Santa Monica quick trip this fall?

Question

I am going to be in Santa Monica for 2 or 3 nights in October. I don't really like staying in hotels...and I try to do short condo rentals when I travel. What are the "good" and the "bad" areas of Santa Monica? I will be working during the day, but want to run in the late afternoons and walk around at night. Restaurants/coffee shops/etc should be close. Ideas? Recommendations?

Answer 1

The really "good" areas of Santa Monica are the ones right next to the beach.
The really "Bad" areas are right next to the freeway.
Never order room service from your hotel. If there are advertisements under your door from local ethnic food places, order from those guys and have it delivered.
The tourist traps on the Santa Monica Pier are over priced.
The sushi and Chinese Food places that blend in to the strip malls are the best! But any restaurant with a letter grade "A" placard in the window along Santa Monica Blvd. is good, because the competition for restaurants is fierce.
Go to In'N'Out burgers for a fast-food hamburger.
If you are willing to travel a bit - "The Apple Pan" on Pico Blvd across the 405 freeway is world-reknowned and serves awesome hamburgers. Don't be afraid of the neighborhood - people in L.A. are more decent than you think. Also try to check out the happening places along the Strand near the Pier if you don't want to travel far.
It's normal to go running on the Strand at the beach in Santa Monica - it's just a pain in the butt to find free parking.

Answer 2

I don't know where people are getting these ideas that there are just spontaneous beach parties. Unfortunately, that's not true. For one thing, they are rare. Second, you would need to be invited. Third, beaches close at 10:00 pretty much everywhere here. As for cost, figure about 100 gallons total for gas. At $2.75 per gallon, that's about $275. When we travel, we budget $50 per person per day for food. That's two fast food meals, and one sit-down meal. 6 days times $50 times 3 is about $900. Lodging is about $100-$150 for a decent place without bedbugs and roaches. For 4 nights, figure $400-$600. Disney is $94 for a one-day hopper=$282 Beach parking is about $10, depending on where you go. Knott's is $52=$156 Total so far: $1938. Add a couple hundred for incidentals, so figure $2000-$2500 total. Universal Studios is the #2 attraction here in SoCal, or you can visit the Hollywood & Highland area, which has the Walk of Fame, Hollywood Museum, Chinese Theater, and the Kodak Theater.

Answer 3

There really arent any bad areas in Santa Monica, but north of Wilshire is nicer than south. Plenty of places to run. Alot of people jog up and down San Vincente Blvd and of course you can run on the beach.

For walking around, check out the 3rd Street Promenade. Tons of shops and resturaunts along with street performers.