Gentle sea breezes, 3 miles of sandy beaches and caf-lined, pedestrian-friendly boulevards make Santa Monica a really lovely place to stay in LA.
In a nutshell
Spend a day or two on the white sands made famous in the TV series, Baywatch, or wander the streets on foot (take your camera, as you are bound to spot a celebrity or three around these parts).
Santa Monica is famous for funky shopping, so head to 3rd Street Promenade or stroll to Santa Monica Place, and Montana Avenue has chic boutiques, great bars and restaurants. The famous pier, built in 1908, is the West Coast's oldest pleasure pier, with a charming Ferris wheel. Culture vultures can head to the Santa Monica Museum of Art or California Heritage Museum.
Eats & drinks
Santa Monica has plenty of great restaurants. There are several along Main Street heading towards Venice Beach - try Arnold Schwarzenegger's restaurant, Schatzi. Around the pier, overlooking the ocean, there are a number of seafood and steak restaurants.
Getting around
If you want to leave your car at the hotel for a day, you can walk around Santa Monica or Marina del Rey, and walk, cycle or skate between the two on the excellent coastal path. You can also hop on the Tide Shuttle bus that runs alongside the beach in Santa Monica.