Why Santa Monica is the Coolest Coastal City in California

Santa Monica isn’t a hidden gem or overlooked treasure that travellers have been missing out on. It’s well-known, and already on most bucket lists for visitors to California. It’s also the finishing point of Route 66 which traverses America from Chicago to a spot on the waterfront here. What you might not know, and something we can heartily recommend, is that it is possible to spend a fulfilling visit to Los Angeles entirely in Santa Monica. With more than 40 hotels, 400 restaurants, a dedicated art fair and more A-list residents than you can shake an Oscar at, here’s why you should plan a trip to this corner of the City of Angels.

Celeb-spotting is considered to be a little tacky here.. but when has that ever stopped anyone? As long as you’re calm about it all, and promise to keep it a secret between us, we do recommend spending time at Coast part of Shutters on the Beach. Take in the whole experience of a hearty breakfast and then enjoy a peek as one of the most elegant parts of Los Angeles. Nearby Hotel Casa del Mar is popular during awards season for anyone looking for a centrally-located slice of luxury. These two are almost mandatory stops during a visit here, and they really are worth the extra effort of dressing up a little.

For art enthusiasts, the prestigious Frieze Los Angeles can be found in Santa Monica Airport on the outskirts of the city. This is now a major part of the events calendar for locals and international art lovers, bringing together over 95 galleries from 21 countries. The venue actually suits the crowd here, so there is enough to do if you want to spend an entire day with flexibility to pop in as you wish for a few hours. Its on the journey from the hotel to the small airport that we discovered the actual end point of Route 66. The glamorous one on the pier is great for photo opportunities but the more mundane official final stop is at the intersection of Olympic and Lincoln boulevard, about a mile from the Pacific Ocean.

Known as the birthplace of farm to table dining, Santa Monica’s culinary landscape is full of award-winning restaurants, casual brunch spots, cool diners and grab-and-go street food. The iconic farmer’s markets sprawl across several city blocks overflowing with colourful produce and the freshest locally sourced ingredients. Head to Downtown Farmers Markets – the largest of the weekly markets – every Wednesday morning. Other markets include Pico Boulevard Farmers Market (Saturday 8.am – 1p.m) and Main Street Farmers Market (8.30am-1.30pm).

Blueys is a fun option if you want a light brunch or iced coffee on your travels. Its the sort of place locals love to hang out at, so you know its going to be a good pick. Le Great Outdoor is as playful as its name suggests, serving elevated family-style cuisine with ingredients sourced from local markets. The restaurant is in the heart of an arts community which includes a small comedy club and a selection of galleries catering to all tastes. Bergamot Station Arts Center is a relatively new addition to the art scene, but you will find a selection of colourful characters to go with the lively works on display. You’ll also get a chance to check out the Expo Line light railway which runs from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, as it calls here. If the LA traffic is getting on your nerves, the railway and connecting downtown Metro further in the city are convenient ways to get around.

At the city’s northern edge, Montana Avenue is home to a stretch of more than 150 restaurants and retailers. Though it’s just a short walk from Downtown Santa Monica, it feels removed from the hustle and bustle of the promenade and pier. If you’ve been to Silver Lake, the ‘hipster’ hub of LA, then you’ll instantly get the vibe here. I picked up all the souvenirs I needed on a short jaunt early in the day, but it was on with the smart shirt and ironed jeans for the evening. Citrin is a Michelin starred, modern Californian cuisine restaurant by Chef Josiah Citrin. The attention to detail and pursuit of excellence that defined Josiah’s landmark Mélisse restaurant thrives in this adjoining space. There’s a cool bar if you just fancy a drink but the waft of tasty seafood and delicate small plates will be impossible to resist.

An absolute standout when it comes to food here is Cassia. It combines the casual charm of Santa Monica with all the fresh ingredients I had come across in my time in the city. The Southeast Asian brasserie takes its roots from Chef Bryant Ng and his wife Kim Luu-Ng’s culinary heritages and experiences. It celebrates the vibrant flavors of China, Singapore, and Vietnam, and strikes a unique balance of soulful, ancestral cuisine with a California sensibility. I was lucky enough to bump into Kim while I was there and her gleeful excitement at meeting her customers really does make it feel like you’re joining a relaxed family supper rather than taking part in a formal dining experience.

You can’t really visit Santa Monica without checking out the pier. Its part of the picture you conjure up in your mind when thinking of Los Angeles. Ocean Avenue stretches for miles on either side of the pier, and even though I had my nerd hat on when talking about the end of Route 66, it really is best to end the 2,500 mile long drive within viewing distance of the sea. You’ve earned it!

Film fans will be delighted to learn that this is also one of the unlikely spots where classic 1970s caper The Sting was filmed. The 1922 Loff Hippodrome carousel is a listed historical landmark, but I know it better as the place where the coolest man to have ever walked the planet, Paul Newman, tinkered on the ride in the movie.

For more information on Santa Monica, please visit https://www.santamonica.com/