Surf Camp and Relaxation - LA style!

Santa Monica may be an area of Los Angeles (please, don't call it a suburb!), but it's so unique, it qualifies to be in a class by itself. It would be possible to come to Santa Monica for a week and be completely satisfied to do a beach vacation in its boundaries and never venture out to the rest of LA. Santa Monica has interesting neighbors: Venice to the south and Malibu to the north.

Like most beach towns, Santa Monica has some interesting mixes and contrasts. You have multi-million dollar homes on the beach, and here you rub elbows with the famous or nearly famous. At the same time, Santa Monica has a huge homeless problem, and there are lots of people just hanging out here at the beach. I found that, with kids, you need to keep an eye on them at all times, as there is a crime element here at the beach.

Santa Monica does not have the street merchants like Venice has further south. The beach is cleaner and maybe even a little bit less colorful.

Santa Monica is a huge fitness area. Muscle Beach was here, and most people credit this area with the birth of the fitness craze. Muscle Beach was removed some years back, but they have tried to rebuild it. After all, it's a bit of a California landmark. Most folks just like to pose by the sign, as the muscle boys are no longer here in favor of fancier indoor gyms.

Santa Monica is great town to eat in. There are a ton of good restaurants, and you can find someplace for every taste. There is a sophistication here that is a step above most area beach towns.

We had a great week in Santa Monica. There is so much to see and do here. It always changes, so you can come back again and again and never have the same experience.

Quick Tips:

Walk the Promenade from Venice to the Boardwalk. It's a great walk; first, you will enjoy the multi-million-dollar cracker boxes on the beach. Then the whole area is theater. I never get bored walking this walk. You have colorful and crazy locals, tourists from around the globe, and the beautiful Southern California beach bums. It all comes together here, and the only way to see it is on foot.

Is the boardwalk worth it? Well, it is historic, and being that you are here, I would give it a look. Honestly, it's pretty underwhelming. The rides are old, and the area is a little bit dirty. If you want to thrill on amusement park rides, there are plenty of other, better choices in Southern California.

Best Way To Get Around:

It's very possible to check into one of the beachfront hotels and park your car with the valet and never use it again during your stay. It's great to walk the promenade on the beach, and Sixth Ave. has everything you would need to shop or to eat. It would be easy to survive in Santa Monica without a car.

If you do want to explore a bit, a car is useful. Santa Monica is covered in the LA Metro bus system, but I find the system here confusing and poorly run. If you don't have a car, I suggest using LA taxis. There are plenty of cabs available here at the beach.

For fun, I suggest renting a bike. There are several bike rental stands on the beach, and it's a cheap and fun way to see the area. Do remember to lock up your bike when it's not in use. The beach does have its theft problems with both cars and bikes.

The kids were off to surf camp in Santa Monica. We were in need of a summer mini-holiday, so rather than doing the hour commute each morning from Pasadena we chose to get a hotel near the beach. We even figured we deserved to splurge and go all out. We did and got an ocean view room at the Viceroy in Santa Monica, at the whopping rate of $450 a night.

I have to admit, for that rate, my expectations were up! When we drove up I thought the hotel looked like a Soviet built building in Eastern Europe. I was also surprised that it was not near the beach, but about two blocks away.

Check-in was less than hospitable. The hotel is pet friendly, but when they saw me with two dogs and two kids, the ulta-hip desk staff seem to go into convulsions or else they just were rejected on their last soap audition. Whatever the case, a smile and a friendly welcome was hard to find.

When we got up to our room, I was shocked what $450 buys. The room was small, but it was cozy and well decorated. The bathroom amenties were top of the line as was the audio system in the room. Yet there was only one bathrobe. Our ocean view looked over the top of several buildings across the street. The term ocean view was decieving at best.

To top things off, we gave the bellman our luggage, and it did not show up. When we called down, nobody seem to have any clue where our luggage was. About 45 minutes later our luggage finally arrived.

The hotel is far more style than substance. The pool is very small. Folks use it more to sit around and sip drinks, than to actually swim. The pool furniture is leather lounge furniture that you would find in a study. It was comfortable when you were dry, but had that stick-to-it feel when you were wet. Interesting, but not a good pool furniture choice!

The next morning, we went to swim at 7am before camp, and security told us it was too early to use the pool!

We talked it over and decided the Viceroy was not filling our needs and, quite frankly, we were starting to feel a bit ripped-off. I went to the Loews across the street and got us into a larger room on the ocean for $100 less a night! I told the front desk we were checking out early. I voiced my complaints, and the way-too-hip desk clerk just looked at me and said, "Yes, this probably isn't a good choice for kids."

The hotel is cool, hip, and trendy but not a great deal. We found the service level to be less than acceptable. It may be right for a rock star, but it sure isn't right for a family of four!

