It is said that New Yorkers are a driven lot, but a large percentage of us are driven because we do not know how to drive. There is no need in this city to operate a car - there is excellent public transport at half the price of London. And yet New Yorkers are among the best-travelled people in the world. Sometimes we hire a car and driver, but our independent and sociable natures often inspire us to do what the locals do.

I am a regular visitor to Los Angeles and have figured out how to enjoy much of the area without a car. For a first-time or repeat visitor, my advice is to base yourself in Santa Monica. It has much of the iconic LA topography: sunsets on the Pacific Ocean; a sandy beach full of people who are in much too good condition; wandering “street” characters of every stripe; the occasional movie star sighting; one of the best outdoor food markets in America; superb restaurants; and, above all, the sense that this could not be anywhere else in the world but the LA we envision. All that is missing is Disneyland and that can be reached if one must.

My hotel of choice is the Georgian. It dates back to the 1930s and was preferred by more than a few movie stars for a romantic getaway. The building retains its elegant old bones but has been smartly updated. There are delicious breakfasts based on local ingredients, bracing ocean air, and those sunsets. The elegant Merigot hotel is another choice and its Cezanne restaurant offers many dishes based on local ingredients. I love the fish dishes there. Within three blocks of the Georgian Hotel are at least 50 restaurants, cinemas with 12 screens showing the latest hits and important independent films, and even a pub popular with British ex-pats. It is right across the street from the ocean and I would try to get in a swim every day.

You can rent a bicycle and cover a lot of local terrain. Santa Monica also has a superb local bus system as well as limited-stop long distance buses that go to Beverly Hills and downtown LA. Selective use of taxis can take you places where buses do not reach. The two I would recommend are both part of the J. Paul Getty Museum (www.getty.edu/museum), for which reservations are required to attend. The Getty Villa, straight up the Pacific Coast Highway, holds a superb collection of Greco-Roman art in an idyllic setting. It is a short trip from the Georgian Hotel. A bit further, and probably the most expensive transport (about $40) you will incur, is the Getty Museum, an omnium gatherum of paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs. The Getty has one of the best educational initiatives of any museum in America. It also has good eating facilities, so I tend to make the visit a full day.

And what do I do if I need or want to go further afield? New Yorkers are resourceful and also friendly. I tend to befriend residents of LA, almost all of whom own a car and are willing to give me a lift. In exchange, I invite them for drinks on the terrace of the Georgian just in time for sunset over the Pacific.

Georgian Hotel: 1415 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401 Tel: 1-310/395-9945 Fax: 1-310/451-3374

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Cool place with lively crowds that has an impressive international list of drinks and happy hours where it's as little as $4 a drink – refreshing in a pricey town.
Head down weekdays between 4.30pm-6pm to take advantage of the discounts…

3847 Main Street, Culver City

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10 best bars in LA and no Formosa? You've gotta be kidding! Elvis once tipped a waitress here with a Buick. Great bar, great drinks, great history and great margueritas.

Santa Monica & Formosa
www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=29&currentVenueId=353

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Los Feliz is a great little neighborhood in north-east Los Angeles, near Griffith Park (I'm a little biased since I live there...). Anytime but mid-July through August are the best times to go - it can get pretty hot some days during those months. Check out Hillhurst north of Franklin, and Vermont north of Hollywood. Lots of great restaurants, bars and hang-outs (Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on Hillhurst has a great patio with firepit). Griffith Park is also nearby, with plenty of great hiking trails, pony rides for the kids, picnic areas, etc.

East of Western, north of Franklin, West of Riverside drive, south of Griffith Park. Get there from the west side by taking the 10 east, 110 North, 5 North, get off at Los Feliz Blvd and head west. Griffith Park will be to your right as you drive down Los Feliz Blvd.

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A bar on Santa Monica Blvd.

This is a Hollywood milestone. If you like good bars, don't miss it!

8447 Santa Monica Blvd.

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An unassuming canopy on west 3rd hides a dimly lit, but atmospheric bar. Serves over 270 types of tequila, great Margarita's and all else until late to a hippish, relaxed LA crowd. Has chic mexican wrestling decor, once your eyes have adjusted to the nice low light. Yum.

8138 W 3rd Street, Hollywood CA
(323) 852-1552

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With 2 branches in L.A. (the original in west L.A. on the old Route 66 and a more recent addition in Santa Monica) this is a fine place for a few beers from an enjoyably broad beer menu featuring brews from all over the world. There's no need to go for the usual U.K. available labels so try a nice Fat Tire or Anchor Steam instead, and add a fabulous calzone or chilli bowl from their equally long food menu. Shoot some pool, play the jukebox or look at the tabletops which are full of showbiz memorabilia and great old celebrity pictures.

3rd St Promenade,Santa Monica,CA

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A hip, trendy bar on the Sunset Strip (there's also one downtown which I haven't been to). Free entry where one might mingle with stars on a busy night (including U.S. teen dream Chad Michael Murray) and where one might quietly play cards with his friends on a not-so-busy night. Expensive drinks, though, of course.

8300 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood

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This is a fantastic old roadhouse on the Mulholland Drive.

This place is like an old-time saloon - and the owner matches the bill: he's about 75, with a huge cowboy hat. The interior of the place is fab, too, dark wood, a long bar, the only thing missing are the spittoons!

They're not open all the time, though. We got lucky, and the old timer let us in for a beer even though the place was closed. But it's a good idea to call them beforehand.

It's on the Mulholland Drive on the way to Malibu Beach.

Phone: 818 7069001

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A wonderful seafront hotel in beautiful Santa Monica, the Georgian is, on the outside, a powder blue art-deco classic, while on the inside the rooms are modern and stylish but with the old-world feel of the hotel preserved. Enjoy a drink at sunset at the hotelfront veranda bar and watch the world go by in style.

Ocean Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
www.georgianhotel.com

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