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Your destination: The Santa Monica Pier! This waterfront harbor, is a living, breathing piece of history in Santa Monica.

It first opened September 9, 1909. Designed by Danish Architect Charles Looff who was best known for developing amusement parks and designing ferris wheels. The city hoped it would attract tourists to the new development along the coast. And attract it did, everything from restaurants, shops, hotels, condos and apartment buildings surround the area! And it continues to give local real estate a boost in value.

The Santa Monica Pier is not just for tourists attraction, but the locals who grew up visiting this waterfront attraction and the famous ferris wheel, holds a special place in our hearts! Its vibrancy, walkability, concerts, entertainment and restaurants have made Santa Monica more a attractive place for all, particularly to potential buyers and renters. I decided to take a closer look at the place leaving its mark on the city and making it a magical destination for all.

I’ve spent countless hours training at the beach, and always in sight whether that be North or South of me, is the large ferries wheel and roller coaster. Over the years, I’ve seen tourism at the pier grow and grow and grow in popularity! I’m not surprised since the sun is always out and well the ocean view! The summer here lasts forever; in fact during Christmas, you’ll see Santa surfing the waves! And like our freeways, there’s gridlock and long waits to park and grab a seat, anywhere. But the wait never stops the streams of crowds coming to check out the rows of restaurants, food carts and trucks and cafes along with the rides and street entertainers. It lasts all hours, all day and sometimes all night.

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty about why the Santa Monica Pier has kept its allure and mystique, and continues to bring in swarms of crowds all year round. It is, after all, on many short lists of must-dos, even for the locals.

A Closer Look At The Santa Monica Pier

Restaurants And Location, Location, Location

Santa Monica Pier restaurants are not about getting the best food in town, but about having the best view! Where else can you enjoy a meal, listening to waves crashing so loudly, they drown out the commotion of kids screaming on the Sea Dragon Ride! Smelling the ocean air, feeling the breeze on your skin, while slurping on an iced crushed something cocktail and watching entertainers… there’s nothing better.

Where Globetrotters Mix With Locals

The Santa Monica Pier is engaging, not just for travelers, but everyone! It’s a central gathering place that brings in lots of foot traffic. During the summer months, the pier concerts bring in audiences from both far and near who gather to enjoy the rhythm of the same beat! And in the early morning hours, the fisherman cast their lines, joggers thump the wooded planks and yogis perform their sun salutations while vacationers grab their morning coffee, stroll and enjoy the quiet before all the chaos.

The Instagram Effect

Every dish and drink served on the pier should come with its own hashtag. People flock to the restaurants not just for the food, but for the bragging rights that come with posting envy-inducing beachside photos. It’s a foodie’s version of “Look where I’m sipping a cocktail! Haha!”

Nostalgia

For many of us who live in Santa Monica, the pier holds a special place in our hearts. We might not ride the Ferris wheel every weekend, but we sure do like to revisit our childhood haunts while sipping on overpriced cocktails. My then boyfriend, now husband and I, spent evenings at the arcade with $10 rolls of quarters. Then in a flurry of evening lights and crowds, joined the line of hungry folks waiting to get our double patty burgers and steaming fries!

Mother Nature

There’s a unique kind of entertainment that comes with dining on the pier, better known as seagull thieves. Our fearless feathered friends are always on the lookout for unattended french fries, chips or anything that resembles food! They leave their gifts too, in the form of aerial droppings for all who come to visit one of their favorite places!

Oceanfront Appeal

Let’s be honest, eating by the ocean just feels good. Even if you’re paying a premium for a plate of fish tacos or chips and beer. The soothing sound of waves crashing is worth it! Seeing the sun set over the ocean makes life a little more special!

Limited Space

These restaurants aren’t exactly sprawling, five-star establishments. Space is at a premium, which means you’ll likely be cozying up to your neighbor’s table, whether you signed up for it or not. But being a communal dining experience let’s you in on some great stories from your fellow diners or toasting with them to a night out!

The Boardwalk Action

The Santa Monica Pier is a busy place because of its central location. Lined with performers, artists, food trucks and souvenir shops every few steps is something new and entertaining. When everyone gets hungry, look no further than walking distance for a variety of sit down restaurants! The biggest decision is fish, lobster, burgers or tacos and how long you can patiently wait for that first bite!

We Love The Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier is one of the most visited attractions in Santa Monica. It’s more than a mere structure; it’s a living, breathing piece of Santa Monica’s history, pulsating with the rhythms of life here. The unique blend of location, nostalgia, and Insta-worthy moments are hard to resist and even harder to compete with. So ready your eyes with sunglasses, your skin with sunscreen and a hat along with padded wallet for those overpriced but tasty cocktails to sip while watching the breathtaking sun set over the Santa Monica Pier!

Climate In Santa Monica Vs. Mediterranean

Santa Monica’s climate is the origin of mediterranean architectural influence.

There’s a taste of Spain, Italy, Morocco and Greece that touches every mediterranean style home in Santa Monica.

