Dec 14th, 2012 at 12:00PM: The land of goat milk, arugula, and honey continues to prosper, and no surprise, given that California's 81,700+ farms produce nearly half of all domestically-grown crops.
Thus, the third-annual California Restaurant Month kicks off in January, offering up 33 destinations where visitors and locals alike can savor the flavor of the nation's most cutting-edge culinary state (sorry, New York).
...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
SantaMonica posts
California Restaurant Month Kicks Off In January
Dec 14th, 2012 at 12:00PM: The land of goat milk, arugula, and honey continues to prosper, and no surprise, given that California's 81,700+ farms produce nearly half of all domestically-grown crops.
Thus, the third-annual California Restaurant Month kicks off in January, offering up 33 destinations where visitors and locals alike can savor the flavor of the nation's most cutting-edge culinary state (sorry, New York).
...Photo Of The Day: Santa Monica Bicycle
Oct 21st, 2012 at 8:00PM:
There's some wonderful technique at work behind Flickr user Ambre's photo of a cyclist in Santa Monica, California. Ambre is using a special camera called a Lomo, which among other effects, allows the photographer to take four sequential shots on the same frame of film. She's used this feature to great effect in today's shot: I love the sense of motion as the bike glides in (and out) of the ...Shutters on the Beach partners with Kate Spade to offer bicycles for guests
Jul 15th, 2011 at 2:30PM: One of our biggest loves of late has been hotels offering retro-chic activities for guests, particularly those of the outdoor variety. Which explains our excitement when we saw the image, above, featuring Adeline Adeline bicycles styled by Kate Spade for luxe Santa Monica hotel Shutters on the Beach.
The shiny green limited edition bikes are available to guests with a custom neighborhood bike ...Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier sold for $34 million
Jan 14th, 2011 at 9:00AM:
Pacific Park, the amusement park at the iconic Santa Monica Pier, was sold for $34 million. The new owners are an Orlando-based real estate company called CNL Lifestyle Properties Inc. While the park's name may not be familiar, many will recognize it from its appearances on television and in movies like Fat Albert, Cellular, and Jarhead. Santa Monica Amusements will continue to operate the park ...Open Letter to Hotel GMs: Mistakes your employees make that will cost you money
Jul 7th, 2010 at 12:30PM: The travel industry suffered its own setbacks over the past few years, but thankfully, it's rebounding and more U.S. travelers are finally packing their bags and heading out of town for a much-needed vacation. They've saved their money, planned carefully and are ready for a few days of rest and relaxation in their destination of choice. They've chosen your hotel as a place to call home for the ...20 great bike rides
May 7th, 2010 at 2:00PM:
For many travelers, the default mode of transport is a plane or a car, but they're certainly not the only options. Have you ever considered adding a bicycle ride to your next trip? Riding a bike has a number of advantages over other forms of transportation. You'll move slower, no doubt, but with that slowness comes an increased awareness of your surroundings, a chance to get some fresh air and ...16 great farmers' markets
Apr 15th, 2010 at 3:00PM:
Farmers' markets are not only a great way to sample a community's natural bounty, they're also a unique setting to experience its culture. While each farmers' market is different, a really good farmers' market brings a sense of community to the cities and municipalities where they operate. Wondering where you can experience some of the freshest produce, tastiest snacks and friendliest people ...Undiscovered New York: Top 5 Beaches
Jul 29th, 2009 at 10:30AM: The USA has some fantastic urban beaches. In the Summer, Chicagoans are spoiled by happening North Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan. Miami has South Beach, littered with plenty of palm trees, fake tans and toned bodies. In L.A. there's Santa Monica and Malibu. But what about New York City? For a metropolis surrounded on all sides by water, you'd think there would be some more obvious beach options, ...Los Angeles luxury at Santa Monica's Oceana Hotel
Apr 23rd, 2009 at 1:00PM: If you're going to take the time to visit a great beach destination, it's the always a good idea to stay in a boutique hotel. While it's true that they may be a bit more expensive than a legacy hotel chain, boutique hotels often absorb the culture and gravity of their surroundings, providing a unique experience that envelops the guest in the environment. Thus, you may not want to stay in a ...Beer babe's favorite European bars
Feb 15th, 2009 at 9:00AM: Katarina Van Derham, the 2009 St. Pauli Girl spokesmodel, doesn't like to spend all her time in one place. The Slovakia native now lives in Los Angeles and still loves to get out on the road as much as possible. When she's home, her favorite place to grab a pint is Barney's Beanery in Santa Monica. She can have a relaxing drink on the patio, which is a prime people-watching spot. Of course, she ...Start exercising while you're on vacation
Nov 30th, 2008 at 10:30AM:
Walking or cycling are the best cardio exercises while you are on vacation. That's the first exercise tip on this video I came across while I was looking for the video on the Push-up Bandit in Santa Monica. The recommendation is to put your car keys away. As the narrator states, bicycling and walking on vacation offer a close-up experience of your surroundings. Considering that this is the ...
Push up bandit breaks the law by doing push ups on a Santa Monica median
Nov 29th, 2008 at 1:00PM:
All Jim Birch wanted to do was a bit of exercise. He's been exercising for years on the 4th Street median in Santa Monica. As I posted earlier, people are getting cited and fined for such unruly behavior. Doing any sort of exercise except for jogging or walking is not allowed on the medians anymore.
Birch and others aren't too happy about that. This video is a lighthearted, but sort of serious ...
Santa Monica police are cracking down on sit-ups in public places
Nov 25th, 2008 at 3:30PM: If you have a hankering to start doing sit-ups in Santa Monica, California in a public place, think again. It doesn't matter if you grunt when you do a sit-up, or rise smoothly with the greatest of ease. There is a ban on such behavior.
Not all public places are affected by the ban on public displays of Pilate's-like exercises, however. It's also not for all types of exercise. If you are jogging, ...Spontaneous Weekend Trips: Los Angeles, Part One
Sep 16th, 2007 at 11:13AM: My spontaneous, solo trip to L.A. two weekends from now, Sept. 28-30 ,started with an e-mail. A friend who works for the City of West Hollywood sent out a mass invite about an event he is in charge of organizing. The Algonquin West Hollywood Literary Award Soiree is the first ever. "Great!" I thought, "looks interesting." Then, when I saw Mark Salzman is the author who will receive the award, I ...Photo of the Day (3/24/07)
Mar 24th, 2007 at 9:36PM: When I used to work on 2nd Street just off of the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade, I used to dread going to work some days. It was too crowded. There were too may people -too many tourists with their heads in the clouds and not focusing their attention on where they are going. Grrr! Anyhow, those days have passed and now a trip to the promenade isn't so bad. If anything it is a great place to ...