We actually were staying at the Viceroy Hotel across the street, our expierence was not good (see review). The first morning, I was walking the dogs as we strolled by the Loews Hotel, I decided to step in and see if we could do better here. When I approached the front desk clerk (Tracy), she could not have been more helpful or sweet. She really seemed concerned that our family mini-vacation was not going well and got on her computer to help us fix the situation. She offered me a large ocean front room for $100 less than the price of the Viceroy. Tracy let me know the hotel welcomed pets and kids. I quickly took her up on the offer!

I was impressed by the lobby. It was a spacious atrium with 45-foot palm trees lining the lobby indoors. The back of the lobby was all glass and there was the Pacific Ocean and Muscle Beach. It had an open and bright feel to it. The whole lobby hollered "Beach Vacation!"

The hotel was a little hard to find your way around inside. Some of the rooms are on floors below the lobby and there are a lot of halls and mazes. The hotels does have a nice pool, although a bit on the small side, but was very popular. Each day after surf camp, the kids went to the pool, and it was buzzing with families and other kids. The hotel also offers a complete spa.

Our room was large and had a small balcony that looked across to the beach and the ocean. The view was outstanding. We had a large bathroom with two bathrobes and all the amenities you would expect to find in a luxury hotel. I liked the room; it had a nice, fresh feel to it, and like the rest of the hotel, made you feel like you were indeed at the beach.

We were surprised when, later that afternoon, there was a knock on our door. There room service had cold milk and hot cookies delivered free of charge for the kids. Yum! (Where were mine?) But even cuter were two doggie dishes, treats and bottled water for the dogs. I guess Loews really does love pets!

We had a great time at this hotel. It was great to go out the back door and be right at the beach. The staff was absolutely friendly and made the kids (and dogs) feel like welcomed guests. The hotel had a ton of families and I understand why. I am a fan of Loews Hotels, and this property did not disappoint.

Jinky's has three LA locations. They serve only breakfast and lunch but do both meals perfectly. Everytime there is an LA poll of the best breakfast spots, you will be sure to find Jinky's somewhere on the list.

The Santa Monica location is between the beach and The Third Street Promenade on fun (but slightly more quiet) 2nd Street. This location has a small patio out front, which seems like the best place to sit on a warm summer day. The people-watching is super from this spot. The inside is bright and colorful and even a little bit tropical. They have large coffee cups painted on the bright yellow walls and even a few fake palms that suggest that yes, indeed, you are at the beach!

The food here is what it is all about. My kids are big hot-chocolate drinkers, and Jinky's seems to win the award in their book for the best cup of hot chocolate in LA. It's rich, served in a large cup, and has yoodles of rich whipped cream on the top. It's hard for even a grown-up to resist.

The pancakes also get a high mark from the kids. The favorite is the blueberry and banana pancakes. The fruit is not baked into the pancakes but is generously spooned over the top. It's fresh and outrageously good.

My only low points were with the bagels. But, then again, it's hard to find good bagels anywhere in California. They are usually too doughy and bready. These were the typical hamburger bun bagels we often get here. However, the lox were outstanding, and I let them do the talking!

The service is casual and fun. This is the beach, after all. The young folks who wait here are the hang-loose beach crowd. The service is laid-back but not sloppy. They get the order right and make sure you are happy and taken-care-of.

The prices are little high for breakfast, but the quality of the food makes the prices seem fair and in line. They have a nice mix of tourists and locals. I was surprised that the day we went, we were able to be seated right away. Most often, there is a wait at any Jinky's. However, it was a Tuesday and a little late in the morning.

If you want the perfect breakfast, head to Jinky's. You won't be sorry--you will soon be a fan and understand why so many folks come here for the best breakfast on the beach.

The first time I ate at Monsoon was about five years ago, when it first opened. The LA hype machine was on full throttle with this newcomer. It was hot, hip, trendy, and fun. Reservations were hard to get, and even with them, we had a long wait. The place was packed, and it buzzed.

Boy, what a difference five years make! I actually foolishly made reservations at a place called Typhoon (yes, LA also has a Typhoon) and not Monsoon. But no sweat, even without a reservation, we were able to be seated right away at a nice booth in the center of the restaurant. The place was only about half full.

I actually liked it this way a lot better. The pace was more relaxed. The service better than when it first opened. It seems to have found it's rhythm. The more relaxed pace fits me better, than that hectic, crazy place of the moment mojo.

Monsoon still is fun. It's a combination of all the great Asian tastes. There is sushi from Japan, bulgogi from Korea, Pad Thai from Thailand, and egg rolls from China. It has a little bit of each Asian country, including Indonesia, The Philippines, and Vietnam as well. The menu is interesting and offers a lot of unique and interesting tastes.

The building reminds of the great food courtyards in Singapore or Bangkok. It has old shutters and balconies around the outside with some awesome Asian chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The whole feel is very exotic. The place is cute without being overdone or too fake. There is also a small patio out front that hugs the 3rd Street Promenade. This was busy, and on a beautiful summer night, this is one of the best places in Santa Monica to do some serious people-watching.

