California Dreamin'
On the west side of Los Angeles, just north of the offbeat scene of Venice Beach and just south of the please-no-photographs exclusivity of Malibu, sits the charming beach community of Santa Monica. A town that boasts over three miles of white sandy beach, perpetually blue skies and an idyllic mountainous backdrop, Santa Monica’s beauty did not go unnoticed as we arrived at our hotel. Beside its obvious aesthetic allures, it was the feel of Santa Monica that had me hooked from the start – laid back and exclusive, there is an unmistakable vibe of hippy chic meets sophistication here.
We stayed on Ocean Drive, directly across from the pier, in the aptly named Oceanview Hotel. The restaurant choice in Santa Monica is fantastic, on our first night we enjoyed a delicious meal at Borders Mexican Grill. The next morning we took an historic guided tour of the pier which is steeped in history - the pier is a must-see when visiting Santa Monica! It might seem a little gimmicky, however, you can’t help but smile as soon as you walk under the large arched ‘Yacht Harbor’ sign and head downhill towards the lively action.
Our next activity was to involve two wheels. Navigating Los Angeles in a car can be a nightmare, but very manageable on a bike. As we rode around Santa Monica beneath towering palms, our wonderfully knowledgeable guide, Shaun, said “Bus tours can be voyeuristic as you’re seeing everything from above. On a bike, you’re absorbing the city and becoming a part of the sights.” After our tour, I couldn’t agree more. We spent the afternoon shopping at Santa Monica Place, a modern open-air shopping destination a few blocks from the beach. Another fantastic meal that night was had in Seasons 52 on Ocean Drive.
Our second day began with an early morning yoga class in the Shore Hotel, yoga is very popular in Santa Monica. We had breakfast at the iconic Georgian Hotel and back to the pier to ride the solar-powered Pacific Ferris Wheel which allows for fantastic views that span for miles. It was hard to leave Santa Monica, the walkable community has an excellent vibe and thanks to the amusement park on the Pier, a round-the-clock atmosphere of civilised festivity.
Our next stop was San Diego, which took 3.5 hours by car. San Diego is California’s second largest city and is known for its near perfect weather, its endless beaches and a dazzling array of world class family attractions. We stayed at the beautiful Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa in the Mission Bay area which had a really nice relaxing holiday atmosphere.
We headed for SeaWorld which is well worth a visit and even had lunch with the killer whales. From Broadway Pier we took a bay cruise which brought us around Coronado Island with its large US Navy base. From this pier you can also visit the USS Midway Museum and explore a floating city at sea reliving 50 years of history aboard the longest serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th Century.
That evening we had drinks downtown on the rooftop bar of the uber cool Andaz Hotel while watching the spectacular Californian sunset. In San Diego there are plenty of activities for sports enthusiasts, while those keen on sightseeing can explore Balboa Park and its museums, the trendy revamped Victorian Gas Lamp Quarter which has over 16 blocks of restaurants, bars and nightclubs or the historic Mexican buildings of Old Town where restaurants serve deliciously authentic Mexican cuisine. Kids will enjoy SeaWorld, Legoland and the famous San Diego Zoo - home to over 4000 rare and endangered animals.
If you are looking for a destination that has something for everyone, look no further and put California top of your list!