Despite last weeks photos, my recent trip to Santa Monica, CA wasn’t all rainstorms and windy beach walks. In fact, the sun managed to peek out for a few hours one or two mornings. And while the weather may not have fully cooperated, I did manage to find some sweet stops along the way. Here are my Santa Monica favorites, and if you are in the area I highly recommend making time to check them out.
1) Cora’s Coffee Shoppe -I don’t know if it was the perfect blueberry pancakes or that dreamy cafe’ au lait, but this little joint stole my heart! It sites only a block from the beach so you can burn off those pancakes with a long beach walk. Pretty much my idea of the perfect morning.
(My fabulous travel companion, Cait!)
2) Me and Blue – Technically its in Venice, but close enough right? Hopefully I didn’t just create some sort of California party foul! This shop was a really fun mix of original and vintage items. The T-shirt dresses are so soft you just want to wrap yourselves in them. I picked up a cute little number that I’m sure to wear in an upcoming Champagne Saturday! Oh and they also have an etsy shop!
3) Venice Beach Wines – An adorable patio with candles and wine, it had me at hello! Then we had what we affectionately coined “the cheese pot”. Twice. Think warm cheeses with pesto and sun dried tomatoes served with soft warm bread and a smooth glass of red wine. Mmmmm…..
4) La Grande Orange – Best seared tuna tacos ever! I swear I took photos to prove it but I guess it was too dark. Or I scarfed them too fast. The decor is really upbeat and fun too! (photo via)
5) Westside Comedy - We checked out the Improv show here on Sat. night and had a blast. It was a small setting which of course allowed Cait to get on stage, seriously what is it with my peeps getting pulled up?!, and me to be mocked after having to share my most recent text. It just may have involved Floyd telling me he was brushing his teeth. Thank goodness for unlimited texting!
All in all, I’d say its a pretty cute place and taking time in between work to stop and smell the roses was SO worth it!
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh Megan.. I just realized they had a mannequin in the garden.. hahaha
However.. the vintage place looks very tempting to come in.
Lee x
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Thanks for the fun tour of Santa Monica and Venice. The “Me and Blue” store is really cute!
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It sounds adorable!
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Wow! I lived in LA for about 7 years… and I have not been to any of these places….Changes:) Glad you are enjoying it!
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Great post!! xx
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Great choices! I sure do love my Windy City, but nothing beats breakfast by the ocean!!!
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going to check out their Etsy shop!
<3 Cara
Lilac and Grey
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Very fun, wish I could go!
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Looks like fun and my husband would love tuna tacos!
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Awesome! I really need to get there sometime soon
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YOU were so close to me
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How Cool! My family is from Camarillo and I keep meaning to take my hubby out so he can see the beach! Thanks for sharing
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Sound slike a wonderful place to escape for a long weekend! Lots of great shops, food and things to do
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sounds like you had a great time, mmm I love pancakes
any place that serve good breakfest wins my heart!
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How fun! I have the fondest memories of the ferris wheel at the Santa Monica Pier.
ps – I’m hosting a giveaway on Ruffled Rose today!
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How fun to see Le Grande Orange! It started here in Phoenix by a local couple who have several eateries here. I even blogged about ours once. I can tell you that the one here never looks that empty. There is always a wait, fabulous breakfasts and great pizza. My husband says their green chili burger is the best in town
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
March 1st, 2011 at 10:26 pm
@everton terrace, Nice! Now I know a good place in Phoenix too!
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oh my goodness!! I cannot get past the blueberry pancakes YUM!
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All of these places look and sound delightful!!
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Oh I am so jealous looking at these pics – I love Santa Monica!! So glad the rain cleared and you got to enjoy a little California sun!
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that shop looks very cute and i’ll take a stack of those pancakes!
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I am soooo ready to go somewhere.
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Great places! Everytime I travel I end up finding really cool coffee places. Cora’s Coffee looks amazing!
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sounds like you’re having a great trip! and i love your reviews on all these places. now i want to take a trip there too.
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Looks like you both had a great time!!
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how fun! i need to book a trip to santa monica in the future
xoxo jcd ::
cornflake dreams
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I absolutely love Santa Monica… I’m hoping to make a little stop there during Spring Break if I can force myself to leave SXSW.
Bisous,
Rachel
http://lovealamode.wordpress.com
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I love Santa Monica! I danced there right after high school. Great photos and commentary. It makes me want to go back real soon.
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I wished that where I lived there were more coffee shops & lil boutiques. Must have been a great afternoon!!
Hey ladies I’m running a Shabby Apple Dress giveaway today! If you get a chance be sure to enter!!
Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway!
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The BonBon Rose Girls Reply:
March 1st, 2011 at 10:27 pm
@Melanie’s Randomness, I agree. Never enough of both!
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LGO is one of my favorite restaurants! The ambiance, vibe and food of course are all fabulous. Now I’m craving it! xo
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Blue berry pancakes sound like heaven right now!
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Looks so beautiful and sunny! The coffee spots looks so relaxing.
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I want to go on trips with you! Looks like so much fun!
….and the seared tuna tacos sounds amazing!!
xoxo
Rachel
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Looks like an amazing trip! I frequent LA a lot and I have yet to visit any of the places you named… cant wait to try some new spots!
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Ooh! I love vintage shops like that! I’m jealous! Can’t wait to see what you bought!
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Cora’s looks like such a fun little place! I’d love to visit Santa Monica sometime.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com
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Awsome! I actually went to one of those spots when I visited LA. it was a lot of fun especially to find some treasures.
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I grew up about 45 minutes north of Venice/Santa Monica and love the laid back and ecelctic vibe they have going on there – I will def add these to my list of places to visit when I make a trip home
xoxo
Jenna
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That looks like so much fun! I really miss living in CA
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Hope you had a great trip! Those pancakes look delicious, and that store Me & Blue sounds really cute.
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Glad to see you had fun in Santa Monica/Venice! Shoot, I live here and I haven’t been to any of the places, besides maybe the boutique.
Fun photos!
xx, becs
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Looks and sounds like you both had a great time.
Those pancakes look so delicious!!
B xx
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That boutique looks absolutely adorable. Thanks for sharing the etsy shop and this positively sunny trip!
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