We started out with some sushi that was fresh and very tasty. I had a nice shrimp dish that was served on a sizzling platter. It was outstanding. Each dish at our table was excellent. The service was fast and efficient and very friendly.

Restaurants in LA seem boom and then either disappear or find their place. I think Monsoon may be here to stay. It's a nice place for some great Asian food and perfect for a group of friends who have different tastes. If you have desire for Asian cuisine while in Santa Monica, look no further than Monsoon.

A friend suggested that we eat at Joe's while in Santa Monica. His recommendation came with a warning. He said, "This will be the best meal you will have at the beach, and it won't break the bank, but be prepared for waits for tables and food." Boy, was he right on target!

We made reservations, but we waited 45 minutes for a table. This is a pet peeve of mine. The bar was full, and we had to wait outside on the street with other guests.

Joe's is small: it has a bar in the front, several dining rooms, an open kitchen, and a lovely patio. It looks like it was a converted beach cottage.

We were given a nice table on the outside patio. The inside looked a little cramped. If there is a choice and the weather is good, I would suggest requesting the patio.

Our waiter came and was helpful with taking our orders. The chef/owner Joe Miller is an expert at California cuisine, and everything on the menu was fresh and in season. .

Our soups came right away. We had chilled summer soups, and they were delicious. I had a tuna tartar on toast points, and it too was outstanding. Our entree took a long time to come. It took close to 50 minutes for our food to arrive at our table after our soups. I felt bad for the waiter, as he came by often to apologize, but was at the mercy of a slow kitchen.

Finally, our meals came. The food was out of this world. I had a potato-crusted halibut that was beautiful to look at, but tasted even better. It was a perfect dish. The kids got steaks that were great. Our meals were outstanding. Yes, this just may be the best food on the beach!

After dinner, the chef/owner came by and apologized for the long wait for our food. He said that we had been seated during the dinner rush and offered to buy our table desserts. We hadn't planned dessert, but hey, who can turn down an offer like that?

We all took up the free dessert offer. I ordered an interesting peanut-and-jelly bread pudding, and everyone else had chocolate cake. The desserts took 15 minutes to get to our table! Things went from bad to worse; you would have thought that they could have hurried dessert along a bit to calm us! From the time we gave our car to the valet until we picked it up, it was 4 hours and 20 minutes!

My friend was right on the money. I had no complaints about the food. The kitchen is just way too slow, and it's hard to enjoy such good food when you are mad about a long wait prior to it getting to you. I understand that the best deal on the beach is lunch at Joe's. They have a prix-fixe meal for only $14 per person. Just make sure you don't plan on a quick in-and-out lunch!

The kids wanted to spend part of the summer surfing. I wasn't keen on letting an 8- and 10-year-old hang around the beaches on their own, so I said that if we could find a subtle camp on the beach, they could go.

We did our research, and it seems almost every surf shop and beach person suggests Learn to Surf - LA.

It was early April when I registered the kids for a July class. Being the typical angst-ridden parent, I waited eagerly for the 30-page welcome and confirmation packet every camp sends out. I did not even get a confirmation e-mail from Learn to Surf. So, in June, I called to make sure that they received our confirmation and we were in. After several of answering machine attempts, I finally got a live person. After some shuffling of papers, he said "Yeah, dude, we have you down." He then gave me the directions where to meet the group on the first day. "Just look for a red tent between life guard stands 7 and 8 in Santa Monica, and bring a lunch." It was far more laid-back than I am used to with camps.

We arrived a bit early to an empty beach. Again, my parental anxiety kicked in, and I was sure nobody was going to show up. But then, right on cue at 10 to 9am, the surfer camp rose on the beach like Brigadoon. The red tent was set up and surfers poured in, both as teachers and students. The waves are there, but not too intense for novice surfers.

The teachers were what you would expect, young, tan, and very laid-back. The kids loved them. The ratio here is four surfers to each teacher. The teachers were great, but never demanding. Our daughter tired easy, and it was completely okay for her to sit on the beach and build sand castles. However, my son is very intense with the sport, and he found co-padre's in the group who shared his passion. Each day he came home with a new skill, and it was hard to drag him out of the water.

The school provides the wetsuits, boards, and some snacks and water. The campers bring their own lunches and eat under the tent sent up on the beach. The cost is $375 for the week.

Even if you don't want to take camp for the full week, you can join the group for a day. Laid-back as it is, you don't need to pre-reserve. Simply look for the red tent and sign up for a day lesson. From a parent’s standpoint, I found the camp professional (once I got past the laid-back surfing attitude), and from a kid's standpoint, they loved the teachers, fellow students, and chance to spend the day at the beach. For both of us, it was a win-win situation, and one we will come back to next year!