Having lived in Chicago for more than 40 years, we had reached a point where the idea of escaping the cold for at least part of the winter had significant appeal. So some years ago we asked my sister-in-law where she thought we should spend the worst winter months.
We have many friends who go to Arizona or Florida. After we admitted we did not play golf or sun bathe but did like the theater
and other entertainment related activities, she said we should spend our time in Santa Monica. We have been going there ever since.
Los Angeles county is one of the biggest counties anywhere but there are a few cities in LA county that opted out of being governed by the county and set up their own government, police etc. Beverly Hills is one and Santa Monica is another.
The result is that you can have a distinct feel to a town even though it is in LA county. Beverly Hills definitely feels different and so does Santa Monica. SM has its own bus system and police and a neighborhood feel to it. It is about 15 miles west of downtown LA and right on the ocean. That keeps it cool when LA is hot but can also bring in the fog occasionally.
We usually rent a condo in the Montana Ave. area where there are good restaurants and bus service that can take you anywhere you want to go. We never bring a car. Bus fares are surprisingly low especially for seniors. They have also recently added light rail so you can take a train from the Pier area in SM right to downtown LA.
We have gone into LA on several occasions to do walking tours, visit museums and see plays. You can take the bus to Hollywood as we did one year to see them setting up for the Academy Awards.
Santa Monica has a nice blend of great weather, nice people, culture and access to a lot of other things that makes it our favorite place to warm up in the winter.
