What’s New in Santa Monica – Summer 2018
Discover all the new ways to play, dine and stay in Santa Monica this summer
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 28, 2018) – The arrival of summer has brought longer days, beach worthy temperatures and an endless lineup of things to do to Santa Monica. Head to the Southern California coast to experience the newest offerings, from outdoor dining experiences overlooking the Pacific Ocean to shops that offer the latest summer trends, and do as the locals do when you enjoy time outdoors at a variety of events. Read on to find out all the latest developments from Los Angeles’ luxurious beachside city.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
The Dude’s Brewing Company (Downtown Santa Monica) – The Dude’s Brewing Company, a family owned and operated craft brewery based in Southern California, has opened a tasting room in Santa Monica. Located on Level 3 of Santa Monica Place shopping center, The Dude’s offers 27 local brews on tap and four local wines, served alongside scratch-made pizzas and salads. Founded in 2013, The Dude’s Brewing Company specializes in innovative approaches to classic beer styles designed to appeal to casual beer drinkers and craft beer fanatics alike.
thedudesbrew.com
The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories (Downtown Santa Monica) – The Gourmandise School of Sweets & Savories, one of LA’s most respected cooking schools, has expanded to a new, larger location at Santa Monica Place shopping center. Neighboring the Cayton Children’s Museum, the school’s space is nearly triple the size of the original location, offering three kitchens. The new home also includes an extensive retail area, offering goods and ingredients from local, sustainable purveyors.
thegourmandiseschool.com
Little Prince (Main St.) – After a successful restaurant pop-up run, Little Prince – a formerly weekend only brunch restaurant – has become a permanent culinary staple on Main Street. Run by chef Ari Taymor, Little Prince has added dinner service Monday through Saturday, with a menu that draws inspiration from Santa Monica farmers market ingredients and vegetable seasons.
littleprince.la
Mom & Bop (Pico Blvd.) – Mom & Bop, a new casual Asian-fusion restaurant has made its debut on Pico Blvd., offering Korean food influenced by California lifestyle. Serving upscale and fast casual fare, Mom & Bop uses ingredients from Korea, China, Japan and Southeast Asia in its menu of high-quality grilled and slow cooked meats and fermented, pickled, and fresh vegetables.
momandbop.com
TŪMBI (Downtown Santa Monica) – TŪMBI, a modern Indian restaurant and bar, is now open in Downtown Santa Monica. Located steps away from the Pacific Ocean, TŪMBI takes modern Indian cuisine to the next level with an innovative menu that combines authentic Indian street food with haute cuisine. Owner, RJ Singh and chef Imran Mookhi take guests on a journey throughout India offering an array of robust flavors, spices, fresh ingredients and inspired dishes that celebrate the best of each region.
tumbibar.com
HOTELS
The Georgian Hotel (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – The Georgian Hotel, famous for its 1933 Art Deco architecture and Old Hollywood glamour, is now serving High Tea at The Veranda Restaurant. The new service offers guests a choice of three tiered services which each include hot tea, finger sandwiches, decadent petite pastries, and the ever-traditional scone. High Tea also includes a distinguished array of Highball cocktails a la carte. 24-hour advance reservations are required.
georgianhotel.com
Hotel Casa del Mar (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – Hotel Casa del Mar, Santa Monica’s oceanfront 1926 renaissance revival hotel, is bringing seaside summer style to life with a new pop-up shop and partnership with Rooms & Gardens. Open now through Labor Day in Hotel Casa del Mar’s lobby, the pop-up shop offers guests the opportunity to incorporate coveted elements of the luxury hotel’s Mediterranean villa-inspired accommodations into their own homes.
hotelcasadelmar.com
Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica (Pico Blvd.) – Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica, a AAA Four Diamond hotel in the heart of Santa Monica, is refreshing its brand concept this summer and will be hosting a grand brand-wide introduction in July. The hotel will also be holding bi-weekly summer activities, such as “Rose & Illustrate,” “Splashin’ Backgammon,” and an on-going art installation from July 21, 208 through August 30, 2018.
lemeridiendelfina.com
Shore Hotel (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – Shore Hotel, an eco-friendly boutique hotel across the street from the Santa Monica Pier, has launched the #SignForTheShore campaign in honor of Sustainability Month in June. As a leader in sustainable hospitality, Shore Hotel is empowering its guests throughout June to join in on eco-friendly contests and partnerships. Guests can declare their commitment to ocean sustainability by joining the #SignForTheShore giveaway by writing a message in the sands of Santa Monica honoring their love of our ocean and posting a photo on social media tagging Shore Hotel and the hashtag #SignForTheShore. One lucky contestant will win a two-night stay at the hotel.
shorehotel.com
Shutters on the Beach Hotel (Pico Blvd.) – Shutters on the Beach, a luxury beach hotel, has debuted a new line of ultra-luxury facials at its celebrated ONE Spa in partnership with premier skincare brand, Biologique Recherche, pairing the skincare company’s personalized approach with ONE Spa’s sought-after estheticians and seaside setting. Four specialized treatments are tailored to target the unique needs of each guest, gently improving the skin’s balance and hydration.
