Since immigrating to America in 1999 I’ve lived in 8 cities and 4 states and travelled across it three times. I feel I can safely say that for me, my happy place (and the only place) is Santa Monica, California. A pretty little city on the Pacific Ocean right next to all of Los Angeles’ crazy antics.

There are lots of reasons why I love living here; a sense of community, it’s eco-awareness, great bus service, the amazing twice weekly farmers market, walking distance to everything, bike lanes and it’s just simply beautiful. In a recent poll of residents, there was a 97% satisfaction rate.

Living here I have a constant flow of visitors who want to escape cold weather or need a little glam or want to see what I love. So here’s a list of my favourite places and things to do locally:

1. I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels in Santa Monica. The Embassy Hotel Apartments has the best location for the money. It’s more of a basic, European 3 star hotel but the prices are the best and the rooms are clean, nicely decorated and perfect for living local. For something more uscale the wonderful Ambrose Hotel is perfect – in walking distance to Whole Foods, a block to Wilshire, about a 30min walk to the promenade and the hotel is 100% eco-friendly with amazing beds, decor and breakfast from Urth (more to come on that). Staying at Casa del Mar amongst the celeb’s will have you feeling glam, especially if your room overlooks the ocean. The Viceroy (where you can rent Jorg & Olif bikes!), Huntley Hotel (people love the top floor restaurant, I like the bedding), Hotel Oceana are also all great bets. I’ve had two different rooms at the Fairmont Santa Monica (one in the old part, one in the tower) and it’s a nice hotel but for the money, I’d stay in one of the others above.
2. Montana Avenue. Everyone will tell you to go here and there’s a reason; it has great botiques, relatively quiet, very pretty and has everything you can need from food to stores. My favourite stores include Shabby Chic, Planet Blue, Le Partie, Footsie, Michael Stars, The Wagging Tail, and Home Inc.. But take your time wandering up and down and if you get hungry, don’t worry there are a lot of great places to eat from inexpensive (Marmalade Cafe & Market) to fancy (Cafe Montana).
4. For eating, my favourite (and weekly hang out) is Cafe Dana on Montana. The food is incredible as is the value. My favourite is breakfast, especially the oatmeal – it’s an experience for $6! I also really love Real Food Daily on 6t & Santa Monica, A Votre Sante on 26th & San Vicente.
5. For going out at night, I love the lounge at Casa del Mar or the Viceroy. I’ve also been seen hanging out at Warsaw on Licoln and Maccabs on Ocean.
6. The famous Santa Monica Farmers Market happens every Wednesday and Saturday and is not to be missed. It’s amazing.
7. Urth Caffe is one of my favourite places in the world. I love their Spanish Latte, Mild and Iced Green Tea Latte and their fruit plate with yoghurt. I am here all. the. time.
8. The 13 block long Pacific Palisades Park is perfect for strolling if you’re north of Wilshire. South of Wilshire tends to not be so great. The views either way are amazing. I like to walk along it and then walk up the large, beautiful streets north of Montana. Walking through the neighbourhood and seeing the huge, beautiful homes with amazing gardens is a great way to spend an afternoon. Or jog up San Vicente like every one else.
9. Cozi Couch on Wilshire & 8th is one of my favourite stores in the area and is where I bought my custom made slip couch. I love the furniture and the fact they have over 1500 fabrics to choose from and their deals on floor models are amazing. Fred Segal on 4th & Broadway is also fun albeit sometimes confusing place to shop. It’s a must stop as is getting an Elixir from the cafe (in the West building). Third Street has a lot of shopping (Anthropologie, Lulumon, Apple, Zaras, to name a few) and it’s a place to go but truthfully, I don’t spend a lot of time here. It’s too much.
10. If antiques are your think or you love Shabby Chic but not their prices, then go where Rachel Ashwell goes – the Santa Monica Outdoor Market. It’s only held once a month on the last Sunday but it’s worth the $5 admission.
11. In need of some pampering? The Burke Williams Spa is fantastic for massages. For a cheaper alternative, try The Massage Place on Montana and 7th.
12. And lastly, one of my all time favourite things in Santa Monica is the Aero Theatre on Montana. Since 1933 it’s been up and running but now it showcases a different movie each night, from classics to special premieres and screenings. I have met so many amazing directors and actors here because there’s a lot of Q&A’s with the movies. It’s just an amazing, very much locally supported theatre.

I’m sure there’s more I just can’t think of but here’s a list to get your trip started. And if Los Angeles is on your agenda, too, check out the LA Guide on Girls Guide to Los Angeles for more of my city favourites.