Christen's Guidebook

Christen
Christen's Guidebook

Food scene

Wait times can be long. So head down to the area early and put your name down. There is limited outdoor seating but it’s good for people watching. Be wary of their upstairs seating as some of the two tops are crammed into a corner.
199 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica Blvd
199 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Wait times can be long. So head down to the area early and put your name down. There is limited outdoor seating but it’s good for people watching. Be wary of their upstairs seating as some of the two tops are crammed into a corner.
Great, quick hand rolls from the folks as Sugar Fish. The rice is warm fyi but a must try. Go for the combos and sub out what you don’t like. It’s the most cost effective route. Car seating so not the most social of settings.
24 (рекомендации местных жителей)
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
120 Broadway
24 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great, quick hand rolls from the folks as Sugar Fish. The rice is warm fyi but a must try. Go for the combos and sub out what you don’t like. It’s the most cost effective route. Car seating so not the most social of settings.
While it’s arguably not traditional Italian food, it’s still could be considered bomb.com. Ya. I said it. But seriously. This is a must visit both in presentation, food quality, service and ambiance. They’ve got a large tequila selection amongst other spirits and the vibe is uplifting. It can be loud and the vibe is hip and younger. I once ate next to that guy from Pineapple Express. Just saying.
260 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington Blvd
260 (рекомендации местных жителей)
While it’s arguably not traditional Italian food, it’s still could be considered bomb.com. Ya. I said it. But seriously. This is a must visit both in presentation, food quality, service and ambiance. They’ve got a large tequila selection amongst other spirits and the vibe is uplifting. It can be loud and the vibe is hip and younger. I once ate next to that guy from Pineapple Express. Just saying.
Book a reservation. Can’t say it enough. But damn, these are some tasty meats. You’ll be grilling them as they’re delivered in the raw. Just note it can get a bit pricey to get full.
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Manpuku Tokyo BBQ Dining
2125 Sawtelle Blvd
11 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Book a reservation. Can’t say it enough. But damn, these are some tasty meats. You’ll be grilling them as they’re delivered in the raw. Just note it can get a bit pricey to get full.
This is perhaps best described as elevated Mexican food. It can get a bit pricey especially with alcohol added...for Mexican food.
193 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mercado
7910 W 3rd St
193 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is perhaps best described as elevated Mexican food. It can get a bit pricey especially with alcohol added...for Mexican food.
Skewers or grilled meat and sushi. What more can you ask for?
Robata Bar Santa Monica
1401 Ocean Ave
Skewers or grilled meat and sushi. What more can you ask for?
Great sushi and not overly expensive. This too is a 5-minute walk. Get the Seabass Miso Yako.
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sushi King
1330 Wilshire Blvd
22 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great sushi and not overly expensive. This too is a 5-minute walk. Get the Seabass Miso Yako.
This is owned by Misfit - also on my list and suggest that before this. However, this is very close to our place - about a 7 minute walk. Full bar and a decent selection of food items.
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ingo's Tasty Diner
1213 Wilshire Blvd
19 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is owned by Misfit - also on my list and suggest that before this. However, this is very close to our place - about a 7 minute walk. Full bar and a decent selection of food items.

Coffee

Java and java
They serve good coffee until 5pm then it converts into a wine bar. So you decide the vibe. No hard booze; beer and wine and soju. During the day it’s a work scene but a good vibe.
81 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bodega Wine Bar Pasadena
300 E Colorado Blvd
81 (рекомендации местных жителей)
They serve good coffee until 5pm then it converts into a wine bar. So you decide the vibe. No hard booze; beer and wine and soju. During the day it’s a work scene but a good vibe.
It’s a bit pricey for a cup but what place isn’t on the LA area. Minimalist scene with outdoor seating on a quaint street. Quaintish.
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Primo Passo Coffee Co
702 Montana Ave
37 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It’s a bit pricey for a cup but what place isn’t on the LA area. Minimalist scene with outdoor seating on a quaint street. Quaintish.
Good for a quick danish and/or coffee. Located within a 5-minute walk.
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
La Monarca Bakery
1300 Wilshire Blvd
12 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Good for a quick danish and/or coffee. Located within a 5-minute walk.

