—or neighborhood spots proudly embracing the “dive bar” label.

Santa monica Bars & Lounges

L–R: Kristen Beinke, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Santa Monica is an easy place to find a good drink, with its myriad pubs, beloved dives, upscale lounges and casual winecentric hangs.” Thanks to Santa Monica's talented roster of mixologists, the craft cocktail scene around town is booming. Copa d’Oro earned a place on Esquire's latest list of the best bars in America. It brings together artisan cocktails and Santa Monica's farmers' market scene by incorporating fresh, organic produce into its drinks. Bon Appétit recently featured the recipe for the Honey Rye from Upper West. And ABC 7 spotlighted the innovative

creations at FIG’s Bloody Mary bar. Or pair the perfect wine with the selections at FIG’s cheese and charcuterie station.

hotel bars and hailed this rooftop spot for its sweeping pier and ocean views, and indoor/outdoor setting.

Keep things classy and classic with Bar Chloe’s French bistro-style small plates, and such impeccable cocktails as its Chamomile Mai Tai. For another kind of classic, with its peanut shell- and sawdust-covered floor, self-proclaimed dive Chez Jay evokes an earlier Santa Monica era. But this bar and steak-andseafood joint has never lost its mojo with hip Hollywood crowds.

The Penthouse has a lounge atop the Huntley Santa Monica Beach. Oyster. com said it “boasts the best view on the beach…glass walls afford breathtaking views over the beach, coastline, and city of Santa Monica.”

Live music and a speakeasy atmosphere have made the hidden Basement Tavern a hot discovery. Monsoon Café’s lounge is popular for salsa dancing and live jazz, while Renee’s Courtyard Café not only has an appealing courtyard but hidden and atmospheric rooms where you can enjoy drinks or dinner. Santa Monica's bar experience is definitely varied, including busy scenes at leading restaurants such as at Border Grill and BOA Steakhouse. Santa Monica's hotel bars include wonderfully designed spaces, from the retro-glam look at Cameo Bar in the Viceroy Hotel to Suite 700 in Hotel Shangrila. Oyster.com honored Suite 700 as one of L.A.'s best

Ocean and Vine’s outdoor patio at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel comes with its own amazing ocean views. So does The Veranda at Hotel Casa del Mar, which blends traditional décor with a contemporary menu of cocktails. The hotel's lobby lounge even has a roving cocktail trolley and live jazz peformances. Down on Main Street, Circle Bar went from what the Los Angeles Times called “the divest dive on the Westside” to number one on Movieline magazine's list of young Hollywood's “10 Best Places To Be Seen At Night.” The unassuming brick façade on Main Street doesn't hint at the lively music and bar scene inside Barcopa. And hidden away among auto dealerships along Santa Monica Boulevard, The Room boasts a devoted following thanks to its ’90s-vintage hip hop. santamonica.com

the food [NIGHTLIFE]

• american-style Sports Bars ESPN named SOUTH, home to great Southern food and all of the big games, one of its eight finalists for North America's best sports bar. And it's the only sports bar in Santa Monica with 3D televisions. Enormous Yankee Doodles will keep you busy—whether you watch a game on a big-screen television or challenge a buddy to pool. A Santa Monica branch of the longtime West Hollywood landmark, Barney’s Beanery brings its fabled chili and huge menu (130+ beers) to the Promenade. Busby’s West’s clubby interior and flat-screen televisions create a classy destination for sports fans.

• wine Bars New York Times wine columnist Eric Asimov wrote that Wine Expo has “one of the best selections of champagne in the country,” while Los Angeles magazine named it one of the 10 best wine and spirit shops in L.A. You can sample wines in its tasting bar, which offers flights, as well as snacks from visiting food trucks. With its “wine for one and wine for all” philosophy, Bodega Wine Bar keeps down the “snoot factor.” But the minimalist setting is stylish and the selection extensive—with twelve reds and twelve whites each day.

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Santa Monica Pubs • traditional pubs The Daily Pint took a spot as one of beer-centric Draft Magazine's 100 Best Beer Bars in the U.S. in 2012. Singlemalt Scotches and English ales are among its temptations. Sports fans and lovers of Irish grub alike should check out O’Brien’s Irish Pub, a popular hangout for local rugby and soccer teams—and celebs staying beneath the radar too. Vanity Fair called it “a nononsense place where the A-list goes to eat.” The Brits have flocked to Santa Monica for generations, and the city remains a center of the expat scene. GQ magazine named Cock ’n Bull Pub on Lincoln to its list of “The Best Soccercentric Bars in America.” It's a hub for English Premier League football fans, darts players, and lovers of pub food. Ye Olde King’s Head recreates the atmosphere of an English inn, with fishand-chips and other traditional favorites. The attached pub has numerous English beers on tap. In addition to such classics as bangers and mash, sports and big games are always on the menu at Britannia Pub.

• GastroPubs The Oxford English Dictionary defines gastropub simply as, “a public house which specializes in serving high-quality food.” Literally a combination of gastronomy and pub, it suggests the food is as much an attraction as the brews. With its gorgeous interior of masonry walls that bask in warm, natural light, the new Brick + Mortar certainly lives up to its name. The restaurant touts its “fivestar and style with three-star pricing” and you'll enjoy a diverse menu that ranges from a short rib, Stilton blue, and arugula pizza to the Loch Duart salmon. Thanks to its renowned gourmet burgers, Father’s Office is the granddaddy of the Santa Monica gastropub scene. It took a spot on Draft Magazine's list of the country's best beer bars. Beer lovers rejoice when they discover West 4th /Jane’s line-up of 100+ brews including rare artisanal choices. Its atmosphere combines the best of Los Angeles and New York. Well-known for its eco-friendly initiatives, The Library Alehouse serves an encyclopedic range of microbrews, as well light and modern pub grub. It's a Santa Monica Green Certified Business too. Ireland comes to the Pacific at noted Santa Monica chef Geraldine Gilliland's Finn McCool’s, where the food, carved wooden bar, and music is as Irish as it gets.

the food [NIGHTLIFE] Santa monica Clubs • Dance clubs Zanzibar features an Indian/African design that creates an exotic setting for its adventurous music line-up. The New York Times said it “manages to be both cozy and contemporary. It is also the rare venue that seems able to please young and old.” Non-stop dancing on a sunken floor and eclectic music always draw crowds to V-Lounge in Mid-City.

• Supper Clubs The Charleston is a new spot that serves American comfort foods in a vintage lounge setting with nightly live entertainment ranging from comedy and karaoke to live jazz and rock. Glowing amber liquor bottles, a 40-foot-long mahogany bar, and burgundy leather booths, create a clubby atmosphere at The Buffalo Club.

other Entertainment • live music In addition to a connoisseur's collection of instruments, McCabe’s Guitar Shop’s performance space is a favorite of top musicians—so intimate that it has been likened to a living room. The iconic blue neon sign at Harvelle’s Blues Club is a Santa Monica landmark and hints at the old school blues, jazz, and R&B vibe of this 1931-vintage venue. Thrillist.com described The Central Social Aid and Pleasure Club as “a long named, multi-purpose, multi-room venue dedicated to live music, dive bar boozing, and non-profit social activism.”

L–R: Jennifer Rau, Fitz Carlile.

• Comedy and Magic Westside Comedy Theater entertains with a line-up of improv comedy shows as well as stand-up comedy performances. Magicopolis reinvents the traditional magic show with performances that are not only literally mesmerizing but funny, innovative, and wonderfully theatrical.

L–R: The Yard cocktails made from fresh farmers' market ingredients, Nightlife in downtown near the pier.

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A haven for shoppers, Santa Monica's retail scene draws Hollywood

celebs,

fashion-

forward Southern Californians, and visitors from all over the Both Pages: Kristen Beinke.

world thanks to the city's blend of national retailers and one-ofa-kind boutiques.

This seaside city is making waves in the worlds of fashion and design. That's because Santa Monica's shopping scene is as cool, casual, and endlessly creative as the city itself. Just check out national fashion and design magazines and websites. You'll notice frequent mentions of Santa Monica: Elle DĂŠcor touting the opening of a boutique on Montana Avenue, People magazine reporting Leonardo di Caprio shopping at Fred Segal, and Womens Wear Daily previewing a James Franco fashion video shoot on Santa Monica Beach. While you're no doubt intent on adding a few items to your wardrobe, the Santa Monica shopping experience is as much about the search as it is about finding the perfect dress, blouse, or even surfboard. The people-watching and yes, the celebrating spotting, is fantastic throughout the city, especially along Third Street Promenade and Montana Avenue. The chance to meet and talk with boutique owners and designers and find out about what inspires them will make your purchases seem even more special. And shopping gives you the perfect excuse to get out and explore the city's distinctive districts. You never what you'll find. santamonica.com

the shopping

Few areas in any city can rival the shopping selection of this Santa Monica district. It strikes the perfect balance between popular global brands and local finds. And not only will you find incredible shopping, you can bask in the breezes from the nearby ocean and soak up a colorful, upbeat scene filled with musicians, entertainers, and people from all over the world enjoying Southern California as they dreamed it would be.

• clothing Men and women looking to craft their own distinctive looks should definitely check out Club Monaco’s clothing and accessories, which have been featured in such national magazines as InStyle and Details. The beachy and comfortable styles at European sensation Brandy Melville are a natural fit for Santa Monica. Aussie import Cotton On has quickly won a devoted local following for fashionable basics, including T-shirts and jeans. Spanish import, Zara International, features sophisticated and versatile men's and women's fashions. On Broadway, Veronica M. is popular with celebrities who love its women's clothing and accessories. Overflowing with dresses and shoes, Dame has a flair 54

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for the decidedly hip. Global brand Superdry’s streetwear fashions are a fusion of British tailoring, vintage Americana, and Japanese-styled graphics. National clothiers include The Gap, J. Crew, Lucky Brand Dungarees, Diesel, Victoria’s Secret, Pink Ice, Tilly’s, Forever 21, and Express. Hip, casual and contemporary are the watchwords at A/X Armani Exchange, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Anthropologie, Banana Republic, Benetton, Levi’s, Old Navy, and Urban Outfitters.

• shoes Get your kicks at the new Converse flagship store, a 7,000-square-foot shrine to these classic American shoes. Featuring the world's biggest collection of Converse shoes, with 230 different styles. For more athletic shoe brands, check out stores for Adidas, Puma, Skechers, and Nike. The shoes at Lorin, a local boutique, blend comfort with fashion-forward design. Its brands include Uggs and Santa Monica-based TOMS. The luxury Italian shoes at Geox boast comfortenhancing technology. The latest selections fill Aldo, Steve Madden, Clarks, Journeys, Fred Segal Conveyor, and Fred Segal Madison. Clockwise: Shopping along Third Street Promenade, Shoes shopping galore, Kitson in Santa Monica Place.

• stationery and gifts Exquisite Papyrus features greeting cards, gift wrap, and pens. Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau operates an information cart on the Promenade with souvenirs including hats, key chains, beach bags, and T-shirts. Paper Source urges you “to do something creative every day” and its exclusive collection of fine artisanal paper and cards may just inspire your inner writer.

• books In addition to an appealing Barnes & Noble for current releases, you'll find independent stores with one-of-a-kind and rare books. A landmark in the visual arts world, Hennessey + Ingalls boasts what many consider the finest collection of art and architecture books in the country. For works focused on spiritual and self development themes, Thunderbolt Spiritual Books offers an outstanding selection.

• Jewelry A-List celebrities and professional athletes have an affinity for Rafinity, known for its diamond-encrusted crosses and titanium rings. For works from 57 tribes, Taos Indian Trading Company specializes in Native American jewelry, pottery, and textiles. Jewel Shop specializes in fine watches, including TAG Heuer, Tissot, and Mont Blanc. Amyn Rahimtoola's distinctive designs draw a celebrity clientele to his Jewelry on 7th.

Clockwise: ThatGirlProductions.com (first two), Kristen Beinke.

Shop Downtown & On Third Street Promenade

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fred segal Fred Segal isn't one store but many: a unique collection of boutiques offering the latest clothing, jewelry, shoes, and body products. It's so distinctive that The Wall Street Journal included Fred Segal as one of eight stores it dubbed “the most beautifully curated retail emporiums on the planet.”

