Ahhhhh…. When I say I love LA, it’s really in reference to Hermosa (and of course, all the places you can drive from there).

I spent countless hours on the beach during college for BBQs, bar-hopping, brunch, good old lazing around on the beach, and sometimes even studying. Yes, spoiled, I know– I suppose there’s a certain standard even pre-RTWs need to adhere to. Anyways, my favorite thing about Hermosa is the great vibe. People are friendly, relaxed, and it’s a perfect little oasis of a surf town between the dessicated, often over-the-top glitz and glamour of Hollywood and the OC.

A 15 min jaunt south on the PCH (aka Pacific Coast Highway, aka Sepulveda Blvd for the non-Angelenos) from LAX brings you to the sand, surf, and sun of Hermosa Beach. Its slightly more sophisticated sister, Manhattan Beach, is only 2 miles north; it’s an easy walk along the Strand, the walk/bike path that runs along the beach, giving you gorgeous views of the Pacific and multimillion dollar homes.

You can find lodging, dining, and entertainment at both ends of the splurge/steal spectrum, but the people-watching is always free! (Tip: dark glasses are a must for those who can’t keep their eyes off the eye candy.) Here are a few of my fave spots:

Chill

Steal: The Quality Inn. Hands down. Yeah, it’s a chain, but you can’t beat the location at the top of Pier Ave. Not a cute B&B, but you don’t go to Hermosa to hang out in your hotel room all day. Free parking + walking distance from the beach and bars = 0 DDs and lots of happy people to go out with! Just around the corner, you’ve got Jamba Juice for the pre-beach fix, and a Von’s in case you forget essentials. Rates generally in the $100-150 range, completely reasonable in my book.

Splurge: Shade Hotel. Ok, so it’s a boutique hotel in Manhattan Beach, but great for the design snob (I get it from the dad and the BF). Besides the gorgeous roof deck, pool, and hip lounge (filled with cougars– just FYI guys), the rooms have color therapy treatments, jacuzzis, and basically what amounts to a pillow butler. I adore the shoji screens and asian-inspired design elements that make it feel modern, chic, and welcoming all at once. $300-600 a night.

Consume

Ragin’ Cajun: Yum! Try the alligator bites or the peel-&-eat shrimp for apps; the blackened fish is also great. Love the drinks served in mason jars, and they get beaucoup design points for having menus written on paper grocery bags.

Good Stuff: Uncomplicated, unfussy brunch spot– great for groups and casual get-togethers. Their food is fresh and light, but the portions are also enormous!

La Sosta Enoteca (Italian, classic, heavier food) or Mediterraneo (tapas, good wine) are both good date night/romantic dinner spots, depending on the tastes of you and your date. Great dining is to be had all around in Manhattan Beach, Redondo, etc. so if you’re looking for something in particular, ask away!

RIP: Sharkeez, one of our favorite brunch/mimosa spots, which unfortunately burned down a couple years back.

Clothes (and accessories)

All along Pier Ave, really. If you must shop, get something cool and unique, not an item you could get at your local Nordstrom’s, etc. Becker’s surf shop is an institution, I like the stickers and gear there. P.I.N.K. is kinda overpriced and not that cute, IMHO. As a RTW (as opposed to a mere TW), I can tell the difference between quality product and um, a ridiculous price tag meant to distract from the heinousness of that ombre burlap jumper it’s attached to. I appreciate a good bargain, but am not into shopping for shopping’s sake. (More on that to come!)

Carouse

General strategy note: things have gotten much busier since I graduated in the, oh, early 2000s– you used to be able to bar-hop on the pier, but now you have to pick a place, go early, and SIT your cute butt down before the hordes descend. Leaving one place for another will inevitably buy you a 1 hr+ wait in line, which is not my preferred way to relax on vacation. Be happy with what you’ve got, and amuse yourself checking out (but NOT ogling!) all the RTWs and TWs in training.

Happy hour: Union Cattle has great apps, a pretty decent wine list, and of course, their steaks and chops are some of the best menu items. Also good for dinner if you can get a table without people trying to dance on it. It can get crazy later on with the mechanical bull (!) downstairs, but if you want a tamer scene, head out along the pier– or stay and join the party!

Sangria, Pat Molloy’s, Fat Face Fenner’s Fish Shack, et al have dance floors w/DJs. All tend to get crowded, but that’s the fun part! (Disclaimer: I haven’t actually eaten food at any of the above, but would love to hear reviews if you have!) Hennessey’s and their beachside roof deck is a great spot to get some breathing room if you want to actually talk to the people you’re hanging out with.

Mediterraneo has a respectable wine list– had a great malbec last time I was there– and the heated patio allows you an optimal view to plot attack (read: bouncer flirting) strategy at any of the various Pier Ave institutions if you’re so inclined. Or you could just watch the wannabe trophy wives doing just that, which is quite an entertaining sight in and of itself.

Hope this whetted your appetite for a little SoCal adventure in the sun!