Home Care In Santa Monica, CA

Dives, breweries, and pierside hangs—there’s more to Santa Monica's bar scene than you might think.

For a town best known for farmers markets and brunches in athleisure wear, Santa Monica’s nightlife scene is surprisingly robust—and we're not just talking about the pubs on Main Street where dudes staring in silence at Lakers games, or god forbid, The Bungalow. From throwback dives to chic rooftops and cocktail bars on the beach, there’s real drinking to be done in Santa Monica. And here are the best places to do it.

Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.

THE SPOTS

This bottle shop-wine bar hybrid has great daily happy hour specials (including all-day happy hour on Sunday and Monday) with $10 glasses, charcuterie spreads with seasonal jams and fancy honey, and freshly shucked oysters for $3.50 a mollusk. And once the evening rolls around, Esters lights candles to give the space a romantic and on-the-quieter-side feel, in case you want to explore the extensive bottle list and split a seafood tower with a date.

Although technically a restaurant, The Georgian Room doubles as a historic piano lounge. So if you’re looking for a moody place with red leather booths to celebrate something big, book a reservation. That’s the only way you’ll get into this dark basement bar, hidden just off of Santa Monica’s packed Ocean Avenue strip. It’s the kind of place where you have to buzz a mysterious doorbell and put a privacy sticker over your phone camera before you’re seated. Start with one of the house martinis, and don’t leave until you hear the jazz singer crooning renditions of Britney Spears songs next to a vintage Steinway.

The profound lack of good rooftops in Santa Monica is one of society’s great mysteries. At least we have Calabra. Perched atop the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, this gigantic bar has an indoor lounge, poolside patio, and curved couches that you can rent out for more privacy. Come weekends, the music is loud and people are definitely dressed up, but if you want to sneak up on a weekday to watch the sunset and sip a gin and tonic, you’ll always be able to find a seat at the wrap-around bar.

Offhand is a natural wine bar that looks like it could be a Chipotle from the outside. (Sorry, no moody, candlelit atmosphere here.) But if you want a casual spot that pours interesting wines, then this is your place. Not everything at Offhand is soulless and gray, though. They’re spinning vinyl, the friendly staff is eager to explain every bottle on their list, and locals stroll in wearing their comfiest hoodies to drink chilled reds and dry rieslings. It’s just-sophisticated-enough, making it perfect for a date or night out with friends that entails a lot of chit-chat.

It might not be fair to judge a book by its cover—but in the case of Big Dean’s, what you see is what you get. And that’s why we like it so much. Because even though this beachside sports bar is basically underneath the pier, it’s one of the few places where you’ll find actual Santa Monica locals hanging out this close to the tourists. Grab an excellent burger (an underrated LA classic) and a pitcher of beer, then head to their turf patio to watch whatever game is happening.

When it comes to Santa Monica bars, there’s a belief that it’s Chez Jay and everyone else—and it’s hard to argue otherwise. Opened in 1959, this nautical-themed landmark (literally) is a one-of-a-kind watering hole where you can get a dangerously stiff drink and a 10-oz. butter steak at the same time. There are peanut shells on the floor, a weird giant fish on the wall, and a jukebox playing The Stones. If you want one of the last remaining authentic Santa Monica experiences, head to this crazy shack by the water.

At this den of debauchery, the name of the game is karaoke. The Gaslite is one of the best bars in Santa Monica for cutting loose, plus there’s free popcorn and a dance floor that gets wild in a hurry. It's a great option when you prefer to skip the scene—or the long lines at a bar you don’t want to be at anyway—and go experience the dive bar of your dreams.

Santa Monica Brew Works is one of the only non-kombucha breweries in the neighborhood, so they could probably skate by on mediocrity if they wanted. But they don’t. Their taproom pours a long list of beers, like tangy witbiers, IPAs, and more experimental brews like a fruity guava-piña sour that tastes like something from a beach bar. The physical space is pretty brewery-standard, but what sets it apart is its built-in food options: Emmy Squared. The Brooklyn-based pizzeria has QR codes on the table so you can order a gooey pan pizza or double-stacked burger.