You can find colorful seaside landscapes with bright flowers hanging over balconies, fluttering in the California breeze, walls painted the color of the sand with a dining area that lets you enjoy dinner, al fresco while watching the sunset.

‘Are you walking through Greece?’ you ask!

Nope! This is Santa Monica folks!

The style lends itself to elegant curves and sophisticated mixed use of materials, and all serving their own practical purpose.

See for yourself why so many Santa Monica residence have adopted the influence of mediterranean style architecture in Santa Monica and why it makes sense!

Let’s take a closer look at the features.

Tile And Clay Roofs In Mediterranean Style Homes Of Santa Monica

Clay roofs are known for better air circulation and insulation so it doesn’t allow heat to penetrate as easily as other roofing materials.

I’m not an expert on roofing, but when you feel cooler during the summer months, I know my mood is better as is everyone else in the house!

During the winter, the clay acts as an insulator having a natural low transfer of energy and preventing the heat from escaping.

If you decide to live at the beach, you’ll feel the temperature drop precipitously at night. The coast is the coolest climate in L.A.;it’s sweater weather at the beach and tank tops 20 blocks West of it!

They do tend to be on the pricer side, but the initial investment could lend itself to energy efficiency using less electricity to cool and heat the space.

Also, the aesthetic value it adds to the mediterranean style is priceless!

Arched Windows And Doorways In Mediterranean Style Homes In Santa Monica

Structurally Distributes Weight Better

Structurally, these doorways can hold more weight since its disturbed more evenly and therefore over time can potentially have less damage and last longer.

In L.A., it’s not uncommon to experience small earthquakes. From time to time they’ll shake you awake and as you open your eyes, you might see the room swaying!

Having some structural stability can give you some peace of mind.

Arched Windows Allow More Light To Enter The Room

Arched windows in Mediterranean style homes allow more sunlight to enter the rooms. The opening is larger than a square and makes the best use of natural light.

Arched Doorways Has A Better Flow

The shape of the arch adds variety and interest to the flow of the room versus the traditional square style as seen on most homes.

Wrought Iron Accents

Wrought Iron Accents Prevent Decay

When you live by the beach, you realize the he salty air will make any non durable material decay, rust and corrode. Wrought iron is a strong metal surviving any weather condition! A simple brush of the metal will clean and protect it.

Wrought Iron Accents Can Add Home Security

As shown in the above photos, the wrought iron accents are mostly ornamental but can serve as an added layer of protection.

Courtyards And Outdoor Spaces In Mediterranean Style Homes

Outdoor spaces Add Aesthetic Appeal

There’s no formula for the creation of your outdoor space! Take a peak at the above artistic gardening, shaded pergola, fountains and stones used to personalize the space!

There are no words that convey the beauty of perfect weather, a beach breeze, and the sun setting in your courtyard while listening to John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald with friends and family! No words but one of many reason the mediterranean style home is done again and again in a variety of ways, all over Santa Monica.

Ornate Details Of Mediterranean Style Homes In Santa Monica

Tiles For Mediterranean Style Homes

Paying attention to historical references and the significance of tile work is a nod to the art work of the men and women of the mediterranean. Their heritage and culture live on in these homes.

The tiles are also weatherproof just in case you decide to have a decorative piece in the patio as rain or heat don’t effect the finish.

If you choose to use them as a backdrop on a wall, they can be used to keep the house cool by reflecting heat.

Woodwork For Mediterranean Style Homes

Wood trimmings are often used for decorative appearance and can withstand the outdoor elements.

The usefulness and elegance of the attributes featured in mediterranean style homes, are forever.

Historically, this style has dotted coast lines over several continents. Its beauty is everlasting and functionality, practical and the reason it is abundantly available in Santa Monica.

Spending all day at the beach and wondering if the Santa Monica Pier has any good restaurants?

Join me to explore the flavors of the pier!

The sun, the ocean and the community welcome you with open arms! But unlike a typical restaurant, sandy feet and clothes can come in without any snarky looks!

What about the kids?

They too have kept in mind with special menu items. Did you brings the family dog because he refuses to stay at home alone? Well, most of the eateries have a seat at the table for him too! Kid friendly, dog friendly, view friendly and lobster friendly choices!

The pier welcomes everyone, including those with sandy feet and clothes!

Seafood Restaurants At The Santa Monica Pier

Seaside On The Pier

How about hanging out on a rooftop bar with rooftop dining and beachfront view while enjoying your day at the beach.

Seaside On The Pier is your place to enjoy the perfect California weather, people watching while enjoying a cocktail, fish and chips, lobster sandwiches, burgers, tacos and more.

Their full menu is here. Don’t be shy! Ask the bartender for your favorite original blend!

Notable

1. Rooftop bar
2. Seafood

The Albright

If you need a kid friendly, dog friendly seafood restaurant with an ocean view and outdoor seating, the Albright Restaurant is for you!

Who doesn’t love clam chowder served in a bread bowl at the beach. Or choose a live crab and lobster for those warmer summer days.

The full menu is here for you and kids including beer and wine. Thank you Albright for the view and wonderful food!

