Tag: Santa Monica

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Santa Monica! Beach!

#santamonica

This way to paradise…

beach header-9122

Everyone has their own version of paradise, but when I think of paradise the first place that comes to mind is Santa Monica, California! It has the community feel of a small beach town*, but with all the benefits of a big city (Los Angeles) right next door!

I would consider Santa Monica the perfect family beach. It has just about everything a person would think up when dreaming of the perfect beach day!

Here is just a sampling of what Santa Monica Beach has to offer:

  • Long wide stretches of soft warm sand dotted with brightly colored umbrellas, perfect for picnicking, body surfing, and sandcastle building,
  • A 22 mile long paved path stretching from the Pacific Palisades to Torrance perfect for biking, running, roller blading or just plain walking, along the way you’ll find playgrounds, bike rentals, ice cream shops, burger joints and shopping.
  • A pier complete with an amusement park, a mini aquarium and a carousel!

#californiasurfers

Even with all the activities that Santa Monica Beach has to offer, there are times when it seems like you have your own private beach, with no one around other than the occasional surfer or person passing by.

Muscle Beach

#musclebeach

Just south of the Pier you’ll find the original Muscle Beach, which features loads of gymnastics equipment, the Chess Park and easy access to the Carousel. My boys and I have always enjoyed trying out all the equipment. Though I must admit its pretty challenging!

Beautiful views

#hotelview

Fantastic views of the beach, ocean and pier can be seen from Palisades Park which is perched on the coastal bluffs, which run along Ocean Avenue. The Park is a great place to view the sunset and wandering along the path in the evenings, especially when the moon is out is a favorite activity of mine.

Shopping

Though I do enjoy an afternoon at the beach, I’m always up for a stroll and some shopping! Just a short walk from the beach you’ll find world class shopping and big name stores at the Santa Monica Place mall and on the pedestrian friendly Third Street Promenade. Venture just a little further south and you’ll find Main Street which is lined with one of a kind boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, and though not technically Santa Monica I always love a trip to Abbott Kinney in Venice which is just a tiny bit further!

Where to Stay

#kickinit

Santa Monica is a popular tourist destination, so hotels can be pricey especially in the summer months. Here are my thoughts on the hotels we’ve stayed at most recently:

The Georgian – ***

Located on Ocean Avenue, this place couldn’t be more convenient within easy walking access to everything Santa Monica has to offer, and the rates do reflect that. However it is on the older side and could use some updating. The rooms were fine as were the common areas, but nothing special. There are no services after hours, so if you’re hungry or looking for a drink this isn’t the place.

The Hilton Double Tree – ****

A tiny bit off the beaten path this hotel fits the bill in many other ways. The rates are fair  and the rooms are large , and with a separate bedroom and pullout couch in the living area all four of us were able to spread out. There is a pool which my kids really enjoyed as well as a workout facility.

The Shore – ****

Steps from the Santa Monica Pier the Shore is a trendy eco-friendly  hotel with rooms on the smaller size. My favorite part about the Shore is the pool area! Elliot likes it too!

Paradise

All year long you’ll find warm days, soft sand, ocean breezes, cool nights, and everywhere you look beautiful flowers… Santa Monica…

#homesweethome

Bougainvillea

 

*Santa Monica has a population of 87,000, but it’s right next door to Los Angeles with its population of 3.8M!

 

 

 

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24 Hours in Los Angeles, Hilarystyle!

#dogtown15 years ago when we moved to the Los Angeles area as newlyweds I wasn’t too sure, but a few years in it was true love, 6-ish years later when circumstances dictated a move, my heart was broken. It’s safe to say I “left my heart in Los Angeles”. I know, I know the song doesn’t go that way, but I’m rewriting it.

No matter how long between visits, or where I’ve lived since, an arrival into LAX always feels like a homecoming. Just last week when given the opportunity to fly down for the night, sans kids, I jumped on it! A little LA fix was just what I needed!

How did I spend my time? Shopping, eating and wandering around the old neighborhood!

Venice’s Abbot Kinney

The moment I landed I dropped my bag at the hotel and made a beeline for Venice and more specifically Abbot Kinney!

#abbotkinneyLos Angeles is vast and there are many fantastic neighborhoods in which to shop and eat, so it can be hard to choose, but on this particular visit I was on a mission!

15 years ago this area was still on its way up and had been for a while, but its safe to say it’s arrived! Many of today’s most sought after fashion brands have stores on Abbot Kinney, some of which are one of a kind store fronts, not to mention there are many trendy bars and restaurants to choose from.

I know you’ll be surprised when I tell you that I found some fun items to bring home! All of which will be perfect for mixing and matching with the “essential items” I already had.

The Coffee here is great and there are even a few pair of shoes…
Alternative Hoodie
John Fluevog
Fluevogs/Bridge&Burn/Rag&Bone

Santa Monica

Though not technically Los Angeles, Santa Monica is always on our must list when we head to SoCal, we lived there for 6+ years and its like coming home. The views of the ocean and beach from Ocean Avenue never get old.

Palihouse Hotel

We stayed at the Palihouse a charming old hotel located in our old neighborhood and walking distance from the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the beach and Montana Avenue shopping! Though old, the rooms are spacious, clean and decorated in a somewhat quirky but fun style. The attention to detail is great and the location can’t be beat!

#palihouse

Walking up and down Montana Avenue is always a pleasure with its many shops to wander in and out of. Though it’s not fancy we love to stop for lunch at Rosti, a family friendly Italian restaurant on 10th and Montana. The goat cheese capellini with marinara is the best! If you decide to check it out keep in mind you’ll need to bring your own wine.

For me no trip to Los Angeles would be complete without a meal at either Furaibo or Hurry Curry! A perfect trip would include both, but hey I only had 24 hours…

Furaibo is a Japanese restaurant located on Sawtelle Boulevard (Little Osaka) in West LA. They are famous for their Japanese style chicken wings which are my favorite, but Tim loves the fish in a bowl which is essentially an entire fried fish the bowl is the fish!  This place is one of the more popular places on the block, but it’s definitely worth the wait!

Though there were many places and people I didn’t get to visit during this quick trip, I managed to spend time in Malibu, Venice, Santa Monica and West LA. I wandered aimlessly, shopped, ate and most importantly got my LA fix!

Until next time…