Does Father’s Office have one of LA's best burgers? You better believe it, and the bar’s not bad, either. Admittedly pretty cramped during peak hours, the original location on Montana is a small but nonetheless fantastic place to drink beer on a Saturday afternoon. The rotating craft beer list is solid, the non-burger small plates are tasty, and the ambiance is fun but relaxed, which is usually what we want from an evening in Santa Monica.

The Daily Pint is a 20-something-year-old English pub/dive that might not look like much, but you’re not going to find a better craft beer list on the Westside (not to mention their 500 kinds of whiskey). Quirky, dimly lit, with old pool tables scattered about, this is the kind of place 50-year-old pirates go to get their Stone Imperial Russian Stout and reminisce about ports of call.

If you’re looking to get rowdy and make a few mistakes but drink well-made cocktails while you’re doing it, Chestnut Club is where you go. The craft cocktail bar is located in that strange, sleepy stretch of inland Santa Monica, but it still gets all-out mobbed on the weekends. So get there early or prepare to wait in line. Or just go during the week when things have calmed down considerably, and you can drink in peace.

The Misfit is another restaurant that often gets used as a bar, and even though it's located a little too close to the Third Street Promenade, we grin and bear it. The crowd is full of locals, the pitchers of white sangria come extra cold, and the food is solid, like the massive fried chicken sandwich with creamy fennel slaw and a quinoa-kale salad that’s great for sharing. Also, there are free cookies and a Happy Hour from noon to 7pm daily.

Santa Monica is strangely full of legitimate UK-themed pubs, and while everyone seems to have their favorite, we’ll never pass up the chance to sip a lager and eat a basket of fish and chips at King’s Head. Mere steps from the beach, it’s a staple that can certainly get a touch touristy, but the crowds add to the fun when there’s a Premier League match on the telly. Come and see what true sports passion looks like.

Nordstrom has announced it will permanently close its Santa Monica store located at 220 Broadway in Santa Monica Place on August 26, marking the end of operations at one of its Southern California locations despite the company reporting strong fourth quarter earnings that exceeded expectations.

"We've made the decision to close our Nordstrom Santa Monica store, located at 220 Broadway in Santa Monica, California. The store's last day of business will be August 26," a Nordstrom spokesperson said. "We believe we'll be best able to serve customers in the area by leveraging our surrounding stores and through our digital channels. Decisions like this are never easy, and we understand the impact they have on our team members. We're committed to taking care of our employees through this transition, including supporting those who are interested in finding another role within Nordstrom."

The closure comes as Nordstrom reported robust financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024, with the company delivering revenue, comparable sales and earnings at or above the high end of its fiscal 2024 outlook. The retailer posted fourth quarter net earnings of $165 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, with earnings before interest and taxes of $242 million.

"Customers responded positively to the strength of our offering across both banners in the fourth quarter," said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom, Inc. "We maintained the momentum we built throughout the year, which resulted in full-year sales and profitability coming in at the high end of our expectations."

The company saw quarterly sales growth across its store formats and digital channels, with total company comparable sales increasing 4.7 percent in the fourth quarter. The Nordstrom banner specifically showed strong performance with comparable sales increasing 5.3 percent, while Nordstrom Rack comparable sales increased 3.5 percent.

The Santa Monica closure reflects broader retail industry trends that have accelerated since the pandemic. This isn't the first time Nordstrom has made difficult decisions about its physical footprint in response to changing market conditions.

In 2020, during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, Nordstrom temporarily closed all department stores and Nordstrom Rack outlet stores. The company subsequently announced that 16 stores would be permanently shuttered as a result of both the pandemic's impact and evolving market trends pushing more shoppers online.

However, some locations in the Santa Monica area, including stores in Brentwood, Culver City and the mall remained open following the 2020 closure announcement.