Notable

1. Fresh fish
2. Outdoor seating
3. Kids Menu
4. Dog friendly

Bubba Gump

Bubba Gump Santa Monica Pier Restaurant has a cajun twist to the seafood offerings.

Or if Cajun style doesn’t rock your boat, there are a ton of options for the whole family. The full menu is here.

Rusty’s Surf Ranch

Pictured above are fish and chips and a burger from Rust’s!

The restaurant does have a happy hour for those of you who don’t want your perfect beach to end just yet, serving margaritas, beer and wine while watching the sunset!

Notable

1. Fish and chips
2. Happy hour
3. Live music
4. Dog friendly

Enjoy the full menu here.

Quick Bites At The Santa Monica Pier

Quick Bites Burger

Beach Burger

Pier Burger

For great burgers, fries and hot dogs, take a break at pier burgers!

The husband and I have had date night dinner after some one-on-one arcade battles!

I’m an admitted burger addict, and can confidently say Pier Burger does it right!

The above picture shows the line to order, and this is a weekday afternoon!

That folks is your 5 star review from patrons! To see the full menu, go here.

Notable

1. Outdoor Seating
2. Dog friendly

Quick Bite Hot Dogs

Japadog

What are dogs called in Japan? Apparently, Japadogs! And what does Japan have to do with hot dogs?

The food truck apply named Japadogs, is serving some of the best Japanese style hot dogs, not just here on the Santa Monica Pier, but in LA!

One of my personal favorites dogs is the Kurobuta pork, smooth in flavor, tender and juicy!

And like I said, this dog is served from a food cart, considered fast food BUT uses fine dining style Berkshire meat, or pork that is often referred to as the Kobe of pork!

Mexican Food Santa Monica Pier

Marisol Cantina Santa Monica Pier

Margaritas, Mexican food and fresh lobster with one of the best ocean views can be found at the end of the pier- Marisol Restaurant.

It offers indoor and outdoor dining so you can relax while having lunch at the beach or enjoy the sunset while eating lobster and enjoying a cocktail!

Choose from a variety of beverages with lots of choices of margaritas, tequila and beer.

Have the signature Camacho’s Tacos or choose your lobster size!

Notable

1. Guacamole and chips
2. Crab and lobster options
3. Seating right next to the water

Exploring the Santa Monica Pier restaurants?

The pier is one of those can’t miss detours that speak to the heart of the city.

It’s good ole fashion fun, enjoying some cotton candy, ice cream, rides, arcade games, sun and the beautiful ocean breeze!

So while you’re there exploring the beach city, the pier restaurants are a must try! Santa Monica has lots of gourmet offerings, but the pier beats most in the category of best ocean views!

They also offer fresh seafood served, both cooked and raw, and lots of interesting people watching!

Don’t miss out ! And while you’re at it, have a glass of champaign for me!

Dreaming about that lovely beach cottage by the sea? Or is that only something Tom Cruise gets to have in “Top Gun” with those perfect aviator sunnies blocking that exquisite sunset! Well you too can have your own quaint beach cottage sans the motorcycle and aviation career!

Here, I’ll show you various styles of classic and not so classic cottage homes in Santa Monica. The dream can become a reality as the city has plenty of streets lined with gabled roofed houses, splashed in brightly painted colors, accented by potted flowers and teak Adirondack chairs waiting for you on the porches.

Santa Monica attracts lots of artists and well known architects like Frank Geary who has built two homes here and several commercial projects. He’s one of many leaving their footprints in this once sleepy small beach town. I will be covering different styles of architecture in Santa Monica in an upcoming article, as they are works of art! But now let’s focus on Santa Monica beach cottages.

Beach Cottage Desirability In Santa Monica

Below are some of the most popular streets with beach cottages. This is Fraser and Hart Streets. Some of the houses have been designated as historical landmarks. Their location, maintenance of the area including the surrounding properties and sizable lots they occupy are only some of the reasons for their stable market value.

Desirability is high, as you might have guessed, and not going anywhere but up! Though they are older homes, they are not on the market very often; secondly, if they are for sale, they usually don’t last long. No matter what’s going on in the economy, this real estate maintains its value! I have never seen a price decrease when the owners sell!

Location, Location And Location For Santa Monica Beach Cottages

Of course you know that beach cottages are a stones throw from the beach, and walking distance to everything from fine dining, to very casual vegan hang outs. You can read about all the eateries here which covers the Main St. neighborhood. Also nearby is downtown Santa Monica where you can shop, dine and enjoy a few movie theater options.

Need to entertain family and friends!? Look no further than the Santa Monica Pier where you can grab a glass of wine, see the sunset and ride the ferris wheel!

Want to explore more than Santa Monica, Venice Beach is around he corner! Abbott Kinney St. in Venice is maybe a 2 minute Uber/Lyft ride for even more entertainment, restaurants and shopping. Life around the beach cottages never gets dull and definitely rivals offerings in all of LA!

You can walk any any direction and find some amusement, pleasure or enjoyment day and night! We’re talking margarita’s, Asian fusion cuisine and bumper cars!

