Without a doubt, heading to the Santa Monica Pier is one of the top tourist attractions in Santa Monica. Made famous in countless films, the pier was originally built in 1909 which is defined as the pre-historic age for Los Angeles.

It's considered the final stop along Route 66, as anyone who saw the movie Forest Gump knows, and it houses a historic carousel ride, a ferris wheel *, a small aquarium, carnival games, tourist trap souvenir shops, a pub and a few restaurants.

Now, dining on the pier is not something we would ever do unless it was like on a triple dog dare or something, but if we had to dine in the vicinity of the pier the only place to do so is The Lobster.]]> juliana 2008-05-05T16:43:16-05:00 34.011045 -118.49501 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/4/25/104959/546

If you're a regular reader of the weekly trashy tabloids (not that we are or anything), then the name Fred Segal should be very familiar to you. It's the trendy store where celebrities are always spotted buying new clothes, catching a bite to eat and staging some convenient photo ops.

Now, there are actually two Fred Segal stores--one on Melrose Avenue where most of the paparazzi camp out--and the more low-key one in Santa Monica on Broadway, just off the Third Street Promenade.

This is the Fred Segal that we prefer. Why? Well it's close to the beach, it's bigger (which means more merchandise) and the parking is way more manageable.]]> juliana 2008-04-25T12:15:01-05:00 34.015758 -118.49199 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/18/154738/219

Only three restaurants in Los Angeles were awarded two Michelin Stars in the 2008 guide for the city and several were awarded one-star, including another Table Crashing fave, CUT.

So we decided to test out the one nearest to our abode--La Botte in Santa Monica which earned a one-star. The restaurant's location is a few blocks from the touristy Third Street Promenade, thankfully, as anything on the Promenade should be avoided.

Yet it's in the ground level of a modern-looking apartment/office building. This is both good and bad--good because you get a sort of tucked-away feeling but bad because who eats in the ground floor of an apartment/office building?

Nevertheless, La Botte has a cozy atmosphere once you step inside. Indeed the Michelin guide agreed:

It is difficult to imagine a warmer interior than in the homey yet fashionable place, which pays homage to Italian wine with its hardwood floors and walls crafted from the staves of oak wine barrels (a nod to the name, Italian for "wine barrel").

]]> juliana 2008-03-18T16:20:01-05:00 34.018329 -118.49281 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/20/10591/0795

Earlier this month, we told you about the Singapore Flyer, the super Ferris wheel that's now the world's biggest. But height alone doesn't make an awesome ride, or at least that's what they're hoping at Pacific Park in Santa Monica.

Starting May 8, workers will put in a new, high-tech wheel with all sorts of wild lighting effects. (Think LED hearts for V-Day, an American flag for Independence Day, a wreath for Christmas.) The new 90-foot ride should be ready in time for the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day.

Given how hot the Ferris wheel competition is getting worldwide, we figured we better map out your best options. If your top trips are all about getting high, here's where to go.

Related Stories:
· New Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier [LAT Deal Blog]
· Pacific Park [Official Site]
· Ferris Wheels of the World Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: vgm8383]]]> pbb 2008-02-20T11:19:09-05:00 34.010073 -118.49653 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/29/152821/167

If you're headed to Santa Monica, you will most likely end up spending some time at the Third Street Promenade--a three-block stretch of all your "favorite" mall stores (Gap, Banana, B&N, Apple, Express, etc.), coffee shops and some sub-par restaurants.

We don't want to lie to you and so we won't: The Promenade, while convenient, sucks. It's always crowded and dirty and the random street performers don't make things any better. Seriously: Is there a need for a father-son gymnastics duo here? Also, there are tons of parents who like to pimp out their kids on the Promenade by making them do "acts" like playing the keyboard or singing over a Lauryn Hill tape.

It's not just sad; it's annoying. Tourists who think these kinds of acts are cute crowd up the sidewalk making it harder for us to get the hell outta the place.

But there is hope!]]> juliana 2008-01-29T16:30:02-05:00 34.015048 -118.49362 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/3/152537/017

This past Friday night we hit up a favorite spot on Santa Monica's Montana Avenue, an Italian restaurant called Locanda Portofino. The small restaurant serves a fusion of Northern and Southern Italian cuisine from Chef Florestano Caracciolo di Nicastro. It's extremely and unnecessarily expensive, especially the wine list. (We'd tell you to bring your own bottle but with a $40 corking fee, you might as well just order one.)

It was all completely worth it, though, as we had to squeeze by Owen Wilson to enter the restaurant. He was too busy getting digits from an attractive pin-thin brunette to move out of our way of course. Also spotted that same night was Bridget Moynihan, best known at Patriots QB Tom Brady's baby momma. She was dining with her mom and dad and we are guessing some siblings. A very good-looking family.

As for the food, this was our second time there and we can highly recommend the pasta dishes. Unfortunately, the chicken and other meat dishes fall short. Locanda Portofino's open for dinner every night and has lunch Tuesday through Saturday.

Related Stories:
· Locanda Portofino [Official Site]
· Owen Wilson coverage [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: People]]]> juliana 2007-12-03T16:35:02-05:00 34.030172 -118.49767 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/10/26/152933/66

We haven't updated our Shopping in SoCal Map in a bit (eek!) but with Halloween just around the corner we couldn't resist filling you in on a Westside costume shop we like.

Ursula's Costumes on Wilshire in Santa Monica is perfect for all your silly, not-to-be-taken-too-seriously costume needs. To the point, we like it because it is stocked to the brims with those easy to assemble Halloween costumes that come in plastic packages and cost anywhere from $35 to $50. We have easily spent that much going from places like Goodwill to Target to Joanne's Fabric Store trying to put together a costume.

At Ursula's our only problem was trying to decide between the Slutty Wizard (really) or a Slutty Merchant's Wife (seriously). In the end we chose Slutty Corrections Officer because we get to hit people with a plastic baton all night. Men can choose from less slutty options like Caveman, Doctor, Zoot Suit Gangster and other cliched costumes. Also, your pet can have his or her pick of costumes too.

For those who want to go to the next level, Ursula's has a costume rental department as well as a tailor who will custom make your outfit. (That takes about two months, so you'll buy off the rack for this weekend. But it's never too early to get a jump on next year!)

The only downside is that during Halloween time it gets crowded and parking (as per usual) is either unavailable (meters on Wilshire are hard to score) or costly. We hit the lot behind the building which charges $1.00 for every 20 minutes. We were also disappointed in the wig section which carried a so-so collection. Plus you have to buy a $1.99 wig cap before you try any wigs on, even if you don't end up buying a wig.

Ursula's is still open after Halloween and orders are accepted online so it fits any costume party needs--not just those happening around Oct. 31st.

Related Stories:
· Ursula's Costumes [Official Site]
· Shopping in SoCal Map [Jaunted]]]> juliana 2007-10-26T16:15:01-05:00 34.035773 -118.47775 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/