Downtown Santa Monica - Santa Monica, CA Area Guide

Santa Monica holds a major spot in the Greater Los Angeles Area as a buzzworthy tourist attraction frequented by celebrities and international travelers alike. The neighborhood's continued success as a major attraction and well-populated neighborhood can be attributed to the evolution of public transportation over the past century.

Before the Los Angeles and Independent Railroad connected Santa Monica in 1870, it was inhabited by Native Americans of the Tongvan tribe. Santa Monica Hostel, currently Santa Monica’s oldest existing building, operated, when it was first built, as the city's first town hall. Later, The Pacific Electric Railroad paved the way for access to those in other parts of Los Angeles County to visit the beaches and amusement parks that sprung up at the turn of the 20th century.

The Depression caused a downturn in activity, but the new Santa Monica Freeway turned things around in 1966, leading to today's ever-increasing popularity.

Santa Monica proper contains restaurants from almost every global cuisine, including Afghan, Cuban, Hawaiian, Egyptian and Mediterranean options. With new restaurants opening on a regular basis, including hole-in-the-wall juice bars and gluten-free donut bakeries, the only thing locals have to worry about in the way of meals is which type of food to eat.

Tar & Roses, a small hipster restaurant raved about by locals, serves up belly-warming traditional inspired foods such as bone broth, duck breast with quinoa and chard, oxtail with onion marmalade and chicken oysters with tamarind sauce. Lighting is low to create an ambient mood. Valet parking is recommended.

Another option for those craving home-cooked foods from another locale, Aussie Pie Kitchen, a shop dedicated to authentic Australian pot pies, has been raved about by Australians and locals alike. Recommended pies to try include Lamb and Rosemary, Surfers Paradise, Classic Pie and Beef, and the Shiraz Pie with Mash Peas, Potato, Stuffing and white gravy. Impress your friends by ordering a flat white coffee and a Lamington while you’re at it. This gustatory gem is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2:30 a.m.

For a drink and a meal late at night, every night, The Misfit Restaurant and Bar is known around town for its happy hour and weekday five-dollar barfly lunch menu. California brews, kombucha and Belgium pale ale are available on tap for $8 a glass.

People traveling through Santa Monica usually drive, but for a mere dollar, the Big Blue Bus will take you all over Greater Los Angeles, even to LAX airport, which provides access to most international and domestic destinations.

A long, immaculately tended and well-paved walking path follows the beach, lending itself easily to bikers, joggers and rollerbladers and connecting Santa Monica with neighboring beach towns such as Venice and Pacific Palisades. Highway 1 and Interstate 10 join Santa Monica with Interstate 405 and Interstate 5. Access to a handful of cab companies as well as Uber are available within city limits.

Looking for outdoor activities? With 27 parks, Santa Monica will not let you down when it comes to things to do in the fresh air.

Visit Palisades Park near the Santa Monica park to behold a beautiful rose garden or take a crafts class at 1450 Ocean to flaunt your creative juices. Burn your thighs running up and down the Santa Monica stairs. Ride the giant slides and ascend the rock climbing area in Tongva Park. Join muscled body builders and gymnasts swinging on giant rings near the Santa Monica Pier at one of many outdoor beach parks, also equipped with tightrope areas, pull-up bars and swings.

Quite a few of Santa Monica’s parks have areas dedicated to dogs. There are always activities to do around town. Fun events occur throughout the year including winter fairs, downtown fitness walks, improv, food truck bazaars, museums, plays and film festivals.

Citizens of Santa Monica pay a premium for ocean views, clean streets and easy beach access. The cost of a one-bedroom apartment will run you $3167.552, which is comparable with neighboring Venice Beach.

In addition to your one-dollar ride on the Big Blue Bus, which carries you throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area, a beer at your local pub costs around $6 dollars a pint. Many bars offer happy hours daily. Gas will run you about 18 percent more than the national average, but that does not deter Santa Monica locals from driving.

The famous Third Street Promenade, a giant outdoor mall, lends access to many of the neighborhood's high-end stores and boutiques. The Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore contains ceiling-high bookcases holding a renowned collection of photography, architecture and art books, as well as fine literature. The Third Street Promenade also features live street performers, a top deck packed with restaurants and a food court for those not wanting to sit and dine.

You can also find almost any grocery store you would need within city limits, including Ralphs, Vons, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and a co-op called Co-Opportunity.

Locals buy fresh produce straight from the farm through the Santa Monica Farmers Market, which sells produce and other sundries to the public Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The market even offers a bike valet for those reducing their carbon footprint by taking two wheels instead of four.