Ida's Visitor Guidebook for Santa Monica

Ida Marie
Ida's Visitor Guidebook for Santa Monica

Food Scene

Great entrees, salads, desserts and coffee in a friendly, atmosphere!
89 locals recommend
Thyme Cafe and Market
1630 Ocean Park Blvd
89 locals recommend
Great entrees, salads, desserts and coffee in a friendly, atmosphere!
Stylish restaurant with delicious seasonal dinner entrees!
44 locals recommend
Local Kitchen & Wine Bar
1736 Ocean Park Blvd
44 locals recommend
Stylish restaurant with delicious seasonal dinner entrees!
Amazing pizza and more, only a few blocks away!
Ghisallo
Amazing pizza and more, only a few blocks away!
The best artisan bread in town, just a few blocks away!
8 locals recommend
Jyan Isaac Bread
1620 Ocean Park Blvd
8 locals recommend
The best artisan bread in town, just a few blocks away!
So many delicious flavors, so many customers, and so close to our location!
Handel's Ice Cream
So many delicious flavors, so many customers, and so close to our location!
Designer yogurt for an upscale clientele!
Yoga-urt
Designer yogurt for an upscale clientele!
Popular local market with deli and hot food, a short walk away!
76 locals recommend
Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park Blvd
76 locals recommend
Popular local market with deli and hot food, a short walk away!
Small coffee hangout for locals!
20 locals recommend
Love Coffee Bar
1732 Ocean Park Blvd
20 locals recommend
Small coffee hangout for locals!
Love this drive-through Starbucks!
573 locals recommend
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica Blvd
573 locals recommend
Love this drive-through Starbucks!
Outdoor seating area and great food for breakfast and lunch!
26 locals recommend
Lazy Daisy Cafe
2300 Pico Blvd
26 locals recommend
Outdoor seating area and great food for breakfast and lunch!
Our favorite brunch destination: their Turkish Latte is to die for!
26 locals recommend
Blue Daisy
609 Broadway
26 locals recommend
Our favorite brunch destination: their Turkish Latte is to die for!
Local favorite near S.M. Airport with extensive outdoor seating. Be sure to make reservations!
The Cloverfield
Local favorite near S.M. Airport with extensive outdoor seating. Be sure to make reservations!
Our favorite "mom and pop" family restaurant! Great food at good prices, served by owners!
Bruno's Italian Restaurant
1652 Ocean Ave
Our favorite "mom and pop" family restaurant! Great food at good prices, served by owners!
An amazing assortment of sandwiches, soups and salads freshly prepared to go!
141 locals recommend
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln Blvd
141 locals recommend
An amazing assortment of sandwiches, soups and salads freshly prepared to go!
Our favorite place for a full English breakfast, lovely afternoon tea, or a pint of lager while shooting darts!
33 locals recommend
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd
33 locals recommend
Our favorite place for a full English breakfast, lovely afternoon tea, or a pint of lager while shooting darts!
Great place at the beach to enjoy drinks, appetizers or a full meal that is especially lovely at sunset!
18 locals recommend
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean Ave
18 locals recommend
Great place at the beach to enjoy drinks, appetizers or a full meal that is especially lovely at sunset!
Very pricey, but what a view! Located at the top of the Santa Monica pier.
83 locals recommend
The Lobster
1602 Ocean Ave
83 locals recommend
Very pricey, but what a view! Located at the top of the Santa Monica pier.
Popular chain restaurant with an extensive menu that will please everyone in your party!
The Cheesecake Factory
Popular chain restaurant with an extensive menu that will please everyone in your party!
Gorgeous historical hotel (was once a speak easy) built in the 1930s. Has a vintage restaurant with good food and a view of Palisades Park overlooking the ocean!
The Georgian Hotel
1415 Ocean Ave
Gorgeous historical hotel (was once a speak easy) built in the 1930s. Has a vintage restaurant with good food and a view of Palisades Park overlooking the ocean!
Located at the top of the Huntley Hotel, this upscale restaurant has the most beautiful views in all of Santa Monica!
95 locals recommend
The Penthouse
1111 2nd St
95 locals recommend
Located at the top of the Huntley Hotel, this upscale restaurant has the most beautiful views in all of Santa Monica!
Best hickory burgers, fries and apple pie around! Love the personal service at the counter too!
82 locals recommend
The Apple Pan
10801 W Pico Blvd
82 locals recommend
Best hickory burgers, fries and apple pie around! Love the personal service at the counter too!
Original creators of the French Dip Sandwich! Try the lamb version and be sure to ask for a double dip!
100 locals recommend
Philippe The Original
1001 N Alameda St
100 locals recommend
Original creators of the French Dip Sandwich! Try the lamb version and be sure to ask for a double dip!
We recommend their steak and eggs for breakfast! It’s a downtown Los Angeles icon!
88 locals recommend
The Original Pantry Cafe
877 S Figueroa St
88 locals recommend
We recommend their steak and eggs for breakfast! It’s a downtown Los Angeles icon!
Beautiful Japanese garden with pagoda architecture, located in the Hollywood Hills with an expansive view of the city!
Yamashiro Hollywood
Beautiful Japanese garden with pagoda architecture, located in the Hollywood Hills with an expansive view of the city!