As Forbes pointed out, “some think that no trip to Santa Monica is complete without a stop at Fred Segal.” It draws celebrities and those looking for items reflecting the creative vision of fashion legend Fred Segal, the store's namesake and founder. In the late 1950s, Segal opened what was then a totally new concept: a retail store specializing in custom jeans. Segal invited staffers to open their own retail areas and the store became the umbrella for employee-owned specialty boutiques. That model still works today. At Fred Segal, you'll experience the collective creative energy that comes from a group of visionaries who share a common appreciation for innovation and exceptional quality.

• computers The sleek and dazzling Apple Store is a “temple of technology” where you can get hands-on with this innovative company's latest devices and take part in training and how-to sessions.

• crafts Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2012, Adamm’s Stained Glass and Gallery exhibits glass art from 175 leading North American artists, many of whom have exhibited in museums. Shiva Imports carries handcrafted items and carvings from India—and fantastic incense. “Don't Worry, Bead Happy” is the slogan at Beadniks, where you can create works with beads from around the world.

• HOME FURNISHINGS AND GALLERIES ElleDecor.com featured Flor, thanks to the design of the inviting loft-like space by architect John Picard, which is the perfect complement to the store's ecofriendly rugs, runners, and carpet tiles. The Clean Bedroom offers a selection of carefully curated organic bedding and furniture and is the place to go if you're looking to create a haven of sustainability in your own bedroom. West Elm is committed to high-quality, affordable modern designs that are practical and made from natural materials. Nationally renowned Sur La Table carries upscale cooking and kitchen supplies. Design galleries have proliferated in Santa Monica including kitchen and bath specialists Boffi, BoConcept (modern and contemporary design), Knoll (high-design office furnishings), Linea (innovative and

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architectural furniture), and Steelcase (a global office furniture leader). Antique hounds love Wertz Brothers Antique Mart (open since 1931), which boasts nearly 200 dealers.

• VINTAGE Featured in national magazines, Wasteland’s modern, vintage, and designer styles are coveted by celebs and stylists. The store just moved into impressive new digs too. Crossroads Trading Co. features name-brand men's and women's denim, clothing, and shoes.

• CHILDREN'S CLOTHING & TOYS The Acorn Store carries European-made toys crafted from natural materials. With games, stuffed animals, dolls, collectibles, action figures, and puzzles, Puzzle Zoo is one of L.A.'s most popular toy stores.

Shop at Santa Monica Pier & On Ocean Avenue • SOUVENIRS AND BEACH GEAR Find out about area attractions, bus schedules, and local favorites at our Visitor Information Kiosk in Palisades Park. Pick up souvenirs including T-shirts, hats, and pens. Santa Monica Pier's shops sell tons of souvenirs, plus swimsuits, towels, mats, and beach toys. For nearly 30 years, the Oatman Rock Shop has offered visitors a selection of crystals, shells, and beads. Poseidon has trendy beach gear in addition to their surfboards. Clockwise: Beach gear at Poseidons, Testing perfumes at Fred Segal.

Top–Bottom: Kristen Beinke, Fred Segal.

Fred Segal recently launched an innovative program with Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel that was featured on Forbes.com. The hotel has a Fred Segal Lending Library where guests can borrow 50 different accessory items that were selected by the store.

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the shopping [get active]

Downtown A must for outdoors fanatics, REI showcases the cooperative's signature clothing lines, rows of bikes, and aisles of accessories. Santa Monica was an early center for surfing in California, and you don't have to be a big-wave rider to appreciate the selection of clothing and boards and Santa Monica's surf shops. The new O’Neill Santa Monica store offers the latest lines from the Santa Cruz-based company. Rip Curl is a hot shop for surfing and snowboarding wear and accessories. Quiksilver specializes in the latest surfing and boarding fashions, plus equipment.

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Lululemon Athletica offers yogainspired sportswear for men and women. Equinox Fitness Club sells workout attire and accessories at its 33,000-square-foot fitness center. Improve your workouts and find gear to reduce your risk of injury at the Bauerfeind Performance Center.

Mid-City Helen’s Cycles is a great spot whether you're looking to pick up some new accessories or are seeking professional guidance and fit for your next bicycle purchase.

Montana Avenue The newly arrived Kicks Sole Provider offers the latest in athletic shoe designs in a cool, minimalist setting. Want to look good while working out? Lucy Activewear is where sport meets style.

Main Street GQ magazine described Undefeated as “an epicenter for sneaker collectors, fashion-conscious locals, skaters, and hip-hop celebrities alike.” Iconic California brand K-Swiss opened its first U.S.-based running retail store in Santa Monica. People magazine even spotted Robert Downey Jr. picking up some shoes and sandals here.

Patagonia offers top-of-the line outdoor and sports clothing and accessories and is a Santa Monica Certified Green Business. Local institution Z.J. Boarding House is a leading SoCal spot for surf and skate gear.

Pico Boulevard Santa Monica has always been about the endless summer but you can find endless winter thanks to ski and snowboard simulators at Virtual Snow. At Players Club Golf & Fitness, you can purchase golf and fitness clothes or test your game on one of its golf simulators' 60 courses.

Clockwise: Sondra Stocker, O'Neill Santa Monica, Nik Wheeler, Brandon Wise, Lululemon Athletica, Cory Sorenson.

fitness shopping

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the shopping Shop on Pico Boulevard Like Ocean Park, Pico Boulevard is definitely a neighborhood of below-the-radar discoveries. Come here and you never what you'll find.

• HOME FURNISHINGS Eames Office is dedicated to everything related to legendary designers Charles and Ray Eames. Shop for pillows and bedding made from vintage and antique fabrics at Acapillow.

• CLOTHING Malina carries internationally famous lines of “affordable luxuries for babies.” Fun and edgy Brat has won numerous raves on Yelp.com for what one reviewer called its “Cool! Kitschy! Original! Fun!” clothing and gifts.

Shop in Ocean Park

Shopping in this district isn't really about the big brand-name fashions—at least while they're new. That's because MidCity is a haven for resale and consignment stores, many of which feature top designers. (And for anyone interested in combining their vintage clothing search with a bit of exercise, be sure to download the Vintage Shopping Biketinerary at santamonica.com.

If shopping for you is all about going local and finding the spots that many other visitors miss, then you'll want to do a bit of exploring in this distinctive Santa Monica community.

• cLOTHING Several Yelp users have declared that Haute Seconds is their favorite designer resale store in the Los Angeles area. Anyone looking for great deals should definitely check out the consignment shops with designer couture line Wilshire Boulevard. You never know what you'll find at Great Labels (Gucci, Prada, and Dior), The AdDress Boutique (sizes 2 to 18), and Fashion Therapy (Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabana).

• A BIT OF BRITISH Immerse yourself in British culture at The Continental Shop. Gifts include London Underground memorabilia, authentic foodstuffs, and DVDs of British movies and television series. The Tinder Box— a Davidoff Appointed Merchant— recalls a bygone England with walls lined by a choice selection of cigars, pipes, tobacco, and gifts. 60

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• FURNITURE Rumba features restored and new furniture collected and curated by owner Kimba Hills, a onetime film industry set designer and casting director. It may be tiny but the home store Goods has earned rave write-ups in the Los Angeles Times and Daily Candy thanks to its eclectic selection of items from as far away as Bolivia and Krygyzstan.

• CLOTHING AND JEWELRY At 17th Street and Ocean Park, Twist sells fun, trendy clothing at great prices. Artful showcases unique jewelry, handblown glass, pottery, ceramics, and other handcrafted art. With its resort wear, swimwear, and yoga clothing, Double Shaka is a lifestyle boutique that definitely fits Santa Monica's active, beachy lifestyle.

Clockwise: Worldly items at Goods, McCabe's Guitar Shop, Acapillow offers more than just pillows.

• COSTUMES Staffed by experienced costume stylists, Make Believe Inc. sells and rents moviequality masks, wigs, and costume items.

• ARTS AND CRAFTS Sewing Arts Center earned accolades for its sewing classes and jeans-making course in LA Weekly's Best of L.A. issue. Jennifer Joyce Pottery Studio carries beautiful ceramic pieces (and the owner conducts workshops in her studio).

• MUSIC One of the country's best, McCabe’s Guitar Shop sells and repairs everything from guitars and banjos to bouzoukis and sitars. Since 1958, the shop has also offered lessons, books, and recordings. And it's a celebrated live music venue.

Clockwise: Ivana Suvak, ThatGirlProductions.com, ThatGirlProductions.com.

Shop in Mid-City

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the shopping If the name Main Street conjures images of an old-fashioned stretch of traditional stores, think again. Santa Monica's Main Street is a progressive neighborhood that brings together the beach scene, a counterculture tradition, an emphasis on sustainability, and shopping for both contemporary and vintage fashions.

• CLOTHING Project Runway All-Stars compeititor Gordana Gelhausen has opened GOGA, where you can shop for her everyday women's sportswear and couture lines. Luxury handbags by independent designers earned Arm Candy raves on Los Angeles magazine's Chic Leak blog, while Daily Candy praised the shop's “if we don't have it, we'll make it” commitment.

kristen segal

hip & fun

"Living and working in Santa Monica is a dream come true. It is the combination of a laidback, yet innovative atmosphere which creates the perfect lifestyle full of excitement, relaxation and fun. Santa Monica makes me feel alive and yet I also feel a sense of tranquility–it is the perfect balance.

Working at Fred Segal allows me to see the locals who stop in for a day of shopping or a quick bite to eat and the tourists who are experiencing the uniqueness Santa Monica and Fred Segal both bring. Fred Segal epitomizes the Santa Monica lifestyle–cool, innovative, hip and fun. So it is fair to say, I love Santa Monica!” —Director of Marketing and Event Planning, Fred Segal Santa Monica Clockwise: Find the perfect dress on Main St., Shoe shopping on Main St., Pebbles has great childrens' items.

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Behind its distinctive art nouveau entry, Paris 1900 highlights vintage clothing, antique bridal finery, silk and lace garments, and embroidered linens. For an elegant finishing touch, explore the selection at Santa Monica's fine milliner, Fedora Primo. Distinctive Framm & Company serves up “modern wonderments, antique frivolities, and ageless oddities” with homemade furniture, pillows, and clothing that reflect Framm's passion for the vintage and romantic. The blog In Pursuit of the Rush dubbed Hip-tique “a not-so-average boutique” thanks to owner Christine Berardi's selection of clothing, beauty products, and jewelry. American Apparel is proud that its simple and casual clothes are entirely produced in downtown L.A. Daily Candy hailed Beau + Aero as a “carefully curated” shop for its one-ofa-kind vintage clothing finds and newer jewelry pieces. Specializing in designer women's casual wear, Planet Blue is

“where beach bum meets urban chic.” Women's fashions are also the specialty at MAX Studio (outlet for designs by Leon Max), and Gioia (ethnic-inspired clothing for women, beyond catalogs). Clever on Main sports an eclectic mix of dresses, sweaters and contemporary fashions, plus new and antique furniture. Vintage and modern come together at Varga, where owners (and sisters) Rosie and Renee Tenison offer affordable fashion-forward styles. The contemporary designer resale boutique The Closet is the place to go for such brands as Chanel and Betsey Johnson.

• for the kids Books and Cookies is a fun and innovative bookstore with a reading room and a café filled with healthy snacks and freshbaked cookies. It hosts storytime and play groups for both babies and toddlers. Inspired by world cultures, Pebbles carries distinctive children's clothing.

• “GREEN LIGHT DISTRICT” Main Street's Green Light District earned its name thanks to stores that sell environmentally friendly products. Kellygreen Home took honors in the Los Angeles magazine's 2011 Best of L.A. awards as one of the city's “Earth Changers” thanks to its line of functional and decorative items. Sunset magazine wrote that the Earth-friendly apparel at Natural High Lifestyle “proves that your clothes can be as organic as your produce.” Essentia sells the world's only petroleum-free, natural memory foam mattresses—made from rubber tree sap. The market at Euphoria Loves RAWvolution carries raw-food supplies, books, nutritional and cleansing supplements, and body-care products. (continued on pg 72)

Clockwise: Sondra Stocker, Kristen Beinke, Nik Wheeler.

