Guidebook for Santa Monica
Food Scene
This is my favorite restaurant in Santa monica. Iconic, oldest Santa Monica restaurant. Known for steaks and clams, but they added other menue items a long time ago. Sit at thbe bar and meet the locals. I suppose there are people who will say there are better, but I have been going there since the '60s and this is my opinion. www.thegalleyrestaurant.net
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The Galley
2442 Main StThis is my favorite restaurant in Santa monica. Iconic, oldest Santa Monica restaurant. Known for steaks and clams, but they added other menue items a long time ago. Sit at thbe bar and meet the locals. I suppose there are people who will say there are better, but I have been going there since the '60s and this is my opinion. www.thegalleyrestaurant.net
It's a great location for people watching on Main Street. The food is delicious https://www.urthcaffe.com/caffe/locations/urth-santa-monica
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Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StIt's a great location for people watching on Main Street. The food is delicious https://www.urthcaffe.com/caffe/locations/urth-santa-monica
My favorite downtown Santa Monica restaurant. On the Ground floor of the historic Guarantee Trust Building (Clock Tower) in downtown Santa Monica. The building dates to 1928. The food is excellent and best quality. Try the Prime Rib Nik Niks (sliders) and share an order of fries. A little pricey, but not for Santa Monica. www.themisfitbar.com
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The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdMy favorite downtown Santa Monica restaurant. On the Ground floor of the historic Guarantee Trust Building (Clock Tower) in downtown Santa Monica. The building dates to 1928. The food is excellent and best quality. Try the Prime Rib Nik Niks (sliders) and share an order of fries. A little pricey, but not for Santa Monica. www.themisfitbar.com
Vegan/Vegetarian. Opens 10 am. A little pricey, but excellent quality, and delicious food, smoothies, and baked goods. https://cafegratitude.com/menus/cafe-gratitude-venice
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Cafe Gratitude
512 Rose AveVegan/Vegetarian. Opens 10 am. A little pricey, but excellent quality, and delicious food, smoothies, and baked goods. https://cafegratitude.com/menus/cafe-gratitude-venice
Iconic Santa Monica. It's a market. It's a deli. Order the Godmother sandwich. Parking can be insane. CLOSED ON MONDAY.
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Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln BlvdIconic Santa Monica. It's a market. It's a deli. Order the Godmother sandwich. Parking can be insane. CLOSED ON MONDAY.
Delicious food, with sports on t.v., and people working on their laptops. https://www.thebrixtonsm.com/
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The Brixton
2827 Pico BlvdDelicious food, with sports on t.v., and people working on their laptops. https://www.thebrixtonsm.com/
The ultimate neighborhood burger place. Inexpensive. Order at the counter and take a seat, or order to go. Try the pastrami combo plate.
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George's Burgers
3101 Lincoln BlvdThe ultimate neighborhood burger place. Inexpensive. Order at the counter and take a seat, or order to go. Try the pastrami combo plate.
Lovely local cafe. A little pricey, but delicious. info@thymecafeandmarket.com
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Thyme Cafe and Market
1630 Ocean Park BlvdLovely local cafe. A little pricey, but delicious. info@thymecafeandmarket.com
Local, iconic diner. I've been going there for 50+ years. Say hi to Sarah (at the register most of the time). CASH ONLY.
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Rae's Restaurant
2901 Pico BlvdLocal, iconic diner. I've been going there for 50+ years. Say hi to Sarah (at the register most of the time). CASH ONLY.
Drinks & Nightlife
Local, old fashioned Brit bar just a walk away. Pool and darts. https://cocknbullbritishpub.com/
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Cock 'n Bull
2947 Lincoln BlvdLocal, old fashioned Brit bar just a walk away. Pool and darts. https://cocknbullbritishpub.com/
Sightseeing
It's Venice. Grittier than Santa Monica. Get a tattoo, or maybe just a henna tattoo. Buy souvenirs. Watch the street scene. Enjoy the restaurants along the Walk. Check out the artists booths along the walk to Marina del Rey. Walk out to the Pier at the end of Washington Blvd.
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Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkIt's Venice. Grittier than Santa Monica. Get a tattoo, or maybe just a henna tattoo. Buy souvenirs. Watch the street scene. Enjoy the restaurants along the Walk. Check out the artists booths along the walk to Marina del Rey. Walk out to the Pier at the end of Washington Blvd.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica PierIconic location. You can't miss is.
Arts & Culture
If you like museums this one should be on your list of those to see. Closed Tuesday. Entry is free, but you must have a time-stamped ticket. See their website for tickets and details for your visit.
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Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyIf you like museums this one should be on your list of those to see. Closed Tuesday. Entry is free, but you must have a time-stamped ticket. See their website for tickets and details for your visit.
Just because it's THE GETTY. The museum is free, but you pay for parking. Easy access with Uber/Lyft. My best choice is Metro Bus routes 734Rapid (weekdays); 234 (weekend/holidays). Just $1.75. Checkout their website for all the details. Closed Monday.
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The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrJust because it's THE GETTY. The museum is free, but you pay for parking. Easy access with Uber/Lyft. My best choice is Metro Bus routes 734Rapid (weekdays); 234 (weekend/holidays). Just $1.75. Checkout their website for all the details. Closed Monday.
Parks & Nature
Historic home of Will Rogers with docent led tours. Multiple hiking trails that inter-connect through the Santa Monica Mountains. Seasonal Polo games. Boarding stables.
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Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park RdHistoric home of Will Rogers with docent led tours. Multiple hiking trails that inter-connect through the Santa Monica Mountains. Seasonal Polo games. Boarding stables.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
Tide pools, birds, surfers.
https://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/ Check out Back On the Beach for lunch. www.backonthebeachcafe.com/
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Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Hwyhttps://www.annenbergbeachhouse.com/ Check out Back On the Beach for lunch. www.backonthebeachcafe.com/
Getting Around
Your connection to Downtown LA, Hollywood and all points east.
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Expo Line Santa Monica Station
Your connection to Downtown LA, Hollywood and all points east.
Best price from LAX. Short walk to my house. Best if you travel light.
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Big Blue Bus
Best price from LAX. Short walk to my house. Best if you travel light.
Essentials
Everything you need in a market, plus deli counter, and hot food. Good wine selection. Open 7am-9pm.
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Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park BlvdEverything you need in a market, plus deli counter, and hot food. Good wine selection. Open 7am-9pm.