Chef Michael Mina looked to his Egyptian heritage for inspiration for Orla, the Californian outpost of his Las Vegas restaurant. The menu at the Regent Santa Monica Beach eatery also draws on Mediterranean dishes the chef grew up on like tuna falafel and whipped chickpea hummus, braised lamb shanks and creamy lemon potatoes. Moving through the 270-seater space is designed like a sea voyage evocative of The Odyssey, with its plank flooring upcycled from yachts and octopus mural inset in the ceiling. Orla buzzes from breakfast to dinner, with oceanside tables the most sought-after seats in the house. Cocktails are precise, the wine list thoughtful, vibe celebratory. 1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica; orlasantamonica.com

This Michelin-starred restaurant is the sister venue to Mélisse by celebrated chef Josiah Citrin. The eponymous diner carries forward the attention to detail that has defined Mélisse for two decades but with a more relaxed SoCal energy. Premium Californian produce still leads the way in dishes such as the Dirty Chicken for Two with Nantes carrot, Brussel sprouts, morels, potato mousseline and a velvety chicken jus. Citrin is also a shiny beacon for notable Napa producers. The menu features distinctive desserts such as a pear pavlova with Earl Grey and vanilla ice cream. Service is absolutely world-class. 1104 Wilshire Blvd Suite A, Santa Monica; citrinandmelisse.com

Bread + Butter brings a distinctly Aussie twang to Santa Monica’s café scene. Founded in Launceston by Australian couple Rob and Olivia Morrison, the bakery has crossed the Pacific with its first US outpost on Main Street. Coffee comes courtesy of Melbourne’s Proud Mary and delivers a jolt of java that will stave off the withdrawal jitters. Get to Bread + Butter early to beat the crush of Santa Monica locals. The bakery is the kind of place you will return to daily for butter croissants, coconut cake and sheet pan pizza. Nab an outdoor table and you may well see Arnold Schwarzenegger cycling past on his way to the beach. 2645 Main St, Santa Monica; breadandbutterbakes.com

La Monique, a new French restaurant at Hotel Oceana inspired by old Hollywood glamour where Paris Hilton and her entourage have already been papped. Mélisse, the intimate 14-seater venue that is the sister act to Citron and the city’s only two–Michelin-starred dining room. For plant-forward fare, Michelin-listed Cobi’s stands out.

A few weeks after visiting Chez Jay, I saw the artfully scruffy bar had made a cameo in the 2025 Netflix film Jay Kelly, starring George Clooney. While seated at the bar of the fabled Santa Monica hang, we fell into conversation with a friendly local who told us Sean Penn, Emilio Estevez and Larry David are all regulars. But he adds that locals and celebrities sit shoulder-to-shoulder here and nobody bats an eyelid. Open since the 1950s, the dimly lit dive bar trades off its red vinyl booths, red and white-checked tablecloths, taxidermied fish and famously strong martinis. 1657 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica; chezjays.com

People-watching at Élephante is a spectator sport. From midday, the terrace here hums with a stylish, sun-kissed crowd that look like they’ve wandered off a Selling Sunsets ep. Speaking of, the Pacific is the sparkling backdrop to all the action and sundowners here are the go. Equal parts rooftop bar, restaurant and social hub, Élephante is all LA County cool. Grab a table inside the Italian-leaning eatery which puts Californian ingredients in the spotlight and shines in dishes such as the ragù bianco or pizza soppressata. 1332 2nd St Rooftop, Santa Monica; elephanterestaurants.com

The eye-popping view from The Penthouse at Huntley Santa Monica Beach hotel stretches from the Malibu Coast to Venice Beach and beyond to Hollywood. And although it’s known as an institution for brunch, from where we’re sitting, The Penthouse is the place to be for happy hour. Order a cocktail, suitably golden in hue, to colour-match the sunset views from the 18th floor of the hotel to enjoy alongside appetisers such as crispy chicken sliders and short-rib tacos. Don’t forget to use the loo, which has one of Santa Monica’s best views. 1111 2nd St, Santa Monica; penthouserestaurant.com

The Georgian Room, a restored 1930s-era underground lounge bar revived for intimate evenings, Calabra, an elevated rooftop for Mediterranean-leaning cocktails with Pacific views, and The Bungalow, a relaxed, beachy cocktail lounge with just the right amount of polish.

