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Experiencing Santa Monica’s charm and staying at its boutique Georgian Hotel, By Szilvia Gogh

Pacific Ocean coastline, boardwalk, rollerblading disco, trendy bars, boutique hotels, shopping mall, gourmet restaurants - Santa Monica has it all. There is definitely old-world mystique to Santa Monica compared to other beaches in Southern California, said California native, Hilaire Brosio. 

This coastal destination draws locals and world travelers alike. There is so much to do. The world-famous Third Street Promenade is home of fabulous eateries, designer shops, movies, music clubs and street performers. You can enjoy the ocean breeze and smell the sand as you discover the heart of Santa Monica.

My favorite place on Third Street Promenade is the Angelato Café. It is well known for offering over 100 amazing and exotic flavors of Italian gelato and sorbets. The place smells of freshly baked cones and mixture of sweet spices, such as vanilla, coconut or cinnamon. One can always find something to enjoy.

With ice cream in hand, one can enjoy the entertaining three-mile walk, bike ride, or rollerblade, on Venice Beach. During the summer, and on weekends, this place becomes quite surreal. The boardwalk fills up with street performers, fortune tellers and with people some would consider weird. Street performers include musicians, midget jugglers, magicians or just simple exhibitionists. Everything goes here. You will see a special area that tops it all. Muscle Beach is where fanatic body builders pump iron right next to the flow of walk with very little clothing.

Santa Monica Pier is a prominent California landmark with its amusement park, large ferris wheel, aquarium, shops, eateries, an arcade, shops and pubs. You could see the pier and the nearby boardwalk in numerous Hollywood movies, such as Titanic, Forrest Gump and A Night at the Roxbury.

After a day filled with sight-seeing and rollerblading, I spent the night in Los Angeles’s finest historic boutique hotel, The Georgian. The hotel glows of Art Deco’s grandeur and offers ocean views. From the terrace downstairs one can enjoy the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean while eating breakfast and sipping fresh coffee. The location could not be more convenient, being only a two minute walk from the Pier and right next to Third Street Promenade. After dinner I enjoyed a few cocktails in the veranda, inhaled the smell of the ocean, listened to the palm trees gently stroked by the evening wind and watched the colorful cavalcade of people walking by.

Everything about this hotel reflects comfort and style. My room did not make me feel like I was in a hotel at all. The decoration was well thought-out -- personal and tasteful. The bed was probably the most comfortable I have ever slept in with its goose down feather comforters. The bathroom’s floor is old Hollywood style with checked black and white tiles. The toiletries are not cheap, hotel-like either. The Georgian supplies high quality Aveda products to its guests - something I would use at home.

I left the window curtain open for the night in the hope of waking-up to see the sunrise from bed, and I did. To wake up to such scene is an experience all its own and a great start to any day.

In the morning I regretted checking out of the Georgian and heading home, but surely I will be back to this small, friendly, boutique hotel one day. Santa Monica with its Mediterranean climate, diverse people and stylish charm is definitely a one-of-a-kind gem of the SoCal coast.

 Above Photo Credits: © USA Travel Magazine, Szilvia Gogh, Georgian Hotel

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