What do we need to see in Santa Monica, CA?

[Mishetta]

Concerts on the pier now? WOW!!! How great will that be with the beautiful ocean as a backdrop???

I was going to suggest checking out the pier if you're in Santa Monica, but you'll be there anyway! Ha!

Take a ride to Marina del Rey ~ very picturesque & great shops & restaurants. Beverly Hills is not that far either ~ window shopping is always pretty exciting there! You also never know which celebrities might be out that day too!

Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood ~ footprints of the stars. You can also get tickets for show tapings by TV reps who usually hang out there offering free tickets to the public.

If you make it to Disneyland (hopefully) you'll be in Orange County & there is also Knott's Berry Farm. Great chicken dinners as well as a theme park. (You don't have to buy theme park tickets though if you just want to eat there.) Movieland Wax Museum is cool too & that's near Knott's Berry Farm.

May I ask how you won those tickets? What a great win! Enjoy!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>A couple of blocks from the Sta Monica Pier is what's called The Promenade - lots of shops, street performers, etc. It's a nice way to spend an afternoon...

However, I recommend you take your kids to the Wilshire district, which is pretty close to Sta. Monica. You have the La Brea Tarpits there, with a museum of the bones that they've excavated. There is a Farmers Market near there, too. You could do that and the beach in one day, and Disneyland on another.

I'm going to copy this thread to the DL Board & maybe other So Cal folks can give their 2 cents, too.

 

[shep]

Won tix to Wilson Phillips concert on Santa Monica Pier next tuesday so we'll be out there a couple days...
What things do we need to see...Will have my girls with us....
Also started thread in regards to Disneyland parks...
Thanks in advance..

 

[shep]

Local radio station..but it is through Clear Channel which is everywhere...It's a meet & greet package... ...
I think we're staying at the Courtydar by Marriott in Marina Del Ray..
Beverly Hills is close?
Might have to drive thru..
Thanks.
Will post pics when we return...

 

[Tink33]

The Santa Monica Pier is a destination itself. There is an amusement park, restaurants, the famous carousel, an aquarium, pier performers, shops and an arcade. Pier Link

Next to the pier is the original Hot Dog on a Stick.

If you want to take the girls to the beach, I would head over to Venice Beach. You can visit Muscle Beach, unique shops and some interesting people. Grab some wheels - skates or a bike - and hit the beach boardwalk.

If you drive east on Santa Monica Blvd, you will run into Beverly Hills.

If you want a fun dining experience and like 50's diner food, check out Cafe 50's on Santa Monica Blvd. The last Wednesday of the month is pajama night. If you wear traditional pajamas, you get a free meal. My kids loved this place.
Cafe 50's

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Boy, Tink33, the things I learn from you!

... and I live here!!!!


Great tips - Now I want to try them out!

 

[shep]

Awesome advice!!!
Thanks guys....

 

[almostGoofy]

Originally posted by Mary Jo
<font color=navy>
. There is a Farmers Market near there, too.

Wednesday mornings, the biggest farmers market takes place on four intersecting blocks in Santa Monica not too far off the Third Street Promenade. This is where the finest chefs in the L.A. area go to (although you won't see them. They are often there right at or before the market opens.)

The afore mentioned Farmers Market in the Fairfax district (near the Tar Pits) is more tourist attraction than real farmers market anymore. Still worth going to though. There's a great Thai food stand there and the Cajun place has gotten good reviews in the past. A few interesting shops to poke around in. Right next door to the market is a relatively new shopping mall, the name escapes me though.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>

almost Goofy -- I think that mall is called the Grove - I have a friend who likes to go, though I've never gone.

Thanks for the tip on the Sta Monica Farmers Market - I should check it out one of these days.

 

[shep]

We ended up going to Santa Monica Pier for the concert on tuesday night(Wilson Phillips) and only got to see them sing 2 songs.. ..girls were whiny...

wednesday we drove over to Hollywood & drove Mulholland Drive for awhile and ended up going through Encino & found Malibu...spent some time of a beach there and there was a topless woman.. ....
Darn June Gloom....made it kinda chilly

Thursday we went to Long Beach & hit the Aquarium of the Pacific and this was our best day...we loved the aquarium of the pacific, lots of hands on....also ate at Tequila Jacks.. ...

Went to Venice Beach on thursday night to see the sunset on the ocean...

Came home friday and then left again sunday morning to go to towncriers memorial day dis meet...had a good time there

Its nice to be home though

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

glad to hear you enjoyed Long Beach Shep. I have some time scheduled there for our trip coming up. We're going to visit Santa Monica too!
With 2 teen boys I think i'll pass on Malibu

 

[maci]

Hey guys...

Can you walk from the beach/ pier to the promenade area?

Thanks!

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

well I haven't been there yet but from what I've read I think you can....I was planning on it

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>The promenade is about three long blocks (on 3rd street, I believe), and is within walking distance from the pier.

 

[maci]

Thanks!
I think we will do newport/balboa one day and santa monica one day!!!!