Sightseeing

Food, fun and lots of souvenirs! Kids love spending a fun day at Pacific Park!
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier
2744 locals recommend
Food, fun and lots of souvenirs! Kids love spending a fun day at Pacific Park!
Three blocks of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and street performers. A must-see destination!
1594 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street Promenade
1594 locals recommend
Three blocks of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and street performers. A must-see destination!
Restaurants, shops plus boat tours and rentals!
76 locals recommend
Fisherman's Village
13755 Fiji Way
76 locals recommend
Restaurants, shops plus boat tours and rentals!
The best place to people watch in Los Angeles!
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front Walk
815 locals recommend
The best place to people watch in Los Angeles!
See a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theater, eat a meal at Hard Rock Cafe and have your photo taken with a ‘celebrity’!
1913 locals recommend
Hollywood Walk Of Fame HQ
6255 Sunset Blvd
1913 locals recommend
See a movie at Grauman's Chinese Theater, eat a meal at Hard Rock Cafe and have your photo taken with a ‘celebrity’!
The number one destination of so many of our international tourists!
557 locals recommend
Hollywood Sign
557 locals recommend
The number one destination of so many of our international tourists!
Fun to explore in the daytime, but has beautiful views of Los Angeles at night!
4366 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd
4366 locals recommend
Fun to explore in the daytime, but has beautiful views of Los Angeles at night!

Parks & Nature

Located on the Santa Monica bluffs, this park has beautiful views of the Pacific coast, from Palos Verdes to Malibu!
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean Avenue
130 locals recommend
Located on the Santa Monica bluffs, this park has beautiful views of the Pacific coast, from Palos Verdes to Malibu!
Enjoy the sun, surf, muscle beach and the original Hot Dog On-A-Stick!
315 locals recommend
Santa Monica Beach
315 locals recommend
Enjoy the sun, surf, muscle beach and the original Hot Dog On-A-Stick!
Rent a motor boat and explore Santa Monica Bay!
22 locals recommend
Marina del Rey Boat Rentals
13717 Fiji Way
22 locals recommend
Rent a motor boat and explore Santa Monica Bay!
Saturday Farmer's Market each week and water play area for kids all summer!
26 locals recommend
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Ave
26 locals recommend
Saturday Farmer's Market each week and water play area for kids all summer!
Great playground area for families!
40 locals recommend
Clover Park
2600 Ocean Park Blvd
40 locals recommend
Great playground area for families!
Griffith park includes hiking trails, the observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, Traveltown, pony rides, and the Greek Theatre!
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
898 locals recommend
Griffith park includes hiking trails, the observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, Traveltown, pony rides, and the Greek Theatre!

Entertainment & Activities

328 locals recommend
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo Dr
328 locals recommend
Nothing beats the original Disneyland and California Adventure Parks!
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland Dr
3085 locals recommend
Nothing beats the original Disneyland and California Adventure Parks!
Everyone loves the Harry Potter experience! Check out the Universal City Walk for dining and movie options!
3326 locals recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
3326 locals recommend
Everyone loves the Harry Potter experience! Check out the Universal City Walk for dining and movie options!
Experience the fun of the Old West with your entire family!
1145 locals recommend
Knott’S Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd
1145 locals recommend
Experience the fun of the Old West with your entire family!
Teens flock to the most exciting roller coaster rides in Southern California!
84 locals recommend
Magic Mountain
84 locals recommend
Teens flock to the most exciting roller coaster rides in Southern California!
Formerly known as the Staples Center, it is Los Angeles’ premiere sports arena and home of the Lakers!
Crypto.com Arena
1111 South Figueroa Street
Formerly known as the Staples Center, it is Los Angeles’ premiere sports arena and home of the Lakers!
A brand-new 70,240-seat indoor stadium that is now home to the L.A. Rams, Chargers and Bowl!
170 locals recommend
SoFi Stadium
1001 Stadium Dr
170 locals recommend
A brand-new 70,240-seat indoor stadium that is now home to the L.A. Rams, Chargers and Bowl!