The closure is the latest in a string of troublesome news for the once thriving downtown Mall.

Prism Places, a commercial real estate firm managing $2.8 billion in assets, has been appointed to manage Santa Monica Place shopping center after its previous owner Macerich defaulted on a $300 million loan. The 527,000-square-foot outdoor retail center is now controlled by court-appointed receiver Trigild.

The mall faces severe challenges with a nearly 70% vacancy rate. Once home to luxury retailers and department stores, it now primarily attracts visitors to the Cayton Children's Museum, Cheesecake Factory, and newly opened Din Tai Fung. The center has found some success with rotating pop-up attractions but recently lost the True Food restaurant.

Originally designed by Frank Gehry, the property underwent a $265 million renovation in 2010 to transform from an enclosed mall to an open-air center. Macerich had owned it since 1999 before identifying it for sale last year.

Prism has said it has plans to revitalize the mall but has to complete the receivership process with Macerich before it has authority to make substantive changes to the mall.

Let’s put this to rest. Yes, the Westside has fewer Mexican options than other parts of Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean it's lacking in quality spots. There’s still an exciting variety to explore: Sonoran-style taquerías, Nayarit-style mariscos, Oaxaca gems hiding in West LA strip malls, and colorful cantinas that have been in business for over four decades. So whether you live here or need a wet burrito after a long day at the beach, here are the best restaurants on the Westside for great Mexican food (and sorry Tito's Tacos lovers, we had to draw the line somewhere).

Unrated: This is a restaurant we want to re-visit before rating, or it’s a coffee shop, bar, or dessert shop. We only rate spots where you can eat a full meal.

THE SPOTS

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The smell of cafe de olla and chorizo mingling in the air at Saby’s lets you know you’re in for a comforting meal. This family-owned daytime spot in Mar Vista makes delicious Mexican breakfast and lunch staples from scratch, like the blue corn tortillas for their football-sized quesadillas and pulpy salsas spooned over huevos divorciados. If you're at Saby’s counter for lunch, get the mar y tierra burrito. One of LA’s great burritos, it’s tightly packed with breaded shrimp and charred asada for double the texture, and generously doused in tangy chipotle crema.

Meet the late-night taco kingpin of the Westside. Conveniently located just off the 405, you can peel off the freeway for an impromptu taco at Brothers Cousins anytime between 6pm and 11pm, Tuesday through Thursday (and midnight on Friday and Saturday)—just expect lines to start forming as soon as they open. The main attraction at this roadside spot is its wide, bubbling pan of tender meats that have been braised into absolute submission. Choose your cut of choice—asada, carnitas, chorizo, lengua, suadero, among others—and the taquero chops it to order, scooping it into a supple corn tortilla in one swift motion. Pro tip: If the line is down the block, Brothers Cousins has an “annex” location two blocks west with smaller crowds.

For a Oaxacan spot on the Westside that does a bit of everything well—molotes, coloradito, chorizo-filled molcajetes, you name it—Monte Alban is your place. This West LA spot tries to transport you far away from its generic strip mall by painting the walls to look like you’re eating tamales in a Oaxacan village. Whether or not it works is up to you, but we appreciate the attention to detail that’s also seen in the food. Monte Alban’s mole negro has a subtle dry chile kick that we love, the tacos enchilados are just the right middle ground between taquitos and enchiladas, and their signature tlayuda is coated in a salty, fatty asiento that seasons its thicker-than-usual bean paste.

Sonoritas is a casual Northern Mexican spot in Sawtelle with chewy, mega-sized flour tortillas, but the real draw is what they roll into them. Their excellent burritos are stuffed with fancy fresh-off-the-grill fillings like spicy shrimp, charred salmon, even filet mignon. The rice and stewed beans packed in between the chopped proteins are warm and flavorful, and we like ours with a big glob of creamy guac inside. And if you don’t want to commit to a giant burrito, you can taste the same delicious tortillas as smaller Sonoran-style tacos filled with smoky beef rib and premium beef cuts like lengua.

