What’s New in Santa Monica – October 2021
SANTA MONICA, Calif., (October 26, 2021) – With a refreshing, yet slight chill in the evening air, Santa Monica in October is a spook-tacular time to visit one of Los Angeles’ most popular beach cities. Perfectly situated on 3.5 miles of quintessential Southern California coastline, Santa Monica offers unique and luxurious accommodations, an abundance of outdoor dining selections, open-air wellness events and activities, along with indoor attractions to beat the heat or change of pace from the hectic rigors of relaxation in the sun and surf.
HOTELS
Viceroy Santa Monica (Pier/Ocean Avenue) – The recently unveiled sweeping $21 million renovation showcases an international and meaningful aesthetic that brings coastal charm harmoniously coupled with contemporary edge to the Santa Monica community. Under the creative eye of San Francisco-based, award-winning design firm EDG, the hotel renovation pays respect to its past while injecting a renewed energy into the hotel’s prime location, walking distance to Santa Monica’s pristine coastline. The reimagined beach hotel with its 162 beautifully appointed guestrooms/suites brings guests an all-new poolside experience with an expansive outdoor patio and open-air cabanas redone with light structures and angled “windows” on the roof to look like abstracted lifeguard towers, a re-stylized lounge, new meeting spaces, a revamped fitness center, Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue, is the highly anticipated, soon-to-open, indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar concept, and custom curated art done by five local artists who each put their creative and personal stamp on the hotel. Click here for more information.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Santa Monica Halloween Bar Crawls (Santa Monica) – The Halloween Bar Crawl season begins at Britannia Pub and is hosted by Barcrawlerz with Trick or Drink Halloween Bar Crawl featuring three nights of frightful fun on Friday, October 29 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday, October 30 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday, October 31 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Enjoy a spook-tacular night out at Barney’s Beanery with drink specials at the biggest and best Pub Crawl Santa Monica has to offer this Halloween Weekend 2021 on Saturday, October 30 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Cabo Catina starts its Halloween haunt on October 30 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Click here for details and registratiom.
Santa Monica Award-Winning Restaurants (Santa Monica) – The 2021 Michelin Guide California, published September 28, awarded its coveted stars to 90 restaurants that it deemed the best in the state. Three highly lauded Santa Monica restaurants include Mélisse, with two stars, and Pasjoli and Rustic Canyon each with one star. In addition, the 2021 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand list for California was announced, which is an esteemed rating that recognizes establishments that serve good food at moderate prices – the list features restaurants making their first appearance in 2021. Two Santa Monica standouts were recognized including Colapasta and Tumbi. Ten Santa Monica restaurants also received a Michelin Plate award: Birdie G’s, Cassia, Chinois on Main, Citrin, Elephante, Fia, The Lobster, Lunetta, Michael’s, and Milo + Olive were honored. Click here for more information.
The Gourmandise School (Downtown Santa Monica) – Imagine Halloween Macaroons and other delicious recipes. Consistently touted as one of the best cooking schools in Southern California, The Gourmandise School in downtown Santa Monica offers hands-on recreational cooking and baking class for beginners to professionals. Learn classic techniques from an instructor online or in person in their state of the art kitchens. Classes are available for adults, kids (6 and over), and teens. Most classes have resumed as in-person, but they are still offering some online classes and events as well. Click here for details.
Santa Monica’s New Restaurants (Santa Monica) – Santa Monica is excited to share several new restaurants that have recently opened including Pink Daisy, little sister to one of Santa Monica’s favorite brunch spots, Blue Daisy that serves fresh coffee, boba, snacks, pastries or delicious bubble waffle with Nutella. Jyan Isaac Bread specializes in sourdough and offers warm bread delivered to your doorstop. Papi Tacos & Churros is authentic Mexican street food that originates from the love of sharing their family’s authentic street food with the people in their lives. The Santa Monica Whaler is a local institution welcoming locals and visitors alike to enjoy their magical sunsets, their killer margaritas, or their world famous fish tacos, and more. Berbere serves vegan food with an Ethopian twist, whether you grab their Green Power Smoothie, blended with fresh spinach, kale, ginger, banana and almond milk, or indulge in their Ethiopian Twist Tacos, featuring lentil, mushroom and potatoes tossed in their house-made awaze and garnished with Tangfaye sauce, their food is sure to delight. Randy’s Donuts in Santa Monica is one of its newest locations. Whether it is your first visit, or you are a local, one taste of their donuts will bring you back time and time again. With their expert bakers, secret recipes, proprietary ingredients, and handmade goodness, it is no wonder their donuts are fluffier, airier, larger, and stay fresh longer. Yagul Café serving breakfast, lunch, and sweets, along with Oaxacan coffee bar, juice bar, tea, smoothies, and more. Nick the Greek, serving deliciously authentic Greek street food made with only the freshest ingredients and acute attention to detail in a sleek, beautiful restaurant for grab and go, lunch with friends, family dinner or even a business meeting. Soko, the latest sushi pop-up at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, is a literal tribute to the origins of sushi. The name “Soko” means “storeroom,” and Soko is, in fact, set in a simple storeroom on their main-floor lobby. Lady & Larder showcases American made cheese, charcuterie, beer and wine along with a curated assortment of seasonal accompaniments including locally grown flowers, fresh bread, caviar, tinned fish, jam, mustard and honey. They believe in supporting a 100 percent domestic and sustainable food culture, one that will continue to thrive for generations to come. Jonahs Kitchen is an elevated fast casual restaurant that features wood fire grilled, California inspired, organic dishes with a nod to Latin and Caribbean cuisine. From fresh ceviches to vegetables made to order, many dishes are available to be customized with a variety of sauces to give each customer a special experience and a chance to try something new each visit. Click here to see more on Santa Monica’s new restaurants.
