Santa Monica / Westside, Los Angeles, CA

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Santa Monica / Westside, Los Angeles.
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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.

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What to Do in Santa Monica / Westside

20s / 30s / 80s Music / After Work

Bar Chloe - Bar | Lounge in Los Angeles.

Party Earth Review One of the west side’s most intimate hideaways, Bar Chloe is a study in relaxed opulence whose glamorous pre-war Paris vibe attracts a well-heeled but laid-back clientele. Velvet drapes ... more

1449 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Liked By:

20s / Acoustic / Bar Food / Bars / Ska

O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant (Main Street) - Pub | Restaurant | Sports Bar in Los Angeles.

Party Earth Review No matter the time, ’tis standard at O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Restaurant to find live Celtic beats blazin’ and a raucous young crowd knee-deep in Guinness and banger sandwiches. Sunny ... more

2941 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Liked By:

20s / 30s / 80s Music / Bar Food / DJ

Bodega Wine Bar - Wine Bar in Los Angeles.

Party Earth Review One of the most popular wine bars in Santa Monica thanks to its unpretentious social scene, Bodega Wine Bar draws an irreverent crowd of young professionals and upscale Westside residents ... more

814 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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20s / 30s / 40s / All Ages / All Types

Huckleberry - Bakery | Café | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Kristen D.

Reviewed by Kristen D.

"This place is absolutely amazing! Although it is a bit pricey, the food is amazing and all from local farmers. I stumbled upon this gem one day when l ..." more

1014 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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20s / 30s / 40s / Baseball / Casual / Pub

Ye Olde Kings Head - Pub | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Jayson M.

Reviewed by Jayson M.

"Pubs are pubs, just no-fuss spots to grab a pint, eat crappy food, and hang with friends. I will say that the food here is some of the better British ..." more

116 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Liked By:

Club / Club Music / Cocktails / DJ

Main on Main - Club | Lounge in Los Angeles.
Rebecca L.

Reviewed by Rebecca L.

"My take: I came to Main on Main for a friend’s 23rd birthday on a Saturday night with a group of about 15+ friends from college. Great place for a bi ..." more

2941 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Liked By:

20s / 30s / 40s / After Work / Blazers

Zengo Santa Monica - Fusion Restaurant | Latin American Restaurant | Mexican Restaurant | Asian Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Shelby G.

Reviewed by Shelby G.

"My Take: Zengo is tucked away on the third floor of Santa Monica Place, near Third Street Promenade. The modest restaurant is marked simply by a long ..." more

395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Liked By:

Beer / Brunch / Budget-friendly

The Six Restaurant - Restaurant | New American Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Matthew B.

Reviewed by Matthew B.

"I have had burgers from all over LA and this one is in my top 5. The atmosphere is chill. I've been here on a date as well as with a group. ..." more

10668 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Liked By:

All Ages / All Types / Burgers

Hole in the Wall - Burger Joint | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Jasmit N.

Reviewed by Jasmit N.

"One of the best burger places in Los Angeles. The first time I came I got a beef burger on a pretzel bun. I was a little skeptical about the burger be ..." more

2200 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Liked By:

Bar Food / Budget-friendly / TVs

The Misfit Restaurant + Bar - American Restaurant | Bar in Los Angeles.
Yvonne B.

Reviewed by Yvonne B.

"The Misfit is my favorite restaurant thus far since moving to Los Angeles. I love everything about this place, with the exception of the server we got ..." more

225 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Liked By:

30s / Anything goes / Blouses

Urth Caffé (Santa Monica) - Café | Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Catherine D.

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

Liked By:

20s and up / 40s / Bar Food / Beer

Sonny McLean's Irish Pub - Irish Pub | Sports Bar in Los Angeles.
Frankie T.

Reviewed by Frankie T.

"While Sonny McLean’s remains a Santa Monica neighborhood staple, it has evolved from the traditional dumpy Irish pub that was known for an odd stench, ..." more

2615 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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Where to Go in Santa Monica / Westside

  • * Circle Bar 20s / 30s / 40s / Actors / Bar / DJ
  • * Food Breakfast / Brunch

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