5 Reasons To Visit Santa Monica Right now
One thing you should know about me is that I'm a HUGE fan of the staycation. Much as I love exploring around the globe, there's something wonderful about looking at your own city with the eyes of a traveler. Of course, it doesn't hurt when some place as beautiful as Santa Monica is right in your backyard.
This beach city, which is just a hop skip and a jump away from LAX airport, has always been a favorite. Having grown up in L.A., I have fond memories of driving over to Ray's for biscuits and gravy with my family, then heading over to the beach for a day of boogie boarding and soaking up the sunshine. (Remember the times where you could do load up on junk food and then jump into a bikini and not even think twice about it. Oh, to be a kid again!)
I got to tap into that same childlike sense of fun and wonder when I partnered up with Skyscanner this month to showcase some of my favorite parts of Santa Monica with my lovely friend (and fabulous travel writer!) Lacy Yamaoka, aka The Expate. We had such a blast wandering around SaMo that it'd be selfish NOT to share some of my top reasons to visit the city right now.
Adorable Hotels
Santa Monica has it on lock when it comes to accommodation. One of my favorite places to stay is the Viceroy. You're literally within earshot of the beach, which you can ride to on their complimentary stylish Linus beach cruisers. If you want a little bit of R&R, their poolside cabanas are the perfect spot to kick back, read a book, and enjoy a cocktail. It's truly the best of all worlds.
Amazing Food
You didn't think I'd write about this and not mention the eats, did you? Santa Monica has heaps of incredible restaurants, and there's truly something for everyone. One our Periscope adventure, Lacy and I had some incredible food, from craft beer and burgers at the darling Ashland Hill to oysters and rose at BP Oysterette. (Don't worry, we threw a smoothie in there too. We went to Kreation to start our day out on the right foot and then let the mayhem ensue from there.)
Outdoor Activities
If you're an outdoor junkie, the's no place more ideal to stay than some SaMo. The second you set foot on Ocean Avenue, you'll realize the entire city is basically one giant wellness center. People gather for hiking, walking, yoga, personal training, slack lining, and more, and down on the beach you can watch the folks on the rings try their hand at being circus performers. You can easily rent a Breeze Bike to enjoy by the minute to see the city, or just walk around and breathe in the fresh sea air. There's nothing more invigorating.
World-Class Shopping
Leave it to Santa Monica to build one of the most darling outdoor malls in the world. At Santa Monica Place, they even have a concierge that will send your bags to your hotel so that you can keep wandering or riding your bike around without schlepping your haul. How cool is that?
Tapping Into Your Inner Child
Lacy and I had such a blast going down to the historic Santa Monica Pier and riding the ferris wheel. I have to admit, as a local I sometimes poo poo touristy attractions, but the view from the top was absolutely spectacular, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone, locals or visitors alike.
You can check out a little video recap of our day on Periscope here.
Hope to see you in Santa Monica soon, and happy travels!