Arts & Culture

Awesome family adventure as you explore both the Paige Museum and active outdoor tar pits!
890 locals recommend
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd
890 locals recommend
Awesome family adventure as you explore both the Paige Museum and active outdoor tar pits!
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western U.S. It attracts nearly a million visitors annually!
3161 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd
3161 locals recommend
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western U.S. It attracts nearly a million visitors annually!
Los Angeles’ newest museum honoring the motion picture industry!
34 locals recommend
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire Blvd
34 locals recommend
Los Angeles’ newest museum honoring the motion picture industry!
Several museums, IMAX theater, famous rose garden and future site of the new George Lucas Museum, located next to the U.S.C. campus.
442 locals recommend
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Dr
442 locals recommend
Several museums, IMAX theater, famous rose garden and future site of the new George Lucas Museum, located next to the U.S.C. campus.
The largest natural history museum in the western United States, located next to the U.S.C. campus!
461 locals recommend
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition Blvd
461 locals recommend
The largest natural history museum in the western United States, located next to the U.S.C. campus!
The best way to spend a balmy SoCal summer evening is a picnic and beautiful music by the L.A. Philharmonic under the stars!
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl Rd
1407 locals recommend
The best way to spend a balmy SoCal summer evening is a picnic and beautiful music by the L.A. Philharmonic under the stars!
LA’s premier destination for dance, music, opera and theater, with four distinct venues and large plaza.
49 locals recommend
The Music Center
135 N Grand Ave
49 locals recommend
LA’s premier destination for dance, music, opera and theater, with four distinct venues and large plaza.
Designed by Frank Gehry, this is one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world and home to the LA Philharmonic!
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand Ave
1063 locals recommend
Designed by Frank Gehry, this is one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world and home to the LA Philharmonic!
One of the largest venues in the U.S. for music and dance and home of the Los Angeles Opera!
70 locals recommend
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand Ave
70 locals recommend
One of the largest venues in the U.S. for music and dance and home of the Los Angeles Opera!
The largest venue at the Music Center for live theatre productions!
58 locals recommend
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N Grand Ave
58 locals recommend
The largest venue at the Music Center for live theatre productions!
Metro link stops right at this wonderful contemporary art museum. The Otium restaurant next door will please the foodie in you!
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand Ave
1555 locals recommend
Metro link stops right at this wonderful contemporary art museum. The Otium restaurant next door will please the foodie in you!
Catch the latest Broadway shows at this beautiful historic venue!
539 locals recommend
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd
539 locals recommend
Catch the latest Broadway shows at this beautiful historic venue!
Outdoor music amphitheater in the heart of Griffith Park!
380 locals recommend
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Ave
380 locals recommend
Outdoor music amphitheater in the heart of Griffith Park!
Perfect day trip to this art museum, restaurant and grounds. Be sure to get a reservation for parking!
2308 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
2308 locals recommend
Perfect day trip to this art museum, restaurant and grounds. Be sure to get a reservation for parking!
The original Getty Museum off the Pacific Coast Highway! Be sure to get a parking reservation.
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy
883 locals recommend
The original Getty Museum off the Pacific Coast Highway! Be sure to get a parking reservation.
An extension of the performing arts division of S.M.C. featuring plays, improv and concerts!
26 locals recommend
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
1310 11th St
26 locals recommend
An extension of the performing arts division of S.M.C. featuring plays, improv and concerts!
This quaint local theatre offers performances by and for all ages!
Morgan-Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico Blvd
This quaint local theatre offers performances by and for all ages!
It’s literally across the street from our location!
73 locals recommend
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd
73 locals recommend
It’s literally across the street from our location!

Essentials

Local neighborhood market!
76 locals recommend
Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park Blvd
76 locals recommend
Local neighborhood market!
Everyone loves T.J.’s!
881 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson Ave
881 locals recommend
Everyone loves T.J.’s!
Great organic produce, bakery and healthy, pre-made foods to go!
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln Blvd
1701 locals recommend
Great organic produce, bakery and healthy, pre-made foods to go!
108 locals recommend
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln Blvd
108 locals recommend

Getting Around

167 locals recommend
Downtown Santa Monica Station
402 Colorado Ave
167 locals recommend