Shop on Main Street

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• books As the façade reads, “A Book Can Change Your Life,” and thanks to Deyermond Art + Books, devotees of the printed word have a sanctuary in Santa Monica. Angel City Bookstore & Gallery stocks new and used books and CDs, plus rare and out-of-print editions.

• EYEWEAR Full-service Eyes on Main carries eyewear by Marc Jacobs and Paul Smith as well as vintage designs and boutique collections. Optical Shop of Aspen’s collection includes Chrome Hearts, Prada, and Blinde.

Shop on Montana Avenue If you've ever wanted to play star for the day, then Montana Avenue is your street. Lined with boutiques, casual spots for healthy lunches, and sidewalk tables to enjoy the perfect weather and relaxed scene, it's a favorite of celebs looking for great fashions—and a less glitzy alternative to such showy Hollywood hotspots as Rodeo Drive.

• ARTS AND CRAFTS Agabhumi’s collection of Balinese jewelry and clothing has earned mentions in such magazines as Glamour and InStyle. Mindfulnest carries contemporary crafts and natural body products created by local artists and small North American companies. Arts & Letters showcases fine stationery, handmade paper, and pens. Thai Teak offers Asian art, gifts, decorative accessories, and furniture, while M. Hanks Gallery focuses on AfricanAmerican art (please call ahead; open by appointment only). Not far from Main Street, Kathmandu Boutique imports items from Nepal and Tibet. Accents Jewelry specializes in locally handmade jewelry and represents owner Steven Hanna, as well as resident designers. Precious Metal Arts is a combination retail gallery and instruction studio. Ten Women is owned by a group of artists who create jewelry, fine art, and ceramics. 72

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• HOME & GARDEN FURNISHINGS With rugs, furniture, and jewelry sourced from around the world by sisters Jenny Best and Katharina Tagliaferro, ElleDécor.com featured the global style of Zouk boutique. Let one of America's leading interior designers, Jonathan Adler, bring what he calls “a general feeling of grooviness to your home.” For a creative mix of British Colonial and California (with a touch of Eastern and French influences too), Rooms & Gardens is the place to go. Actress Mary Steenburgen worked with the stores's founders, Eric and Jami Voulgaris, to bring the store to Santa Monica. Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture carries bed linens, furniture, and accessories that reflect this decorating style that originated in Santa Monica. Rosemarie McCaffrey Antiques specializes in French and Italian country furniture.

• Clothing Splendid has opened a colorful store that is the perfect spot for its stylish, comfortable collections of men's, women's, and children's apparel. A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz launched in Santa Monica and is popular with fashionistas and Hollywood celebs. Michael Stars sells the designer's world-famous tees (which never go out of style). LF has the latest fashion must-haves, while Feature’s clothing is effortlessly chic and stylish. With fine hand-knit sweaters for every season and occasion, Three Bags Full is one of the county's leading sweater stores. Margaret O’Leary specializes in innovative knitwear and sportswear. A rarity in today's world, Montalvo on Montana custom makes men's and women's clothing from fine imported fabrics. Inspired by the south of France, French Lessons Boutique offers refreshingly sexy and feminine fashions. Not only does Cheryl Fudge carry distinctive custom designs, she also conducts Fashion Camps where you and your kids can learn how to create your own eco-friendly looks. Or design your own clothing in the Open Studio and then let trained professionals do the sewing. Clockwise: Near limitless books at Hennessey + Ingalls, Rooms & Gardens, Enjoy strolling along Montana Ave., Summer outfits at Aphrodite.

the shopping

santa monica place The Wall Street Journal wrote that Santa Monica Place “aims to reinvent the American shopping mall.” And with its innovative design and sustainable strategies, Santa Monica Place accomplished just that.

L–R: Kristen Beinke, ThatGirlProductions.com, Kristen Beinke, ThatGirlProductions.com, Mark Silverstein/Santa Monica Place.

Winner of the 2011 Los Angeles Business Council's Best Retail Project Award, Santa Monica Place extended the outdoor, pedestrian-friendly feel of the Third Street Promenade. An open-air area inspired by classic urban plazas and public squares sits at the heart of Santa Monica Place and serves as a natural gathering spot.

Crafted from breezy materials and incorporating Asian and vintage motifs, Citron offers an elegant selection. Morgane Le Fay showcases fashions for women who are “mysterious, confident, feminine.” Helena and Kaya Stuart's Only Hearts Fashion Boutique’s sexy and romantic lingerie earns numerous media appearances—including in such lad mags as Details and Maxim. Speaking of which, let's not forget the guys: Weathervane for Men and Sean both carry apparel that's classic and contemporary—but not overly trendy.

• GIFTS Limonaia showcases owner Jessica Goldfarb's passion for handcrafted goods from around the world including handbags, jewelry, and cashmere throws. The unique balloon bouquets from Balloon Celebrations add an unforgettable touch to any event. For floral gifts and event planning, visit Stephanie Grace Designs.

• shoeS Step! specializes in sophisticated yet comfortable European designs. For more comfort, check out Souliers, which carries a big selection of Arche designs, and London Sole for fashionable flats.

• JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES Tala is the place for the hottest and most original designers working today. L’Oliphant Jewelers is known for its distinctive Mokume (wood grain) jewelry. Platino showcases jewelry, handbags, scarves, belts, and wraps that are both timeless and trendy. For distinctive jewelry by leading designers, visit Moondance Jewelry Gallery, and for a rich assortment of precious and semi-precious gemstones and beads (and jewelry-making classes), check out SemiPrecious. The pieces at La Vitrine are created by Musti, an artisan who has a unique sense for form and who brings a special care to his selections of stone.

Another appealing feature is the al fresco third-story Dining Deck with its numerous full-service restaurants, casual dining, and ocean views. And The Market was inspired by the great food halls of Europe. You'll find gourmet chocolates, single-original coffees, a cheese bar, and restaurants helmed by leading Santa Monica chefs. Santa Monica Place is green too. The fact that Santa Monica Place is open-air greatly reduces air conditioning and energy impacts. Oh, and the shopping line-up? Pretty darn impressive with Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s as anchor stores. Santa Monica Place is also home to specialty retailers including Barneys Co-Op, Kitson, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, and Nike.

• moms and kidS Scribble Press lets kids and families write, illustrate, and publish their very own books. It has all sorts of art supplies and on-site printing and bookbinding. Peek…Aren’t You Curious carries unique children's apparel designed in-house. Healthy, happy babies love the toys, clothing, and bedding that their parents bring home from Giggle, which earned honors as best baby boutique from Los Angeles magazine.

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 stacia The Stacia Ecoknit collection is designed locally in Santa Monica. Our bamboo knits are friendly to the earth and feel great against your skin. Come visit our new beach bungalow inspired boutique and discover Bamboo!

Luxurious ~ Washable ~ Sustainable 10am–6pm, Tuesday–Saturday 11am–5pm, Sunday 808 11th St., Santa Monica 90403 310.393.7100 | ShopStacia.com

step! shoes 

Eat Shop Play The celebrities you're looking for on the tours and Walk of Fame actually live, shop, dine and beautify here. Surrounded by some of the highest priced homes in the LA area, Montana Avenue is an upscale neighborhood shopping-street with ten tree-lined blocks of 150 stylish boutiques, cafes, galleries, yoga/Pilates studios and luxury beauty services. Unlike other shopping districts, Montana Avenue offers an atmosphere that is uncluttered, clean, and open. Montana Avenue is drenched in warm sunshine and cool ocean breezes all day long.

Comfort never looked so good

You will find a unique selection of European footwear and handbags. If comfort, luxury and style are what you seek, "step by" and treat your feet. We carry luxury and comfort brands such as Gentle Souls, Thierry Rabotin, AGL, Cordani, Cydwoq and much more. 10am–6pm, Monday–Saturday 12pm–5pm, Sunday 1004 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 310.899.4409 | StepShoes.com

Welcome to our neighborhood

 ten women

Gallery & Gifts • An Artists Co-op A unique co-operative gallery showcasing the work of 24 local women artists. Works include photography, painting, ceramics, sculpture, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, and more. Owned and operated entirely by its members. Come in and meet us!

There are no fast food joints, souvenir shops, buskers or beggars. Our neighborhood shopping-street is fun to walk, we are stroller and pet friendly. It is so relaxing and quiet here, there is no need to rush. Most shops are open 10AM to 6PM, restaurants and bars stay open late.

located Between 6th and 17th Streets

See what's new at tenwomenonmontana@blogspot.com 10am–6pm, Daily unique creations by local ar tists

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1128 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 310.393.6254 | TenWomenGallery.com

MontanaAve.com

 London sole London Sole offers the world's largest collection of ballet flats, ballerina pumps, classic driving loafers and other exquisite traditional flat footwear from designer Jane Winkworth. The Montana and San Francisco boutiques are hot spots for celebrities who have fallen in love with the simple, sophisticated and sometimes bold designs. 10am-6:30pm, Monday–Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 1331 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 310.255.0937 | LondonSole.com

 three bags full The Sweater Store

At Three Bags Full you will find the finest quality sweaters with unusual textures and designs. From the simplest cozy cotton sweaters to extravagant hand knits. Whether you are keeping off an icy chill or a cool summer breeze, you will find the perfect sweater at Three Bags Full. Sizes XSmall–2X. 10am–6pm, Monday–Saturday | 11am–5pm, Sunday 716 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 310.395.5559 | ThreeBagsFull.com

 Limonaia Discover charming goods created locally and around the world. Find home accessories, jewelry, candles, stationery, kid/baby gifts, and plenty more. Visit us when you are looking for that perfect gift to give, or keep. 10am–7pm, Monday–Wednesday 10am–8pm, Thursday–Saturday 11am–6pm, Sunday 1325 Montana Ave., Santa Monica 90403 310.458.1858 | ShopLimonaia.com

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the shopping [get the look]

beauty shopping & spas

• BEAUTY SHOPPING Lush carries handmade cosmetics and body products—from bubble bars to shaving creams. Sephora, Europe's leading beauty chain, sells make-up, skin- and hair-care products, and accessories. Believing that body-care products should be as “enjoyable as they are effective,” Fresh offers a sought-after sugar face scrub.

acne treatments, massage

Fred Segal Salon 420 Broadway, 310.907.4022 2010 Best of L.A. winner from Los Angeles magazine. Facials, skin treatments, waxing, nails, makeup, and hair

Mind Body Spa, (Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows) 101 Wilshire Blvd., 310.576.7777

In addition to wellness gifts, skin-care products, and clothing, Exhale conducts yoga classes at its West Coast flagship. J. Nicole Day Spa & Salon offers organic products that keep hair and skin beautiful. Filled with orchids and suede upholstered chairs, Arcona Studios lets you savor spa-like tranquility and natural skin care products. Located in a warm and inviting space, Fred Segal Salon offers Zen-like escapes while your hair gets styled.

Healing waters, sauna and steam rooms, massage therapy, skin care and nails, yoga and core fusion® classes, nutrition and wellness consultations

• SPAS

Full-service spa and salon. Best Hotel Spa, Condé Nast Traveler's 2010 Readers Choice Awards. Winner of Greenest Spa Makeover from Angeleno magazine, 2010

ARCONA Studios 425 Broadway, 310.458.3800 Customized skin and body treatments, facials, massages, and oxygen therapy

Burke-Williams Day Spa & Massage Center 1358 4th St., 310.587.3366 European-style massages, hydrotherapy and skin, nail, body, and scalp care

Finer Skin Institute The Spa at Equinox 1828-1/2 Broadway, 310.393.2598 201 Santa Monica Blvd., European facials, peels, Botox, waxing, 310.593.8888

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Petite Spa 723 Broadway, 310.393.3105 Facials, waxing, massage and body treatments, eye “candy,” and make-up. Uses and sells natural and organic products

Ocean Spa & Fitness (Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel) 1700 Ocean Ave., 310.458.6700

Sea Wellness Spa (Hotel Casa del Mar) 1910 Ocean Front Walk, 310.581.7767, Body wraps, massages, exercise classes or a quick Hydra facial for busy conference attendees

Soothing body treatments, massage, Reiki, reflexology, manicures, and waxing

Spa Le Merigot (JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot) 1740 Ocean Ave., 310.395.9700 Full range of spa services, including day use of the outdoor pool and gym

Sybaris Rejuvenation Lounge (Hotel Shangrila) 1301 Ocean Ave., 310.394.2791 Luxuriant deep-soaking tubs are among its highlights

Tikkun Holistic Spa 1460 4th St., 310.319.1111 Spa services integrated with healing arts and holistic medicine in a restorative environment

Main Street • BEAUTY SHOPPING Sonya and Christopher Dove at The Doves hair salon specialize in getting style and color just right. Tao Healing Arts Center is a sanctuary for both Eastern and Western healing, featuring lines of rejuvenating products. L.A. Urban Fitness has a giant selection of affordable supplements, vitamins and protein powders.

