So, I’ll let you guys in on something. Although I was born and raised in Los Angeles and currently live here, I have a bit of a love hate relationship with my hometown. I’ll always love it because it’s home, but sometimes I’m really at a lost for what for what to do. Of course there are the beaches, restaurants, museums, and the nightlife (I know, I know…why am I complaining?) but when you’re knocking on 30 you kind of reach the point of “been there done that”. So, what’s a girl to do in that case?
After sharing this frustration with a friend of mine she encouraged to me to get reacquainted with home as well as neighboring cities. So between international and domestic trips outside of California, I’m going to do just that. This weekend I spent some time in Santa Monica, a beautiful beachfront city in Los Angeles County, probably most famously known for the Santa Monica Pier. I’ve weirdly seen people using the pier to use a running route of sorts, I would have thought the foot traffic is a little too busy to try this, so here are some Santa Monica running routes for you try out if you’re interested.
Even though walking on boardwalks make me a little nervous (it’s those wooden planks LOL) I really do adore Santa Monica Pier. There’s something nostalgic about it that does it for me. The Ferris wheel, arcade and booth games all make me feel like a kid again.
The entertainment on the boardwalk is as big of a draw as the pier itself. Sometimes the talent is a little on the quirky side but then there are also truly talented artist who are either looking to make it big or just performing for the love of it. (BTW, this band did an amazing cover of Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay that was EVERYTHING!)
With the beach right below you could easily make a day of coming to the Pier starting on the boardwalk, grabbing lunch and then unwinding on the sand and in the water.
But I reserved my appetite for one of my favorite restaurants, Urth Caffe, which was just a short 5 minute drive away from the Pier. The locations are few and far between so when I’m anywhere near one, I’M GOING! I’m sure the rest of the menu is amazing, but all I ever eat are their amazing chicken tamales with a blended green tea boba drink. I always tell myself to try something new but the tamales are SO GOOD. I’ve never gone to Urth Caffe and not had to wait in line so that definitely attests to how good their food is.
After lunch I took a stroll through the neighborhood and spotted this cute little community garden that was open to the public so I popped inside to snap some pictures. I think it’s so cool when people within a community collectively come together and create something like this.
I even stumbled across some cool street art which I am a sucker for. Whenever I see a cool mural I will stop (or have whoever is driving stop) and take a picture in a heartbeat!
On Sundays I usually like to take it easy and relax as I prepare for the coming work week and being in Santa Monica helped me do just that. The city has a relaxed vibe where no one’s in a real rush. You see people enjoying one another’s company for lunch, walking their dogs, or hanging out on the grass in the park. Santa Monica, the next time I need a quick getaway for peace and relaxation, I’ll be back!
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