Santa Monica Outdoors (Santa Monica) – The City of Santa Monica’s new, one year “Santa Monica Outdoors” pilot has been launched that will allow continued use of parklets, streets, sidewalks, and public spaces as well as private property for outdoor dining, retail, and fitness, in order to encourage community engagement and patronage. The Santa Monica community overwhelmingly supported continuing parklets, outdoor dining, and other outdoor commercial uses in surveys of residents and businesses conducted this spring. There are approximately 90 parklets and 86 businesses leveraging private property for outdoor commercial spaces in addition to over 100 sidewalk dining areas citywide. Click here for more information.
SHOPPING
Bunda (Mid-City) – A better body begins with a better butt. Bunda is Portuguese for, well, butt. Sure, it’s a bit cheeky, but they believe in strong, beautiful butts changing your whole body. Using a traditional resistance training approach, Bunda targets the glutes for maximum metabolic results. Click here for more information.
Cabin Creek Crystals (Main Street) – A purveyor of crystals, gemstones, candles, sage and palo santo bundles, tarot, jewelry, specialty beauty products, and metaphysical items for customers of all backgrounds. They believe in helping others set intentions, and bring balance, peace and harmony back into their life. Click here for more information.
Elie Tahari (Downtown Santa Monica) – The high-end brand includes women’s shoes, sunglasses and accessories, and menswear and has come to define modern sophistication with the designers inspired collections of understated grace and elegance. Click here for more information.
Intuition Skate Shop (Pico Boulevard) – Is the world’s local skate shop since 2000 and is now open in Santa Monica. Intuition proudly carries Valo, Razors, Remz, Xsjado, USD, Seba, and K2 inline skates, along with Riedell, Moxi, and, Sure Grip roller skates. Click here for more information.
Knix (Main Street) – It’s time that all of us lived unapologetically free. Free from judgment. Free from self-doubt. Free to be yourself. That’s why all their products, from the most comfortable wireless bras to super absorbent underwear, are designed to make you feel more comfortable in your own skin. They’re Redefining Intimates. Click here for more information.
Last Resort (Montana Avenue) – Offers an immersive retail experience that allows customers to revel in their wanderlust before they begin their travels. The boutique’s emphasis is on high end, thoughtfully curated beachwear and accessories that awaken the inner nomad in everyone. Click here more information.
OK Santa Monica (Third Street Promenade) – Unique gift shop that features jewelry, decorative arts, watches, books, home decor, tabletop, kids products, clocks, lighting and personal accessories, plus much more. Click here for information.
ATTRACTIONS
Santa Monica Playhouse (Downtown Santa Monica) – Now a Halloween theatre tradition, “Absolutely Halloween!” is the heartwarming musical tale of the aptly named Candy, a sweet young girl who learns some surprising lessons about life, love, laughter and sugar, from a delightful array of colorful costume-come-to-life characters who take her on a magical All Hallows’ Eve adventure to save Halloween for one more year. Friday night twilight performances now through October 29 at 6 p.m. Click here for details.
