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 BlvdGreat 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 BlvdStylish restaurant with delicious seasonal dinner entrees!
Ghisallo
Amazing pizza and more, only a few blocks away!
Jyan Isaac Bread
1620 Ocean Park BlvdThe best artisan bread in town, just a few blocks away!
Handel's Ice Cream
So many flavors, so many customers, and so close to our location!
Yoga-urt
Designer yogurt for an upscale clientele!
Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park BlvdPopular local market with deli and hot food, a short walk away!
Love Coffee Bar
1732 Ocean Park BlvdSmall coffee hangout for locals!
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica BlvdLove this drive-through Starbucks!
Lazy Daisy Cafe
2300 Pico BlvdOutdoor seating area and great food for breakfast and lunch!
Local favorite near S.M. Airport with extensive outdoor seating. Be sure to call for reservations!
The Cloverfield
Local favorite near S.M. Airport with extensive outdoor seating. Be sure to call for reservations!
Our favorite "mom and pop" family restaurant! Great food at good prices, served by owners!
Bruno's Italian Restaurant
1652 Ocean AveOur 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 BlvdAn amazing assortment of sandwiches, soups and salads freshly prepared to go!
Our favorite place to have a full British breakfast, a lovely afternoon tea, or a pint of lager while shooting darts!
33 locals recommend
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica BlvdOur favorite place to have a full British breakfast, a lovely afternoon tea, or a pint of lager while shooting darts!
Great place to enjoy drinks, appetizers or a full meal at sunset along the beach!
18 locals recommend
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean AveGreat place to enjoy drinks, appetizers or a full meal at sunset along the beach!
The Lobster
1602 Ocean AveVery pricey, but what a view!
The Cheesecake Factory
Popular chain restaurant with an extensive menu that pleases everyone!
Gorgeous historical hotel (was once a speak easy) built in the 1930s. Has a lovely restaurant with delicious food with a view of Palisades Park and ocean beyond!
The Georgian Hotel
1415 Ocean AveGorgeous historical hotel (was once a speak easy) built in the 1930s. Has a lovely restaurant with delicious food with a view of Palisades Park and ocean beyond!
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 StLocated 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 BlvdBest 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 and be sure to ask for a double dip!
100 locals recommend
Philippe The Original
1001 N Alameda StOriginal creators of the French Dip Sandwich! Try the lamb 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 StWe recommend their steak and eggs for breakfast! It’s a downtown Los Angeles icon!
Beautiful Japanese pagoda architecture with upscale food, located in the Hollywood Hills with an expansive view of the city!
Yamashiro Hollywood
Beautiful Japanese pagoda architecture with upscale food, 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 PierFood, 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!
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThree blocks of shops, restaurants, movie theaters and street performers. A must-see destination!
Fisherman's Village
13755 Fiji WayRestaurants, shops plus boat tours and rentals!
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkThe 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 BlvdSee 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
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!
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdFun 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 AvenueLocated 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
Enjoy the sun, surf, muscle beach and the original Hot Dog On-A-Stick!
Marina del Rey Boat Rentals
13717 Fiji WayRent 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 Saturday Farmer's Market each week and water play area for kids all summer!
Clover Park
2600 Ocean Park BlvdGreat 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 DriveGriffith park includes hiking trails, the observatory, Los Angeles Zoo, Traveltown, pony rides, and the Greek Theatre!
Entertainment & Activities
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo DrNothing beats the original Disneyland and California Adventure Parks!
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrNothing 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 PlazaEveryone loves the Harry Potter experience! Check out the Universal City Walk for dining and movie options!
Knott’S Berry Farm
8039 Beach BlvdExperience 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
Teens flock to the most exciting roller coaster rides in Southern California!
Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa StLos 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 DrA 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 BlvdAwesome 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!
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdLACMA is the largest art museum in the western U.S. It attracts nearly a million visitors annually!
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 DrSeveral museums, IMAX theater, famous rose garden and future site of the new George Lucas Museum, located next to the U.S.C. campus.
This is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States.!
461 locals recommend
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition BlvdThis is the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States.!
The best way to spend a balmy SoCal summer evening is a picnic and listening to beautiful music by the L.A. Philharmonic under the stars!
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdThe best way to spend a balmy SoCal summer evening is a picnic and listening to beautiful music by the L.A. Philharmonic under the stars!
The Music Center
135 N Grand AveThis is LA’s premier music and theatre complex!
One of the largest venues in the U.S. for music and dance and the winter home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic!
70 locals recommend
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand AveOne of the largest venues in the U.S. for music and dance and the winter home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic!
The largest venue at the Music Center for live theatre productions!
58 locals recommend
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N Grand AveThe largest venue at the Music Center for live theatre productions!
Catch the latest Broadway shows at this beautiful historic venue!
539 locals recommend
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood BlvdCatch the latest Broadway shows at this beautiful historic venue!
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont AveOutdoor music amphitheater in the heart of Griffith Park!
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico BlvdIt’s literally across the street from our location!
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 StAn extension of the performing arts division of S.M.C. featuring plays, improv and concerts!
Morgan-Wixson Theatre
2627 Pico BlvdThis quaint local theatre offers performances by and for all ages!
Essentials
Bob's Market
1650 Ocean Park BlvdLocal neighborhood market!
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveEveryone loves T.J.’s!
Great organic produce, bakery and healthy, pre-made foods to go!
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdGreat organic produce, bakery and healthy, pre-made foods to go!
Gelson's Market
2627 Lincoln BlvdGetting Around
Downtown Santa Monica Station
402 Colorado Ave