• SPAS alchemie 2021 Main St., 310.310.8880 An organic spa retreat with nature inspired spa services including organic massages, facials and waxing, plus, natural products

Clockwise: Ocean Spa, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Kristen Beinke, Sondra Stocker, Kristen Beinke, ThatGirlProductions.com.

Downtown

Butterscotch 2914 Main St., 310.392.7848 Airbrush tanning and make-up studio featuring signature make-up line Exhale

Chocolate Sun 147 Bay St., #18, 310.450.3075 Skin treatments including sunless tanning, made with organically grown botanicals and herbs— this body treatment delivers a natural-looking sunless tan and it's SPF 30

ONE Spa (Shutters On the Beach) One Pico Blvd., 310.458.0030 Massage, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and some treatments created by celebrity facialist Ole Henriksen

Mid-City • SPAS Willow Spa 3127 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.453.9004 Zen-influenced setting for spa offering skin care, massage, chiropractic, yoga, and the deep-heating treatment of Japanese enzyme baths

Montana Avenue • BEAUTY SHOPPING Anyone looking to pamper their skin or hair will appreciate world-famous Kiehl’s and the top-quality balms, ointments, and shampoos at Palmetto. Combining retail with day-spa services, Aveda Salon and Spa showcases the company's full line of products. Dermalogica on Montana offers skin-care items, plus personalized Face MappingSM skin treatments. Bicoastal Ouidad caters to those with curly hair. Jurlique specializes in products with organically grown plants. Benefit Cosmetics Boutique carries upscale beauty products.

• SPAS Aveda Store, Salon & Spa 1301 Montana Ave., 310.576.0989 Facials, massage, botox, micro dermabrasion, salt glow, and full salon

Dermalogica on Montana 1022 Montana Ave., 310.260.8682 Customized skin treatments, Face MappingSM skin analysis, and skin care products Clockwise: Ocean Spa's Beachcomber Massage at Loews Hotel, Beauty products, Aveda Salon on Montana Ave., Willow Spa's refreshing foot bath, Fred Segal Salon.

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Filled with galleries and museums, busy with live performances, and committed to the arts, Santa

L–R: ThatGirlProductions.com, Fitz Carlile.

Monica is a city where creativity is integral to daily life. More visual and performing artists, designers, architects, and film and music producers per capita are here than any other city in the state.

During a recent stretch of 10 days or so, here's just a bit of what went on in the world of Santa Monica culture: The night before the Academy Awards, Oscar contenders and the Hollywood elite gathered at Santa Monica Beach for the Film Independent Spirit Awards. That night, Cirque du Soleil (which staged its first U.S. shows in Santa Monica back in 1987) performed its latest touring production OVO in a giant tent next to Santa Monica Pier. A few days later the Los Angeles Times ran an article about the return of platinum-selling Andy Grammer, a singer-songwriter who got his start playing as a busker on Third Street Promenade. The newspaper also looked at the history of Richard Diebenkorn's “Ocean Park” series—the abstract works painted in Santa Monica that critic Robert Hughes described as “surely one of the most distinguished meditations on landscape in painting since Monet's water lilies.” And then Tony Award-winning Brian Stokes Mitchell played a pair of concerts at the intimate The Broad Stage, Santa Monica's modern performance venue.

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• Bergamot Station

visual Arts

You can visit a big range of galleries and catch works in all media. Along the way, you'll see pieces by major international artists at spaces such as Ikon Ltd. Contemporary Art while FIG (First Independent Gallery) showcases leading Southern California artists.

With roughly 70 galleries, Santa Monica is considered a major international art destination. Beyond Bergamot Station, you'll find numerous galleries along Main Street and downtown but also plenty of intriguing showcases scattered around town. For a full gallery list, visit santamonica.com.

For all of the recycling that goes on in Santa Monica, nothing matches the reinvention of a onetime trolley station into Southern California's largest art gallery complex—Bergamot Station. Home to nearly 40 galleries as well as the Santa Monica Museum of Art, the eight-acre site draws 600,000 visitors annually.

Then take a break from all of that art, and stop by the Gallery Café to soak up Bergamot Station's creative atmosphere. 310.453.7535, bergamotstation.com

architectural landmarks In a blog for National Geographic's Intelligent Travel, writer Christopher Elliott hailed Santa Monica's architecture and design, citing the Annenberg Community Beach House and the Art Deco The Georgian Hotel. The City of Santa Monica Landmark Tour Map and Brochure features information on notable buildings all over Santa Monica and is a helpful guide for anyone exploring the city's built environment. Download it at santamonica.com/art.

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• Santa monica museum of art This outstanding spot for contemporary works by local, national, and international artists moved to Bergamot Station in the late 1990s. Its ambitious exhibitions examine the diverse world of contemporary visual arts, and the museum conducts family workshops and other educational programs. 310.586.6488, smmoa.org

art Complexes • 18th Street Arts Center Dating back to 1988, this creative hub is a place to see art-in-the-making thanks to its artist-in-residence programs. The center hosts group and solo exhibitions and is home to organizations, including the Highways Performance Space (which the Los Angeles Times described as “a hub of experimental theatre, dance, solo drama, and other multimedia performance”). The center offers free quarterly ArtNights when you can watch the center's creative community in action. 310.453.3711, 18thstreet.org

• Edgemar Center for the Arts A collaborative approach drives the creative process at this Main Street rehearsal and performance space. You can see theater productions, dance performances, visual arts, and film projects in a complex designed by Frank Gehry. The center also offers acting classes for both adults and children. 310.399.3666, edgemarcenter.org

L–R: The Santa Monica Museum of Art, Arts performances at Edgemar.

L–R: Santa Monica Museum of Art, R.Friday.

This confluence of events is a reminder of the prominence of the arts in Santa Monica. Here in a city with a population that's small enough to fit into the Rose Bowl (with room left over), you can experience an incredible range of world-class cultural offerings. Whether you're interested in the movies, theater, fine art, or popular music, you'll find it in Santa Monica.

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asuka hisa

I have worked in arts, culture, and education for many years in Santa Monica at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. We provide excellent art experiences and outreach but Santa Monica returns the favor with a receptive community and fantastic resources that enhance the cultural landscape overall. It is a unique destination with an intermix of arts organizations, businesses that lead the creative economy, and cultural institutions—there is always something to do, see, learn, participate in, and enjoy.” —Director of Education, Santa Monica Museum of Art 82

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• Barnum Hall Now the auditorium for Santa Monica High School, this Streamline Moderne landmark was originally the city's civic auditorium and is notable for its Works Project Administration artwork. It now hosts concerts and musical theater productions. 310.395.3204, Ext. 417

• City Garage Honored with a special LA Drama Critics Circle Award for excellence and two nominations in the L.A. Weekly's 2011 theater awards, this adventurous theater certainly has met its goal “to make theater that is exciting to watch and worth thinking about.” 310.319.9939, citygarage.org

• Miles Memorial Playhouse The historic venue opened in 1929 and was designed by noted Santa Monica architect John Byers. Rebuilt after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, it now hosts productions by a variety of performing arts companies. 310.458.8634, milesplayhouse.org

• The Promenade Playhouse The 60-seat theater and acting conservatory showcases productions by its students and staff, as well as comedy programs. Playhouse alumni, including Ken Jeong of The Hangover movies, have gone on to perform in numerous films and television programs. 310.656.8070, promenadeplayhouse.com

• Ruskin Group Theatre Company In addition to more traditional productions, the company has won plaudits for its L.A. Café Plays, in which five one-act plays go from rehearsal to performance in 10 hours. It also has an acting school, where Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins has taught classes. 310.397.3244, ruskingrouptheatre.com

• Santa Monica Playhouse A local institution for more than 50 years, the intimate playhouse plays a vital role in the Southern California theater community. Its children's programs are considered among the best. 310.394.9779, santamonicaplayhouse.com

• Morgan-Wixson Theatre Outstanding community theater since 1946 with a season of five productions. Shows in 2012 include Crazy For You, featuring songs by George and Ira Gershwin. 310.828.7519, morgan-wixson.org L–R: Live music on the pier, The Edith and Eli Broad Stage.

art trek map An easy-to-use guide to notable landmarks, galleries, museums, performance venues, and public art installations. You'll find more than 40 works all over the city. In 2011, the city's public art program received a prestigious national award from the organization Americans for the Arts. Download the map at santamonica.com/art.

L–R: Karen Maze, Benny Chan.

arts-driven

“Santa Monica is driven by people who desire and do good things, especially in arts and culture. This is a smart city, a 21st Century city, yet it remains down to earth. There's innovation going on in every corner, from the development of light rail transit and bike centers to large arts-driven festivals like GLOW and the Santa Monica Festival. At the same time, the city is conscientious with development, ecologically diligent, and is protective of its history and heritage. The balance of what works and what's new is what makes Santa Monica special.

theater Complexes

w w w . s a n t a m o n i c a p i e r . o r g

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The college is a cultural hub with performances, lectures, and other public events. Visit smc.edu and click on Friends and Community for college event offerings.

• John Drescher Planetarium This leading computerized planetarium uses an advanced Digistar II projector— the West Coast's first. The planetarium hosts two shows on Friday nights while school is in session (closed August). It also conducts special observing events. 310.434.3005, smc.edu/planetarium

• Broad Stage at The Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center The 499-seat Broad Stage is the centerpiece of this state-of-the-art visual and performing arts venue. Santa Monica College alumnus and two-time Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman chairs the artistic advisory board, Oscar-winner Helen Hunt recently starred in a nationally acclaimed production of Our Town, and 19-time Grammy winner Pat Metheney appeared in concert. Clockwise: Gestation III by Baile Oakes, Ritenour performance at the Broad Stage, Theater showings at the Aero, Light installation at Glow Festival.

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The main stage features a diverse line-up of dramas, jazz concerts, and international music events. The smaller 99-seat black-box stage, The Edye Second Space, stages often experimental productions. The center's Pete and Susan Barrett Art Gallery displays works by students and internationally known artists. 310.434.3412, thebroadstage.com

• Santa Monica College Photography Gallery Located on the second floor of Drescher Hall, the 900-square-foot gallery shows works by students and SMC alums, as well as occasional traveling exhibits showcasing internationally known photographers. 310.434.4289, smc.edu/photo

free concerts! The best things in life truly are free in Santa Monica, thanks to the live performances on the pier during summer's Twilight Concert Series, where leading national acts take the stage. For a very different musical experience, the Santa Monica Symphony performs free concerts at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. And jazz fans have their own series to check out at city hall, where Jazz on the Lawn Concerts take place Sundays in August.

classical Music • Jacaranda Music at the Edge Its inventive chamber music series brings together centuries-old work and modern music to create unforgettable concerts. 213.483.0216, jacarandamusic.org

• Musica Angelica This leading Baroque music ensemble under the direction of Martin Hasselbock performs at churches and unique venues. “Musica Angelica is one of the finest period instrument orchestras in the country, if not the world,” said Grant Gershon, Los Angeles Master Chorale music director. 310.458.4504, musicaangelica.org

• Santa Monica Symphony Celebrating its 67th season, the city's hometown orchestra performs free concerts at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Grammy Award-winning pianist Gloria Cheng recently performed with the symphony. 310.395.6330, smsymphony.org

• The Verdi Chorus The company's 50 members and guest artists perform operatic works at the First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica. 310.826.8309, verdichorus.org

L–R: Greg Peterson, Lillie Grossman, Barry King, Robbie Kaye.

santa monica College

the Arts

International

creative haven

Permit us a little namedropping but Santa Monica has a long history of worldrenowned artists and residents.

