For the California virgins, we’d suggest that the first direction you head upon exiting the hotel is west on Pico Boulevard across Ocean Avenue, past Shutters on the Beach and Casa Del Mar directly to the beach. That’s right, you’re within a two-minute walk (60 seconds for you speed-walkers out there) to the wide white sands of Santa Monica, where you can also stroll down a paved boardwalk to the Santa Monica Pier with its bevy of amusement park rides and overpriced touristy restaurants.
Then again, if you want a more low-key California experience, go the other direction on Pico (that’s east) one block to where Main Street starts, and then window-shop to your heart’s content at boutiques like beach-bum chic Planet Blue, the all-natural hemp clothing store Natural High Lifestyle, and, of course, American Apparel. Feeling sluggish? Catch a vinyasa class at Yoga Works, or a cup of coffee at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, then grab a glass of wine at Salute, with its rows of stainless steel enomatic machines, or get your favorite on-tap beers at the Library Ale House before dinner at La Grande Orange, or the new upscale Italian kid on the block, Ado.
Just a block north of the hotel on Ocean Avenue, La Cachette Bistro is another great spot for a fancy French lunch in a low-key setting, and is on the way to the consumerist paradise that is the Third Street Promenade outdoor shopping mall with the usual stores like Banana, J. Crew, and Anthropologie. But warning: the Promenade is effectively a tourist trap.
Whew, after such a full day, no one would blame you for just wanting to crash back at the hotel where rates start at $270 a night for a standard room.
