Connecting with culture and community on a solo trip to Santa Monica
Ice cubes clink against the side of my glass as I sip a cocktail and stare out the window in a daze. Suddenly, a flash of neon lights catches my eye from where I’m sitting at a dimly lit table for one at 1 Pico in Santa Monica. On the beach outside, bikes, scooters and even a unicycle pull up one by one, all decked out in decorations and bright lights. The crowd grows quickly, and as a deep bass beat booms from a speaker hoisted skyward by a man wearing a rainbow-colored unitard, the mob moves forward in unison.
It’s Sunday night, and I’m witnessing the Venice Electric Light Parade — a community event held weekly — as it rolls along the Santa Monica bike path toward the infamous Santa Monica Pier. People of all ages and backgrounds pedal past me in droves as the parade’s infectious energy permeates the dining room. Inside the restaurant, onlookers shift their gazes toward the windows as they’re captivated by the lights.
I’m enjoying the last night of a four-night solo visit to Santa Monica, where, throughout my trip, moments like this — strangers connecting at community events — have left me feeling anything but alone.
Initially, I had hesitations about taking a solo trip — my first ever, too. As a mom of three, traveling on my own felt foreign, and as an introvert, the thought of dining alone and participating in activities among strangers in a new city was intimidating. But, I knew that by stepping out of my comfort zone, I’d feel more connected — to both myself and the place that I intended to discover.
A friendly Uber driver quickly settled my nerves with friendly conversation when I first arrived in LA. Eager to explore the city’s food scene, I asked him about his favorite place to eat, to which he suggested a little back-road beach shack called Cha Cha Chicken. Located only a block away from the beachfront hotel where I was staying, Hotel Casa del Mar, I decided to pop in for lunch. Suffice it to say, the local hot spot did not disappoint.
I settled in at a table in the corner of the outdoor patio with a cold bottle of Ting and a heaping plate of coconut fried chicken served with dirty rice and red cabbage slaw and took in my surroundings. The restaurant specializes in delicious (and very affordable) Caribbean fare with a Latin flair. The culinary staff create culinary mashups like Jerk Chicken Enchiladas for a burst of flavor, which guests eat in the restaurant’s colorful and casual communal outdoor dining space.
It didn’t take long for me to strike up a conversation with neighboring diners, who told me that the eatery had an eclectic cult following with locals who frequent the restaurant in the evenings. The owners encourage guests to take advantage of the BYOB policy and take in live music while noshing on some of the city’s best Caribbean food.
The following afternoon I rented a bike and cycled along the famed beachfront bike path. I headed toward Venice Beach (a great spot for people-watching) and then looped back past the pier and along an expansive stretch of beach that eventually led to the Annenberg Community Beach House.
An inclusive community destination and historic site, the beach house boasts a free public swimming pool, a splash pad for kids, beach courts and open seating areas. Strolling through the site, I watched as people played, picnicked, chatted and connected in this shared space that welcomed everyone, connecting locals and visitors like myself.
Deciding to venture off the beaten path, I took a day to explore the Montana Avenue neighborhood, a 10-block stretch of tree-lined streets with a host of diverse shops, galleries and cafes. There, I discovered Ten Women Gallery, a collective of 27 diverse and talented women artists who share the space and showcase their artwork as a unified group of creatives. Upon chatting with the store clerk, I learned how the group of artists work together: meeting monthly, working rotating shifts and promoting each other’s work.
Feeling inspired, I strolled up the street to La La Land Kind Cafe and immediately fell in love with the warm and welcoming atmosphere inside. Bright white decor with yellow accents radiated positive vibes, as did the people who conversed happily while waiting for their coffees. Strangers struck up spontaneous conversations around me. It was a space where even the leashed dogs that stood by their owners inside seemed to savor the ease of each social interaction.
As I waited for the barista to complete my order, someone from behind the counter yelled out a positive affirmation to one of the staff, and as she stood there beaming, the crowd of customers burst into cheers of encouragement. This organic cafe with a purpose employs fostered youth, and watching the young barista shine at the positive acknowledgement brought tears to my eyes.
As I raised my hands to clap along with the others, a woman standing beside me grinned at me and said, “this is why I love this place.” I concurred. I relished the community feel here. Throughout my visit to Santa Monica, and for the few days that I traveled alone, I felt as though I was part of the community, too.
Bianca Bujan is an award-winning travel writer with bylines in Lonely Planet, Food & Wine, Huffington Post, Afar, The Globe & Mail, Canadian Geographic, Chatelaine and others. She loves to connect with cultures through cuisine, and enjoys experiencing a new destination through the eyes of the people who call the place home. From Baden-Baden, Germany, to Amarillo, Texas, Bianca enjoys visiting lesser-known destinations and sharing unique experiences with her readers.