Film Theaters With five theaters showing everything from new release blockbusters to foreign and art films on more than 20 screens, Santa Monica offers endless choices for movie buffs. Since 1991, Santa Monica has also hosted the annual American Film Market, which draws thousands of movie industry notables from around the world.

• Aero Theater American Cinematheque holds festivals, retrospectives, and tributes with appearances by industry notables at this restored 1940-vintage theater. 323.466.3456, americancinematheque.com

• Movies on the Deck at Santa Monica Place Weekly Wednesday movie screenings on the appealing third-floor deck let you enjoy classics under the stars in the summer. santamonicaplace.com

• Santa Monica Drive-In at the Pier Screenings of popular movies on the pier take place weekly in fall. Admission is free but tickets (available at visitor center locations) are required. santamonicapier.org

• Santa Monica International Film Festival A November showcase for new filmmakers and independent films screens features, documentaries, and short subjects. santamonicafilmfestival.com

santa monica cultural affairs division A driving force in the creative community, this division provides support for public art, organizations, and individual artists around town. Visit arts.santa-monica.org for a list of the city's arts happenings.

arts Museums • Angels Attic Museum Housed in an 1895 Queen Anne Victorian, the museum displays incredible dollhouses and miniatures. 310.394.8331, angelsattic.com

• California Heritage Museum Eclectic in spirit, the museum has hosted exhibits on everything from orange crate label art to skateboards and surfboards. Housed in a historic home, it boasts an outstanding collection of Monterey-style furniture and vintage California tile and pottery. 310.392.8537, california heritagemuseum.org

• Museum of Flying Santa Monica was an early aviation center and this newly reopened museum celebrates the role of local company Douglas Aircraft. The museum offers interactive exhibits, including a flight simulator, and displays two dozen aircraft. 310.398.2500, museumofflying.com

• Santa Monica History Museum Housed in a new facility at the Santa Monica Main Library, the museum looks at city history in a permanent gallery and through changing exhibitions. 310.395.2290, santamonicahistory.org

When painter David Hockney first arrived from England, he settled in Santa Monica and fell in love with the beach and the incomparable light. Leading abstract expressionist Richard Diebenkorn painted in a Santa Monica studio and created the landmark Ocean Park series of 140 paintings that was called, “the apex of American abstract art.” Iconic Southern California writer Raymond Chandler lived in Santa Monica at various times. He later portrayed Santa Monica as “Bay City” in his classic Farewell My Lovely. Tennessee Williams penned The Glass Menagerie while he lived on Ocean Avenue. And the recent film A Single Man is based on the novel by Christopher Isherwood, who wrote about the Santa Monica Canyon area for nearly 50 years. Santa Monica Canyon also boasts a reputation for great architecture thanks to Santa Monica architect John Byers, who earned renown for his Spanish Colonial designs and buildings by Richard Neutra. And Frank Gehry, one of the world's most famous architects, was based in Santa Monica for years. The audacious reworking of his bungalow home is often cited as work that moved him into architecture's top ranks.

• Santa Monica Public Library Main Branch Southern California's only winner of consecutive five-star rankings in Library Journal's national rating of public libraries, this showcase of sustainable design hosts author talks, concerts, film screenings, and children's programs. The library's Bookmark Café features light dining. 310.458.8600, smpl.org santamonica.com

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Santa Monica residents feel a deep connection to the city's ocean and mountain landscape. This is an active city, and the city's gorgeous natural setting has long Both Pages: Kristen Beinke.

inspired locals to get outdoors for their daily exercise, whether it's bicycling, walking, surfing, or yoga on the beach.

Santa Monica has been a national trendsetter in the world of fitness for generations. Here are some of the city's historic sports and fitness milestones: Surfing. The city has been a center of California surfing ever since the legendary Olympic gold medal swimmer Duke Kahanamoku rode the waves here in 1912. Tom Blake, a Santa Monica Swim Club lifeguard, is credited with inventing the surf fin and hollow surf board. According to surf journalist Drew Kampion, Blake â&#x20AC;&#x153;almost single-handedly transformed surfing from a primitive Polynesian curiosity into a 20th century lifestyle.â&#x20AC;? Beach Volleyball. With the earliest games played in the 1920s and the first two-man competitions in the 1930s, Santa Monica is the birthplace of beach volleyball. Skateboarding. In the 1970s, Santa Monica was the epicentre of a revolution in the world of skateboarding. Yoga. YogaWorks opened in a single room on Montana Avenue in 1987 and helped bring ancient yoga traditions into the mainstream of American fitness. santamonica.com

fitness Destinations • Palisades Park

bryan kest

Live well

"Santa Monica is the ultimate place to live and work. The air is clean, the people are nice, this place is buzzing with creative energy. Anything that you could need is a short walk away and with ocean, mountains, and a temperate climate what more could you want from where you live or work.” —Owner, Santa Monica Power Yoga

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Stretching for 1.6 miles atop the bluffs, the park's linear orientation and oldworld touches lend it the romance of an esplanade in the south-of-France. It's perfect for outdoor exercise, and runners and walkers love the crushed asphalt running path that threads along the park's thirteen blocks. Visitors linger in rose gardens and pause to admire the Arts and Crafts pergola and cobblestone gates. Break from your workout for close-up looks at 45-foot-tall Overlook Beacon— public art perched on a cantilevered deck. Or stop by the park's senior center for access to the Camera Obscura, a rare and old-fashioned optical device that lets you see live city panoramas projected onto a screen in a darkened room. The Santa Monica Conservancy offers tours of Palisades Park. smconservancy.org Clockwise: Join a group workout (see pg. 90), Jogging in Palisades Park, Annenberg Community Beach House swimming pool.

Palisades Park is just one of 26 city parks in Santa Monica. Ninety percent of Santa Monica residents live within a half mile of a park or open space. You'll find practically everything to do from fly-fishing to lawn bowling at city parks. And looking ahead, leading landscape and urban design firm James Corner Field Operations (designer of New York's acclaimed High Line elevated park) is creating what promises to be an innovative seven-acre park in the Civic Center area. For a full park list, go to smgov.net/parks.

• Annenberg Community Beach House Make reservations for a day at the Annenberg Community Beach House and you can splash in its original pool (decorated with hand-laid tiles) and take yoga classes. Sports lovers can play beach volleyball on five courts, beach soccer on two new fields, and beach tennis on a new court. Equipment rentals are available and the nearby Back on the Beach Café offers casual oceanfront dining. (continued on pg 90)

This Page, Clockwise: Kristen Beinke, Greg Peterson, Christine Thomas. Opposite Page, Clockwise: Kristen Beinke, Kristen Beinke, Christine Thomas, Kristen Beinke (last 3).

the outdoors

the outdoors [green living]

living the green life Green isn't a buzz-word in Santa Monicaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;it's a way of life. Join in on the city's socially responsible Californian lifestyle.

Lots of people talk about Southern California's love affair with cars. But in Santa Monica you'll see that the real love is with getting around by walking, bicycling, and even skateboarding. While you're here, you'll no doubt notice the city's invigorating ocean air. We do everything we can to protect that air for both locals and visitors, thanks to regulations that keep beaches, parks, and other outdoor spaces smoke-free. And if you do a take-out order from our restaurants, you may note that there isn't Styrofoam or non-biodegradable containers. That's because Santa Monica restaurants are using earth-friendly packaging, meaning less clutter and trash around the city and in our precious ocean. Nor is Santa Monica a newcomer to the green scene. Back in 1994, the city implemented its Sustainable City Plan, which has led to a 95 percent reduction in dry weather pollution to Santa Monica

Bay and annual water savings of nearly 330 million gallons. Efforts are ongoing too. The city rewards businesses that meet sustainable standards with its coveted Santa Monica Certified Green Business designation. Santa Monica prohibited distribution of single-use plastic carryout bags. Not surprisingly for a city so committed to healthy eating, it operates the country's first locally grown and all-organic salad bars in schools. Santa Monica's focus on the environment isn't just about how the city lives outdoors but how it lives indoors too. Santa Monica is also home to numerous buildings that have been certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Santa Monica has one of the highest numbers of LEEDcertified buildings per capita of any U.S. city. Its LEED-certified buildings include:

Natural Resources Defense Council Offices. This group's offices are housed in a sustainably renovated 1920s-vintage structure and is one the country's first buildings to earn a LEED Version 2 Platinum rating. Stop in at the David Family Environmental Action Center in the lobby for background on NRDC history and issues. The center also includes the Leonardo DiCaprio e-Activism Zone. Free building tours are offered Tuesday and Thursday at 11 (reservations required). 1314 Second Street; 310.434.2300, nrdc.org Civic Parking Structure. Yes, Santa Monica has a green garageâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the first LEED-certified parking structure in the country. The building, with six-stories and 882-spaces, is constructed of sustainable materials and employs a storm water treatment system, energyefficient mechanical systems, and photo-voltaic roof panels. 4th Street and Olympic Boulevard

Santa Monica Main Library. Recipient of a LEED Gold Rating, the library incorporates rooftop solar electric panels, a cistern to collect rainwater, and drought-tolerant landscaping. Building materials consist of more than 50 percent recycled content and paints and adhesives are largely or completely free of dangerous chemicals. Paved surfaces are minimized to reduce runoff and the build-up of heat around the building. 601 Santa Monica Boulevard; 310.458.8600 or smpl.org Shore Hotel. This new hotel that luxury can be green too. The Gold-LEED certified building was carefully designed to limit the consumption of water and energy both during construction and daily operations. Annenberg Community Beach House. This unique public beach club received a LEED Gold rating (see pg. 15).

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keeping fit in Santa Monica

Beach Volleyball. Santa Monica volleyball legends include hall of famer Karch Kiraly, the three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, who along with her playing partner Kerri Walsh won two Olympic gold medals. You can play here at city courts on a first-come, first-served basis or join in a pickup game. There are additional courts along Ocean Front Walk.

Outdoor Yoga. Nothing is more rejuvenating than yoga in the fresh ocean air of Santa Monica. Instructors offer classes including Brad Keimach (bradkeimach.com) and in Palisades Park with Elena Schuber (elena schuber.com). Surfing. Santa Monica is an excellent place to try surfing. It's also a hotspot for stand-up paddleboarding. To maintain safety and high standards, the city has a list of authorized surf schools and instructors. www01.smgov. net/comm_progs/Beach_permits/surfin structionpermit.htm Trapeze School of New York. This school will encourage you to soar. The school offers classes at all levels and lets you experience the magic of flying. Travel + Leisure magazine once named the school one of its “50 Great American Adventures” and Pink rehearsed here for her Grammy Awards performance.

• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Large areas of the city are located along the southern slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains. Much of this distinctive range is protected as part of the National Park Service's Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Two outstanding hiking areas await just beyond city boundaries. A bit off Sunset Boulevard, Will Rogers State Historic Park is the trailhead for the Backbone Trail, which traverses 65 miles of the Santa Monicas. The first stretch climbs to outstanding views that take in the mountains, the ocean, and large swaths of the city. You'll also find a number of shorter routes, and can tour the legendary humorist's ranch house, which is filled with major works of western art. At Temescal Gateway Park, you can hike through oak and sycamore forest and reach a small waterfall during wetter winter months. 805.370.2301, www.nps.gov/samo

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santa monica Bicycling Citing “remarkable commitments to bicycling,” the League of American Bicyclists honored Santa Monica as one of its national Bicycle Friendly Communities in 2010 and 2011. With its 16 miles of bike lanes, 19 miles of bike routes, and a stretch of the fabled South Bay Bicycle Trail, Santa Monica offers numerous options for recreational and commuter cyclists. You'll find information on local cycling at the brand-new Santa Monica Bike Center and rentals of both regular and electric bicycles are available at locations around the city.

• santa monica bike center Newly opened, this facility is the largest of its kind in the country. The Bike Center offers rentals, showers, repairs, and a safe place to park your bicycle. 310.656.8500 or smbikecenter.com (continued on pg 92) Clockwise: Biking along the beach, Yoga near Muscle Beach.

This Page: Kristen Beinke. Opposite Page, Clockwise: Nik Wheeler, ThatGirlProductions.com, ThatGirlProductions.com, Kristen Beinke, ThatGirlProductions.com, Nik Wheeler.