Night Life

Enter with caution (or excitement) on the weekends or Thursday nights. It’s a singles scene at those hours and busy. During the weekends there is day time drinking that is perhaps as popular as the night. That said, it’s one of the largest bars in Santa Monica and is outside to a large degree. Some nights they have a live band but I aged out of this place a few years ago so I’m no longer dialed in ;).
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire Boulevard
9 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Enter with caution (or excitement) on the weekends or Thursday nights. It’s a singles scene at those hours and busy. During the weekends there is day time drinking that is perhaps as popular as the night. That said, it’s one of the largest bars in Santa Monica and is outside to a large degree. Some nights they have a live band but I aged out of this place a few years ago so I’m no longer dialed in ;).
If you want a loud filled, packed to the shoulder bar/club experience with a mix of people from all walks of life, this is your spot. While located in West Hollywood, this night club is a must visit and caters to all in terms of visual enjoyment and overall debauchery.
471 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Abbey
692 N Robertson Blvd
471 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you want a loud filled, packed to the shoulder bar/club experience with a mix of people from all walks of life, this is your spot. While located in West Hollywood, this night club is a must visit and caters to all in terms of visual enjoyment and overall debauchery.
It’s a small speak easy like environment. Drinks can run expensive but it’s one of the more relaxed bars in Santa Monica.
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Bar Chloe
1449 2nd St
25 (рекомендации местных жителей)
It’s a small speak easy like environment. Drinks can run expensive but it’s one of the more relaxed bars in Santa Monica.
This is your quintessential Irish bar. Drinks are a reasonable cost. Just watch out for the awkward male bathroom with the awkward urinal.
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd
33 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is your quintessential Irish bar. Drinks are a reasonable cost. Just watch out for the awkward male bathroom with the awkward urinal.
I highly recommend visiting this spot during the day and not on a weekend. It’s very relaxing. However, at night I’d personally steer clear as it’s a bit startup bro.
63 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Elephante
1332 2nd St
63 (рекомендации местных жителей)
I highly recommend visiting this spot during the day and not on a weekend. It’s very relaxing. However, at night I’d personally steer clear as it’s a bit startup bro.
Rooftop bar. Cocktails are about $20. You’ve been warned but worth a visit.
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
700 Wilshire Blvd
8 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Rooftop bar. Cocktails are about $20. You’ve been warned but worth a visit.
284 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood Blvd
284 (рекомендации местных жителей)

Neighborhoods

You know it. You’ve seen it in movies. It’s totally different than santa monica. Go to the boardwalk. Check out the skate park. It’s generally very safe. Just be a bit wary at night - id avoid the boardwalk after sunset.
351 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Venice
351 (рекомендации местных жителей)
You know it. You’ve seen it in movies. It’s totally different than santa monica. Go to the boardwalk. Check out the skate park. It’s generally very safe. Just be a bit wary at night - id avoid the boardwalk after sunset.
This is a cute shopping street, though it has become more and more commercialize in the last 5 years, hence why it’s now a shopping street. There are more food spots these days but still limited. Intellegentsia coffee and toms shoes are good places to stop into. And first Friday’s is the month are a scene.
1065 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Бульвар Эббот-Кинни
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
1065 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is a cute shopping street, though it has become more and more commercialize in the last 5 years, hence why it’s now a shopping street. There are more food spots these days but still limited. Intellegentsia coffee and toms shoes are good places to stop into. And first Friday’s is the month are a scene.
This is primarily a shopping street. But there is some entertainment by way of people, steer artists and weirdos alike. Food on the promenade isn’t great so head to Misfit which is close by.
133 (рекомендации местных жителей)
3rd Street Promenade
3rd Street Promenade
133 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is primarily a shopping street. But there is some entertainment by way of people, steer artists and weirdos alike. Food on the promenade isn’t great so head to Misfit which is close by.
Shopping and food
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Fairfax
31 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Shopping and food
Hiking and science stuff. Parking can be crazy so plan accordingly.
4367 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Обсерватория Гриффита
2800 E Observatory Rd
4367 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hiking and science stuff. Parking can be crazy so plan accordingly.
Mostly boutiques. The west end is high end. The east end less so.
427 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Мелроуз-авеню
7763 Melrose Ave
427 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Mostly boutiques. The west end is high end. The east end less so.