It also means that during the summer months, at the height of tourist season, there will be traffic, both cars and people wandering from one destination to the next. The noise is inevitable but the parking problem has been solved by the city! Streets are permited only parking meaning the city makes lots of money from people deciding to ignore the signs!

Let’s take a deeper dive into the beach cottages Santa Monica offers, who’s history dates back to the founding of this community.

Beach Cottages In Santa Monica On Fraser St.

Alexander Fraser and George Hart were friends and business partners looking at properties to develop. On the coast in Santa Monica, they saw folks setting up temporary shelter for summer and leaving during winter months. The seaside was a nomadic group occupying the territory and not much else. Alex and George saw more potential for the picturesque and sunny beach. They came up with the idea of requiring permited restrictions for putting up a structure so that these nomads would turn into residence and evolve into a thriving community.

And so they had the property zoned for permanent structures only.

We now have Fraser St., named after real estate agent Alexander Fraser and Hart St. named after developer George Hart.

The Transformation of Santa Monica Beach Cottages

The next transformation these beach cottages had, was during the Second World War.

There were 100,000 employees, daily, going to work to make planes and combat the enemy. Douglas Aviation, located in Santa Monica, needed homes for all their employees and used the cottages to house as many of them as they could fit.

In need of protection and space, the cottages were built up to stand higher off the ground and have a better view of the ocean, not just to enjoy the beauty but to see who might be approaching by sea. The bedrooms were cut in half to fit more workers using shared bathrooms. Judging by the history, you can see the clear structural influence: the cottages have several bedrooms and few bathrooms, meant to be shared.

Beach Cottages In Santa Monica As Historical Landmarks

As I said above, some of these cottages are designated as historical landmarks which means old pipes, wood and some repair work might be nessesary. But fear not! There are architectural firms located in Santa Monica who understand, appreciate and can elevate the ‘beach cottage’ look without upsetting the city!

When remodeling some of these homes, permits are essential and the city is not ‘laid back’ like the community, about getting them! Understanding the stylistic elements and doing them tastefully is obviously another concern.

The first house in the picture below has been beautifully remodeled in all its glorious beach house details! I’m providing a link here to the architectural firm who transformed it. The house is a designated landmark, and they understand both the permitting hoops and stylistic ones too! There are pictures on their website show a ‘modernized’ interior.

Beach Cottage Homes And Some Key Elements

There are key elements of Santa Monica Beach Cottages. Let’s take a look!

Modern Version Beach Cottage In Santa Monica

Further north, architect Steve Gianneti and wife Brooke designed a beautiful beach cottage style home where modern meets old world cottage and another example of the many varieties of beach cottages available.

Steve made the changes to the structure of the home while Brooke added her personal collection of antiques for that cottage feel.

By now, I must have peaked your interest about Santa Monica beach cottages! I gathered some links for beach cottage rentals here, here and here for you!

If you’re considering possible home designs to fit your beach lifestyle, to put on your short list for a new house? If pine floors, stone fireplaces, headboard ceilings, special moldings, patinated columns and porches ring ‘home’ to you, consider Santa Monica beach cottage.

What are Green Condos? They are the environmentally friendly guidelines the city of Santa Monica requires for newly built buildings, in an effort to leave a smaller footprint on our planet. The goal is to go all electric and switch off the gas!

The new policy is electric and never gas powered anything! Using fossil fuels are out for stoves, heating water and heating your home. High water usage plants are also on the outs! The city is encouraging you to change from gas to electric with financial incentives.

What does all electric look like?

Heating or cooling your home? An electric heat pump can do both. Stove tops will be changed to electric tops. Drying your laundry will come from the electric heat pump. Heating water? The builders will use an electric water heater. Have an electric car? There will be more charging stations required so you can fuel up at home instead of trekking to a charging station!

Other Considerations for Planet Friendly Green Condo Buildings Santa Monica

1.Succulent Plants Used For Green Condos In Santa Monica

Below, pictured is a drought resistant plant aesthetic being used at The Georgina residences (401 Ocean Ave), The Waverley and Seychelles Condominiums to conserve water.

The famous Santa Monica architect, Frank Geary uses collected rain water for plants. When the weather is dry, water is still available! Drip irrigation is another way to save on your water bill, using water only where needed. It prevents water waste, for instance when using a hose and watching some of it running down the gutter!

2.Fires

Fires also pose new risk with the dry conditions. We’ve seen sparks from a fire, grow and take out entire neighborhoods. So contractors are using fire resistant building materials; if your neighbor is doing something dangerous, happens to start a fire, the new materials prevent it from taking out your unit too!

Bamboo is one such material used on flooring and cabinets to prevent the spread of fire. Bamboo is treated, for commercial projects, with a chemical called Boron. Baron is not combustible and so fire is less likely to spread.

3.Sun power

Sun power is not just for tanning anymore! It’s being used to heat our homes and provide natural sunlight! Pictured below and using solar power are the Seychelles Condos 1755 Ocean Avenue, Green On 19 Townhomes at 1035 19th St Santa Monica and Pico Eleven Apartments at 1122 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica. All of these condo’s are using solar power for heat. Let the sunshine in! Pico Eleven goes a step further and also uses photovoltaic panels for electricity.

