Santa Monica Travel Forum

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?

I am from NYC and i am going to move to Santa Monica soon.I never been there and i don't know anything. I am a female bodybuilder personal trainer and i am looking for a place in the easy area close to the gym,supermarket,maybe bus...because i do not drive. Any help i will appreciate. Luciana

One of the Buskers at third street Promenade. Her face looks familiar to me. Do you know who she is?

I am moving to Santa Monica and many apartments we are looking at don't have A/C. Is this really a big deal? Will I regret this mid-July or does the ocean breeze really keep things cool? Thanks!

I'll be in staying in Santa Monica, hopefully at the Sea Shore Motel, in July to attend a conference being held on the UCLA Campus. I'm hoping to be able to bus both ways on the Blue Bus. Is this an easily doable and relatively safe option from the Sea Shore Motel?

Hey everyone,

I'm graduating from Purdue this May and accepted a Sales job in the Santa Monica area. I was wondering if anyone knew of some good apartment complexes or areas, or even some areas I should avoid? My job consists of basically driving around for 95% of the time, so how is traffic in the Santa Monica area? I looked at San Fernando Valley, it has some pretty nice places and reasonable rent but wasn't sure how far it is from Santa Monica. Also, I wont know anyone in Cali so if anyone has any advice for me on find a place where it is relatively still young, clean, safe and quiet that would be awesome. I've been looking at craigslist and other apartment websites. Any help would be very much appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

I am considering taking a job in Santa Monica right after my graduation and I'm looking for an apartment close to my work(airport ave. 90405). I would appreciate if you could give me some advice- rent, minimum cost of living in Santa Monica...

Thanks,
Alicja

Looking for a restaurant for group of 16 from Europe (Hungary) that want an upscale experience. As much as they say Price is NO concern, it will be so... moderately expensive ($30 - 40 without alcohol per person) is about all they will dish out).

Any ideas?!

THANKS!

Can you please tell me how to go from santa monica to ventua boulevard Sherman Oaks? Is it possible to travel with public bus and how much does it cost? What about taxi how much do they cost? I will be in santa monica this summer and I will need to go every day for ten days from Santa Monica to Sherman Oaks from early in the morning until late at night, I need to know which way to travel is safe for me.Thanks .

We will be travelling with our 3 children aged 10, 14 and 16, in late January, and are looking to stay in SM . Can anyone suggest a good, clean and central place to stay? How long does it take to get from here to Hollywood and Beverly Hills? We will have a car. What are the must-sees of this area. My 16yr old daughter wants to see where The OC tv show is filmed (!). Any ideas? Anyone know of a good place to go for her birthday here?

I posted this in another thread.

I'm looking to move Santa Monica. I look on criagslist everyday and I see I can't afford an apartment on my own. I see to rent a room is from $700-$900. I'm from NYC so i'm used to the high cost of living. However, in the part of NYC i'm in, I can get a hair cut for 20 dollars and get an eye browing waxing for 6 dollars. Can I get those same deals in santa monica?

Thanks,

Andrea

Would like to dome some bargain shopping and wondering if there are any factory outlet stores in Santa Monica and how to get there. Alternatively, where else can I go for rock bottom prices on apparels (children, men's women's). Thanks in advance.

Hey all. I'm taking a job in Santa Monica and I know absolutely nothing about the area. =) I'm originally from New York but have lived in Dallas the past 2 years.

Anyway, just looking for some information about good neighborhoods, rent etc. I'm not going to be making a crazy salary, but I want to try to see if i can live relitively close to work in a cool neighborhood. The work address is Ventura Boulevard, Encino, CA 91436

Thanks in advance for any info or advice!

- Jake

It's confirmed. Will be in Santa Monica from 30 Oct - 8 Nov 05. Will most probably stay in Hotel Carmel. Could someone let me know of their personal experience with this hotel. Additionally, whereabouts near for value for money bargain shopping. Thanks.

Has anyone ever taken a cab from Santa Monica to North Malibu (Point Dume)? How much does it cost? We're having a night out and i really don't wanna drive...aka...i really wanna drink. Thanks for answers

First timer in the US. Will be in SM from 1- 13 Nov 05 for the film market and hoping to get a few days off, unfortunately on a tight budget for those few days off. Need cheap and safe accomodation which is central to everything. Also, please advice on the best ways to go to Uni Studios and Disneyland i.e. tours etc etc.

Thanks in advance.

I have been browsing the "warning tips" of Santa Monica and surrouding areas of LA, and was caught off guard by how many referred to LA as unsafe, particularly south and east of Route 10. My apartment is going to be on 6th street right by Pico Blvd. (never seen it, my brother found it for me), and was wondering if anyone could tell me if this is a safe place to be. I'll be commuting to Pepperdine U.'s Malibu campus as well. Any other tips/areas to avoid in Santa Monica?

Thanks so much,

Amanda

hi, is there someone knowing jason buames from santa monica?
thank you in advance for your answer

Hi
We're a family of four (two adults,two teens) from the UK. We're coming to LA as part of a west coast vacation in July/August and hope to spend a day Cycling along the Venice/Santa Monica beachfront just 'taking in the sights'. Can anyone reccomend any good bike rental shops in the Santa Monica Pier area (Thats where we're hoping to park the car).There aren't many Bike rental sites for this area on the Web so any info like,location,prices,things to see would be apreciated...thanks

My daughter will be turning 13 and wants to spend her birthday in Southern California. We will be coming into LAX from North Carolina. We are booked into the Georgian in Santa Monica. She wants to see Venice Beach, Malibu, the pier in Santa Monica and shop on 3rd St Promenade so all of that is easy from our hotel at in Santa Monica. My question is this, She wants to see the Hollywood sign and take a picture with herself in the picture of course. She also wants to do the walk of fame and shop a little on Rodeo Dr (just to say she did and see it). I really don't want to rent a car. What would be the best way to see the Hollywood sign, do Rodeo Dr, and the walk of fame. Should I just get a taxi one day? How far apart are these things and how much would a taxi cost. I have looked on mta.net for the bus route. It appears a one shot bus ride but I am not sure, we are not used to buses in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Also if there are any other do not miss things for a 13 year old that is into shopping, beach life and good restaurants please advise.

She would also like to take a surfing lession. If anyone knows the best place in or around Santa Monica to get a surfing instructor, I would greatly appreciate that info also.

Thanks,AprilA
littlemermaidsmom@hotmail.com

I have read that you can get free wireless access to high speed internet in Hermosa Beach...

Are there any places in Santa Monica where one could get Wireless internet access?

--cheers
Suhayl

Two adults, two teens spending 1 afternoon and night in Santa Monica in June. Shangri-La looks like an interesting non-chain place with room for 4 in a 1 bdr suite and a location close to everything. But it's also supposed to be, how shall we say, quirky. Any current intel on this place?

Does anyone know where I could find a beach house or an apartment for rent for a month in Santa Monica or around there? I'd need a 2 bedroom place with parking and it must have high-speed internet. Where's a good place to start looking?

Hello, I am considering staying in Santa Monica. Im 19 and will be flying in so I wont be able to rent a car and Ive heard that santa monica is rather pedestrian friendly?