Guidebook for Santa Monica
Food Scene
The food is amazing. Get a table on the back patio if you can. There's no signage so you'll need to know where you're going. Bring a bottle of wine.
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Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdThe food is amazing. Get a table on the back patio if you can. There's no signage so you'll need to know where you're going. Bring a bottle of wine.
Great food in a super casual, hip setting. Go for brunch or Sunday night dinners.
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Gjusta
320 Sunset AveGreat food in a super casual, hip setting. Go for brunch or Sunday night dinners.
I always feel like I'm at a hip, upscale dinner party when walking to a table on the back patio.
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The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveI always feel like I'm at a hip, upscale dinner party when walking to a table on the back patio.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StSuper casual neighborhood place with great pizza
The food is amazing. Get a table near the "cheese bowls" and watch the chefs work.
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Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar
1610 Montana AveThe food is amazing. Get a table near the "cheese bowls" and watch the chefs work.
Interesting Asian-Fusion and a great patio. Despite the heat lamps, it's always cold there, so bring a sweater or jacket.
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Cassia
1314 7th StInteresting Asian-Fusion and a great patio. Despite the heat lamps, it's always cold there, so bring a sweater or jacket.
Family owned Indian restaurant with a lovely little patio. Dhaba has been on Main Street for 20+ years. The food is always good. Eat in or take out.
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Dhaba Cuisine of India
2104 Main StFamily owned Indian restaurant with a lovely little patio. Dhaba has been on Main Street for 20+ years. The food is always good. Eat in or take out.
Little Prince LA
2424 Main StGo for brunch
Great for wine, lunch and dinner. Try the tartines and Le Bowl. The Venice location is close by and laid back.
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Zinqué
1440 Lincoln BlvdGreat for wine, lunch and dinner. Try the tartines and Le Bowl. The Venice location is close by and laid back.
Superba Food + Bread
1900 Lincoln BlvdGreat for any meal
One of the many neighborhood coffee places. This one is kind of hipster.
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Dogtown Coffee
2003 Main StOne of the many neighborhood coffee places. This one is kind of hipster.
Go for breakfast, lunch, brunch and sit on the patio
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Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StGo for breakfast, lunch, brunch and sit on the patio
Cute little place to grab a coffee before going for a walk
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Groundwork Coffee Co.
671 Rose AveCute little place to grab a coffee before going for a walk
Amazing Italian food served by Italians in a small, stylish space. Casual chic. Dress for a Saturday night date.
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Via Veneto
3009 Main StAmazing Italian food served by Italians in a small, stylish space. Casual chic. Dress for a Saturday night date.
Arts & Culture
There is always a great exhibit. Go on a weekend and have brunch in Downtown LA.
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The Broad
221 S Grand AveThere is always a great exhibit. Go on a weekend and have brunch in Downtown LA.
I-Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire BlvdGreat for contemporary art
The exhibits are hit or miss, so check the schedule and reserve parking in advance. The garden is incredible.
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IGetty
1200 Getty Center DrThe exhibits are hit or miss, so check the schedule and reserve parking in advance. The garden is incredible.
Essentials
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln BlvdUpscale grocery store with a good prepared foods section
Go for cheese or wine; and maybe an emergency pizza to keep in the freezer
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Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveGo for cheese or wine; and maybe an emergency pizza to keep in the freezer
The biggest Whole Foods outside of Downtown Austin. Always crowded with people in the prepared foods section.
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Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdThe biggest Whole Foods outside of Downtown Austin. Always crowded with people in the prepared foods section.
This is the place to order from when you want groceries delivered fast.
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Yummy.com
1308 Pico BlvdThis is the place to order from when you want groceries delivered fast.
Yogaworks is where most of the notable yogis got their start. Try Vytas' class.
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YogaWorks Main St
2215 Main StYogaworks is where most of the notable yogis got their start. Try Vytas' class.
Circuit Works
1837 Main StCircuit Training
CrossFit Santa Monica
2433 Main StCross training
When you need new jeans or a few other pieces and don't want to go to Century City or Beverly Hills. There is a Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, several boutiques and a multi-screen movie theatre
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Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceWhen you need new jeans or a few other pieces and don't want to go to Century City or Beverly Hills. There is a Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, several boutiques and a multi-screen movie theatre
Alternative to Santa Monica Place for movie theatre venues and shopping
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3rd Street Promenade
3rd Street PromenadeAlternative to Santa Monica Place for movie theatre venues and shopping
Walgreens
1911 Lincoln BlvdDrug store
CVS
255 Main StSmall CVS drug Store
CVS Pharmacy
255 Main StSmall CVS drug store
Small neighborhood market less than two blocks away. Haque’s has a great selection of wines, lots of good cheeses, and basics. Perfect for immediate ‘needs.’
Haque's Bodega
2225 4th StSmall neighborhood market less than two blocks away. Haque’s has a great selection of wines, lots of good cheeses, and basics. Perfect for immediate ‘needs.’
Fantastic, yet high-priced, organic foods. Kind of a scene and be seen place for Santa Monica and Venice locals.
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Erewhon Market
585 Venice Blvd.Fantastic, yet high-priced, organic foods. Kind of a scene and be seen place for Santa Monica and Venice locals.
Getting Around
I use Lyft and Uber, but the Big Blue Bus runs on both 4th Street and Main Street; and the metro is about a 10 minute walk
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Los Angeles International Airport
1 World WayI use Lyft and Uber, but the Big Blue Bus runs on both 4th Street and Main Street; and the metro is about a 10 minute walk
Everything Else
Laemmle Monica Film Center
1332 2nd StFor indie movies
Parks & Nature
Great to walk through the park during the day en route to Ocean Avenue or Santa Monica Place.
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Tongva Park
1615 Ocean AveGreat to walk through the park during the day en route to Ocean Avenue or Santa Monica Place.