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IF YOU CAN STEAL YOURSELF AWAY FROM ALL THE
PLEASURES OF THE RESORT, WE SUGGEST SPENDING A
DAY OR TWO EXPLORING OTHER GREAT ATTRACTIONS
NEARBY. HERE ARE FOUR ITINERARIES WITHIN DRIVING
DISTANCE FROM YOUR OCEAN PARADISE.
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WESTSIDE Rendezvous
VENICE’S ABBOT KINNEY DRAWS A
PHOTO BY NITO / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
HIP CROWD—AND A HUNGRY ONE.
The northern section of Santa Monica Bay bustles with its
own form of iconic beach culture, from colorful Venice to
lively Santa Monica and posh Malibu. Packed with musicians, street vendors, casual food and legendary attractions,
there are plenty of memories to be made here.
HOW TO GET THERE: Take Hawthorne Boulevard to the 405 Freeway and head north. Merge
onto the 10 Freeway west toward Santa Monica.
The Lincoln Boulevard exit will put you in the heart of
Santa Monica. For Venice, head south; for Malibu and
points north, no need to exit the freeway at all.
WHAT TO DO: Start with wonderful and wacky
Venice Beach, where every day is a flashback to
the 1960s. Shop the stores and street vendors that line the
boardwalk or take in any one of the impromptu music performances nearby. Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade
can get a bit crowded on the weekends, so try Main Street
for a more leisurely afternoon experience. If the beach calls,
check out the sands just north of the Santa Monica Pier or
head a bit further up Pacific Coast Highway to Will Rogers
State Beach for some quality time in the sun.
WHERE TO EAT: Venice’s Abbot Kinney draws
a hip crowd—and a hungry one. Try The Tasting
Kitchen for their waffle and “clucks” (fried chick-
en) for breakfast, lunch or dinner (1633 Abbot Kinney
Boulevard). If you’ve got too much on your agenda for a
sit-down meal, try the Gjelina Take Away counter for a
delicious lunch on the go (1429 Abbot Kinney). In Santa
Monica, the new Tower 8 restaurant offers fresh fare from
Michelin Star chef Josiah Citrin (849 Ocean Avenue),
and bustling The Hungry Cat off PCH packs them in for
cocktails and seafood, perfect for a romantic dinner for
two (100 West Channel Road). For something a little more
casual, head up the coast to The Reel Inn, a local favorite
with window-order service, picnic tables and simple but
amazing fish dishes (18661 Pacific Coast Highway).
WHERE TO SHOP: In addition to great
restaurants, Abbot Kinney also boasts some
of the best Westside shopping, from cool art
galleries to stylish boutiques. Celebrate the area’s love of
modern décor at Firefly, home to eclectic, contemporary
housewares and more (1409 Abbot Kinney). Pet lovers
should swing into The Modern Dog for the finest in
canine and cat couture (1611 Abbot Kinney). On Main
Street in Santa Monica, you’ll find cutting-edge glasses at
Eyes on Main (3101 Main Street) and the perfect home
accents at Weego Home (2939 Main Street). Design fans
will want to brave the masses in downtown Santa Monica
for a visit to Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore, a must-visit
for the architecture aficionado (214 Wilshire Boulevard).
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THE Orange COAST
The OC may have made quite a name for itself on television, but it’s always been one of Southern California’s
favorite playgrounds. Whether strolling on Disneyland’s
Main Street or the coastal corners of Laguna, there’s
something here for everyone.
WHETHER STROLLING ON DISNEYLAND’S MAIN
STREET OR THE COASTAL CORNERS OF LAGUNA,
THERE’S SOMETHING HERE FOR EVERYONE.
HOW TO GET THERE: Best freeways to get
to Orange County are the 5 and the 405. Ask
the concierge for the ideal route to your chosen
destination. Expect about an hour on the road each way.
(reservations strongly recommended). If you crave
something casual, Downtown Disney fares better, with
a New Orleans-style restaurant and Rainforest Café for
the little ones. In Laguna, beachfront dining at The Cliff
Restaurant can’t be beat (577 S. Coast Highway). Other
options include the happening Watermarc (448 S. Coast
Highway) and food-forward 230 Forest Avenue Restaurant & Bar.
WHAT TO DO: Disneyland and California
Adventure are naturally the biggest names on the
itinerary. The amusement park that started them
all continues to charm new generations with classic Disney
magic. Insider tip: Visit on weekdays to avoid long lines
and big crowds. (1313 Disneyland Drive) Laguna Beach
is equally enchanting, if for different reasons. A beautiful
coastline, clean beaches and a chic crowd make this the
perfect place for people-watching on a sunny sidewalk café.
WHERE TO EAT: The food scene at Disneyland
is pretty conventional, with the exception of one
new restaurant in California Adventure. Carthay
Circle, modeled after a 1930s movie theatre, has a
fine dining experience suited for Hollywood royalty
WHERE TO SHOP: Laguna is known for its
pottery and local craftsmanship, so be sure to
check out the art studios that line South Coast
Highway. Favorites include Trove gallery, stocked with
17th- to mid­century French and Belgian antiques (370
Ocean Avenue), and The Surf Gallery, an appointmentonly gallery of surf photography, sculpture and
contemporary art (295 Forest Avenue).
