September 2025

We snuck away for a quick weekend adventure to Santa Monica, California, and it turned out to be the perfect little escape. We stayed at the Hilton Santa Monica Hotel and Suites on Fourth Street, just a short 10 minute walk from the famous Santa Monica Pier.

The pier was our first stop, and while the sky was overcast (so no dipping into the ocean this time), we loved soaking up the lively atmosphere. Between watching street performers, bubble blower, listening to the live music, enjoying good fair type food, riding a few rides, and simply wandering around, it was easy to feel like kids again. For the foodies, Kurt highlyrecommends the fully loaded flat-top hotdog from Pier Burger, and I was in heaven with the funnel cake from Cosmic Funnel Cake, pure nostalgia in every bite!

One night we wandered over to Tar & Roses for dinner (thank you, Kurt, for finding this gem!). Just a 15 minute walk from our hotel, this spot blew us away. We started with the tomato & peach salad – burrata, basil, balsamic, tomatoes, and fresh peaches… a combination I never would have thought of, but absolutely loved. For mains, Kurt ordered the braised lamb shank, I had the hanger steak, and both dishes were flawless and full of flavor.

To top off the night, we couldn’t resist stopping at Turn Dough, a dessert shop glowing pink (my favorite color of course) from outside. We split a Dubai Chocolate crêpe, which was the perfect sweet ending to the evening.

From comfort food on the pier to fine dining and a fun dessert, plus the vibrant, playful vibe of Santa Monica itself, this little trip was everything we needed. A short weekend getaway packed with great food, laughs, and plenty of memories.

If you’re thinking about planning your own trip to Santa Monica, I’d love to share more tips and recommendations to help you make the most of your visit!

Check out the posts on social media below to see more on our adventure to Santa Monica. Be sure to follow and like us on social media for more travel inspiration!