This unassuming mariscos truck parked on 4th and Rose in Venice has saved us from lunchtime hungry meltdowns numerous times. It’s a great option on beach days when we’ve finished our lone bag of SunChips or when we don’t want to empty our wallet for a sandwich on Abbot Kinney. La Isla Bonita always comes in clutch with tostadas and tangy, finely minced fish ceviche for sub-$20.

Teddy’s Red Tacos is one of the few casual places to eat along the Venice boardwalk that’s not only worth your time, but an actual taco destination. The original Teddy’s in East LA got a lot of online buzz for its photogenic cheese pulls and crimson-stained tortillas, but its juicy beef birria is what made it an LA taco staple. It’s also the lone protein option on the menu, served in various ways, from tortas to ramen. If you’re especially hungry, go with the Deluxe Platter, a fully loaded tray that includes a quesadilla, mulita, tostada, and taco, plus consomme for dipping.

Located inside Culver City’s upmarket mini-mall The Platform, Loqui is often used as a pit stop between shopping for high-end hand soap and designer furniture. In the least rude way possible, we see Loqui as a bougier alternative to Chipotle. This casual counter-service spot assembles tacos and bowls, both of which feature Loqui’s braised meats, like zippy cochinita pibil and marinated chicken that packs an unexpected kick. Their handmade flour tortillas are chewy, thick, and tender—not even in the same food group as the sad ones found at most chain restaurants.

For tacos in downtown Santa Monica, the casual La Purépecha is our go-to. The handmade corn tortillas here are plump and sturdy enough to hold the heaping amounts of grilled asada and guacamole, and the fresh salsas pack a punch. We prefer to spend a little extra and order our tacos taconazo-style, which adds a layer of molten griddled cheese with a satisfying crunch. If you want something more substantial, the machaca burritos are very solid, too.

Tacos Tamix is a chain of taco trucks that park in several locations around the city, the westernmost of which is located right where the 405 meets Venice Blvd. The main attraction here is the bright red trompo of al pastor, which is shaved off in generous portions onto palm-sized tortillas that make for a great meat-to-masa ratio. Aside from the solid al pastor tacos, try the crispy alambre with cheese and bacon and plate-sized gringas with ham and pineapple that taste eerily similar to a Hawaiian pizza. Tamix is also open until at least 1am nightly, making it a clutch option for a late-night taco run.

Located on that stretch of Venice Boulevard in Culver City that always seems to be in gridlock, Gloria’s is a laid-back, family-run spot that’s been serving both Mexican and Salvadoran food for nearly four decades. While you can’t go wrong with a cheese pupusa or tortilla soup, we stick to “Ms. Gloria’s Specialties,” and in particular, the carne adobada. The massive plate of braised pork in tangy achiote sauce is as good an excuse as any to pull over while waiting for traffic to die down.

It’s fun to go to Don Antonio’s with a big group and eat in what feels like an underground cave, even though there aren’t any underground caves in Los Angeles. There’s usually a wait here, but time moves quickly when you have one of Don Antonio’s blended-to-order margaritas in hand (order it spicy and they’ll throw in some jalapenos as well). You’ll also probably end up eating too many warm chips before the food comes out, but that’s all part of the experience. Everyone seems to like the super burrito, but we recommend a combination plate involving enchiladas, crispy tacos, or chile rellenos.

Juquila is a casual Oaxacan spot in West LA with murals of Mexican landscapes and a built-in shrine to La Virgen de Juquila. Maybe her holy presence is why this family-owned spot is so good at diffusing a hangry group that just sat in 405 traffic. Many dishes on its extensive menu are impressively large, from the tlayudas to the sizzling parrilladas with enough chorizo and tasajo to feed four to the namesake Juquila burrito. This “Oaxacalifornian” behemoth is loaded with a full entree worth of rice, beans, grilled chicken, and a matte coat of mole negro. It’s popped in the oven, so the cheese on top melts, and the sweet-smoky sauce seeps into the tortilla.

