Visiting California’s surfing
paradise, we fell in love with a town of yoga studios, taco trucks and vintage
markets. By Tilly Macalister-Smith
Where to stay
Shutters on the beach
Shutters is an exceptional retreat.
Bedrooms feature in-room libraries, Pacific-facing balconies and whirlpool
bathtubs. “And the beds are so big you have to climb up on to them,” beams
Vogue fashion editor Francesca Burns, who was here for the “American Pop” story
in the March issue. Aspiring sommeliers are well catered for at One Pico
restaurant; or you can while away an afternoon at the beachfront café Coast.
Don’t forget to visit the spa; the signature pore-refining facial using
detoxifying mineral-rich mud with pineapple extracts is restorative bliss.
Shuttersonthebeach.com
What to do
- Annenberg Community Beach House Originally a private estate with a 100-room house and five
Acress, this Twenties property has been converted into a beach house for
the public to enjoy. Greta Garbo and Clark Gable once strolled in the
grounds. Open daily. 415 Pacific Coast Highway (Beachhouse.smgov.net)
- Farmer’s markets Santa Monica’s four weekly farmers’ markets (at three sites:
Arizona at Third Street, Pico Boulevard and Main Street) are a must-visit
for foodies. Smgov.net
- Hennessey & Ingalls You’d be hard-pressed to find a bookshop in the whole of
America with a more comprehensive collection on the visual arts (more than
80,000 titles). 214 Wilshire Boulevard (Hennesseyingalls.com)
Annenberg
Community Beach House, Farmer’s markets, Hennessey & Ingalls
What to see
Getty center and Getty villa
The Getty Villa Malibu museum specializes
in fine art and geographical exhibitions, like The Last Days of Pompeii
(September 12 to January 7), while the Getty Center LA has an impressive
collection of fashion-led art and photography – see Herb Ritts: LA Style (Cindy
Crawford, Ferré 3, 1994; until August 26) and In Focus: Robert Mapplethorpe
(October 23 to March 24). Getty.edu
Santa Monica museum of art
Santa
Monica museum of art
This modern-art gallery prides itself on
showing work by emerging as well as established talent. Check out Michael
Queenland’s sculptures made from everyday items (Rudy’s Ramp of Remainders,
September 15 to December 22), and Kianja Strobert’s mixed-media show Nothing to
Do but Keep Going (September 15 to December 1). Smmoa.org