Cheap(ish) Eats

Hailed as some of the best pizza on the West Side. I prefer Sicilian but it’s all generally good.
41 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Joe's Pizza
8539 Sunset Blvd
41 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Hailed as some of the best pizza on the West Side. I prefer Sicilian but it’s all generally good.
This a must try for those not familiar. It’s a variety of meats inside of a rice ball wrapped in seaweed with furakaki on top. It’s a great fulfilling snack. The shop is tiny and their door is backwards. So you’ll experience awkwardness in the ordering and eating (just stand outside) but that all adds to the vibe.
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Sunny Spot
822 Washington Blvd
161 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This a must try for those not familiar. It’s a variety of meats inside of a rice ball wrapped in seaweed with furakaki on top. It’s a great fulfilling snack. The shop is tiny and their door is backwards. So you’ll experience awkwardness in the ordering and eating (just stand outside) but that all adds to the vibe.
There is a famous story that is quite sorted around this spot. That aside, the food is great and the sizes are large if you like kabobs and schwarma. I recommend the combo plate with whole steak pieces and chicken. It takes about 10 minutes. And try their garlic paste.
121 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Zankou Chicken
5065 Sunset Blvd
121 (рекомендации местных жителей)
There is a famous story that is quite sorted around this spot. That aside, the food is great and the sizes are large if you like kabobs and schwarma. I recommend the combo plate with whole steak pieces and chicken. It takes about 10 minutes. And try their garlic paste.
Grass fed and rated one of the hormone free burgers in recent time. This is a great greasy spoon burger. I suggest their hiho burger in the largest size.
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
HiHo Cheeseburger
1320 2nd St
10 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Grass fed and rated one of the hormone free burgers in recent time. This is a great greasy spoon burger. I suggest their hiho burger in the largest size.
The food is simple and the environment inviting. I’d recommend a hot plate such as the chicken with roasted potatoes and kale salad.
432 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Tender Greens
6290 Sunset Blvd
432 (рекомендации местных жителей)
The food is simple and the environment inviting. I’d recommend a hot plate such as the chicken with roasted potatoes and kale salad.
Great great burgers.
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Shake Shack
8520 Santa Monica Blvd
93 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Great great burgers.
This is a bar. But a bar with Kogi truck tacos. There is also a burger, quesadillas and a full stocked bar. Seating can be sparse but well worth the trip.
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Alibi Room
12236 Washington Blvd
116 (рекомендации местных жителей)
This is a bar. But a bar with Kogi truck tacos. There is also a burger, quesadillas and a full stocked bar. Seating can be sparse but well worth the trip.
Don’t confuse this Thai Dishes with the one on Wilshire. I suggest the Pad See Yew and the Shrimp with Beans.
Thai Dishes on Broadway
123 Broadway
Don’t confuse this Thai Dishes with the one on Wilshire. I suggest the Pad See Yew and the Shrimp with Beans.
While I wouldn’t go out of my way for this...well you don’t have to. It’s across the street from our place at the corner. Just turn left out our door and cross the street. It’s at the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. It’s convenient in a pinch and you need some nourishment.
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Truxton's American Bistro
8611 Truxton Ave
70 (рекомендации местных жителей)
While I wouldn’t go out of my way for this...well you don’t have to. It’s across the street from our place at the corner. Just turn left out our door and cross the street. It’s at the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Blvd. It’s convenient in a pinch and you need some nourishment.

Sightseeing

If you’d like to see what a $1 billion mall looks like, look no further than CC Mall. Located close by is CAA which is open to the public.
232 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Century City Mall station
232 (рекомендации местных жителей)
If you’d like to see what a $1 billion mall looks like, look no further than CC Mall. Located close by is CAA which is open to the public.
1913 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Штаб-квартира Аллеи славы Голливуда
6255 Sunset Blvd
1913 (рекомендации местных жителей)

Dessert

Decadence at its finest. Get the donut with Ube ice cream or the bread pudding.
14 (рекомендации местных жителей)
B Sweet Dessert Bar
2005 Sawtelle Blvd
14 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Decadence at its finest. Get the donut with Ube ice cream or the bread pudding.