I realize Pico Eleven are apartments, but their use of green technology from efficient appliances to reclaimed wood for the side paneling on the exterior of the building and lots of large windows for natural lighting and breeze makes it the next best thing since Amazon Prime!

Architect Frank Geary’s Santa Monica custom house uses rows and rows and rows of glass roofing for natural sunlight and ventilation! (Another minor digression from condos)

4.Mixed Use Spaces

Sharing rescources is the new way to go green. You can live, work, and enjoy nightlife, all within walking distance.

Below, you can view some mixed use spaces at The Waverley Condos Santa Monica.

Improved air quality using proper ventilation and infiltration.

5. Better Air Quality

During and after fires reduces the air quality by a lot! And lately, in Santa Monica, Malibu and surrounding communities, we’ve had less rain making the natural vegetation dryer and more prone to fires. That’s not just theory, we’ve all witnessed loads of fires.

BUT, we’ve not only seen them, but have taken a deep breath and wished we didn’t, during and just after a fire! The Seychelles Condos use an air filtration system that removes smoke and particles from the air.

The condo’s have floor to ceiling windows creating great cross ventilation when you want to smell the ocean air and feel the breeze!

Another new requirement are more car charging stations for residents. They encourage electric car ownership so you won’t have to fill up at your local Wholefoods and make scrolling instagram a habit! Driving less around Santa Monica is a plus too!

By default, it’s the builders who have the initial increased costs for materials and labor necessary for environmentally friendly buildings. And they can be significant since appliances, solar panels, and trained labor tend to be less available, in demand and not so easy to acquire. As an owner, you will pay more for the condo, but save more on bills. And it turns out, going green adds monetary value when selling the property.

Going green means leaving a much smaller footprint on the environment! I applaud Santa Monica for making the changes and addressing climate change, head on, in ways that make use of so many natural resources we already have! I also hope I’ve made life a little easier choosing the best green condos for sale in Santa Monica!

Lately, there has been a lot of interest in Main St. Santa Monica. Let’s be honest: Abbot Kinney has always been the place where the cool kids hang out. It was the place where space was rented to the mavericks with no experience but willing to bet it all on self belief! And it has been those free spirits that gave Abbot Kinney its mystique and utter success!

Main St. was the safe haven for businesses with more established reputations, companies that had already proven their success. It was the sleepy beachside area of the two.

Cut to current events and Main St. has garnered a lot of buzz lately. The foodies are talking about the nachos at Vamos Vamos and Josiah Citron’s new casual dirty chicken sandwiches on Main. Psajoli has been awarded a Michelin Star and everyone is talking about their duck! They may be small restaurants, but they’re making a big impact!

So, you ask, which is better?

Taking a walk down both streets, I went to check out what the competition is serving!

There are several new hot spots on Main St. Let’s start with Heavy Handed!

Thank you Danny Gordon and Max Miller for taking a piece of Heaven and putting it in your burgers! I have 3 words to describe them: juicy, juicy and juicy! Danny lit up the atmosphere with his music in the DJ box; Max came round all the tables with a friendly check in… Energy was great and the food was even better!

Augie’s on Main

Augies Restaurant brings the delicious dirty chicken sandwich to Main St.

Who is Augie? It’s the first of Josiah Citron’s eateries where jeans, bucket hats and sneakers are the norm.

Jidore chicken is the secret sauce that makes this more than your average chick-filla sort of sandwich!

Crudo e Nudo On Main

Chef Brian Borneham and partner Leena Culhane bring the fresh to Main St. The restaurant is a small but mighty fresh fish eatery, putting the profits into sustainable seafood! The specialty is raw fish dressed with seasonings, oil and citrus…and fresh it is!

Vamos Vamos On Main

In the mood for some nachos and margaritas after a long day at work? I was, so Vamos Vamos was my destination.

It’s not just your average nachos and margaritas. They’ve elevate the classic street food nacho plate by adding hatch green chiles, tomatillos, roasted corn and pickled onions to the recipe.

Other menu items include choices of tacos, burgers wood fired pizza with vegetarian and gluten free options. (I recommend the burger!)

My margarita recommendation? Gracias Jesus (Yes! Thank you Jesus for that tropical mouth vacation!) margarita takes you away to a better place! I obviously couldn’t wait and forgot to take a photo! You can also choose from Palomas, mixed cocktails, wine and beer.

It’s time to have a casual social hour with friends at Vamos Vamos!

Michelin stared, Psjoli is making waves amongst the fine dining restaurants, bringing the best of classic French cuisine. One word to the readers: duck! It’s not just super tender, the presentation is an experience!

For a wonderful shared Southeast Asian food experience, Cobi’s will surprise your mouth with spices and carefully constructed curry sauces! You can dine outdoors in the patio garden or feel like your at home with mom inside with the antique furniture and mismatched floral plates.The dry aged branzino seems to be all the rage, though I have not personally tried it…YET!