We used to love eating Provecho Calimex’s hulking breakfast burritos at the Marina Del Rey Farmers Market, even if it meant spilling salsa on our shirt every time. Well, now you can sit down and enjoy this family-owned operation’s Mexican breakfasts at their Mar Vista, where you can start the day with cafe de olla, chilaquiles, and their signature burrito filled with your choice of meat. Our go to’s are the asada and housemade Oaxacan chorizo, both of which get bundled up with a perfectly cooked potato, pepper, and egg scramble.

The menu at this old-school Mexican restaurant in Venice hasn’t changed much since the place opened 40 years ago, and we consider that one of its best qualities. The signature dish is the calamari steak, but sometimes we deviate and order either a grande burrito or fajitas. And, aside from the solid food, Casablanca is dependably raucous. Expect live music, a tortilla production zone in the main dining room, and a margarita cart that will roll right up to your table.

Something about Socalo’s funky, mid-century decor and portraits of cute chihuahuas feels like they belong poolside at a Palm Springs hotel, which isn’t the worst contrast for a place across the street from a busy hospital. This casual spot from the Border Grill chefs is one of few sit-down Mexican restaurants in mid-city Santa Monica and a reliable spot to find solid antojitos and cocktails throughout the day. The barbacoa tacos are griddled until crispy, and the gooey tacos gobernador with cheesy shrimp make for a nice snack with the bar’s strong margaritas. If you’re the type whose ears perk up at the mention of a Taco Tuesday special, this is your kind of place.

Paco’s has been a staple in that part of town that’s definitely sort of Del Rey (but maybe also Mar Vista or Marina Del Rey) since 1975, and it shows. From the festive dining room filled with Christmas lights, fish tanks, and Mexican murals, to the menu loaded with combo platters, Paco’s hasn’t changed since the Carter administration, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Do they have 14-pound burritos and chimichangas? You bet. Are they good? Sure—mostly because they’re made with Paco’s fresh fluffy flour tortillas. Those tortillas are great on their own, too (especially slathered with butter), so get some for the table, plus a few frozen margaritas, and enjoy the ambiance.

A grunion is a small fish that emerges from the water by the thousands to dig in the sand and lay its eggs.

SANTA MONICA, CA —Don't miss the last few and best chances this year to see one of the most unique experiences Southern California has to offer.

The grunion, a small fish that rides ocean tides onto beaches to lay their eggs, are running Thursday night through the weekend, marking one of the best summer weekend runs of the season, according to the California Department of Fish And Wildlife.

The grunion, which are exclusive to Southern California, may be an ordinary-looking silver fish, measuring only six to eight inches in length. But what makes them so special is that they're the only fish that come out of the water to dig into beach sands and lay their eggs during mating season.

The small fish ride the tides around new and full moons, with the female grunion laying about 3,000 eggs at once and 18,000 in a mating season. The male grunion then rides the tide to the eggs and fertilizes them before catching a ride back into the ocean several minutes later through the tides. This event is known as a grunion run.

When the grunion run, the California coast looks like it's boiling with silverly fish flopping in the waves by the hundreds of thousands.

The grunion mating season starts in the spring and ends in the summer. These are good places to see them make their run for the last few times until mating season begins again next spring:

Grunions make their runs in two-hour intervals. These are 16 dates on which the grunions will make their runs between July and August:

"Typically, the second hour of an expected run is usually better than the first hour, so be patient," the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement Tuesday.

It's currently open season for the grunion, meaning people hoping to take some can as long as they are 16 and older with a valid fishing license. They can also only be taken by hand, no holes may be dug in the beach to trap them and they are limited to 30 per person, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"While grunion spawn on many beaches in southern California, CDFW does not recommend any particular beach because of changing safety conditions and local curfews," the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said. "If you don’t attend an official event, one of the best ways to find out which beaches have had recent runs is to call the state and county beach lifeguards, who can often tell if spawning has taken place."

