A Weekend Get-Away in Pasadena-by-the-Sea

There are a lot of similarities between Pasadena and Santa Monica:  we’re both progressive cities that are pro-green in our building and future planning, and we’re both growing at an amazing rate. Santa Monica has as many restaurants, shops and shopping areas, activities and culture as we do – however, they have two things we don’t. They have the beach and they’ve got cool.

When I say cool, I mean it both in the sense of temperature and atmosphere. Pasadena (let’s face it) tends to be a bit formal and stuffy; Santa Monica just has cool written all over it. Walk into the Viceroy or Huntley Hotels. Now those are cool. Uber cool. And let’s not discount the temperature, because when it’s 103 here it’s a balmy 75 in Santa Monica.

They’ve got beach, too. Vast expanses of white sand which lead to the aqua waters of the Pacific Ocean, which I think are as close to heaven-on-earth as you can get on a half a tank of gas.

 

We checked into our luxurious boutique-style hotel, the J. W. Marriot’s Le Merigot. A short one block stroll from the beach, Le Merigot presents fantastic ocean views from some of the rooms. Our room had a view of Santa Monica pier and beckoned with a “Cloud Nine” king bed. The hotel is terraced with a series of patios from level to level that lead to their pool and wonderful spa. (Le Merigot is located at 1740 Ocean Avenue, (310) 395-9700, www.LeMerigotHotel.com).

Drinks while sitting on a terrace outside Le Merigot’s bar helped calm my freeway nerves and soon I was feeling mellow and in tune with my surroundings. Much to my surprise, it was time to head on over to the Viceroy Hotel’s restaurant Whist.

The façade of the Viceroy does not hint at what is inside. This hotel is really hip, from the white vinyl chaises in the lobby to the pool-side bar with techno music. I felt like I was living a scene in an Austin Powers movie.

Dinner at the Whist was a completely delightful experience. A deceptively simple menu of fresh local ingredients invited and teased. An extensive wine list complimented the food and excellent service finished the equation. Really, the Whist was a high note of our trip. Got to go back. (The Viceroy is located at 1819 Ocean Avenue, (310) 260-7500, www.viceroysantamonica.com).

After a refreshing night’s sleep in our “heavenly” bed and coffee in our room it was time to head over to a new spot in town, Le Grand Orange (new to Santa Monica, but of course we were already well acquainted with the Pasadena LGO). A case of fresh baked goods and smiling faces greeted us along with the smell of fresh brewed coffee, cinnamon and baked bread. We enjoyed a wonderfully casual breakfast before heading back to Le Merigot. (For a complete review of La Grand Orange click here).

 

We planned to spend the afternoon on the beach but hate the hassle, so we were thrilled to discover we could get our own “Beach Butler”! No lugging beach chairs, umbrellas and coolers, the Beach Butler does it all for you, even serves you lunch. Our Butler, Cameron Chaker summed it up this way: “If you’re doing the Beach Butler service you know you don’t have to lift a finger…it really takes the load off of you.” (Three locations, 930 Pacific Coast Highway, 2400 Ocean Front Walk and 2600 Ocean Front Walk, (310) 939-0000, www.perryscafe.com/bbutler).

A leisurely afternoon was just what it took to knock the cobwebs loose and get in the rhythm of the sea, sun and sand. A good book, an ocean breeze and I could feel the stress leaving me. As we walked along the boardwalk back to our room, it was interesting to get a close-up of some of the beach houses I’ve zoomed by so many times on PCH.

We had some time to kill before dinner so we took this time to become more acquainted with our hotel.  Strolling around the many terraces, exploring the spa and exercise rooms and having a drink while looking at the sea; it was all very low-key and utterly relaxing.

 

Dinner was at The Lobster, a popular restaurant at the base of the Santa Monica pier. Their dining room presents an incredible panorama of the beach and pier and we were just in time for a spectacular sunset. The food, wine and service were excellent, and with a sprinkling of the rich and famous in the crowd, that dinner seemed to gift-wrap what California is all about. (The Lobster, 1602 Ocean Avenue, (310) 458-9294, www.thelobster.com).

After our dinner we took a stroll on the pier and I even coaxed my acrophobic companion to take a ride on the only solar-powered Ferris wheel. It was wonderful being in the air with the night breezes and the pin-cushion of lights dotting the night.

The next morning we met with Cheryl Bagby of the Santa Monica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. When we asked her to sum up the Santa Monica experience she said, “we consider ourselves kind of like the Hollywood by the sea, so you get that experience where you may see a celebrity out at dinner. You can go to every kind of fun, funky individual places without leaving…you get these unique experiences that are pretty much all in your back door.”

She also pointed out the park-and-walk aspect of the city, “come in, park, and you can walk. It’s easy, even if you wanted to go to another place, taking the big blue bus, is really easy, very clean and efficient.” I have to agree with that, we did not take our car out of the parking structure during our stay. In fact, I’ve never noticed such chic bus riders as I saw in Santa Monica – even Parisians who use public transport aren’t so well turned out. (Santa Monica Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, (310) 319-6263, www.santamonica.com).

 

We made our way to the Huntley Hotel to have breakfast in the Penthouse. Taking the glass elevator up, we were rewarded with a breath-taking view of the coast, from the beaches of Malibu to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  Our “cabana” in the restaurant was a private booth with a wall of windows offering spectacular views. Sunny, breezy and bright! Breakfast was a leisurely affair, something to be savored. (Huntley Hotel, 1111 2nd Street, (310) 394-5454, www.thehuntleyhotel.com).

My final treat in Santa Monica before heading home was to get a facial at the Spa Le Merigot in our hotel. An Anti-Oxidant treatment was chosen for me, since my skin is so dry. Soothing music, soft lights and gentle massage accompanied my facial. The clean scents of the lavender and mint mingled together in the face mask, leaving my skin moist, hydrated and radiant; pure indulgence.

When you think of taking a staycation think Santa Monica. Usually a spot were you go to the promenade, grab a seafood dinner and return home it offers a completely different face when you make a weekend of it. Laid-back yet sophisticated, Santa Monica offers everything from fine-dining to casual beach shacks. It’s your choice. Leave the dress-up clothes at home, grab some flip-flops and head on over to Pasadena-by-the-Sea, beautiful Santa Monica.