A friend was visiting from Colorado, and I wanted ...

A friend was visiting from Colorado, and I wanted to bring her to the beach right away since that's the thing she misses the most about California from her childhood. Neither of us had spent much time in Santa Monica, so I decided to take her someplace new. It was a typically gorgeous late afternoon when we arrived, and after saying hello to the ocean, we started walking towards the pier - and came upon the most charming, inviting ediface if a cafe/bar and decided it was the perfect spot to have a celebratory drink and a bite to eat. Shutters by the Sea's glisteninly white interior was every bit as lovely inside as it was outide, and we sat at the bar where we were welcomed by rhe friendly bartender who whipped up two Grey Goose martinis in no time. We still felt like we were taking in the beach since every window looked right out to the ocean and we ordered a watermelon salad that was extraordinary and some delicious guacamole & chips. It was perfection - a bargain at double the price.