Choose your location
Where historic Route 66 hits the bluffs overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean sits the scenic city of Santa Monica that, along with much of LA’s Westside, has a relaxed and affluent vibe that starkly contrasts to the more hectic areas to the east.
By day there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, as the area’s wide, sandy beaches and adjacent bike paths are full of fitness-minded locals swimming, jogging, and playing volleyball. Tourists and families crowd the iconic Santa Monica pier and the popular weekly Farmers Market, while many of the city’s homeless laze along the grassy paths bordering Ocean Drive.
The shopping district centering around the Third Street Promenade bustles day and night with restaurants, fashionable stores, chill bars, a movie theater, and plenty of street performers to entertain the masses.
Much of Santa Monica’s nightlife caters to a preppier yuppie clientele that prefers more casual evenings of drinking and dining at the many seafront restaurants and hotel bars.
Those who want a livelier scene in this part of Los Angeles, however, will find a number of rowdy sports bars along Wilshire Boulevard that draw college students from nearby UCLA, as well as several “meat markets” on Main Street that fill up on weekends with a tipsier and flirtier crowd.
Acoustic / Acoustic / Bar Food / DJ
Party Earth Review A time warp back to Prohibition, with a distinctly modern twist, The Charleston attracts a large spectrum of Westside well seekers with classic cocktails, amped-up comfort foods, and ... more
2460 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403
20s and up / Breakfast / Café
Reviewed by Deniz S.
"I was born and spent most of my life in the Mediterranean part of Europe and i love the cuisine, especially the French.I know what's real and not. I ..." more
1460 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
All Types / Beer & Wine Only
Reviewed by Tricia M.
"We went to Nordstrom's restaurant thinking it would be the typical Nordstrom's cafe, but instead we found Blue Stove. The setting is comfortable and u ..." more
Nordstrom, 3rd Floor
222 Broadway Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
20s / Bar Food / Beer / Beer Lovers
Reviewed by Billy K.
"My Take: I love Big Dean’s Oceanfront Café. Don’t let the “Café” part fool you – this is a beach bar in every sense of the term. It’s semi-hidden just ..." more
1615 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Beer / Burgers / Casual / Dinner / Bar
Reviewed by Nate K.
"Upper West is a cosy little place right past the 10 freeway. Look out for their tasteful, modest sign- it's so stylish you may miss it! If you see a ..." more
3321 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
30s / Anything goes / Blouses
Reviewed by Catherine D.
"My obsession (and dare I say, romantic relationship) with Urth Caffe is owed entirely to a dear friend of mine from Italy. I had asked him to use his ..." more
2327 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407
20s / 30s / All Ages / Asian / Casual
Reviewed by Feli O.
"If you live in Westwood and don't mind paying a little extra for good boba, Volcano Tea House is the place for you! Volcano stays open pretty late, ..." more
2111 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025
All Ages / All Types / Casual / TVs
Reviewed by Paul F.
"If you've been to Philly and experienced the majesty of what an authentic cheese steak tastes like, then you understand how difficult it is to find a ..." more
1870 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90027
30s / 40s / After Work / Ambient / TVs
Party Earth Review A classic LA favorite where everyone from celebrities to sunburned surfers in board shorts gathers to please their taste buds, Father’s Office is a popular gastropub offering gourmet ... more
1018 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
30s / 40s / Affluent / Blazers / Chic
Reviewed by Shelby G.
"My Advice/My Take: One Pico at Shutters on the Beach provides the perfect beach getaway for those looking to spend a few hours in tranquilizing bliss, ..." more
Shutters on the Beach Hotel
1 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
20s / 30s / Burgers / Casual / Dinner
Reviewed by Tricia M.
"I've never had a bad experience at Westside, but I've never had a super memorable one here either. Its an upscale type of restaurant/bar with daily ma ..." more
10850 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
American Restaurant / Brunch
Reviewed by Tricia M.
"I love healthy food, but not everyone does. I've definitely experienced some hits and misses with some of the dishes at RFD, but on average, it was de ..." more
514-516 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401