Impromptu SoCal Trip

I think most of my friends back in the Philippines will agree when I say lastminuteholidays have better chances of pushing through than those that have been planned for months. Now that I think about it, most of the out-of-town trips Um and I have taken are spur-of-the-moment trips.

I have repeatedly said in this blog how much I love Southern California. It’s one place [that I have been to here in the States, so far] that reminds me of home. One of my favorite places within the county of Los Angeles is Santa Monica, and here are my top five reasons why (in no particular order):

1. Santa Monica Beach – It’s one of the best places in SoCal where you can bask under the sun and achieve the perfect California tan. There are more than just a handful of things that you can do here. Swimming, surfing, biking, volleyball and more. The best thing about it is that you can do all these things for free!!! Bonus: Santa Monica Beach is a favorite among producers, so be sure you have your camera ready at all times for possible celebrity sightings.
2. Santa Monica Pier – It’s just a stone’s throw from the beach, so you might as well swing by. It has everything you need to make the trip worth it: a mini-amusement park, a trapeze school, an arcade and a fishing deck, street performers and allthatjazz. And when you’re all drained out from all the activities, there’s a myriad of restaurants serving various cuisines that allow you to kickback, relax and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Watch out for those surfer bus boys. They make great eye candies and all, but sometimes tend to get too friendly, if ykwim. (If you’re single, though, go for ‘em!)
3. Third Street Promenade – A couple of blocks from Santa Monica Pier is Third Street Promenade. It is also populated by street entertainers (from dancers to fortunetellers!) and restaurants like the Pier, plus it is home to dozens of retailers, making it the one-stop place of every tourist to do his or her shopping!
4. Santa Monica Playhouse – Is it a theater? Is it a conservatory? Is it a creative school? This highly acclaimed jewel is located in Downtown Santa Monica, and serves as an intimate theater, art workshop center for both youngsters and adults, and a party venue.
5. Main Street – Located just a couple of blocks away from the beach, it is a popular spot among surfers. It is home to restaurants and pubs that attract both residents and visitors such as Urth Cafe, World Cafe and many more.

I’m sure there are more. My exploring is always quite limited for a number of reasons. But don’t these five things alone make you want to set forth to Santa Monica for an ultimate California vacation?