Santa Monica, Malibu, LA Beach scene........suggestions?

Pepe T. Pirate · Post by **Pepe T. Pirate** » May 7, 2006 5:00 pm

Thinking of spending a week or so sometime this summer at the beach down south. I'll be staying in Malibu and want to hang out there and in the Venice/Santa Monica area.

I'm hoping to spend lots of time swimming in the ocean (water's too cold in Santa Cruz without a wetsuit!) Other than taking a drive down to Puerto Nuevo for some yummy lobster and maybe going down to Laguna for a day, I'd rather hang out at the beaches near Malibu.

Haven't been down there for a long time......suggestions about killer taquerias, cool shops, the best Margarita in Venice, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

SchoolGirlHeart · Post by **SchoolGirlHeart** » May 7, 2006 5:38 pm

I have limited knowledge of the area, but I do know that Dukes, on the water in Malibu, has fantastic Mai Tais and most excellent fish dinners.

purpleskye · Post by **purpleskye** » May 8, 2006 1:36 pm

Hi there!

I live in Marina Del Rey-which is up the street from there......

A Good place for Margarita's is Baja Cantina-rite on the border of the Marina and Venice On Washington Ave.

If you want a more tiny little authentic place-El Tarasco's in Venice is really really good and cheap-No scene but best place to grab some cheap tacos!!

I would also recommend the bar at the Viceroy hotel in Santa Monica if you are looking for something upscale in the way of a bar

And for the BEST PLACE-I recommend Toppers in Santa Monica. Its a bar on the 17th floor of the Huntley Hotel on 5th Ave....It has a great view of the entire Santa Monica Bay..Also they have $5.00 mini margarita pitchers and inexpensive happy hour every day from 4-7...That one is a MUST!!!

Please PM me if you would like more info!!!

shakerofsalt · Post by **shakerofsalt** » May 8, 2006 1:42 pm

If you like seafood, try Gladstone's. It is delicious and right on the beach!

Tequila Revenge · Post by **Tequila Revenge** » May 8, 2006 2:16 pm

If you want sun shine, wait untill the end of July. There's an on shore cloud cover called "June Gloom" in SO CAL. There's a place on Ventura County line I think called Rubby's or Rudy's crab Shack. Ventura County Line is a famos surf spot nade famous by the Beach Boy's Surffin' USA

Pepe T. Pirate · Post by **Pepe T. Pirate** » May 9, 2006 2:14 pm

Hey, thanks for all the suggestions........this is gonna be even more fun than I thought! It looks like there's a bike trail along the beach that goes for 15 miles or so? I'll be able to work off some of those umbrella drinks!

Oh, that marine layer thing......our weather pattern is similar. Spring is great, except this year, of course. Then many days in the summer, it's socked in until about 1:30 or 2, when it burns off for a little while. Then it moves back in around 4. By mid August through October, it's amazing.

Thanks again for the help!

ladyparrothead · Post by **ladyparrothead** » May 9, 2006 7:01 pm

Might want to try Tito's Tacos on Washington in Culver City if you are in the Venice area. Good, inexpensive food - no adult beverages tho.

I'll also second SGH post about Duke's - great drinks and decent happy hour menu!

If I come up with other ideas, I'll post them!