Nike Training Club. Certified trainers lead free workouts every Wednesday at 6:30 pm at the Nike store in Santa Monica Place.

the outdoors [pet-friendly]

a pet-friendly city We know: Sometimes a family vacation isn't really a vacation without the whole family, including your four-legged friends.

Your four-legged friends will find that Santa Monica welcomes them with open armsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and sometimes treats too. (Just make sure that your dog's license is up-to-date; all dogs in Santa Monica are required to have licenses.) Many hotels, including such posh oceanfront destinations as Shutters On the Beach, Hotel Casa del Mar, and Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, have pet-friendly policies. Loews was the first national hotel group to institute a pet-friendly policy, and in Santa Monica, both cats and dogs can enjoy their

very own gourmet room service menu and special bedding.

information about obtaining one, please visit, www01.smgov.net/parks/dogs.htm.

Santa Monica's mild climate is ideally suited for pets too. Dogs can dine al fresco at the outdoor tables of many city restaurants. Although dogs are not allowed on the beach itself, leashed pooches can be walked on Santa Monica Pier and paved pedestrian paths near the ocean.

Your schedule may mean that you're going to be out and about at destinations where you can't take your dog. When that's the case, Fitdog Sports Club offers cage-free facilities and sports activities for dogs.

If you're looking for an off-leash area, there's almost an acre for dogs at Airport Park. Non-resident dogs must have Santa Monica permit tags, and for

And if you need to pick up pet food, supplies, or toys, Santa Monica has stores all over town where you can stock up. An eco-friendly business, Healthy Spot on Wilshire in Mid-City is an animal spa that carries healthy pet food and

supplies that it has pre-selected so you'll know that you're buying the very best for your dog. Grooming and day care are also available. To Wag For on Montana Avenue is pure canine pleasure: a full-service cafĂŠ and gift/accessory shop that stocks designer dog clothes, shoes, French perfume, tags, carrying bags, and beds. For more information about pet-friendly travel, hotels, and businesses in Santa Monica, please visit santamonica.com/ pet-friendly.

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the outdoors • South bay bicycle trail Running between Pacific Palisades and Torrance, it's the world's longest oceanfront bike path. There's no better way to see the Southern California coast than to ride along this 22-mile-long route. Virtually flat, it takes you to such top attractions as the pier and the Annenberg Community Beach House on its run through Santa Monica before heading to Venice, Marina del Rey, and South Bay beach towns. Other than a few brief stretches, the path is separated from vehicles. But that doesn't mean that you can completely relax. The trail gets heavy use, especially weekends and during summer. So if you want to get a good uninterrupted workout, hit the trail in the morning or on a weekday. And at all times, watch your speed and pay attention because pedestrians often wander onto the path. Bicycle rentals are available at eight Perry's locations along the route in Santa Monica and Venice. Or check with your concierge. Many Santa Monica hotels have their own bicycle fleets.

• bicycle tours

Another bicycle tour option is with Pedal…Or Not. You'll ride electric beach cruisers that give you the choice of pedaling or allowing a small motor to do the work for you. Tours hit local hotspots including the Venice Canals and Santa Monica Beach. 310.917.1111, pedalornot.net For assorted self-guided tours around Santa Monica, including such themed itineraries as wellness and art, you can download information and maps at the Santa Monica Bike Center’s website, smbikecenter.com

• bike valet To promote bicycling, the city began an innovative Bike Valet program at major community events including farmers' markets and concerts at the pier.

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Clockwise: Sondra Stocker, Jonathan Rouse/Huntley Hotel, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.

If you want to see the sites by bicycle, you can visit areas of Santa Monica and nearby Venice on Perry’s guided Legends Beach Bike Tours. 310.939.0000, perryscafe.com

While many Santa Monica's hotels garner raves in the annual rankings of such top travel magazines as Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, you'll also find affordable places to stay near the beach and downtown shopping.

From beachfront resort glamour to boutique hideaways that let you live the local life in Santa Monica's

neighborhoods, the

city's hotel collection is filled with tempting choices.

hydrotherapy tubs. The hotel review site Oyster.com named it the Most Romantic Hotel in L.A. and British Vogue declared that “Casa del Mar oozes sophisticated elegance.”

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel combines modern design with personal touches for an intimate stay luxury on the Oceanfront with all of the amenities and services of a larger hotel. In keeping with Honored as one of the world's best Santa Monica's active and outdoor hotels by Travel + Leisure in 2011 and focus, the green-certified hotel just on the magazine's readers choice launched Fit For Fun, a family fitness list of the top 500 hotels in the world program that includes beach yoga, in 2012, Shutters On The Beach’s surfing and stand-up paddleboardrelaxed elegance evokes beach ing lessons, and beach bike rides. resorts of an earlier era. Its Cape Its Ocean Spa & Fitness facility was Cod-inspired design and classic Calinamed one of the best hotel spas by fornia setting create a memorable, Conde Nast Traveler readers in 2011. only-in-Santa-Monica experience. Shutters has earned multiple honors JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot brings contemporary, European on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List style to the beach. Down duvets, and was named a top U.S. hotel in the magazine's Readers Choice Poll. feather beds, and marble-tiled baths provide some pampering and private Built as a beach club in 1926, the balconies let you enjoy the hotel's 129-room Hotel Casa del Mar ideal location. If you're looking for blends Italian Renaissance architecan extended beach stay, SeaCastle ture with modern luxury details, inApartments on Ocean Front Walk cluding Egyptian cotton bedding and offers luxurious furnished units. santamonica.com

the hotels

stay on Ocean Avenue The newly opened Shore Hotel combines sustainable approaches that earned it Gold-LEED certification, dramatic contemporary architecture, and an impeccable Ocean Avenue location to create a different kind of luxury experience in Santa Monica. In shades of teal and orange, the hotel's 164 rooms offer custom teak desks, as well as private balconies with ocean views. Travel + Leisure included the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in its 2011 list of the world's top 500 hotels. The hotel certainly boasts a prime location. After all, it's on the onetime estate of Santa Monica founder Senator John Percival Jones. Travel + Leisure also honored the Fairmont as the best Los Angeles hotel for business travelers in 2010. The choice of Hollywood insiders, the Viceroy Santa Monica combines designer Kelly Wearstler's British Regency décor with a California vibe. England's The Independent newspaper listed it as

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one of the “Big Six” California coastal hotels and said, “The Viceroy has remained the hangout of choice in this eminent beach resort.”

in 1933 and named one of Gayot's 2012 Top Ten L.A. Boutique Hotels, the turquoise landmark's enviable location atop the palisades creates spectacular coastal views. Just steps from the ocean, Hotel Tucked away in a residential area, the viCalifornia and Hotel California Suites brant and colorful Oceana Santa Monica offer a great value and a prime location. is perfect for anyone who has fantasized Surfboard headboards bring a beach about their own beach pied-a-terre. atmosphere into the rooms. Gayot ranked the Oceana one of L.A.'s top ten boutique hotels in 2012. And The newly renovated, AAA three-diamond it's good for families too: Luxury hotel Ocean View Hotel lives up to its name website Mr. and Mrs. Smith named the with Pacific vistas, and its sustainable pracOceana to its top ten list of child-friendly tices won it designation as a Santa Monica boutique hotels in the world. Certified Green Business. Just off Ocean Avenue, Holiday Inn Santa Monica Honored as the most glamorous hotel by Beach at the Pier puts you near the action LA Weekly in its Best of L.A. issue, Hotel in meticulously maintained rooms. Shangrila is notable for its Streamline Moderne architecture. It was also named Fans of 1950s-style architecture who also “Best Boutique Hotel” in Los Angeles by appreciate a walkable location should Oyster.com, and National Geographic check out Ocean Lodge Santa Monica Traveler said that “after a splashy makeo- Beach Hotel. With balconies, bright and ver, this Art Deco landmark…retains its airy rooms, and the beach nearby, the original glam and couples it with a new Bayside Hotel lets you bask in Santa focus on sustainable design.” Monica's sea breezes. Remodeled rooms, a sundeck, and a lush courtyard add to A major renovation restored The Georgian the Seaview Hotel’s retro beach appeal. Hotel to its full Art Deco splendor. Opened

the hotels

stay Downtown

stay in the Neighborhoods

L–R: Kristen Beinke, Nik Wheeler, ThatGirlProductions.com, Kristen Beinke.

Honored by Oyster.com as one of the five Best Hidden Gem Hotels in L.A. and on Gayot's 2012 list of Top 10 L.A. Boutique Hotels, The Ambrose has won raves for its Asian-influenced Craftsman décor and awards for its sustainable practices. A verdant garden with koi pond and feng shui-influenced rooms gives the hotel a rare soulfulness. The Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica blends the style of Viceroy designer Kelly Wearstler with Earth-friendly practices (as a Santa Monica Certified Green Business) to create a contemporary coastal getaway. The AAA three-diamond Best Western PLUS Gateway Hotel is a frequent winner of excellence awards from its parent company and offers luxury amenities, such as pillow-top mattresses and 32inch flat-screen televisions. A pink exterior with white-and-green details hints at the L–R: Shore Hotel lights up at night, Shutters on the Beach, People-watch at The Georgian's The Veranda patio restaurant, Hotel Shangrila.

cheerful, and decidedly California experience awaiting at the Days Inn Santa Monica—considered one of this national chain's leading hotels. The Comfort Inn Santa Monica offers appealing rooms, a heated pool, and free continental breakfasts. Spacious rooms and a courtyard with barbecues make the Santa Monica Pico Travelodge an appealing family choice. It has also won numerous national honors for quality and management from its parent company. Santa Monica offers plenty of quality, independent options too. Pop in and take a look at the Ocean Park Inn, which boasts a good location on Lincoln and an appealing courtyard setting. Bungalowstyle rooms, a helpful multilingual staff, and yes, palm trees add to the affordable Palm Motel’s appeal. Two blocks from the beach and near Main Street's shopping and dining, the Sea Shore Motel is a favorite thanks to a rooftop sun deck and suites with full kitchens, including granite countertops.

Thomas Schoos's design of the Huntley Santa Monica Beach is so unique that none other than Architectural Digest featured the boutique hotel and dubbed it, “a singular coastal refuge.” The Huntley also garnered a spot on Gayot's list of L.A.'s hippest hotels. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the full-service, all-suites DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica offers a mix of comfort and style—plus, it has great beach and downtown access. Thanks to a recent renovation, Hostelling International is a colorful choice for travelers looking for affordability, character, and convenience. Arrayed around a pool and garden, the spacious suites with full kitchens at Cal Mar Hotel Suites earned the hotel many excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. Set in a 1927 Mediterranean Revival building in a residential area near Third Street Promenade, The Embassy Hotel Apartments lets you experience an earlier era in Santa Monica. Dating back to 1924, Hotel Carmel entices travelers thanks to a location near both the beach and Third Street Promenade, plus rooms with Craftsman furniture.

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• Great corporate housing. Beachfront luxury furnished apartments, studio, 1- & 2-bedrooms. Amenities including free weekly maid service, one parking space, 24-hr fitness center, business center, heated pool and spa. 30-day min. Rooms $3,500–$7,000/mo.

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• Oasis by the sandy beach. Ocean view rooms, studios, balconies. Steps to the pier, beachfront promenade, bicycle path. Free Wi-Fi Internet. Decent size desk. Parking charge 1st-come-1st-serve basis. Winter weekly special on request. Rooms $119–$349.

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2 • The best 3-Diamond full-service value in town! Free shuttle to beach and Promenade. Immaculate guest rooms, with complimentary wireless Internet access and refrigerators in every room. Rooms $129–$239.

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• Spacious suites by the ocean in quiet residential area, one block from Third Street Promenade. Outdoor heated pool in a lush garden setting, full kitchens, parking, CD/DVD, high-speed Internet access. Suites $129–$249.

Comfort Inn Santa Monica

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Affordable room accommodations serving free hot breakfast buffet, free high-speed Internet access, free weekday newspapers, free guest parking, free cable TV and a large outdoor heated pool. Restaurants nearby. Rooms $99–$200.