Several other new restaurants have emerged leaving a mark. Amongst them Little Prince with a solid wine and cocktail list served… all hours! And Alfalfa Cafe for all the salad lovers.

Abbot Kinney

While there may not be many new kids on the block, the restaurant scene is very alive and well!

Gjelina

Chef Juan Hernandez has taken the reigns from Travis Lett.

Before Travis became the head chef at Gjelina, I would occasionally pass him on Abbot Kinney. I was introduced and could see his free spirit shine. He then became chef at Gjelina which was his first head chef position.

Fast forward, the food he created reflected that same free spirit he embodied. Word got out about the new chef putting together vegetable-centric plates, adding spices, oils and yogurt that only Michelin starred restaurants were doing. Travis made fresh farmers market vegetables something of a star instead of an after thought that only vegetarians ordered.

Gjelina was the destination spot on Abbot Kinney, and of course, a difficult reservation to get! Now, you can walk in and grab a table. Great for family time, casual date night or meeting your neighbors at the community tables.

The menu still has some of Travis’ recipes, but now also include some from Chef Hernandez and his Oaxaca roots.

Felix

Chef Evan Funke of Felix Trattoria is a master at making pasta fatta a mano or making pasta with his hands. It’s not like grandma’s pasta, where she would take the packaged noodles, boil them and throw them against the wall to check doneness! (I’m sure it was tasty!)

Chef Funke takes his pasta making to another level. He’s built a climate controlled room for his pasta making equiped with long glass windows so everyone can observe his pasta making process from A to Z. (Try and get the front row seats right next to the windows!)

He’s put some serious energy into understanding, practicing and perfecting his art, from the time he went to La Vecchia Scuola Bolognese in Italy to the road he’s paved and opened Felix.

If you’re entraining, and dinner is the main event of your evening, Felix is your place. Be ready and make reservations as this restaurant gets very crowded!

Frequented Quick Bites Restaurants On Abbot Kinney

The Butchers Daughter is a vegan option, serving beer, wine and cocktails. The parklet where customers can enjoy the lovely California beach weather, is a lovely garden! Spending time under the canopy of plants, taking in a glass of wine during happy hour, and enjoying the sunset while people watching, is one of the best ways to live a little!

Salt & Straw is never not busy! Kim Malek and her cousin Tyler made a decision to open an ice cream shop for friends, family and the community. Every ingredient in their seasonal ice cream options, are locally sourced. The reviews say it all! Not only is their homemade ice cream carefully layered with complimentary flavors, but the damn good smell of their homemade waffle cone leaves a trail down the street and is free advertisement for the store! This is one of those rare cheat on your diet days because life is a little more special after you eat one!

Abbots Pizza has been part of the scenery on Abbot Kinney for ages, delivering good ole fashion pizza. My favorite is the pizza salad! If Poke bowls are your perfect light snack, Sweetfin is serving up a variety of options including vegan plates.

So which is better? Abbot Kinney or Main?

Well for now, Main St. is bringing the heat with everything from a Michelin starred dining experience, to hanging out, DJ included, eating one of the best burgers in LA! Maybe Main St. hired a new leasing agent with a better pulse on the community at large? The new talented chefs and their restaurants are bringing their best, original recipes and leaving a footprint in the restaurant scene…not just near the beach but in Los Angeles!

The park-lets now have an official home on Main St., because the residents wanted it and showed their love and loyalty to eateries that invested in them! Together, they bring a new life and energy to the area.

Why would you miss the beautiful weather, fresh ocean air and one mouth worthy option after another on Main St.

Santa Monica residents can all agree that the city has done a great job supporting the farmers of California with the farmers markets. You can find anything from organic meats, fish, produce, vegetables and a slew of homemade cheeses and breads. These markets have become internationally recognized and featured by the Food Networks Bobby Flay.

Farmers drive in from all over California, and set up rain or shine.

Since they’re competing with big corporations who produce en masse, they take their faming to a new level by crossing genetics, focusing on niche products or just going organic. Some specialize in growing a particular variety of fingerling potatoes, heirloom tomato’s or Gaviota strawberries for example, that get you hooked no matter what the cost!

If you want to geek out and have any questions about growing techniques, optimal climates, maybe how the crops compare from year to year, you can get an a first account answer! It’s one of the few opportunities to develop a relationship with the folks who grow the food you buy and feed your family!

The market provides us the opportuniy to develop relationships with the people who are getting down and dirty in the soil for us. Everything I’ve ever taken home from the market is tastier, brighter and so aromatic!

Let’s finally get down to the nitty gritty! Here are all the ‘need to knows’ about farmers markets around Santa Monica! It also happens to be one of the best things to do in Santa Monica!

Downtown Santa Monica’s Farmers Market

When: Wednesday, 8am-1:00pm and Saturday, 8am-1:00pm.

Where: On Arizona St., between the 3rd St. Promenade and 5th St. 155-199 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Specialty items are the feature of this market showcasing about 60 California farmers! You can find food items that you’ll never ever see at any grocery store.

Pictured below are just a few of the farmers who have been selling their products at the Wednesday market for years. You can see why chefs from all over the city come and shop the Wednesday downtown Santa Monica farmers market.

