Sidle in for a face-to-face with a framed, original art BEM (bug-eyed monster) or a Virgil Finlay ? dame in a gauzy frock made of moonbeams. The store (and off-limits warehouse) has an Astounding and Amazing collection of rare and first editions of science fiction, fantasy and horror. You’ll find lots of autographs, manuscripts, literary correspondence, and original art. Serious...

Stroll the Downtown Farmers’ Market and sample delectables as you stock up with fresh California produce. Wednesday’s market is the biggest of the two days, when you’re apt to see local chefs making their choices and working their magic. The food tent on Arizona Avenue is where Santa Monica restaurants set up. Rain or Santa Ana wind, the market stays...

One of the fore-runners of the farm-to-table movement, Michael’s serves up intriguing dishes, such as Snake River Kurobuta pork chop, creamy risotto, green and white asparagus and chive oil, or an offering of wild striped bass with melted leeks and potato-and-chorizo hash. The award-winning wine list sports more than eight hundred labels – you can even order a bottle of...

Think and buy local – a guiding principle of Santa Monica Farmers’ Markets is to accommodate as many California farmers as possible. Here you’ll find vegetables, baskets of freshly cut flowers, breads, and cheeses. Park in the lot or at the meters along Pico. There’s also a parking lot on the northeast corner of Pico and Cloverfield. Downtown Farmer’s Market...

Mom and pop place that isn’t trying to be one. Here you’ll get the real meal deal – old school diner to the max. They’ve been in business since 1958. Great prices and pretty good food. Order the 222 and you’ll get 2 pancakes, 2 sausages and 2 scrambled eggs. Very small private lot – good luck. Plenty of street...

Santa Monica Beach is a more relaxing spot just down the coast from the hectic, fast-paced Venice Beach, a haven for counterculture hippies and traveling wanderers. Santa Monica beach couldn’t be more opposite, featuring a walkway that meanders down from street level to the sandy shore, where tourists are free to play a little volleyball, catch some sun, or just...

You’ve seen the Santa Monica Pier in a hundred movies, but now you have a chance to experience it with all your senses, the smell of the sea, the taste of cotton candy, the touch of a hand on a carousel horse. The pier offers all-day fun at its arcade, restaurants, aquarium and Pacific Park amusement park.The 1922 Looff Hippodrome...

The Shangri-La Hotel was built way back in 1939 but it’s not showing its age after a $30 million reno. The 71-room hotel mixes Streamline Moderne design with contemporary notes. There’s a courtyard with a pool and cabanas, restaurant and rooftop bar. All rooms and suites have ocean views. Order up some Cali cuisine at Vista, the hotel’s indoor/outdoor restaurant....

You’re in Santa Monica, you’re minutes from LA, but you’re booked into Shutters on the Beach, you’re feeling like you’re hip deep in a particularly civilized beach resort holiday. Three separate buildings are visually linked by elaborately detailed slate-grey shingled siding, flower-covered trellises, balconies and cabana-striped awnings. Shutters has two signature restaurants, One Pico and Coast Beach Café and Bar;...

Lots of charm in a broken down by the side of the road going to Vegas kind of way. Cow wallpaper, tartan-plaid booths and waitresses in fishnets. Lots of vegan choices on the menu and they go organic when possible. They serve a good breakfast; feeling bold, try the Jamaican jerk chicken omelet. Street parking.

The Ambrose is a 77-room boutique hotel that has collected an armful of eco-awards for being green. Harried travelers are encouraged to de-stress by visiting the Asian-inspired garden complete with koi pond and Lucky Bamboo. Guests are even given the option to choose Eco-limo, a limousine service that uses hybrid vehicles. Wellness is definitely the guiding theme, with organic wines,...