Santa Monica | Marijuana Travel Guide

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Where to visit in santa monica

Santa Monica Pier

Source: Pixabay

The legendary Santa Monica Pier has been attracting and entertaining visitors from around the world for over a century. Any visit to Santa Monica – or Los Angeles for that matter – isn’t complete without a visit to this historic landmark. Its 1,600-foot-long boardwalk is filled with restaurants, all varieties of shops, an aquarium and even a trapeze school that is open to the public. Pacific Park is the only amusement park located on a pier in the West Coast and features the famous nine-story-tall Ferris wheel. It’s the only solar-powered Ferris wheel in the world and has 174,000 LED lights that make it quite the spectacle at night. During the day, the expansive view allows riders to see as far as Malibu and Catalina Island. The Santa Monica Pier is also the official terminus of Route 66.

Santa Monica State Beach

Source: Pixabay

This vast stretch of sand runs the entire length of the city and is the epitome of a Southern California beach. The volleyball nets, Baywatch-style lifeguard huts and paved walking paths below the swaying palms on the bluff attract Angelenos and an array of tourists in droves. It’s a well-maintained space with plenty of clean restrooms and enough sand to find a comfortable space to enjoy the scene. The main attraction is the Pier and most of the crowds tend to congregate in that area. The Original Muscle Beach is here and it is a great place to work out on the public equipment or watch the regulars go through their impressive routines. Swimming is possible but be aware that the temperature of the Pacific is quite cold regardless of the season.

Third Street Promenade

Source: LA Magazine

The Promenade is downtown Santa Monica’s three-block outdoor mall packed with shops, restaurants, street performers and buskers. If you plan to spend any amount of time in Santa Monica, the chances are good that you’ll end up here at some point. In an attempt to make it more of a place to visit and relax as opposed to just shop, the City has recently augmented the walking areas with colorful Adirondack chairs, Ping-Pong tables and mini-libraries. It remains a great place to hang out and soak up the atmosphere – some of the performers and musicians are incredibly talented. If you prefer something more organized, the Promenade Playhouse hosts theatrical performances in one of its theaters and is also home to the Westside Comedy Theater that regularly features top local and national comedians.

Palisades Park

Source: SWA group

This verdant park sits atop the scenic bluffs between the beach and Ocean Avenue and encompasses over 25 acres. The views of the mountains and the ocean are superb and it is an ideal spot to watch the colors of the hills and sea change as the sun goes down over the Pacific. There are walking paths and an abundance of peculiar native plants and trees that catch the eye and stimulate the senses. There is also a lovely rose garden and a fantastic historic camera obscura that is accessible to the public. 

What to do in santa monica

Learn to Surf LA

Source: Pixabay

Learn to Surf is one of the few permitted, licensed and insured surf schools in Santa Monica. Whether you’re a beginner or are looking to improve your chops, this respected outfit has been the premier surf school in town since 2002. It is based on the beach a few blocks south of the Pier and offers private and group lessons (no more than five people). The instructors are expert teachers who are patient and experienced pros. They also provide rentals if you want to hit the waves on your own.

Annenberg Community Beach House

Source: Santa Monica.com

William Randolph Hearst built this five-acre estate on the northern stretch of Santa Monica Beach back in the ‘20s for his Hollywood starlet mistress, Marion Davies. Thanks to the generosity of the Annenberg Foundation, it is now a public recreation center complete with a swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer fields and beach volleyball. During the summer, visitors can enjoy a spectacular sunset swim on the second Friday of each month from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. No reservations or membership fees are necessary.

California Heritage Museum

Source: Wikimedia

This museum is a time capsule of Los Angeles culture and is a great place to learn about California history. Artfully displayed throughout a renovated 1894 house, the curator does a great job with the exhibits which rotate regularly and vary from topics such as Southern California concert posters to the influence of Hawaii on local culture.

