The Perfect Day Out in Santa Monica
With its golden sands, sweeping Pacific Ocean views, top-dollar dining and boutique shopping, LA’s Santa Monica has everything you need for a fabulous day out. Channel that classic laidback SoCal vibe with this one-day coastal itinerary.
Start your day the right way with a breezy, bracing bike ride along the Santa Monica boardwalk. Hands-down the best destination in town for a two-wheeled adventure, this 26-mile path stretches all the way to neighbouring Venice, providing breathtaking ocean outlooks along the way. The people-watching is equally as good as buff cyclists, joggers and in-line skaters glide by. You’ll find a bike rental store or docking station on almost every corner.
Having worked up an appetite, slide into your pre-booked spot on the bougainvillaea-draped terrace of Ivy at the Shore, a pretty in pastel-pink seaside offshoot of the storied WeHo original. Brunch is always a popular affair, and while the menu offers a decent smattering of American classics like Eggs Benny and buttermilk blueberry pancakes, you’re here for the celeb scene – beware whiplash!
Santa Monica heaves with covetable retail, from luxey big brands to indie boutiques, there’s something for every style sensibility. Sartorialists should make for Mohawk West, one of four branches of the cult Mohawk General Store, complete with linger-worthy sun-drenched courtyard and a fission-hot edit of fashion and lifestyle. Bubbas will go bananas at The Acorn Store, a veritable wonderland of whimsical artisan toys, nursery decor, and fancy dress. Or, if you think Spotify is so 2018, check out Record Surplus one of LA’s largest and few remaining record stores, currently enjoying a renaissance thanks to a growing hipster-led reverence for vinyl.
Finish your foray with supper at the most sought-after table in town: Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi. With A-list punters ranging from Bey to Becks, securing a seat at this modest, mahogany and white tablecloth trattoria is no mean feat, but your persistence will be rewarded with heartwarming Italian staples like crab risotto, buttery breaded veal chop, and agnolotti smothered in white truffle sauce. Bellissimo, mwah!
Ivy at the Shore / 1535 Ocean Ave / +1 310 393 3113 / all day Mon & Wed-Sun / theivyrestaurants.com
Mohawk West / 2929 Main St / +1 424 268 4848 / 11am-7pm daily / mohawkgeneralstore.com
The Acorn Store / 1220 5th St / +1 310 451 5845 / 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, till 5pm Sun / theacornstore.com
Record Surplus / 12436 Santa Monica Blvd / +1 310 979 4577 / 11am-10pm Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat, till 7pm Thu & Sun / recordsurplusla.com
Il Ristorante Giorgio Baldi / 114 W Channel Rd / +1 310 573 1660 / dinner Tue-Sun / giorgio-baldi.com