This SoCal Beach Town Is The Perfect Place To Recharge Your Mind & Body

Whether you're seeking sunshine or looking to try out SoCal's trendiest restaurants, here's exactly how you should spend a restorative and stimulating three-day weekend in the welcoming enclave that is Santa Monica.

Three blocks over, Uovo has a variety of affordable pasta (seriously, every dish is under $20) flown in directly from Bologna, Italy. Try the handmade Tagliatelle ai Carciofi or the Volge, which uses a family recipe for the white wine clam sauce. And at Water Grill, you can enjoy shellfish—a great way to optimize your vitamin D levels in the winter, studies show—and a stunning view of the sunset. Wherever you eat, leave room for one of the outrageous scoops—like Elvis's Favorite (peanut butter and banana) and Scout's Honor (mint ice cream with chunks of chocolate and Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies)—at the very Instagrammable Sloan's Ice Cream back on Third.

Afternoon: Head over to Kye's Montana sandwich shop, which serves up custom combos of healthy fare like lean proteins, leafy greens, nori, avocado, quinoa, nuts and seeds, and more. After you've refueled, take a walk down Montana Avenue, dotted with 150 cafes and boutiques. Window shop the chic stores (many of which are home to eco-conscious brands like Amour Vert), pop into Field Guide for sustainable on-trend home accessories, sift through the lingerie-inspired looks at Only Hearts; get inspired to redecorate at Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic; or find jewelry at any price point at Moondance.

Evening: Walk the row of unique restaurants that line Main Street, south of Pico Boulevard. Get a healthy taste of Down Under at Little Prince, a semi-casual Australian eatery that specializes in creative cocktails using local ingredients; snack on chips and guac at Lula Cocina Mexicana, with more than 300 tequilas behind the bar; try a seasonal artisanal pizza at Stella Barra, made with produce from local farmers markets; or go for seasonal tapas at Manchego. 

There's no shortage of night life in Santa Monica: Start on Main Street at The Basement Tavern, a speak-easy hot spot inside The Victorian, an event venue that's also home to LGBTQ-bar The Birdcage. Then take a turn on the dance floor at The Buffalo Club, a fine-dining restaurant near Pico, or kick back in the low-key game room at The Bungalow. Grab a nightcap in the form of a delicious, creative cocktail at The Chestnut Club, or, for late-night eats, stop in at the retro Mel's Drive-In diner.

If you're looking for a more unique fitness experience, check out Upgrade Labs on Main Street. This high-tech recovery facility features equipment like the Atmospheric Cell Trainer, which changes air pressure to work out your cellular energy system; the Cheat Machine, which provides a week's worth of weight training in less than 15 minutes; the Oxygen Trainer, which switches between 100% oxygen and insufficient oxygen as you sprint on an exercise bike; and a Virtual Float Tank that puts your brain into a meditative state.

Midmorning: Meander down Main Street—significantly more laid back during the day—before you head out of town. Every Sunday, the farmers market here is a haven for locals (there's even a bike valet, so no one has to worry about bringing a lock!) and an ideal spot to grab brunch before you begin your stroll. Drop by any of the cute cafes for lunch, then lose hours browsing stores like Jadis Props, a former prop house for films like Batman and Robin and Van Helsing, stuffed with curiosities. At Mindfulnest, you'll find arts and crafts from up-and-coming painters and sculptors, while Planet Blue showcases fashion, jewelry, and décor.

Afternoon: Wrap up your West Coast adventure with a tour through the California Heritage Museum, housed in the 1894 Historic Landmark Roy Jones house. This multicultural facility presents exhibitions promoting the California community, like a collection of paintings that celebrate the joy of a road trip or sculptures made from reassembled ceramic figurines found in SoCal's coastal cities. It's the perfect way to honor the history of the beautiful place you more than likely just fell in love with.