Santa Monica Travel Forum

I'm due to arrive in SaMo on July 7th. I've been watching the weather on "weather.com" and notice it's only reaches the hight 60's for the high from now until June 5th. Has it really been that cool? I will have a 9 yr old boy w/me and would like to spend a few days at the beach, otherwise the kid may get kinda bored. Have people been on the beach? Does it maybe feel warmer than the high 60's?

I want to go to Santa Monica from NY.Could you tell me what is the most interesting and atractive way to go.
I`ll be happy:-)

I want to visit Laurel`s Canyon, where can I find a good map of roads near this one or a good guide of thic location, anybody can help me?
I`ll be very glad :-)

Does anyone know the apprx. cab fare from hollywood to santa monica beach?

Is this hostel safe and has anybody ever stayed there?

We're considering booking at the above hotel for two nights. Does anyone have any comments about it, good or bad, or have another beachfront suggestion?

Thanks, Louisa

hi there!

anyone knows about web pages apart from vacationrental.com where I could seek for house renting in santa monica area..We´re a group of 7-8 adults visiting LA and we have been told that area is nice for staying..we´ll stay jsut 4 nights and we´d like to take advantage of time as much as possible
any help will be very welcomed
thank you very very much...
I´m keeping seeking!!heheh

I love sushi and sashimi - not the overdone ones, I mean real ones. I often try sushi when I go to new places. That is, if one can expect it's good (I wouldn't go for it in Vienna or Venice). So far have I had the best in Dubai and in a small family run business in Stockholm (where the small Japanese colony are regular guests). Someone told me that there are some good sushi bars and restaurants in Santa Monica thanks to the strong Japanese culture still alive. Don't know about that, though if you have some sushi pearls to share, don't hesitate to post an answer. I'm going to S.M and love to test new places. I'll also appreciate if you can recommend where one can find good shellfish. Thanks.

Hi,
Posting this from Sweden. I haven't been to Santa Monica since I was a student. Those where the days. Now I'm returning with my wife and son for a week. Any nice hotels to recommend? I mean personal, with atmosphere - no stiff ones. I've heard about Channel Road B&B and a hotel called Ambrose. Good? Or are there some otehrs you can recommend. Thankful for opinion or advice. Just post an answer.

Hi:

I'm planning on going to Santa Monica On September 10 for 3 days. We already have plans to see Dr. Phil and the Craig Ferguson show, but would like suggestions on MUST SEE in our very short trip. All suggestions are welcome.

J

Hi! Would it be safe for a single female to be traveling alone during daylight on the Metro buses while out in Los Angeles? I would be traveling from Santa Monica up to Melrose Ave and the WeHo area.

I would prob. take the metro 218 along Santa Monica Blvd to Fairfax, then transfer at Fairfax to Melrose. Is the intersection at Fairfax & S.M. Blvd safe for waiting for a bus? I know that's a pretty safe area of town, but I just want to make sure since I would be all alone that no one would bother me.

Thanks!!

Hi, me and my wife is going to LA in early september, as we have about a week there we want to take a daytour to Seaworld in San Diego. Does anyone know of a tour operator that does one days trips like that. Preferably one that does hotel pickup at Best Western Gateway in Santa Monica?

Saw 3 hotels under 200 on Trip Advisor and trying to make a decision:

1. Travelodge - 1525 Ocean Avenue - About 45 more a night but close to ocean - worth it? Area OK?

2. Travelodge - 3102 Pico Boulevard away from the beach but 45 a night less

3. Best Western - 1920 Santa Monica Boulevard - 170 per night

Appreciate your thoughts and advisement/ Larry McLaughlin

Hi my name is Jenn. I am from Columbus Ohio and I have never seen the Pacific Ocean. Do you believe that? Well, I will be visiting your fine State in a couple weeks. And guess what while I am in town there is gonna be one heck of a Party. Oops I mean VT meet.
So here are the facts (aka reasons to come out to the VT Meet.
1.) You get to hang out with members near the beach.
2.) You can drink and have food and fun while doing so.
3.) Its summer time and a great time to go to the beach to meet cool fun people.
4.) It’s at a really cool place.
Sharkeez in Manhattan Beach
3801 Highland Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.545.6563


5.) It’s on a Friday so you don’t have to work the next day.
6.) It’s California. (That’s more for me) LOL. You are used to being there.
7.) Reserved seating at the bar and drink Specials.
8.) I hear the Southern California VT members know how to Party.
9.) I will be there (What more do you need) ha ha.

So please come sign up for the Meet on July 27th 2007 The organizer is Kzapanta and Jenn_d who have been awesome at helping me plan my trip.
Here is a link to the meet I hope you will come and sign up….
http://meetings.virtualtourist.com/2/meeting-3908-2-0-0-World-1184072465256-1215694865256-meeting.html?wosid=6I2qOWAlgLN42qn4D7VhM0

Hope to see you there.....
Jenn

Hi

We are planing to travel from Las Vegas to Santa Monica by a Greenhound bus. When searching their website I found that we have the option of going through Mojave, Palmdale and Hollywood to LA. Or we could go through Victorville to LA. So our question is divided.