Just a small sampling of some treasures are honey and honeycombs from a bee farm, herbs and quail and duck eggs!

Downtown Santa Monica Farmers Market Vendors – A Highlight

1.Murray Family Farm

The Murray family farm are producers of apricots, blueberries and cherries.

Steve Murray, the owner, has found a way to perfect his cherries in a very hot climate that often reaches over 100 degrees! Since cherries generally require 45 degree temperatures to grow, he has created a cooling system to manufacture the environment. Genius? Creative? Passionate? Yes!

This is just a small piece of the story- the family provides 600 or so jobs during peak growing season!

2.Weiser Familiy Farms

The Weiser Family farm has been in their family for 3 generations. And nobody grows potatoes quite like this family! Buttery, smooth and creamy! Popular with lots of chefs who’s name depends on serving fresh farm to table dishes.

The family is also working on shishito peppers and an eggplant harvest!

3.Valdivia Farms

It’s a pretty gutsy move to specialize in various variety’s of heirloom tomatoes considering the mountain of competition! At Valdivia Farms (@valdivia_farms) they produce a beautiful fruit that adds lots of flavor to any plate of food!

Main St. Santa Monica Farmers Market

When: Sunday 8:30am-1pm

Where: 2640 Main St., Santa Monica 90404

You can expect to find seasonal fruits, veggies and flowers! make an easy brunch for you and your friends! This market features 25 California farmers.

Main St. Farmers Market Vendors – A Highlight

1.Maestro Luxury Coffee

Even if you don’t want to shop food, flowers or herbs, you can grab a mojito mint latte from Maesto Luxury Coffee truck and meet your neighbors!

If you don’t feel like getting busy in the kitchen, you can invite friends to have a breakfast picnic at the market! There’s traditional homemade omelettes, Mexican food, soul food and Asian food offerings. Take a seat under the tents provided by the market!

2.Casitas Valley Pastures

One of my favorite vendors from this market (they’re all great) is Casitas Valley Pastures. You might have guessed that I’m not a vegetarian and enjoy my meat. Not all meat is equal! At Casitas Valley Pastures, their animals roam and feeding off the land. They use a rotational process or move the animals around the land so the grass can grow back once grazed.

This Ojai Valley family farm treats life with respect, love and care. You can taste the difference! The price may be more costly than your average grocery store, but every step taken, from feeding the animals, raising them, and finally bringing them to market is done with thoughtfulness and appreciation of the animal. It’s also certifiably organic.

Pico Blvd. Santa Monica Farmers Market

When: Saturday 8am-1:00pm

Where: 2200 Virginia Ave Santa Monica, CA 90405

While this farmers market is on the smaller side with 25 farmers, there is still variety. This market is adjacent to Virginia Park making it oh so easy to buy your food and enjoy a picnic in the park! Definitely made for families who want to spend the day outside, in nature with options to keep the kids busy! This 9 acre park has basketball courts, outdoor grills, a library and a playground.

Pico Farmers Market Vendors – A Highlight

1.Juliene Ang- Owner Of 4Th St. Baker

I’ve said before that all the vendors/farmers at these markets put their heart and soul into their products, but I found two standout vendors that are both passionate and excited about their products.

Meet Julian Ang who is the everything behind 4th St. Baker. He is the founder, the cook and the seller.

I tried 3 of Juliens homemade muffins (even though I try and steer clear of sugar) and I dare not take more than that home! Moist with a ton of flavor, they were gone in a matter of minutes!

He bakes all day Friday and gets his product out on Saturday. My favorite so far is the citrus olive oil cake – yum!

2.Rachel Davidson- Owner Of ‘Key To Love Shack’

Next, I met Rachel Davidson and her love of life and healthy keto snacks! Rachel is on a mission to spread the good life through her nut butters, chocolate and support of other female entrepreneurs! You can find her here at the Pico’s Farmers Market or directly at keytoloveshack.com.

If you’re a nut butter fanatic like myself, then you’ll love all the options for nut butters. If chocolate is your thing, she has chocolate bites! These no sugar, no carb treats help you forget that you’re abstaining from carbs and sugar!

Rachel not only has very tasty products, she is just a breath of fresh air!

‘Unlock your joy with decadent keto snacks, or drop by when you need a boost of self-love and empowerment. I’m here for you!’ — Rachel

Yup! That’s Rachel! Making Santa Monica a better place!

There you have it, Santa Monica farmers markets in a small nut shell. Honestly, if I had time to interview every single vendor, I would because most of them have journeyed their way from farming to selling what they bring and lots of stories in between! Even if you’re living in Santa Monica on a budget, big chain grocers just don’t compare.

Let me know in the comments if you want to know more about any of these markets- gives me a great excuse to go back and try more!

Is It Possible?

Are you considering where you might live because you have a new job in Santa Monica? As a new employee, your budget might be squeezed and Santa Monica can be a pricey city to live. How can you make it work? I’ve listed some tips below to help you get by on a budget in Santa Monica without starving to pay the rent!

