By the time jacarandas bloom along 20th Street and heirloom tomatoes reappear at the markets, we know spring has found its footing in Santa Monica. The ocean breeze warms up, surfers trade neoprene for sunscreen, and the courtyard at The Ambrose Hotel fills with light a little earlier each day.
Woven into the season is a calendar filled with major events and fun local happenings, each an invitation to step outside and let your sense of adventure take the lead. Here’s what we’re planning our spring around:
Local Highlights
NBA All-Star Game | February 12–15
LA takes the spotlight this February as basketball’s biggest weekend rolls in. Stay at The Ambrose and you’re in range of buzzy brand pop-ups, one-night-only dinners, and viewing parties across the Westside. Our favorite way to join the action? Kicking back at local breweries. Sample the scene with Santa Monica Sips, our daily craft beer tasting of hazy IPAs and fruity sours made in Southern California. Find your new favorite, then catch the game on big-screen TVs a few blocks down at The Daily Pint or on the patio at Santa Monica Brew Works.
Los Angeles Marathon | March 8
This city-to-sea route is legendary, and conveniently close to our neighborhood. Running? We’ll have early coffee ready. Watching? Find a shaded spot on San Vicente and cheer on the athletes together with locals.
Coachella | April 10–12 & 17–19
For guests heading to the desert, The Ambrose becomes a kind of decompression zone. Before the dust, it’s a spot to lay out your outfits and get one last solid night’s sleep. Afterward, it’s a soft landing: spacious rooms, spa-like showerheads, and ultra-plush bedding to catch up on rest.
Beverly Hills Art Show | May 16–17
Held under the sycamores in Beverly Gardens Park, this open-air show stretches across the lawn with over 200 exhibiting artists. Stroll the wine and beer garden, catch a live band, or mingle with international artists as casually as if in their own studios.
Pride in Santa Monica is felt neighborhood-wide. Montana Avenue fills with rainbow flowerpots and window art, while Third Street Promenade turns into a block party of live music, family-friendly installations, and more than a few impromptu dance circles.
FIFA USA vs. Paraguay | June 12
This one’s big. With the FIFA World Cup match landing in LA, expect every bar in town to turn into a viewing party: giant screens, roaring crowds, and spontaneous goal celebrations included. Catch the match at neighborhood staples like Britannia or Jameson’s, where the vibe’s as good as the game.
An Itinerary for Fresh Air
LA is all about al fresco dining, even more so during the spring. Take advantage of picture-perfect weather for a journey across the city’s best restaurants. Start at Tartine, a beloved California bakery just across the street from The Ambrose. Find a seat on the patio, order something seasonal, and maybe stay for a second morning bun latte.
Later, grab one of our beach cruisers and head for the Marvin Braude Trail, where you’ll find 22 miles of shoreline and city scenes, starting just a few blocks from the hotel. Ride toward Venice, passing roller skaters, detouring toward the canals, stopping for a mango and Tajín on a stick, letting the wind dictate the rest of your route. No wrong turns on two wheels.
Back in Santa Monica, Main Street’s farmers market is in full swing. Picture musicians strumming beneath eucalyptus trees, a local fruit stand handing out slices of blood orange, a vendor describing the difference between three kinds of goat cheese. Our kind of weekly ritual.
Feeling ambitious? Slip into your wetsuit and paddle out for surf lessons at Bay Street. More of a beach bum? Stay on the sand, iced coffee from Dogtown in hand, watching the surfers bob and wait for the next set.
As the sun lowers and the breeze picks up, it’s time for Élephante, where the rooftop wraps you in terracotta tones and the scent of wood-fired flatbreads. The view stretches into golden haze, and someone will probably offer to take your photo before you ask.
And on the walk back? Make one more stop at Rori’s for an artisanal ice cream sandwich, maybe a snickerdoodle, still warm, stuffed with brown sugar vanilla ice cream and Nutella schmear. You’ll probably sit on the curb to eat it. You won’t regret that choice.
Make It a Long Weekend
Sundays are too special for a packed suitcase. There’s espresso waiting on the patio, a ride along the coast calling, maybe even a nap with the window cracked open.
Our Weekend Getaway offer lets you stay for the full version of that weekend. Enjoy 30% off your Sunday night, plus all the perks our guests return for: complimentary Tesla rides, nightly tastings, beach cruisers, and rooms that feel like home (if home came with La Bottega robes and a better minibar). You don’t need to plan much. Just book your stay. Spring will handle the rest.