One of the best ways to see Santa Monica is on two wheels, following along the city’s 200-odd kilometres of dedicated bike lanes. Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel has complementary e-bikes which we used to pedal along the coastal path that runs parallel to the ocean. We also rode south to Venice Beach and Marina del Rey and north toward Pacific Palisades. The bike paths around Santa Monica are mostly flat and scenic and we’re joined by locals commuting to work and parents dropping their kids to school. I also took a 90-minute Bikes & Hikes LA tour led by a local who shared his insider guide to Santa Monica, pointing out street art.

The Santa Monica Pier is one of California’s most-photographed landmarks, drawing millions of visitors for its sweeping ocean views and beach-town energy. Sure, Pacific Park is touristy. But the pier, which opened in 1909, is a living piece of the city’s history. Wait until the evening light fades to ride the Pacific Wheel – the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel – as a swathe of cotton candy clouds stretches across the sky in both directions. Then, take a selfie near the ‘End of the Trail’ sign marking the commemorative western end of Route 66, which turns 100 years old in 2026.

The City of Santa Monica Farmers’ Market on Arizona Avenue is as much about people watching as fresh produce. Chefs and locals arrive early, canvas totes in hand, to the markets, held Wednesdays and Saturdays year-round. We lingered here all morning listening to a local busker, his voice all honey and velvet, and eavesdropping on the couple discussing their upcoming holiday to Positano. Strawberries were in season during our visit and it was impossible to resist their heady aroma without purchasing a punnet. Prowl around the market to feel Santa Monica’s pulse. Arizona Ave and 2nd St, Santa Monica; https://www.santamonica.gov/farmers-market

The idea you might spot a celebrity in LA County’s Hollywood by the Sea is hardwired into visitors’ brains. Take an LA in a day tour for the glitz, join a hands-on class at Gourmandise Cooking School to learn about Cali cuisine, then do a mainie of Montana Avenue – a hip strip lined with cafes, galleries, independent bookshops and boutiques.

One of the greatest luxuries of a stay at Regent Santa Monica Beach is the breeze that drifts through the curtains and into our suite. Reimagined as a contemporary beachfront retreat, the hotel is just steps away from one of the USA’s most coveted stretches of sand. With 167 rooms and suites, it prioritises space over scale. Oceanfront rooms feature balconies, separate living areas and generous bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Downstairs, a sun-drenched pool and lively lobby set the tone, while wellness is led by the West Coast’s first Guerlain Spa, offering treatments such as Crystal Vibes that nourish the skin post-swim. 1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica; santamonica.regenthotels.com

Shutters on the Beach has made more than a few cameos in movies shot around LA. Just steps from the famous boulevard immortalised in Sheryl Crow’s All I Wanna Do, the long-standing beachfront favourite leans into a nostalgic version of Californian luxury. White weatherboard interiors, polished service and direct beach access shapes a stay at ‘Hollywood’s Beach House’, which has hosted everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Christian Bale. The 198-key property, which had a recent nip and tuck, remains quintessential Santa Monica with a glamorous pool deck and al fresco dining spaces that drink in coastal views. 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica; shuttersonthebeach.com

This century-old Italian Renaissance Revival-style hotel is the sister property to Shutters on the Beach. While Casa del Mar began life as a private beach club in the 1920s and later housed a drug rehab facility and Pritikin Longevity Centre, it was returned to its old Hollywood glitz and glory in 1999. Although the hotel has a coastal-chic pool area, hearing the roar of the surf from your suite means a tumble in the ocean will always be part of a stay. The hotel’s proximity to Santa Monica Pier cements its status as an institution. All up, there are 129 rooms and 16 suites that tie into an interior palette of pastel blues and greens. 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica; hotelcasadelmar.com