Recommended Income

First, let’s look at the median incomes of people living in Santa Monica. Now, you might be thinking ‘well the neighbor is driving that new Tesla and going out most nights for dinner! What does she do for work to have that lifestyle? ‘

Let’s not be unrealistic. While a Tesla might not be in the cards, a very affordable Honda or Toyota would make more sense. If you’re living and working in Santa Monica, having no car at all is feasible since Santa Monica offers several alternatives to get you places.

Take a look at the table below to get the whole picture of individual and family incomes to see what people are earning in order to live at the beach.

According to niche.com, these are the median incomes in Santa Monica.

According to niche.com, these tables represent median income for families and individuals who live in Santa Monica. From conversations I hear and read, I don’t think people realize that you can live here without earning a six figure salary. An individual making $65,000 a year can live here , with some cost cutting corners.

How is it possible? Let’s take a closer look at major life expenses and how to trim those costs.

1. Housing

For the most cost effective housing you can give up some space and rent a studio apartment. Of course this is much more difficult for a family but for singles, it’s workable.

The recommended amount is 30% of your income or about $1,600.00 for rent on a $65,000 budget. In Santa Monica, studio apartments are a bit more costly than that.

Sharing Your Space

Living with a friend can give you more space with a combined rental payment.

“Over the past month, the average rent for a studio apartment in Santa Monica remained flat.The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment decreased by -2% to $2,825, and the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment increased by 5% to $4,500” according to zumper.com.

2. Transportation- How To Live And Thrive In Santa Monica Without A Car

The above picture is typical LA traffic at about 8:30 am. Then starting at approximately 3:30pm, traffic picks up again and your google driving app will probably look like an artery surgery gone bad, or maybe like you spilled ketchup on your phone.

So, the pictures below show you how to live and thrive in Santa Monica without a car.

Whether you choose a bird, a mountain bike, an electronic bike, or some other form of transportation the city has spent lots of money installing bike lanes all over the city. And since it’s almost always great weather, with beautiful sunny clear skies, you can appreciate and understand how the local residents can thrive without owning a car while living here.

If you feel unsafe taking one of these modes of transportation or it’s one of those unusually cold days, Uber or Lyft are always available. Santa Monica also has its own very affordable big blue bus.

You can spend about $300-$350/month on ‘other’ transportation and still save more money compared to car ownership!

Living Without A Car In Santa Monica

When I spoke to a New York transplant, she discussed how she’s been living and thriving without a car in Santa Monica. She works remotely, regularly goes hiking, dines at restaurants, enjoys happy hour, brunch, bars- and all without a car!

Cost Of Transportation

Her typical per monthly spend for Lyft, Uber and Zipcar is about $200/month.

She bought a bike for longer distances around the city and a bird scooter for shorter trips. If she needs to travel outside of Santa Monica where she might need a car for the day, she uses zipcar which can be more affordable than taking an Uber/Lyft ride round trip to your destination and back.

The drawback with Zipcar is that you have to drop it off where you picked it up, making it essential to drive round trip with the rental. You also have to wait for zipcar to mail you a keycard that unlocks the car you choose before you start using the service.

However, zipcar lets you rent for as little as one hour, charging you for one hour and not the full day. Rates cover cost of gas, car insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance. Last I checked, I counted approximately 15 locations for car pick up in Santa Monica. It can be reserved through their app!

Cars- Lyft, Uber, Zipcar = $200/month
Bird scooters = $300 1x purchase
Bikes = $500 1x purchase

Bike Lanes In Santa Monica

If you choose to take a bike or a bird scooter for your short trips, google maps can show you exactly where all the bike lanes are and show you the route using them. Santa Monica is an environmentally friendly city that encourages and invests in bike lanes all around the city.

Costs Of Car Ownership

• Car Insurance = $150/month
• Car payment= $200/month
• Gas= $60/month (approximately)

Personally, I know several people who live in Santa Monica and and thrive without a car. The restaurants, grocery stores, health care practitioners, dentists, cafe’s and parks are practically within walking distance in most Santa Monica neighborhoods. It’s a very walkable city!

3. Food

Most neighborhoods in Santa Monica have a grocery store within walking distance, and a ton of choices! Food is one major spend you can save on by cooking your own food.

The pictures above are from 1 of 7 farmers markets. Every day of the week you can find farmers from different parts of California driving in their fresh produce! They’re always happy to give advice on how you might use their offerings in a meal.

You can find vegetables, berries, flowers, meat, nuts and items you never even knew existed! The pictures above are from the Wednesday market. You’ll see many local chefs, who serve farm to table plates at their restaurants, shopping here.

Of course there are the big chain grocers like Vons, Trader Joes, Ralphs, Gelsons. If you prefer organic choices and grass fed meat then Whole Foods, Erewhon, and the Co-op are a little slice of heaven!

There you have it, 3 ways to save on major expenses while living in Santa Monica. Whether you’re saving for a down payment on a house, recently employed here, or just choose Santa Monica since you work from home, you can put some cash in the bank without sacrificing quality of life! Let me know in the comments if you have any cost cutting tips.