The Best Spots to Eat + Sweat in Downtown Santa Monica
Whether you’re planning a trip to sunny SoCal this summer or are a SaMo resident, you’ll want to check out these awesome fitness studios and healthy restaurants in Downtown Santa Monica.
I live in West Hollywood, but I jump at any chance to cross the 405 and visit sunny Santa Monica. From the beach to the bevy of healthy restaurants, SaMo is a major hub for healthy living.
This past Sunday, I spent the day walking around downtown, visiting a few of my favorite wellness spots. The hubs and I started out with an intense sweat session at Orangetheory Fitness, followed by post-workout smoothie bowls at Nekter Juice Bar, then hit up the Farmer’s Market to grab some fruits and veggies for the week.
It was the perfect day, and it reminded me just how much I love this area for healthy-living activities, so I figured I’d share the deets with you guys!
If you live in the vicinity or are planning a trip here this Spring/Summer, here are a few of my favorite spots to eat and sweat in downtown Santa Monica:
Best Fitness Studios in Santa Monica
Studies show that combining cardio with strength training is the best way to improve body composition. OTF does both with their total body workout featuring treadmill intervals, high-intensity rowing, and circuit training which combines weights and body weight exercises.
This fun and challenging class gives you a serious burn in one hour flat. Want proof? OTF has clients wear heart rate monitors during their workout to help them get in the optimal intensity zone. They also provide stats on how many calories you burn during the session. According to mine, I torched a whopping 614 kcal. Not bad for a lazy Sunday!
I’ve been going to this yoga studio since I was still living in Tucson – it’s that good. When I was in college I would come out to visit a girlfriend who lived in SM, and she would always take me to Power Yoga. She was absolutely devoted to their amazing teachers. Brian Kest is the head yogi who started this donation-based studio, and he still teaches there today. If you can’t make a class in person, they offer online flows too.
If hot yoga is more your style, this sweaty studio located directly across the street from OTF, is a great option too. All of my Westside friends swear by their fun, energizing flows.
This popular Pilates studio was started by my friend Heather Dorak – a major female fitspo. Featuring the core-crushing Megaformer, this awesome workout will get you tight and toned while sweating to upbeat tunes.
Can’t make it in person? Try Heather’s 10-Minute Total Body Pilates Workout >>
Best Healthy Restaurants in Santa Monica
This popular frozen fruit haven has a plethora of delicious smoothies, smoothie bowls, and juices to fuel your healthy lifestyle.
After my OTF class this weekend, I picked up their Pitaya bowl and added some hemp protein for post-workout muscle building. Nutrition tip: skip the agave nectar on top and ask for half the granola to save yourself from a sugar overload.
The best build-your-own poke bowls in town. Mainland Poke has interesting add-ins like mango, black sesame seeds, and tobiko and they use only fresh, sustainable seafood.
This laid-back, healthy restaurant features locally-sourced ingredients and organic produce when possible. From vegetarian options like their Greens and Grains salad to tasty apps that everyone can enjoy like Avocado Hummus, Flower Child’s menu is full of delicious, nutritious options.
If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, Mercado is a lively, tasty dinner spot. We’ve got one on my side of town as well and their fish tacos are a staple in my diet. Nutrition tip: ask for veggies to go with your guac and trade off between the chips to get a few extra nutrients.
Want more ideas for fun activities in Santa Monica? Check out the following posts:
A Fun, Fit Bike Date By the Beach
Become a Knockout: The Best Boxing Studios in Los Angeles
The Best Spot to Catch a Santa Monica Sunset
Weigh In: What are your favorite healthy restaurants or fitness studios in Santa Monica? Share your tips below!
*This post is sponsored by Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. but all opinions are my own.
Amanda Howard says:
Ahh, I loved Santa Monica & so happy I made it there finally in December! We scored the most amazingly sunny winters day! Can’t wait to head back in summertime, hopefully soon!
Whitney English says:
Yes, you were lucky to have great weather!! Hope you get to come back this summer!
Carrie this fit chick says:
I used to live in LA! Santa Monica is so much fun and beautiful! I love the fun bar Cabo Cantina!
Whitney English says:
Cabo Cantina is great! I used to go there all the time when I first moved here :)
Jessica Joy says:
Bookmarking this post for our next weekend getaway. Holy smokes, everything sounds healthily heavenly! Thank you so much, Whitney. Also, thanks for the tips on the YouTube or vid streaming options. : ) And, great tip about the smoothie bowls…I have been wanting to get one, but feel like you said, ‘Sugar/carb bomb.’ Using your strategy in SMART. Hope to make it up there soon, thanks for the inspo! Xx
Whitney English says:
Of course!! Hope you get to visit sometime soon!
Shannon @ KISS in the Kitchen says:
Great recs, Whitney! I definitely want to plan a visit now!
Mandy Enright says:
Every now and then I make it out that way! Thanks for the tips- pinning this one for future reference!
Jessica @Nutritioulicious says:
You definitely made me want to take a trip soon! :D
Bridget @EatRightMama says:
All these look like great places to try when I make it to CA!
EA The Spicy RD says:
Fun post! I was in downtown Santa Monica last year for a Siggi’s event, and I was amazed by how many shops and restaurants there were (um, not to mention the crazy traffic-LOL!) Flower Child opened up a couple of miles from my house in Del Mar, and I absolutely love it!!!
Whitney English says:
Ugh, yeah. The traffic is the only downside, but it’s like that everywhere in LA!