Shutters on the Beach has also partnered with the Champagne House of Pommery to bring guest the very best place to Rosé all day! Located just outside Coast Beach Café and Bar, the al fresco Rosé Bar is yet another perfect spot to soak up the sun, catch a sunset and celebrate the hotel’s 25th anniversary.
shuttersonthebeach.com
SHOPPING
Erewhon (Wilshire Blvd.) – Erewhon Organic Grocer and Café, a specialty health food store, opened its fourth location on Wilshire Boulevard. Erewhon features an expanded Coffee and Tonic Bar with eight taps of Kombucha, a gas and wood burning pizza oven and more. Erewhon has remained an independent, family-owned business for fifty years.
erewhonmarket.com
Face Haus (Montana Ave.) – Face Haus, a brand-new concept “facial bar,” has opened along bustling Montana Avenue, the city’s upscale and open-air retail destination. Offering high quality and affordable skincare “for the people,” Face Haus features high-end skincare lines and highly trained estheticians in a clean, hip and Scandinavian modern space.
thefacehaus.com
Santa Monica Pier Shop (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – In time for the summer rush, the brand-new Pier Shop is officially open. Located on the world-famous Santa Monica Pier, the shop features stickers, pins and postcards for visitors to choose from to create a ready-made token from their day at the Pier. Make sure to stop by and check it out on your next visit.
santamonicapier.org
The Westside and Everaafter (Montana Ave.) – The Westside, a new multi-brand boutique focused on easy Californian dressing, opened this month in Santa Monica at 256 26th Street. Established by husband-and-wife team Haro Keledjian and Sari Sloane, the new 1,300-square-foot shop sells denim, T-shirts, dresses, sweats, swimwear and yoga clothes. The opening of the Westside coincides with the unveiling next door of Everafter, a boutique for children’s fashion.
thewestsideshop.com, everaftershop.com
ARTS & CULTURE
Brit + Co #CreateGood (Downtown Santa Monica) – Brit + Co, a digital media company aimed at millennial women with DIY and lifestyle content, is bringing its award-winning #CreateGood experience to Santa Monica Place. Taking place August 24, 2018 to September 27, 2018 the #CreateGood LA event will have art installations, musical performances, creative workshops, beauty nights, and opportunities for visitors to create good within their own communities.
brit.co/creategood
Candytopia (Downtown Santa Monica) – Due to popular demand, Candytopia, the immersive candy-themed art exhibit and retail experience at Santa Monica Place, has extended the exhibit’s stay in Santa Monica through Sunday, July 22. The two-level, 16,000 square-foot interactive attraction features more than a dozen unique environments with larger-than-life installations ranging from flying unicorn pigs to a marshmallow tsunami, plus photo opportunities and a candy lounge.
candytopia.com
ROAM Santa Monica (Downtown Santa Monica) – ROAM Santa Monica, the rotating public art program in Downtown featuring ground-breaking contemporary artists, debuted a new installment from Los Angeles-based artist Andrew Schoultz. The exhibit titled “Tipping Point,” creates an optical domino effect with a linear series of six toppling rainbow-colored blocks that stand 10 feet tall.
downtownsm.com/roam
Santa Monica History Museum (Downtown Santa Monica) – The Santa Monica History Museum, the official collector of the history, art, and culture of the Santa Monica Bay Area, has unveiled a new exhibit titled “Santa Monica: A Look Back to 1902 from Today.” Visitors can explore how Santa Monica’s structures have changed over the last century with a series of then-and-now photographs comparing Santa Monica from 1902 to present day. The exhibit is open now through July 21.
santamonicahistory.org
Sea Saw (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – This July, Santa Monica Pier is introducing an all new, genre-bending art series in the Observatory at the West End of the Pier. Six unique, immersive and out-of-the-box artists are bringing a dose of “Huh? Cool!” to Santa Monica summers.
santamonicapier.org
EVENTS
13th Annual Jazz on the Lawn (Mid-City) – Held every Sunday in August from 5 to 7 p.m., the 13th Annual Jazz on the Lawn returns to Santa Monica this summer. Grab friends, family and dancing shoes for free concerts in Gandara Park, a 3.8-acre park located in Mid-City, to enjoy a sampling of genres curated through the jazz lens, free dance lessons and some of the area’s finest food trucks.
smgov.net
Annenberg Community Beach House (Pier/Ocean Ave.) – Annenberg Community Beach House is now open daily through September 3, 2018. The Beach House is a unique community destination with something for everyone to enjoy. Summer programming includes sunset swims for adults, Monday fun days, the world’s largest swim lesson, Marion Davies Guest House Tours and more.
annenbergbeachhouse.com
Esters Wine Shop & Bar Guest Chef Burger Series (Mid-City) – Esters Wine Shop & Bar, an integrated wine shop, bar and market in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica, has announced the summer lineup for the popular Guest Chef Burger Series during which guest chefs cook a special burger for one-night-only. The summer line-up includes Native’s Nyesha Arrington, Kali’s Kevin Meehan, Friends & Family’s Roxana Jullapat & Daniel Mattern and Little Prince’s Ari Taymor.
esterswineshop.com
Fourth of July Parade (Main St.) – Santa Monica’s 12th annual 4th of July Parade, produced by the Ocean Park Association, will celebrate the holiday with the theme of brining communities together. This year’s parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Pico Boulevard on Main Street. From bands to cyclists, vintage cars and families strolling, this annual event draws thousands of viewers who are attired in red, white and blue along with the parade participants.
opa-sm.org
Rustic Canyon (Wilshire Blvd.) – Rustic Canyon, an upscale neighborhood wine bar offering market-inspired, seasonal fare, is debuting Vegetarian Dinners in July. Every Tuesday throughout the month, Rustic Canyon will offer a 5-course vegetarian tasting menu created by Jeremy Fox and chef de cuisine Andy Doubrava. The tasting menu highlights the exceptional bounty from Santa Monica’s weekly farmers markets and showcases the ability for vegetables to stand on their own.
rusticcanyonrestaurant.com
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For travel and accommodation information or a free copy of the official Visitors Guide, the public can write to the Santa Monica Visitor Center, 2427 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405; call (800) 544-5319 or (310) 393-7593; visit santamonica.com; or email info@santamonica.com. Follow SMTT on Twitter @GoSantaMonica or become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/visitsantamonica.
Contact: Lauren Salisbury
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
310-319-6263
lsalisbury@santamonica.com