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Vintage LOS ANGELES
WHAT TO DO: Just across from Union
Station is Olvera Street, a small but culturally rich piece of California-Mexican history. Start your
Metro trip on the Red Line and head west to Hollywood.
The city has come a long way in recent decades and is
more tourist-friendly than ever. You’ll get a bird’s-eye
view of the Hollywood sign from the Hollywood &
Highland Center, just steps from the Metro. Head across
the street to view a movie at the restored El Capitan Theatre, or follow the Walk of Fame to Grauman’s Chinese
Theatre (now TCL Chinese Theatre), only a few doors
down. After placing your handprints in the celebrity-laden cement, take the Red Line back to beautiful Union
DESPITE BEING A FAIRLY “NEW” CITY,
LOS ANGELES IS STEEPED IN HISTORY
Station and head north on the Gold Line. Your next
stop is downtown Pasadena, a wonderful city filled with
Craftsman-style homes and vintage charm. After a stroll
in “Old Town” on Colorado Boulevard, take a cab or
bus to Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. This
epic estate was once home to railroad magnet Henry E.
Huntington and now hosts a variety of exquisite gardens
and fine art (1151 Oxford Road). If you have time in the
schedule, head back to Downtown Los Angeles and catch
a concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a swooping
silver structure designed by famed architect Frank Gehry
(111 S. Grand Avenue).
Despite being a fairly “new” city, Los Angeles is steeped
in history, from its Spanish Ranchero roots to the
Golden Age of Hollywood. Taking a cue from the city’s
railroading past, this day trip makes use of Los Angeles’
growing Metro system.
HOW TO GET THERE: You can take the
Metro all the way from El Segundo to Union
Station. If you prefer to head north by car,
take the 110 Freeway north to Downtown’s Union Station
and start your adventure there.
WHERE TO EAT: Musso and Frank Grill is
the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, established
in 1919. The waiters here still wear red jackets
and black ties, just like the good old days (6667
Hollywood Boulevard). Cocktail connoisseurs will
enjoy the creations at Wood & Vine, a bar and restaurant
with a classic vibe (6280 Hollywood Boulevard). Pasadena
way, there’s a lovely tea spot, Rose Garden Tea Room
and Café, at Huntington Library (reservations highly
recommended), or you will find plenty of family-friendly
restaurants in Old Town, including Italian fare at Mi
Piace (25 E. Colorado) and The Melting Pot for those
with a penchant for fondue (88 W. Colorado). Before you
hit the Walt Disney Concert Hall, grab a drink at Pinot
Grill, conveniently located in nearby Music Center’s
main plaza (135 N. Grand Avenue).
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SOUTH BAY Sojourn
The Palos Verdes Peninsula shares the southern
portion of the Santa Monica Bay with several other
beach communities, known collectively as the South
Bay. From neighboring Redondo Beach all the way
up the coast to sparkling Manhattan Beach, there’s
plenty of surf, sand and shopping to enjoy.
HOW TO GET THERE: Head North on Palos
Verdes Drive North and turn right on Hawthorne Boulevard. Down the hill you’ll find
Pacific Coast Highway, the main artery to the South
Bay. Follow that north to hit all of the beach cities.
WHAT TO DO: Redondo Beach Pier and
the adjacent marina hosts many sailing and
boat tours for those who want to hit the blue sea. The
pier is also home to seafood markets and Old Tony’s, a
salty restaurant and bar right on the water (210 Fishermans Wharf ). Up from Redondo, you’ll find Hermosa
Beach and bustling Pier Avenue. Hit the beaches for
some volleyball, take a stand-up paddleboard lesson
from Tarsan (936 Hermosa Avenue), or do some
people-watching at one of the bar or restaurant patios
HIT THE BEACHES FOR SOME VOLLEYBALL,
TAKE A STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD LESSON
FROM TARSAN, OR DO SOME
PEOPLE-WATCHING.
lining the pier. Grab a bicycle from Hermosa Cyclery
(20 13th Street) and pedal up “The Strand” to Manhattan
Beach. The iconic rotunda and community aquarium at
the base of the pier awaits, as does a collection of trendy
shops and restaurants along the main boulevard.
WHERE TO EAT: Gum Tree Café in Hermosa
offers a quaint cottage setting for alfresco fun,
with sandwiches, salads and Aussie specialties
on the menu. Other casual fare can be found in
family-friendly Manhattan Beach, including the famous
burger at Simmzy’s. For a frozen or frosted treat, be sure
to swing by Manhattan Creamery for their delicious
cream’wiches. Manhattan is also home to Chef David
Lefevre’s MB Post, a popular sit-down eatery with an
amazing menu. The cheddar bacon biscuits are worth
the visit alone. For a stylish venue with a view of the
pier, head over to The Strand House for cocktails and
lively conversation.
WHERE TO SHOP: Redondo’s Catalina Ave-nue is one
of the most fashionable in the area, with boutiques like women’s wear Alandrea, children-centric Lollipop and gourmet depot Catalina Cooking Store. (1809, 1813 and 1951 South Catalina
Avenue). In Hermosa, check out both new and vintage
home décor at Curious and Maison Luxe (128 and 138
Pier Avenue). Men should swing by The Deep Pocket
Jean Co. for not only denim but also shaving supplies
and cigars (200 Pier Avenue). Head across the street to
Wicked+ for a specially curated selection of bikes, coffee,
books and more (145 Pier Avenue).
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100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
310.265.2800
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