Days Inn Santa Monica

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Hotel with fresh, clean rooms. Free parking. Sauna available. Beverly Hills and UCLA in close proximity. Complimentary continental breakfast. Free wireless high-speed Internet. Rooms $99–$175

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Upscale full-service all-suite hotel. Comfortable, elegant suites. Atrium lobby. Outdoor pool, fitness room, business center, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet, restaurant and lounge, meeting and catering facilities. Rooms $209–$450.

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Beautifully restored 1920s Mediterranean garden-style hotel with old world charm. Elegant, spacious and tastefully appointed suites with fully equipped kitchens, high-speed Internet, and located just a few blocks from the Promenade, beach and Pier. Rates $169–$385.

The Ambrose 77 20 • • • • 1255 20th Street, Santa Monica 90404 T: 310.315.1555 • F: 310.315.1556 • 877.AMBROSE AmbroseHotel.com Archstone Citrus Suites

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Bayside Hotel

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1915 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405 T: 310.396.4271 • F: 310.396.4834 • 866.287.4178 ArchstoneCitrusSuites.com 2001 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.396.6000 • F: 310.396.1000 • 800.525.4447 BaysideHotel.com

BeST WeSTern PLUS Gateway Hotel

1920 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica 90404 T: 310.829.9100 • F: 310.829.9211 • 800.528.1234 GatewayHotel.com

Cal Mar Hotel Suites

220 California Avenue, Santa Monica 90403 T: 310.395.5555 • F: 310.451.1111 • 800.776.6007 CalMarHotel.com

2815 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica 90404 T: 310.828.5517 • F: 310.829.6084 • 888.307.7177 ComfortInnSantaMonica.com 3007 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica 90404 T: 310.829.6333 • F: 310.829.1983 • 800.591.5995 SMDaysInn.com

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Santa Monica

1707 4th Street, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.395.3332 • F: 310.452.7399 • 800.222.8733 SantaMonicaSuites.DoubleTree.com

The embassy Hotel Apartments 1001 3rd Street, Santa Monica 90403 T: 310.394.1279 x1 • F: 310.451.3422 EmbassyHotelApts.com Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

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Upon arrival at your hotel, you have the right to inspect your room before you accept it. Report problems to City of Santa Monica, City Attorney Office for Consumer Affairs, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.458.8336. Our hotels have provided this information. There are no other requirements or standards to be listed. Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau makes no representation as to the accuracy of these descriptions nor of the condition of these properties. All daily room rates are subject to change without notice, and may not be available in high season.

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Research lodging options carefully. Similarly priced properties may offer a vast difference in quality and services. Check references from friends/ relatives, your travel agent, review travel guides in bookstores and libraries, study AAA “Diamond” (u) and Mobil Guide “Star” (H) ratings, and ask pertinent questions to the hotel reservations agent. Make sure you understand deposit and cancellation policies of your hotel before you make a reservation. Ask for confirmation in writing. A city room tax of 14% is added to your final bill, subject to change.

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The Ambrose is an eco-chic boutique hotel nestled in a residential neighborhood, providing affordable luxury to business and leisure travelers alike. Rates include an all-natural continental breakfast, secured parking, local transportation and 24-hour fitness center. Rates from $249.

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• 14 • Located atop the scenic bluffs of Santa Monica beach and known as the place to be among Hollywood’s elite, the Miramar is being re-discovered for its warm, personal service. Rooms $359–$1,899.

The Georgian Hotel

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• 3 • Seconds from the ocean…years from the ordinary. 84 luxurious rooms, including 28 suites. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or drinks at The Veranda. Exhibiting a distinct Art Deco style unique to Los Angeles. Rooms from $220.

Holiday Inn Santa Monica Beach at the Pier

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Spacious rooms with modern comfort. Ideally located just steps to the pier, beach and shopping. Hotel features outdoor heated pool, restaurant, bar, fitness center and complimentary Wi-Fi. Rooms $199–$450.

101 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.576.7777 • F: 310.458.7912 • 800.866.5577 Fairmont.com/SantaMonica 1415 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.395.9945 • F: 310.656.0904 • 800.538.8147 GeorgianHotel.com

120 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.451.0676 • F: 310.393.7145 • 800.HOLIDAY HISantaMonicaHotel.com

Hostelling International Santa Monica

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Enjoy the perfect headquarters for seeing all that the LA area has to offer with affordable dormitory accommodations. Just steps to the beaches of Santa Monica. Complimentary continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi Internet access. Dorm rooms and private rooms $32–$119.

Hotel California

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Charming Cali-style hotel. Steps from beach. Hardwood floors, Beautyrest® mattresses, 400 thread-count sheets, surfboard headboards, mini-fridges. “One of the top three affordable hotels in Los Angeles,” Travel + Leisure magazine. Rooms from $219.

The Hotel California Suites

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Spanish courtyard with gated entrance, steps from beach. Fully-furnished 1 bedroom/1 bath apartments with hardwood floors, leather furniture, kitchenettes, Beautyrest® mattresses, 400 thread-count sheets. Monthly rates from $2,650–$3,950.

Hotel Carmel

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• Graciously appointed guest rooms, some with ocean views. Ideally located near Santa Monica’s famous shopping and dining district. Daily tours to major attractions. Complimentary continental breakfast and USA Today Mon–Fri. Rooms $165–$255.

Hotel Casa del Mar

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Superb beachside location. Lavish Riviera-inspired furnishings. Full service amenities: High-speed Internet access, soaking tubs with jets and more. Catch Restaurant is a must-do in Santa Monica. Panoramic Pacific Coast views, amazing sunsets. Rooms from $420.

Hotel Shangrila

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Totally renovated and refurbished in 2008, this full-service Art Deco landmark features ocean views and cool breezes from every room. All new rooftop bar and ocean view restaurant. Rooms from $345+.

1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.393.9913 • F: 310.393.1769 • 800.909.4776 HILosAngeles.org 1670 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.393.2363 • F: 310.393.1063 • 866.571.0000 HotelCA.com

35 Arcadia Terrace, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.393.2363 • F: 310.393.1063 • 866.571.0000 HotelCA.com 201 Broadway, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.451.2469 • F: 310.393.4180 • 800.445.8695 HotelCarmel.com 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.581.5533 • F: 310.581.5503 • 800.898.6999 HotelCasadelMar.com 1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.394.2791 • F: 310.451.3351 • 877.999.1301 ShangriLa-Hotel.com

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Newest modern beachside luxury hotel. $12-million complete redesign. In-room 42” plasma TVs and Wi-Fi. One block from beach and Third Street Promenade. Minutes from Santa Monica Pier. Rooftop restaurant with panoramic views. Rooms $349–$1,800.

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European-style boutique hotel offers luxurious accommodations combined with a full-service spa, spectacular ocean breezes and first-class cuisine. Rooms starting at $349.95.

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uuuu 1740 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.395.9700 • F: 310.395.9200 • 877.MERIGOT LeMerigotHotel.com

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel HHH 342 .5 • 1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 uuuu T: 310.458.6700 • F: 310.458.6761 • 800.23.LOEWS LoewsHotels.com/SantaMonica

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1111 Second Street, Santa Monica 90403 T: 310.394.5454 • F: 310.458.9776 TheHuntleyHotel.com

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Newly renovated beachfront hotel. Ocean views with spectacular outdoor pool, fire pits and dining terrace. Signature Ocean & Vine restaurant, Ocean Spa & Fiteness with full-service salon. Over 17,000 sq. ft. meeting space. Rooms $309–$3,600. “The Travelers Choice,” ideally located only steps to the beach, in the midst of all major transportation, dining and entertainment, proudly offers affordable accommodations. New, Internet access! Rooms $97–$350.

Ocean Lodge Santa Monica Beach Hotel

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Ocean Park Inn

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7 blocks from ocean. Refrigerator, safe and phones in every room. Daily maid service. Complimentary coffee in the morning. Cable TV. Near shopping and restaurants. Free parking. Free Wi-Fi. Non-smoking hotel. Rooms $70 and up.

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Steps from the beach, pier, mall, and Third Street Promenade. Ocean view rooms available with private balconies and frig. All rooms non-smoking. Hotel is green-certified. Free wireless high-speed Internet. Rooms $149–$329.

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The Oceana features stylish over-sized suites in an intimate courtyard setting. Guests can enjoy gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean from our guest-exclusive lounge, while enjoying coastal Italian cuisine. Rates from $355–$1,200. Palm trees, flowers & garden-style bungalows create a peaceful ambience. Multi-lingual staff. Non-smoking by reservation. FREE Wi-Fi “Hot Spot”. Complimentary cookies and coffee. Quiet residential area. Parking included. Rooms $75+ tax – $100+ tax.

1667 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.451.4146 • F: 310.526.6832 • 800.393.6310 OceanLodgeHotel.com 2680 32nd Street, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.429.5554 • F: 310.396.3814 SantaMonicaOceanParkHotel.com 2452 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.392.3966 • F: 310.399.0502 • 800.605.5005 OceanParkInn.net

Ocean View Hotel

1447 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.458.4888 • F: 310.458.0848 • 800.452.4888 OceanViewSantaMonica.com

Oceana Santa Monica

849 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90403 T: 310.393.0486 • F: 310.458.1182 • 800.777.0758 HotelOceanaSantaMonica.com

Palm Motel

26 14

Santa Monica Motel

2102 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.392.6806 • F: 310.396.6633 SantaMonicaMotel.com

Santa Monica Pico Travelodge

3102 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.450.5766 • F: 310.450.8843 • 800.231.7679 TravelodgeSantaMonica.com

Economical hotel located just 1.5 miles from the beach. Each room features a microwave, mini-fridge, in-room vanity, flat-panel television, free wireless Internet. On-site laundry facilities. Separate shared restrooms for ladies and gentlemen. Rooms $45–$75.

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Budget motel located just 7 blocks from the beach, pier, shopping mall and Third Street Promenade. Free parking, free wireless Internet access, cable TV, and 24-hr. front desk service. All rooms are non-smoking. Rooms $59–$129.

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Beautiful courtyard, gas BBQ, free continental breakfast, evening snack, free wireless Internet, free in-room safes, kitchenettes, Jacuzzi tubs, in-room coffee, refrigerators, newspaper. Pets & weekly rates based on availability. Rooms $89–$199.

2020 14th Street, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.452.3861 • F: 310.450.8635 PalmMotelSM.com

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Sea Shore Motel

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Luxurious beachfront community combines modern amenities with spectacular views and is the most sought-after location in Santa Monica. We offer both short-term furnished and unfurnished luxury residences. Welcome to beachfront living at the SeaCastle!

Seaview Hotel

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Affordable beach hotel just footsteps to the beach via private walkway. 17 rooms, 8 with kitchens, cable TV and private sundeck and courtyard. Rooms $100–$150.

2637 Main Street, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.392.2787 • F: 310.392.5167 SeaShoreMotel.com 1725 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.917.1998 • F: 310.917.1178 • 866.346.4206

1760 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.393.6711 • F: 310.458.6685 SeaviewHotel.com

Sheraton Delfina Santa Monica

uuu 310 4 • • • • • • • • • • 9 • Boasting ocean, mountain and city views, the hotel was renovated in early

2012 combining contemporary design and relaxed atmosphere. The new Link Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Exclusive Cabana Rooms offer Sheraton Club access in a private setting. Rooms from $235–$1,000.

530 W. Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.399.9344 • F: 310.399.2504 • 888.627.8532 SheratonSantaMonica.com

Shore Hotel

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Shutters On The Beach

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1515 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.458.1515 • F: 310.943.1510 ShoreHotel.com

One Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405 T: 310.458.0030 • F: 310.458.4589 • 800.334.9000 ShuttersOnTheBeach.com

Viceroy Santa Monica

1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica 90401 T: 310.260.7500 • F: 310.260.7515 • 800.670.6185 ViceroySantaMonica.com

Beautiful rooms with refrigerators, cable TV, A/C, hair dryer, iron and free Wi-Fi Internet. Suites with full-kitchens and private balconies. Located in the heart of Main Street and convenient to LAX. Rooms $115–$165 (Suites $175–$300).

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Mere steps from pier with stylish new rooms and serene spa by designer Michael Smith. Luxury in every corner, impeccable service and innovative amenities. It’s the place to see, be seen, and be close to everything in L.A. Rooms from $535.