The northern option has the stop in Hollywood, is that stop closer to Santa Monica than the LA stop? In regards to taking a taxi to the hotel. Or is it better to go to the LA stop and get some sort of public transportation to Santa Monica?

And then to the second part: We are traveling by day, and we hope to see a few interesting things along the way. Which of the routes will have the most interesting view? We are from Norway, so seeing dessert and dry sandy landscape is what we are hoping for :)

How is Hotel Carmel for a female traveling alone? Is it a secure enough hotel for a female traveling alone? Is there good security and a lobby area downstairs with a concierge desk? I noticed that it is the least expensive hotel in Santa Monica outside of staying in a "motel".

I find this forum most helpful! Thanks!

I was recently took a programming job in Santa Monica and no very little about the area. Can anyone recommend any locations? I found this list of <a href="http://www.westsiderentals.com/southerncalifornia/apartments.cfm/Santa-Monica-Apartments/"> available apartments in Santa Monca</a>. Any help would be much appreciated. I have a budget of about $1500 for a 1br.

I will be visiting Santa Monica in July and getting around with a rental car. I would like to avoid the freeways at all costs!! I will only be driving on the west side to places such as BH, WeHo and the grove. I know both Santa Monica Blvd & Wilshire Blvd go right though West L.A. up to the BH area. Which would be easier for an “out-of-towner” to drive: S.M. Blvd or Wilshire Blvd as far as traffic and what not? Also do any of those roads abruptly end or cut-off anywhere and have to be picked back up? (in other words, are they both straight paths and easy to follow and not be pushed off onto some other road?) Also, would Sunset Blvd. be o.k. to take from PCH all the way up to WeHo and about how long would that take?

Thanks for any input!
Kim

I'm going to be moving to LA in June and am debating on whether I want to pay the higher rent in Santa Monica and avoid the commute time to Century City (work), or pay a more reasonable rent and live across the hills in Sherman Oaks. What is the commute time from Sherman Oaks to Century City in the morning and evening? You are all such an awesome help! Thanks in advance.

I have one day to stay in Santa Monica in January with my 30 year old son. Want to find a nice hotel with a good location for the major sites and be near the water. Also I need suggestions for a good restaurant. Any suggestions?

I will be following the tips of the VTers and spending my one night in Santa Monica before I leave for a crusie.
Any tips on an inexpensive hotel within walking distance to the pier and prominade? It must have a shuttle bus to LAX. I hope to spend less than $75.
thanks!!

Other sushi places for less, at a good price?
Which is the best sushi buffets?

Have been looking into all your view on hotels with sea view. Are now looking at either Best Western, Holiday Inn or Shangri-la. Has anyone stayed at either of these - we must have guaranteed parking on site. Any nice eating places nearby these reasonably priced. Also want to visit Warner Brothers behind the scenes tour - anyone been - any tips or views? Look forward to hearing anything useful for our trip from England.

I go to the SM beaches quite frequently and I have NEVER seen people filming on the sand. As long as you visit during the weekdays, you won't encounter the next apocalypse! It's usually very laid-back (with no filming crews)

Anyone any recommendations for sea view hotels in Santa Monica near the Pier if possible - about $150-200 price range - been looking at Hotel Carmel, Bayside and Shangri-la - anyone know anything about these? Would be grateful for any help and information on the area as we are touring next summer and would be glad of any tips.

Are there any parking recommendations for Venice Beach, someplace near where we can rent bikes?

Thanks.

How do you even GET to Santa Monica? I'm flying there in about 4 weeks and I can't seem to get a flight for the dates I want. Flying from Boston on the 25th? Any tips on finding a flight? Thanks.

Hi,

I'll need to make a daily commute to Burbank, and we really like Santa Monica, and know it will be tough.

Is it even possible to make this commute everyday?

Other comparabble areas to consider which could be a friendlier commute, but have many of the benefits of Santa Monica?

Thanks!

Has anyone gone to Michael's restaurant on 3rd street in SAnta Monica? What is it like?
The menu looks pricey but the only review I could find on tripadvisor was not complimentary.
Jeannette

I am going to Santa Monica in September for 3 or 4 weeks and would need a place to stay for two people. I hate staying at motels/hotels and the friend I used to stay with sold his house ---> sucks!! Anyway, if anyone knows of anybody in Santa Monica or Venice or Marina del Rey or Culver City who would want to make some extra $$ and has additional space for two people for 3 or 4 weeks in September please let me know. We, that is two guys, originally from Austria, absolutley trustworth and easy going. I love to cook, so anybody who needs a personal trainer and cooks for September?