10. The Pier
I have a weird love/ hate relationship with the pier. First off, I would say at any given time the pier is half Euro and Asian tourists and half tourists from other cities. It is crowded, it doesn't always smell great, and the food sucks. But the they have cool events there like the outdoor movies and concert series and riding the Ferris wheel at night is awesome.
9. The Stairs
This place is like mecca for cardio freaks. And don't think you can just show up in your old sweats, it's exercise meets couture workout fashion here. It takes some getting used to but you actually smell perfume and cologne as you go past others on the ascent or descent. The stairs themselves seem innocent enough, but after 5 round trips if you are still standing, good for you. I am usually sore for a few days after just an hour there.
8. Main Street
I rarely cross over to the other side of SM, but when I do Main st. is a cool place to go. It is a bit more liberal for my tastes, i know that is ironic considering that all of Santa Monica is very liberal, but Main St. manages to take it up a notch. Why I like it: Enterprise Fish Co. has a great happy hour, Urth Cafe is great for lunch, there is a bowling alley, a bar with an insane beer selection (Library Alehouse), and Chaya Venice is a great joint for a good meal.
7. Ice at Santa Monica
A sure sign of the holidays around here is when the ice rink is up, we usually avoid going on weekends and in the first week since it is a madhouse and the rink really isn't that big. But for $10, to skate outdoors with Christmas lights and holiday music, well it's a rare SoCal treat. You have to get an obligatory Peppermint Mocha at the Coffee Bean (even better since it is sponsored by Starbucks) before you arrive to put you in the spirit and to avoid the $6 coffee they sell on the premises.
6. Montana Avenue
If you are wealthy, like most Santa Monican's are, this is where you shop. I am not wealthy, so this is where we walk around, do our laundry, get a coffee, go to blockbuster, get pizza, and buy our groceries. Most of the boutiques here very expensive and usually photographed in US weekly with a celebrity in it.
5. Bay Cities Deli
This is the best sandwich I have ever eaten. Period. It is an obscene disco of excess in my mouth... so many components that just come together and work. The bread is baked fresh on premises, the Italian meats and cheeses are great and the actual market is awesome, they have a huge selection of goods imported from Italy. This is not an uncovered gem though, you can wait a long time for your sandwich, I pulled the number 58 yesterday and they were on 12 or something. Order the Godmother with the works, tell em Jimmy Da Ape sent ya.
4. The Farmers Market
This place just makes my Saturday mornings filled with awesomeness. Nothing beats waking up, riding the bike over and picking up some of the best fresh produce in California. The great thing is that the selection changes with the season unlike your local grocery store, how fresh is that? Heirlooms, all types of fruits and veg, the fresh fish truck, my weekly wheatgrass shot, cheap flowers, etc. all add to the awesomeness of this Saturday morning delight.
3. The Promenade
Ahh the promenade... the jewel in Santa Monica's retail crown. Everyone's been there at least once and they can always expect to find cliche chain retail store, very talented street performers and musicians, unsurpassed people watching, and mediocre food. I dig the performers, the people watching, reading books for free at Barnes and Noble, but what I really dig about the promenade are the bars. Barneys Beanery for Sunday football, think a lot of chili meets about 200 flat screens with a fun hungover crowd that slowly shampoo effects itself into a drunk Sunday funday scene. You can easily get trapped here form the morning game kickoffs until you come out and the sun is down. Blame it on the beer, Daylight savings, whatever, but just know you had a good time watching every player on your fantasy football team while drinking on the promenade. Hit up Cabo Cantina after work for a better than average happy hour. Sometimes the shops are cool too.
2. Fathers Office
It has become a ritual for us to go to Fathers Office for the burger and to meet up. People will debate whether or not it's the best burger in LA and that its over-hyped but who gives a f'ck. The burger is insane, the sweet potato fries with Garlic Aioli border on the addictibility of crack, they have a ton of beers on tap, and it has a really cool vibe. The crowds suck, but to most, it's worth it. This is the place you come when you want to post up for a few hours with some good friends. Make sure you go with Kristina, she has an uncanny ability to secure a table within minutes. Seriously, it's unheard of.
1. The Palisade
In my opinion, this is SM's version of Central Park. Where else can you run on a trail on a 3 mile bluff that over looks the ocean? There are rose gardens, a huge variety of trees, tables where old people play chess and picnic, tons of spots to throw down a blanket and read, and above all... the best place to sneak a cup of good wine and watch the sunset.
There you have it, it's my list and I am sticking to it. If you can't make a similar list for where you live, consider moving. Just don't move here because the lines at Bay Cities and Fathers Office are long enough as it is.