American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre

Source: American Cinematheque

The Art Deco-designed Aero Theatre opened in 1940 and screens independent new releases and classic films along with special programming and lectures. It is owned by American Cinematheque, which also runs the equally famous and attractive Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. There are often Q & A sessions with actors, directors and other industry professionals as well as film festivals that focus on a specific genre. Recent screenings include all of The Godfather movies in sequence, The Big Lebowski and The Great Escape.

Where to Buy Marijuana in santa monica

California Alternative Caregivers

Source: Yelp

Located on Lincoln Blvd. just over the Venice line, this is the closest recreational marijuana dispensary to Santa Monica and it is one of the region’s finest retail dispensaries. They stock Willie’s Reserve and Good Brands flower (sustainable, pesticide free, living wage) and have an excellent selection of CBD mints, gummies, teas and tinctures. There is a chart in the store that lists ailments and which cannabinoids can be used to address them. Their edible selection is extensive and there are often afternoon demos from a variety of companies eager to provide samples and show off their products. The vibe is welcoming and the shop itself is spotless. Address: 122 Lincoln Blvd #204, Venice, CA

Luvbrite Collective

Source: Luvbrite Collective

Luvbrite is a delivery-only dispensary that covers most of the west side of L.A. including Santa Monica. Locals have come to recognize Luvbrite as one of Los Angeles’ best cannabis delivery services with great prices and even better customer service. They are fast, discreet and open late, with operating hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 365 days a year. Their inventory is massive and you will have no issue finding exactly what you need. Their edible selection is endless and they stock flower from California companies that can be hard to find outside of the state, like Henry’s Original (Mendocino County) and Humboldt Brothers (Humboldt County). Be sure to check out their specials and boxed deals for heavily discounted product pairings. Phone: 310-697-2611

Rose Collective

Source: Yelp

Since 2007, Rose Collective has been a Venice institution with strong roots in the community and a passion for cannabis education. It’s just a few blocks from the beach and only carries organic products produced as locally as possible. Their philanthropic efforts are second to none with local event sponsorship like Venice Beach trash cleaning, toy drives for L.A.’s Children’s Hospital and breast cancer awareness fundraising. Inside the light and airy store you’ll find a rare joint bar where spliffs can be chosen from a menu and rolled while you wait. Rose also stocks Kosher Kief (cannabis blessed by a rabbi) and Charlotte’s Web CBD products.
Address: 411 Rose Ave, Venice, CA

Where to Shop / Arts in santa monica

Bergamot Station

Source: Native content

Bergamot is a creative arts hub located in a quiet section of town that opened in 1994 and boasts dozens of galleries and other art and fashion businesses. It is a campus-like complex that retains the industrial look of the original site and is now a top cultural destination in Los Angeles. The private galleries have all types of art on display like photographs, sculpture, large-scale and 3D. There are usually openings and events that are free to the public and there is a cute café with a quiet patio if you need a snack or a drink. The center is located at the Bergamot Station stop on the Expo Line

Flower + Hewes

Source: Flower + Hewes Facebook

This contemporary art gallery occupies some pricey real estate on the ground floor of the Loews Santa Monica Hotel across from the Pier on Ocean Avenue. The large space is packed with pieces from established and emerging artists and run by some of the most knowledgeable and passionate staff of any gallery in the country. Even if most of the work is beyond your budget, a stop here to take in the whimsical and brightly colored pieces is an entertaining way to spend some quiet time away from the crowds and excitement across the street.

ZJ Boarding House

Source: ZJ Boarding House

ZJ’s is the center of Santa Monica’s surf and skate culture. Since 1988 this landmark has provided the area with the latest equipment, gear and clothes for the outdoor enthusiasts of this coastal city. The staff at the immense shop is engaging and smart and not shy to offer advice regardless of whether or not you plan to make a purchase. ZJ’s also offers an impressive selection of gear for women including hard-to-find wetsuits and boards. The sheer size of the operation means that discounts and deals are always available. Billabong and RVCA have shops next door so everything necessary for SoCal style immersion is in one spot.

