The "Homeless" Guide to the Northern Trust Open

So it has returned. The Northern Trust Open. What does this mean for the Westside of LA? Besides the Mercedes SUV courtesy cars zipping around to Shutters, Lowe's or Casa Del Mar, it means one thing: rain. As I compose this blog post, it is raining. And dark. Yep. The PGA is in town. Too bad they didn’t flip flop with Pebble or the Phoenix event. The weather was beautiful. Now? Rain. I’ve lived in Santa Monica since Aug of 2007. Every time the PGA is in town, it rains. A ton. Last year, I wanted to play some golf myself on the Saturday of the NTO, and I had to drive to Oceanside, CA to find a course open. Good thing I was continuing to San Diego. So, what is the point of this post? I call it the “Homeless Guide to the Northern Trust Open” enjoy.

Getting there:
Ok. Everyone thinks Wilshire or Sunset are the only ways to the course. Usually, they are. Sunset is a pain in the behind because it is a single lane (mostly) and is windy and full of hills. Wilshire is the largest Northern most East/West artery linking the Westside to Westwood and Beverly Hills.
Don’t use Wilshire heading West from Beverly Hills. Use Olympic, Santa Monica Blvd, or Pico. Then once inside the 405, use 26th or Cloverfield to get up to San Vicente. Now, you can continue on 26th to Sunset to Riviera. But….Don’t do it.
Take a Left on San Vicente (be careful not to speed) and hang a right on Entrada. Wind down the hill and hang a right on Amalfi. Take Amalfi to Napoli and take a Right on Corsica Dr. Welcome to the back way to Riviera.
If you are coming from the South or North, Take Lincoln (heading North Only) or The Pacific Coast Highway (North or South). From Lincoln, Take a Left on San Vicente and your 1st Right on Entrada. From the PCH, Take West Channel to Entrada or Chautauqua Blvd to Sunset.

Once you are there:
Riviera is hilly with some areas to walk. There are a couple of decent viewing areas but it pays to be really early or really tall. It is high comedy to see the “groupies” trying to navigate the cart paths in 4-6” heels.
In the rain it can be muddy and miserable. Bring your mudders.

Where to eat:
Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best nights to eat in Santa Monica. Why? Because all the chefs in town buy the fresh goods at the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmer’s Market. These are the places where I like to go:

Anisette Brasserie- Santa Monica Blvd Between 2nd and 3rd. Great Raw Bar Specials, Upscale, but reasonable (for Santa Monica). Steak Frites are good.
The Yard Santa Monica- Broadway between Ocean and 2nd. Great Beer List, with a executive chef who won one of those cooking reality shows. You are welcome.
Joe’s Pizza- Next to the Yard, Broadway between Ocean and 2nd. If you want a genuine NYC slice of pizza. Go there. End of discussion.
Sonny McLean’s- Wilshire on the corner of 26th. My usual hangout. Boston centric bar. New food items are good. So are the beers. Celtics/Bruins/Sox Spring Training will be on the TV.
South Santa Monica- Wilshire on the corner of Stanford. Upscale Bar food with a distinctive Southern Twist. Actual Southern Grits and Chicken & Waffles.
Santa Monica Seafood- Wilshire and 10th. Yes please. If you like seafood, this is it.
Casa Del Mar- Appian Way and Pico Blvd. Sunday Brunch is killer.
Shutters on the Beach- End of Pico Blvd and Ocean Front Walk. Sunday Brunch is where to be.
Urth Café: Main St between Strand and Hollister. Think of a Starbucks combined with a Bistro and mashed with a wine bar. Boutique coffee and small plates, with a local decent wine selection and homemade “sustainable” ice cream. Yeah. Expect to pay for it too.

Where to drink:
Ok, besides the Yard, Sonny’s, and South, here are some option.
The Hideout- West Channel Road in Pacific Palisades. Basically at PCH & West Channel. Small, cozy bar with upstairs lounge. Have seen some celebs there. Not bad.
The Huntley- 2nd St between California and Wilshire. Top floor bar in the Huntley Hotel. Boutique hotel with a restaurant/lounge/club. Best place to catch a sunset. Lines after 10pm on Friday/Sat night.
The Viceroy- Ocean Ave & Pico Blvd. You’ve seen this outdoor poolside bar on TV. Like the Huntley, but you can get a cabana.
Chez Jay- Ocean Ave across from Hotel California. Classic LA Dive. Might see an ‘A’ lister trying to be on the DL. Pretty Chill.
Big Dean’s Ocean Front Café- Ocean Front Walk at the Santa Monica Pier. Total Surfer Dive. Picnic Tables out front, sat next to Laird Hamilton last time I was there. Great Burgers Too.
My Father’s Office- Montana Ave between 10th Ct and 11th St. Great Craft Beer List. Best Burgers in town (Dean’s is a close 2nd). Small, no reservations. 1st come, 1st serve.
Ye Olde King’s Head- Santa Monica Blvd and 2nd St. British Pub with a Pacific Ocean View. Soccer is always on. Karaoke on Sunday Nights.
Speaking of Karaoke, the Gas Light, Wilshire between 20th and 21st streets. They only do karaoke and never close. I’ve been there at 6am on a Tuesday morning. Trust me.
Main Street Santa Monica- Lots on Bars/Clubs/Restaurants. Most are walking distance concentrated between Hollister St and Marine St.
Cabo Cantina- Wilshire in Brentwood, Santa Monica on the 3rd St Promenade, and Venice at the Pier. Yep. Happy Hour from 4-7 and from 10-12 every day. Do I hear……shots?

If you have some time, you can always stroll along Ocean Front Walk down to Venice and see the “freak show” or jog along Palisades Park (run along the cliffs above PCH along Ocean Ave in Santa Monica) or even try the (in)famous Santa Monica Stairs (Adelaide Dr & 4th St). So there you have it. Ignore the Sunset Strip or Beverly Hills. Stick to Santa Monica/Venice/Brentwood. Then you won’t have to worry about traffic!!!