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Message |
    
lulu
Citizen
Username: Lulu
Post Number: 51
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 12:16 am: | 
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Hello! I'm traveling with my sister to Los Angeles in July for a wedding in the Universal City area. We're arriving a few days prior to the wedding and were thinking about staying in/around Santa Monica first.
I don't know very much about the beach cities -- Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu, etc. We're looking for a nice hotel, maybe with a pool, near the beach. While we're there, I would like to find a restaurant where I can sit outside, have a cocktail and watch the sunset.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! |
doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1566
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:07 am: |
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Malibu is pretty far removed & tiny - there is a great beach-side restaurant there (down a tiny road by a famous trailer park!) in Paradise Cove - amazing chowder, great breakfasts.
Venice is fun, I'd prefer to stay in Santa Monica myself (my parents used to live there & so I just know it better than other areas)...here's one place with a great location: http://hoteloceanasantamonica.com/home.php
A landmark in Santa Monica is the Pier. Third Street Promenade is fun. Love this place: http://www.bordergrill.com/
There was a thread within the last year (but maybe about taking kids?) - you should be able to find more in archives
Have a great trip.
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eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1520
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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I always stay here http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/home.html but on expense account. The cafe, Pedals, is right on the boardwalk - great place for breakfast or lunch.
Also love The Lobster which is right overlooking the Pier - make reservations for sunset time well in advance.
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doulamomma
Citizen
Username: Doulamomma
Post Number: 1568
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 11:22 am: |
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eliz,
Is that the hotel with the individual cananas? - I've heard it's great |
eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1523
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 1:12 pm: |
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I think you might be thinking of the Viceroy which is very cool but a little too much of a scene for me. Shutters (and it's sister hotel Casa del Mar) are the only 2 hotels directly on the beach - if you drive straight down Pico you will drive right into them. |
Boomie
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 361
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 3:31 pm: |
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Loews Santa Monica is beautiful and right on the beach. |
Rose1
Citizen
Username: Rose1
Post Number: 25
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 1:34 am: |
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I am actually out in LA right now, and if you are headed to Malibu at all, and are a food person, I HIGHLY recommend going to the Saddle Peak Lodge for dinner or a sunday brunch. My husband and I had our wedding there last year, and just went back last week for dinner and it is an amazing dining experience. The restaurant is located in Malibu Canyon, which is a very different landscape then the beach side of things, and equally Californian. Think "the opening of M*A*S*H", and that is what it looks like: rolling hills. The restaurant is famous for serving game, and although the elk, antelope, quail, etc are excellent, even the Mac and Cheese is to die for. Sit outside on the patio, listen to their waterfall and enjoy the warm CA night. I don't know anyone who has been and hasn't LOVED it.
http://www.saddlepeaklodge.com/
If you drive along Pacific Coast Highway, from Santa Monica towards Malibu, there are a bunch of good spots to stop and get drinks and watch the sunset. Moonshadows, Dukes, but I think the place called Pier...(something) that I used to love is closed for renovations.
Shutters is beautiful, as well as Lowes, but both can be on the pricey side.
I would suggest the Casa Malibu Inn. Having grown up in LA,with my parents still here, I had never had need to stay at a hotel. But my husband and I made a trip out of it a year and a half ago, and stayed there instead. We thought it was lovely. On the simple side, but the ocean is right there. And it was very affordable, leaving us with the ability to splurge on other things (like the Saddle Peak) instead.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/139420/malibu_ca/casa_malibu_inn.html
Have a great trip! |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 506
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 9:00 am: |
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Here's a 2nd for Shutters. Great spot. Nice little pool. And one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in. |
drewdix
Citizen
Username: Drewdix
Post Number: 1207
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 9:57 am: |
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A really fun L.A. "scene" that's also a damn fine Japanese restaurant is Sushi Roku, right on Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica (#1401).
No view from inside, but it's a beautiful place, and it's a great people show.
Just stroll across the Ave. to the beach afterwards.
They have a terrific Chef's tasting menu. |
kathleen
Citizen
Username: Symbolic
Post Number: 552
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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Casa Malibu Inn is affordable and right on the sand beach. There is the Pierview Cafe and Cantina next door (great breakfasts) and it has a deck that is perfect for cocktails, since it hangs out over beach and you can watch the pelicans and the dolphins. There are many other good restaurants in Malibu on the beach and some even within walking distance of the Casa Malibu Inn.
It's my favorite SoCal hotel, but here are other reviewss:
http://tinyurl.com/pmvde
http://tinyurl.com/nspfe
http://tinyurl.com/ohlkn
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Rose1
Citizen
Username: Rose1
Post Number: 27
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 2:11 pm: |
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Pierview Cafe! That is what I was thinking of. :-)
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