Hi folks, My girlfriend and I will be first time vistors to your beautiful country early next month from the UK. We will be staying at the Fairmont Marimar in Santa Monica. Both of us enjoy clubbing and night life. I'm trying to find safe and practical tips and precautions to take i.e. is it safe to walk around SM at night - I hear venice (which I believe is quite nearby) becomes no go area after sunset, is the same true for areas in and around SM, is it safe to walk to various clubs at night or should I always take the car. Apologies if I sound paranoid, Its my first time visiting and the onus is on me to bring back my girlfriend safely. We're both into swing/soul/rnb music in clubs, are their any good safe clubs you would recommend, any rough clubs/places to avoid. Any websites urls on clubs and safety would be gatefully appreciated. Thanks for any info, and I will look forward to hopefully writing to you saying what a wonderful time we had, hopefully without incident. Incidentally, we plan to go San Fran for a few nights, then drive down the coastal highway to Santa Monica for a couple of nights, and then onto Las Vegas.

Sam, if you'll do a search for "Santa Monica Trip Report" in the text box, you can see our recent trip report with reviews of restaurants and the hotel you're staying in.

We never felt unsafe while we were there.

Sam:
Brian is right. I have never felt unsafe in Santa Monica after dark. (Venice is another story.
Be sure to look up his report. it's GREAT!!!

1. Caveat on the trip report: the report itself was great, but you might want to skip reading the responses.

2. Do not miss the Venice Boardwalk on a weekend. Take the "acts" for what they are--amateurish, but fun. And take some ones for tips. Muscle Beach is also amusing.

Hi Sam! Glad you will be stopping in to see us. I work in Hollywood and have spent many nights clubbing in Santa Monica. For the best and most current info I strongly urge you to check out
www.laweekly.com It is a complete list of everything that happening all over Los Angeles, if you go to music it gives complete club listings, updates and descriptions. Please have a great time in our town, check out 3rd Street in Santa Monica, put out your cigarettes,(no smoking inside of public buildings)and don't worry. Obviously like any big city take precautions. If you need anyother information please email me directly and I will be glad to help you. Los Angeles is a GREAT city, (something a lot of other American's have trouble with) of course it has no public transportation, people are very friendly,but not always sincere. Of course these are very general observations but I am sure you will have a wonderful here. I could go on and on... but don't want to make the New Yorker's jealous!!! (That was meant as a joke, please don't start a stream of Pro NY. anti CA postings, of course every city is beautiful to people who love it)

Thanks everyone for the very quick replies. Also thanks as I feel a lot less anxious now, and am a lot more excited about the whole trip.
Excellent report Brian, very detailed. What was the name of the hotel you was impressed with? I too was under the impression the hotel would be only steps to the beach. We wanted to stay near the ocean front and a hotel with some luxary and class. Brain what did you think of the hotel luxary wise. I was deciding between this hotel and the Loews hotel, the fairmont won it based on price and the landscaped lush gardens it has. We will be there over the weekend, so will definetly check out the venice broadwalk, might even have a go at roller blading. Interesting stuff on british expats there, will have to pop in. Thanks for url Thrya, it is quite informative. I'll look forward to telling you all how our trip went.

Some practical advice Sam, everybody in LA carries some sort of weapon, mostly guns. Venice after dark is when the C.H.U.D come out, so steer clear or risk being taken down by one. Also, you should be careful of the police, who will occasionally shoot people at random or plant drugs on them for extorsion or amusement. I wouldn't stop for one if you see the sirens. Santa Monica is o.k., just don't piss anyone off and you may look into hiring a security officer as escort, just in case.

Have fun and welcome to America.

GIVE ME A BREAK YOU GUYS! It's not THAT dangerous out here! I live in Santa Monica and work out at Golds Gym in Venice. I don't carry a gun, I just use common sense when going out at night in any large city: Stay on main streets, avoid deserted roads, or alleys. Look ahead when walking, taking confident "don't mess w/me" strides. DO NOT GIVE TO PANHANDLERS, or to people asking for change. Park in well lit areas. Dress like a local: no camera's around the neck, travel bags, backpacks, maps hanging out of pockets.
I could go on and on, but use the same caution as you would when visiting one of the tougher areas of London, England.

Oh Bob come on!!! Welcome to America indeed!!! Such might be true if you show up dressed like a gang member and loitered on street corners late at night in South Central (which is all the way on the other side of Down Town from Santa Monica) ... but in Santa Monica? I used to live in Pedro, one of the roughest spots in So. Cal, and what you described didn't happen to a single person I know...Hire a security guard? Give me a break. I am going to assume you were being sarcastic...By the way neither I nor anyone in my family nor people I work with, or even ex boyfriends carries a fire arm around with us... that's called "carrying a concealed weapon" and it's illegal in California...

Ignore Bob, he probably doesn't even live in the U.S. (perhaps he lives in Canada, the country that lately seems to spawn most of the terrorists).

Sam, I've gotten comfirmation from another poster that the other hotel we stopped by for drinks in was Shutters (One Pico).

We were in the older part of the Mirimar, so we didn't get to see the best rooms, but were very pleased with lobby/pool/staff. If only it was easier to get to the beach.

If you're getting comparable prices at Shutters, I'd choose it. It's also closer to Main Street (which we liked) and further from 3rd Street Promenade (which we found a bit cheesy).

Venice is a no no a night. SM is fine - just be sure to stay on the well-lit major streets. If you like clubbing try Rix (a 30's style supper club) and Voda (a vodka/caviar bar). Both are very near your hotel. By the way, SM has a fair number of English style pubs. But, on the other hand, why come all that way to experience a copy of what you already have at home?