For more tips to avoid missing out on the grunion, click here.

SANTA MONICA, CA — Independence Day is Friday, kicking off a star-spangled three-day weekend packed with fireworks, festivals and other Fourth of July fun in and around Santa Monica.

That includes the annual parade down Main Street in Santa Monica.

To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar, Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on around Santa Monica.

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JULY 4: 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Featuring a fireworks show above Big Bear Lake with opportunities to watch from the water or Snow Summit.

JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks Show. Best viewed from outlet parking lots & immediate surrounding areas.----------

JULY 4: Catalina Island Fourth of July Celebration. Dinghy & golf-cart parades, children's festivals, fireworks & more will keep you busy!----------

JULY 5: Downtown Culver City Independence Celebration. Culver City is trading its traditional fireworks display for a downtown party featuring a drone show.-----------

JULY 4: 4th Of July Fest & Fireworks. Daytime games, including a watermelon eating contest, followed by a night of live music, food booths and fireworks.----------

July 2, 3, 4.: July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Earth, Wind & Fire.: Hollywood Bowl. Three nights available to choose for a special Independence Day celebration at the bowl: July 2, July 3 and July 4.-------------

JULY 4: ALA Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular: Hosted by Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA).-------------

JULY 4: 4th of July Fireworks and Celebration: The Queen Mary, Long Beach. "Experience the joy and wonder of fireworks at the Long Beach Waterfront!"

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JULY 4: Dodgers vs. Astros & Fireworks Night. What's better than baseball & fireworks?

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JULY 4: 4th Of July Pool Party Celebration: $5 admission.-----------

JULY 4: 4th Of July Fireworks. "There’s no better place in Los Angeles to see 4th of July fireworks."-----------

July 4: July 4th 5K & 10K Run, Parade & Fireworks: One of Palisadians’ favorite days of the year makes a triumphant return.------------

JULY 4: Palos Verdes Old-Fashioned 4th Of July. "For hundreds of residents, this event is a highlight of their 4th of July festivities and there's no better place to celebrate our nation's independence than on the picturesque playing fields of Malaga Cove School overlooking the blue Pacific."

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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks: Shepherd Church. An annual event!-------------

JULY 4: Rancho Palos Verdes Fourth of July Celebration: With inflatables, rides, games & more.-------------

JULY 4: Redondo Beach King Harbor 4th of July Fireworks Show. "Bring your friends and family to enjoy the spectacular display over the ocean. "

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JULY 4: Independence Day Festival, San Fernando Fourth Of July Drone Show. Live music, carnival and drone show.

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July 4: Santa Monica 4th Of July Parade. The annual Main Street event showcases the creative spirit of Santa Monica.

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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks & Star-Spangled Rock 'N Country Jam. With free fun zone, beer & wine garden, live music and fireworks.----------

JULY 4: Janss Marketplace 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. Live music, family entertainment and fireworks show.JULY 4: July 4th Fun, Concert & Fireworks. Full day of activities courtesy of Conejo Recreation & Park District

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JULY 4: July 4th Fireworks Show. Two viewing locations are first-come, first-served.--------------

JULY 4: July 4th Celebration & Fireworks: Universal Studios Hollywood. "Don't miss the star-spangled celebration in the Park."-------------

JULY 4: July 4th 'Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach' Competition. Open to all athletes.--------—--

JULY 4: 4th of July Fireworks. Featuring live music, food vendors, kids zone and fireworks.------------

JULY 4: LAX Coastal July 4th Parade. This year's theme is "We Love LA!"--------------

JULY 4: 4th Of July Parade & Fireworks. It's a day full of food, music, kids' fun & more.

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Patch has rounded up the biggest July 4 fireworks displays and other events happening in California in celebration of Independence Day. Click here to see our full California list.