Angel City Books & Records

Source: Jessie Schiewe

Rare books, first editions, noir classics, pulp fiction, vintage vinyl and more make this musty independent shop tucked off of Main Street a great place to lose yourself for an hour or two. Owner Rocco seems to know everything about literature and music and is incredibly kind so if you have questions go ahead and ask. Unlike many other small indie bookstores Angel City is well organized and meticulously curated. Looking for some used Beach Boys vinyl to commemorate your trip to Southern California? Look no further, Angel City Books and Records has what you need.

Where to Eat in santa monica

R + D Kitchen

Source: Yelp

The people behind R + D Kitchen know what they’re doing. There is a reasonable dress code, children are discouraged and everything on the menu is superb. Slide into one of the leather booths, get cozy and enjoy comforting plates such as a classic French omelette, Ding’s crispy chicken sandwich or wild mushroom meatloaf. Save room for a salad, as R+D’s offers some of the most creative leaf-filled dishes on the coast. The Newporter (roast chicken, mixed greens, bacon, walnuts and chopped egg) is particularly tasty.

Father’s Office

Source: Yelp

Despite the no-substitutions, no ketchup and no reservations policies, locals and tourists have been flocking to this neighborhood bar on Montana Avenue since renowned chef Sang Yoon took over in 2000. One of the first craft beer bars in the country, Yoon added a delectable menu of upscale bar food and created the now-famous Office Burger: a patty of fine dry-aged beef topped with caramelized onions, gruyère and maytag cheeses, applewood-smoked bacon compote and arugula served on a soft roll. Couple it with a selection from the seemingly endless beer list and you’ll already be thinking about returning for another one tomorrow.

Dialogue

Source: LA eater.com

Dialogue

($$$$$)

You do not simply make a reservation at Dialogue, you purchase tickets. Although it will set you back a pretty penny, if you have the means, James Beard Award-winner Dave Beran’s restaurant on the Third Street Promenade is the place to go in Santa Monica for a meal that will be special in every way. There are only 18 seats so diners immediately feel exceptional prior to any food being presented. Dishes are presented in a single multi-course tasting menu that normally exceeds 20 courses. Each dish features the freshest local in-season ingredients that the chef was able to procure from L.A. farmers’ markets that morning. The attention to detail is staggering and there will be some presentations that are so impeccable that you might not want to destroy them by putting them in your mouth. The small size of the space and the open kitchen ensure that staff and diners are constantly interacting, discussing the food and enjoying the dialogue.

Sugarfish

Source: Sugarfish

This popular outpost of the L.A.-based sushi chain is right off the Promenade and is known for its super-fresh nigiri and sashimi served with warm rice and presented two or three pieces at a time. The process makes for a slow meal but allows the sushi to be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Sugarfish does not take reservations and can get quite busy, so be prepared to wait if you arrive at a peak time.

Bay Cities

Source: Bay Cities Deli

Santa Monica has too many perfect picnic spots to count. It’s a city that begs visitors to throw a blanket on the grass or sand and enjoy the ideal Southern California climate. Once you’ve picked your place to eat with a view, head over to Bay Cities to get your picnic supplies. This Italian deli has daily hot specials and some of the best sandwiches west of the Hudson River. The Godmother is pick of the litter: stacks of salami, mortadella, prosciutto, coppa, ham, provolone cheese, mild or spicy peppers on fresh bread baked in-house. Complement that massive sandwich with olives, cheeses, crackers and fruit from the market located in the deli and you’re good to go.

Cassia

Source: Cassia

Cassia

($$$$)

The menu at Cassia is a perfect blend of French and Southeast Asian cuisine. The service is friendly and prompt and the atmosphere is lively. Lamb with rice and sambal, curries with naan and a seafood bar that features Vietnamese prawns, spicy raw scallops and a selection of oysters matches well with cocktails like the Thai basil margarita and The Chinese 88 (Caña Brava rum, Giffard Lichi-Li, prosecco and Campari). The chopped escargot with lemongrass butter, bacon and fresh herbs is lovely.

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