The Magical Atelier (Pico Boulevard) – Children’s arts studio and boutique is an inclusive, supportive, and bilingual environment for children to explore and expand their creativity. Whether looking to enroll a young artist in a class to build upon their creative confidence and sense of self-expression, or to rent space for a child’s next birthday party, The Magical Atelier is available. Click here for more information.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Santa Monica Beach, Cycling and Tennis (Santa Monica) – Located steps from trendy beachfront hotels, join the wellness revolution in Santa Monica with 3.5 miles of pristine beaches. Sitting, playing and sunbathing are popular activities at the beach. A wide expanse of soft sand offers room for large summer crowds of residents and tourists. Santa Monica beach is home to Original Muscle Beach featuring gymnastic equipment including parallel bars, rings, swings and ropes are available for kids and adults. Beach volleyball is also a popular activity at the beach in Santa Monica. Numerous volleyball courts are first-come, first-served courts that are situated at various locations north and south of the Pier. For cycling, the Marvin Braude Beach Trail (known to locals as “The Strand” or South Bay Bicycle Trail) is a 22-mile long, paved trail and biking path that starts in Santa Monica and finishes at the Torrance County Beach. Rent a bicycle and enjoy one of the many biking paths near Santa Monica State Beach. Out of the water, enjoy the competitive spirit of Beach Tennis, which is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is being played in over 70 countries and is a combination of beach volleyball, badminton and tennis. Click here for more information.
Self-Care Saturdays (Downtown Santa Monica) – “Take Some Time To Take Care Of You” is the motto for Self-Care Saturdays. Join Downtown Santa Monica and Fit Girl Club LA for a morning of self-care featuring free workouts on Third Street Promenade at Arizona Avenue. Mingle with like-minded fitness fanatics or make a trip to the celebrated Downtown Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water for maximum enjoyment. Click here to RSVP for workouts, bookings are required in advance.
Class sold out? Can’t make it Downtown? No need to experience FOMO (fear of missing out). Fit Girl Club LA offers all classes virtually here.
EVENTS
Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica Pier) – Pacific Park will display a 90-foot tall, high-flying ghost and sugar skull on its world-famous Ferris wheel along with a not-too-scary smiling vampire, grinning jack-o-lantern and more for Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos beginning at sunset from October 29 to November 2. The Pacific Wheel is the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel featuring 174,000 LED lights that are mounted on the Ferris wheel’s 40 spokes and two hubs. The Ferris wheel’s lighting system features 16.7 million color value combinations to display dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment. The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 81 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris wheel’s traditional incandescent bulbs. The Ferris wheel soars nine stories high and lifts riders over 130 feet above the Pacific Ocean to offer extraordinary views of the Southern California coastline from its location on the internationally popular Santa Monica Pier. The Pacific Wheel Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos celebrations can be watched online here.
Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica) – Join in the inaugural Dia de los Muertos celebration at the Santa Monica Pier in the historic Carousel building on October 30-31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and November 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Together with Pico Youth & Family Center, the joint event of reflection will feature an artistic altar dedicated to the lives of friends and family who have played an important role in the Santa Monica Pier community, traditional Ballet Folklorico, an art installation called “Letters of Life,” and an unmissable Aztec dancing performance. “Letters of Life” is a call for members of the community to share their favorite Pier memories and anecdotes of family and friends who have passed. These memories will decorate the space via the digital murals that surround the historic Carousel, and will be displayed over the course of the celebration. Click here to share your story.
Save These Dates (Montana Ave.) – It’s All Happening Here on Montana Avenue, so be sure and Save The Date for these following events: Small Business Saturday over Thanksgiving Weekend Sale on Friday-Sunday, November 26-28; and Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 4. Montana Avenue, which sits at the city’s northern edge, is home to a stretch of more than 150 restaurants and retailers. Though it’s just a short walk from Downtown Santa Monica, it feels removed from the hustle and bustle of the Promenade and Pier. Late-night options may be limited, but from sunrise to sunset, a steady stream of shoppers browse the surrounding storefronts amid a relaxed crowd of A-list celebrities, out-of-towners and parents pushing strollers, none of whom seem in a hurry to leave the wealth of juice bars, latte vendors and outdoor cafés. For more information, please email montana.santamonica@gmail.com
The Quest (Downtown Santa Monica) – You are a team of adventurers with a mission. Something is amiss in Santa Monica, and clues have been left for you to collect and track down the solution. It’s an outdoor adventure that will take you through the streets and shops of downtown Santa Monica, make you look hard and think fast. You may even spot a detail or two you never noticed before. Covers several blocks from Broadway to Wilshire, Third Street to Ocean. Expect about an hour of walking. Quests are scheduled on the second Friday of each month through 2021. Click here to register and receive the full details of your quest.
About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) works to strengthen our local economy by enhancing and promoting our communities as a distinctive, compelling and welcoming travel destination. For more information visit santamonica.com, email info@santamonica.com, or follow SMTT on Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), Twitter (@GoSantaMonica) or Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).
