“The Santa Monica Life” is a weekly roundup of all the local fun, food, drinks, and lifestyle goings-on in Santa Monica. When the fun is so close, it’s easy to leave the car at home and walk, bike, or bus to all the exciting stuff our city has to offer. Isn’t that why we love it here?
We’ve got some doubly exciting Santa Monica news from L.A. Eater this week involving burgers and beer. L.A. Eater reports that Fuddruckers’ new Santa Monica location is now open for business, which is exciting news for fans of the classic burger joint.
“When you walk in the door, you’re transported to a retro 50s diner atmosphere ready for the juicy burgers and tasty milkshakes we all remember from childhood,” L.A. Eater writes.
Unfortunately, the space — at Wilshire and 20th — is lacking in arcade games, according to L.A. Eater, but there’s still plenty to recommend it.
L.A. Eater: “First choose between quarter and half pound patties and bite into a crisp and warm bun that is baked from scratch on-site throughout the day. Guzzle it all down with an old-school milkshake. In case you’re feeling adventurous, there are other protein options like buffalo, elk and wild boar, as well as chicken and a veggie option. Dress your burger the way you like it with the long condiment bar (including a nacho cheese pump option). However, for all the healthy Santa Monica locals, have the burger protein style or with a gluten-free bun.”
And, Santa Monica Brew Works, the bayside city’s only craft brewery, is on track to open a taproom later this year, L.A. Eater reports.
“Owner Scott Francis says that the on-site expansion (their production brewery sits just below a UCLA clinic) will be more than just a few empty barrels for seating and some grain bags thrown around. ‘We don’t just want to stick a bar in the corner,’ says Francis, adding that customers will be given a more refined experience while tasting from a selection of widely available and one-off Santa Monica Brew Works beers,” according to L.A. Eater.
The new taproom will be at a prime location.
.@SantaMonicaBrew tasting room to open 2015, with Expo Line 17th St/SMC Station a 3 minute walk away http://t.co/En2TQ9EYa3
— E/Expo Line Ledger (@expolineledger) May 19, 2015
This week was “The Brand New L.A. Week” at L.A. Mag. And, as part of the week-long glimpse into the future, L.A. Mag featured a round up of the projected opening dates of the County’s new light rail and subway lines, including the Santa Monica-bound Expo light rail.
L.A. Mag on the Expo line: “It’s hard not to notice the bright blue stations that have sprouted throughout Palms, Rancho Park, West L.A., and Santa Monica. Work is wrapping on the western terminus near Santa Monica Place and early testing is happening in Cheviot Hills. Pictures recently appeared on social media showing a train stuck along Overland Avenue, but it appeared to be a minor snafu. Barring any other surprises, and adequate trains, expect an opening in April or May of next year.”
We’ve also covered the Expo line in more detail, including the bike path construction happening parallel to the light rail line.
Speaking of bikes, are you someone who prefers to be active, getting your exercise while getting around? Then, you might not be surprised to find out that Santa Monica is in a list of the top ten best cities for people who ride bikes.
According to Grist.org, Santa Monica is number six out of a 154 cities ranked by the same people who do WalkScore.
“To compile its annual list of America’s most cycling-friendly cities, the company takes into account bike-lane availability, plus the number of hills in a city, bike-commuting rates, and how often bikers have to de-saddle along their routes, among other factors. This year’s list, which includes 154 cities, has a few surprises,” Grist.org reports.
Beating out Santa Monica were Cambridge, MA; Davis, CA; Berkeley, CA; Boulder, CO; and Santa Cruz, CA.
Santa Monica beat out cities with reputations for being some of the bike-friendliest in the country, including Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; and even Seattle, WA.
Keep up the good work, Santa Monica.
Have you got a tip for Living the Santa Monica Life? Send them to editor@santamonicanext.org.
