Santa Monica, CA

We are probably going there for a week in May.
Any ideas of good things to do? We are staying with family, but will want to do a few day trips by ourselves....

Re: Santa Monica, CA

There's the Santa Monica pier - it's been a while, but I'm remembering a few rides down there and restaurants, and there's an outdoor shopping area that's closed off to cars so you can walk around on the street and shop (or window shop), and the beach and Venice Beach boardwalk are fun too!

Re: Santa Monica, CA

The Promenade is a great place to walk around & people watch, keep your eye out for celebs..I believe a scene from "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" was filmed there (when he goes to the magic shop/ bike shop- though it looks totally different now). There's "The Ivy"... at the Pier, well if you can't get into the other "Ivy" on Robertson-hehe. Montana Ave has really good shopping, there's a teeny tiny aquarium, it's not really worth going, you will seriously cover it in 5 minutes or less, it's right under the pier.
I didn't get to go but I hear "Shutters on the Beach" has a great spa & nice places to eat.
The beach is beautiful, I believe some of my Santa Monica pics are in my "LA" album if you take a peek, it looks exactly like Baywatch-LOL.
Definetly take a stroll on the boardwalk in Venice if you can-it's interesting, vendors selling junk, etc...
and if you get a chance take a drive on the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu.
Have Fun!

Re: Santa Monica, CA

I agree with all that the PPs said. Have fun. I LOVED Santa Monica. It was my favorite part.