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There are a lot of great reasons to move to Santa Monica. The nearly-perfect weather year-round, the diversity, the innovative tech scene, its upscale vibes, cool architecture, and vibrant art and culture districts. Whether you’re coming to Santa Monica to study, work, or pursue your dreams, these are the six things you need to do once you get here:
Get Settled In
Before you go out exploring Santa Monica, give yourself a few days to get settled in. If you’re living in a co-living suite, use these first few days to get to know your suitemates, have conversations about rules and expectations, and take time designing your space to feel like home. If you’re in a traditional apartment, give yourself time to unpack, get organized, and try out the apartment amenities.
Try The Local Food
Once you're all settled in, you'll want to venture out and experience Santa Monica's vibrant foodie scene. Some of the can't miss restaurants to try when you first get here include:
Cha Cha Chicken- an eclectic and colorful beach shack that serves an inventive and delicious blend of all the Caribbean flavors. They offer both gluten-free and vegetarian options, and the Mulatto Cuban sandwich is a must-try
Carla Cafe- When you think of sandwiches in Santa Monica, you think of Carla Cafe. This pop-up restaurant features an extensive menu of homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. Carla Cafe found its home in Bootsy Bellows, a well-known nightclub on the Sunset Strip, and does carefully timed sandwich drops three times a week.
Veggie Grill- Santa Monicans are serious about Healthy Living, which is why Veggie Grill is such a popular place in the city. This locally owned restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and specializes in vegan and vegetarian dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients
Milo & Olive- This neighborhood bakery and pizzeria is run by Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, a husband-and-wife team behind many other Santa Monica restaurants. Their dedication to only working with local farmers and vendors with sustainable practices is evident in their pizzas, loaves of bread, pastries, and classic Italian dishes.
The Pie Hole- Why not celebrate your move to Santa Monica with a homemade pie or dessert? The Pie Hole features delicacies like the Blueberry Pecan Crumble, Salted Caramel Crispy Cookies, and the Matcha Lavender Latte. Whether you just want a slice for yourself or want something to bring to a big gathering, The Pie Hole is the best spot in Santa Monica for sweets.
Visit The Pier
Santa Monica Pier is an iconic landmark and should be one of the first things to explore when you move to the city. Give yourself all day to explore the sights and sounds of the pier, grab a milkshake from the Soda Jerks, right a few rides, take a selfie in front of the historic merry-go-round, and find a good spot for people-watching. When you live here for a while, the Santa Monica Pier can sometimes blur into the background of your daily life, so savor every moment of seeing it for the first time.
Find Your Favorite Coffee Spot
There's no shortage of great local coffee shops in Santa Monica, and during your first week in the city, you'll quickly learn which ones are your favorite. For example, if you live in a high-rise apartment like NMS 1427 Seventh, you’ll be within walking distance to:
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Philz Coffee
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Blue Bottle Coffee
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Starbucks
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Pink Daisy Cafe
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Cafe Lucy
And those are just a few within walking distance! As you learn your way around the city you’ll find other hidden gems that make your coffee just the way you like it.
Go To The Beach
Living in Santa Monica means never having to “plan” a trip to the beach again. When you live here, you can stroll the beaches in the morning, during your lunch break, or in the evenings. You can catch some sun in the middle of a Tuesday or zip down the 3.5 miles of coastline on your bike. But there is more to Santa Monica Beach than just the beach, as you explore the gorgeous landscape you'll also discover:
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And a handful of famous waterfront restaurants
There's no better way to celebrate your move to Santa Monica than sinking your toes into the beautiful white sand and soak in the sun.
Browse The Farmer’s Market
One of the best ways to get to know the local community is to head down to a farmer's market. Because Santa Monica is such a health-conscious city and the community takes great pride in sustainability and healthy living, there are farmer's markets throughout the city on different days of the week.
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The Downtown Farmers Market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 to 1
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Pico Boulevard Farmers Market is held on Saturdays from 8 to 1
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The Main Street Farmers Market is held on Sundays from 8:30 to 1:30
No matter which Farmers Market you choose, you'll be supporting local businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs that work in Santa Monica. Bring your own bag or basket to carry around the goodies that you buy, like homemade breads, handmade crafts, fresh produce, flowers, and artwork. Exploring the Farmers Market is a great way to get introduced to a lot of local businesses, support your community and get to know your neighbors.
Parking can get a little crazy when the Farmer's Markets are open, but there is plenty of street parking and parking structures along Second and Fourth streets. There's also the Santa Monica Free Ride shuttle that can take you close to the Downtown Market
Bottom Line
A move to Santa Monica is an exciting milestone. Once you're settled into your Santa Monica apartment, you can easily explore the city on foot. Santa Monica is a very pedestrian-friendly City, making it easy to get to all of these places without having to deal with traffic.
If you haven't found the right apartment yet, take a virtual tour of NMS 1427 Seventh and see if it's the right fit for you.