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Superbly situated a block from the Pacific Ocean, this urban retreat at the shore and signature restaurant Whist is well equipped for the meetings market with state-of-the-art facilities and creative spaces for up to 350 people. Rooms from $340 to $590.

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Shore Hotel, Santa Monica’s brand new “green” hotel, is now open! This sustainable oceanfront oasis features 164 guest rooms and suites with innovative in-room technology, meeting room, business center, fitness center, pool and hot tub. Rates from $240.

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getting TO Santa Monica • by plane Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Only eight non-

freeway miles (13 km) from Santa Monica, LAX provides transportation coordinators to help you find your way here. 310.646.5252, lawa.org/lax Transportation options from LAX include: Shuttles: Rates for vans between LAX and Santa Monica start at approximately $15 per person one-way, $30–$40 round-trip per person ($10–$20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level. Cabs: From LAX to Santa Monica, the charge is approximately $35–$45, plus tip (approximately 15% of fare). A $2.50 surcharge is levied on trips originating from LAX. Authorized cab companies are: • Bell Cab: 888.481.2345, labellcab.com • Independent Taxi Owners Association: 800.521.8294, taxi4u.com • Metro Cab Company: 310.444.7777, metrocabco.com • Taxi! Taxi!: 310.444.4444, santamonicataxi.com • Yellow Cab Company: 877.733.3305, layellowcab.com 100

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Big Blue Bus: The Rapid 3 line runs between the Green Line Metro's Aviation Station and downtown Santa Monica with additional stops within the city. From the transportation islands at the airport, shuttles run to and from the Green Line Station (Route G) and to the LAX City Bus Center transit station (Route C) at Parking Lot C, which is the best place to catch the Rapid 3. Allow about 20–30 minutes for shuttle connection and travel. The non-express #3, which makes more stops en route to Santa Monica (about 30 minutes to downtown) and in town, also operates from the transit center at Parking Lot C. 310.451.5444, bigbluebus.com Rental Cars: All major car rental agencies operate at the airport. The drive to Santa Monica takes about 15–20 minutes depending on traffic. Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO)

In the city's southeast corner, Santa Monica Municipal Airport is a small airfield for private, corporate and charter aircraft. 310.458.8591, santa-monica.org/airport Bob Hope Airport (BUR) About 25 miles

northeast of Santa Monica in Burbank. Rental cars are available and cab fare is about $60 one-way not including tip. 818.840.8840, burbankairport.com John Wayne Airport (SNA) About

52 miles southeast of Santa Monica.

Rental cars are available and cab fare is about $130 one-way not including tip. 949.252.5200, ocair.com Long Beach Airport (LGB) About 35 miles southeast of Santa Monica. Rental cars are available and cab fare is about $90 one-way not including tip. 562.570.2600, lgb.org L.A./Ontario International Airport (ONT) About 60 miles east of Santa Monica.

Rental cars are available and cab fare is about $115 one-way not including tip. 909.937.2700, lawa.org/welcome_ont.aspx

• By Train Amtrak operates out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Taxis, shuttles, buses operated by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), or the Big Blue Bus (the #10 Express; fare is $2) connect to Santa Monica. 800.872.7245, amtrak.com

• By Car Pacific Coast Highway (California 1), Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10), Santa Monica Boulevard (Historic Route 66), and Wilshire and Pico Boulevards run through the city.

Clockwise: Big Blue Bus, Renting Bikes at Pedal...Or Not.

getting AROUND Santa Monica • On Foot Santa Monica is concentrated into 8.3 square miles (13.5 km). Most hotels, attractions, and primary shopping and dining districts are within easy walking distance of each other.

• By Segway® Looking for an opportunity to experience the city on one of these two-wheeled self-balancing electric human transporters? Tours are available or you may explore on your own. Rental is by the hour and operators must be 18 or over. Rentals are located at 1660 Ocean Avenue, 310.395.1395, segway.la

• By Bus Big Blue Bus: Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus serves Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, LAX, and 10 neighboring communities with more than 1,000 bus stops. An express line connects downtown Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles. The Big Blue Bus has 14 lines of service plus commuter buses. Rates are $1 for local buses and $2 for Express. Seniors (62 and up, disabled, or on Medicare) pay 50 cents and $1 for express. Children four and younger are free, a limit of two children are allowed per adult. Day passes and transit passes are available. Route information is available at Blue: The Transit Store (223 Broadway), 310.451.5444, bigbluebus.com

L–R: Sondra Stocker, Kristen Beinke.

Santa Monica’s Mini Blue Buses: These smaller, eco-friendly buses provide a faster neighborhood ride. The system's lines run every 15–20 minutes. Fares are $1, 50 cents for seniors 62 and up and the disabled or on Medicare. 310.451.5444, bigbluebus.com/miniblue/index.html Metropolitan Transit Authority: (MTA) The MTA's Metro Rapid is a high-speed, limited-stop bus service between Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and Woodland Hills. 323.466.3876, metro.net

• By Bicycle Santa Monica is a bicyclefriendly city, with well-marked lanes, routes, paths, and bike racks. Rent a bike as a fun, economical, and green way to explore. Only bicycles are allowed along the South Bay Bicycle Trail (unicycles, bicycles, bicycles with training wheels, wheelchairs, and single-person tricycles). Also, pedestrians are not allowed on the 1500–2600 block of the trail. For a free detailed map that shows bike lanes, routes, and paths, visit smgov. net/gis/map_catalog/csm_map_catalog/ bikemap.pdf.

• HOW TO DRESS Casual and comfortable; no restaurant in Santa Monica requires jackets or ties. Dress in layers; days are warm, ocean breezes can be cool, and after sunset temperatures drop—a light jacket or sweater is often necessary. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

• IDENTIFICATION Carry a legal photo ID at all times. This is required for airline travel, admission to some attractions, proof of legal drinking age (21 in California), and other situations.

• BEACH AND SURF CONDITIONS Weekly water quality reports are available through Heal The Bay, the Santa Monica-based organization dedicated to the environment of Santa Monica Bay; healthebay.org. Updates are also available from the Los Angeles County Department of Health at publichealth.lacounty.gov/ beach. Surf conditions are available at surfline.com and at smgov.net/portals/ beach. You can also check with the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau at 310.393.7593.

• BANKING & CURRENCY Most banks are open Monday through Saturday, usually 9 a.m.–5 p.m. during the week and until noon on Saturday. Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are located at banks and inside many stores, restaurants, clubs and other businesses (service charges and other fees may apply). If your card bears the logo of a major credit card company, most businesses will permit you to use your ATM card to make purchases or pay for meals. If you have a bankcard or ATM card from a participating banking network or credit card company, you can withdraw U.S. currency from ATMs. Some banks in Santa Monica will exchange foreign currency; some restrictions (including limits) apply and fees are charged.

• WEATHER Santa Monica averages approximately 340 sunny days annually. Temperatures are mild and skies are clear in all seasons. Average winter temperatures range from daytime highs in the mid-60s to low 70s F (18–22° C) to nighttime lows in the 40s to high 50s F (10–18° C). Summer temperatures range from daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s F (20s–30s C) to nighttime lows in the 60s or 70s (20s C). For up-to-theminute weather and surf conditions, visit santamonica.com.

• TIME ZONE Santa Monica is eight hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-8 GMT). Daylight Savings Time (-7 GMT) is observed from March 11 to November 4 in 2012.

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Visitor Information Centers We have four official Visitor Information Centers open daily, plus a mobile center. Friendly and knowledgeable staffers provide a range of personalized services. Please contact us for information: 310.393.7593; 800.544.5319 SantaMonica.com info@santamonica.com Visitor Information Center 1920 Main Street, Suite B Visitor Information Kiosk 1400 Ocean Avenue Visitor Information Kiosk 322 Santa Monica Pier Visitor Information Cart Third Street Promenade (1300 block) I Love Santa Monica Mobile To find out where it will be next, visit SantaMonica.com/escape2SM

• EMERGENCIES Dial 911 in a life-or-death emergency (free from public telephone). The local number for emergencies is 310.458.8491 (This is best if you're on a cell phone). For non-emergency police matters, 310.395.9931. For non-emergency fire department matters, 310.458.8651.

• HOSPITALS Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital: Wilshire Boulevard between 15th and 16th Streets. 310.319.4000, uclahealth.org Saint John’s Health Center: Santa Monica Boulevard between 20th and 22nd Streets 310.829.5511, newstjohns.org John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center: Santa Monica Boulevard between 21st and 23rd Streets. 800.262.6259, jwci.org

• TELEPHONE Santa Monica has two area codes—310 and 424. When you make a call, whether local or long-distance, you need to dial 1 + the area code + the phone number. Toll-free phone numbers have area codes of 800, 866, 877, or 888. Dial 1, then area code and number. For directory assistance or other telephone information, call 411. For international calls, follow instructions in hotel guest guides or the telephone book.

• TIPPING Tipping for many services is customary. Gratuities are rarely included in your bill. Restaurant, bar, taxi, and limo service: 18%–20% of the bill Hotel doormen and other service personnel: $1–$2 per transaction Hotel bellmen: $1.50–$3 per bag Housekeeping staff: $1–$2 per night and $1 more for special services Hotel concierge: $5–$20 for special service, depending on the service Valet parking attendants: (pay when you receive your car): $2 Airport skycap: $1–$2 per bag 102

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• COMPUTER & ELECTRICAL STANDARDS Most hotels offer high-speed Internet access, wireless service, and multiple-line phones in guest rooms. Santa Monica has 25 City Wi-Fi Hot Spot Locations and that number is always growing. For a map of Wi-Fi locations, visit any of the Santa Monica Visitor Information Centers or online at smgov. net/departments/isd. U.S. electrical current is 110 volts A/C. Telephone jacks for computer modems and faxes use the RJ11 standard.

• PARKING For a comprehensive parking map and real-time parking space availability at downtown and beach parking lots, visit http://parking.santa-monica.org. Metered parking rate is $1/hour—most have a two-hour time limit. Carefully read and obey any applicable signs and parking meters for hours of operation, street-cleaning days and times, and other restrictions. Santa Monica offers free parking at any non-metered public parking place on any street (all other posted regulations must be obeyed). Many businesses offer valet parking for a fee. When booking accommodations, ask the hotel about parking availability and fees. When parking, always put packages and valuables out of sight in trunk. Do not leave them in plain view.

• SMOKING Santa Monica seeks to maintain a healthy environment. The non-smoking policy is stricter than California's, which already makes it illegal to smoke in restaurants, bars, theaters, auditoriums, museums, and public buildings. Santa Monica's clean air initiative (LAO) prohibits smoking in parks, waiting areas for public services (such as bus stops), and within 20 feet of entrances to a public facility. Help us meet our clean air goals by refraining from smoking in outdoor areas, except for designated places on the pier.

• TRAFFIC TIPS & RULES Traffic Information: See freeway updates at sigalert.com. Rush Hour: Generally 6:30–9:30 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on weekdays but conditions are highly variable. Seat Belts: Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times. Any child weighing less than 60 pounds (27 kg) must be in a child safety seat secured by a seat belt. Cell Phone Hands-Free Driving: The State of California enacted a law that bans drivers from using hand-held devices while driving. Use a wireless or wired headset while driving. Drugs and Alcohol: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a serious offense in California. A person is legally drunk with a blood alcohol level of .08% or higher. Alcohol consumption is illegal for anyone under 21. Pedestrians: May cross Santa Monica's streets only in marked crosswalks (crossing outside of a marked crosswalk—jaywalking—is an offense and police will ticket violators). Pedestrians always have the right of way; cars must stop for them. But always use caution—be safe! Diamond Lanes: On some freeways, the inside (far left) lane is designated as a Diamond Lane for carpools only (at least one passenger in addition to the driver). Look for posted signs. Do not drive in the Diamond Lane without the requisite number of passengers except when signs indicate that during certain hours all vehicles can use the lanes. Bicycles and Scooters: Both motorized and non-motorized bicycles and scooters are legal on Santa Monica streets. They must follow all standard traffic rules. Motorized scooter riders must be at least 16 years old. Any driver under 18 must wear a helmet.

• POST OFFICES Santa Monica Main Post Office: 1248 5th Street Ocean Park Post Office: 2720 Neilson Way Will Rogers Post Office: 1217 Wilshire Boulevard

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