Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [113]
Le Petite Retreat Day Spa (Map; 323-466-1028; wwwlprdayspa.com; 331 N Larchmont Blvd, Mid-City) Petite but oh-la-la – this luxe spa is a soothing feng-shui zone that’ll leave you feeling as limber as Gumby after a deep-tissue stone massage, as glowing as Brooke Shields after an enzyme facial and as sexy as Brangelina after a couples’ massage in the outdoor cabaña.
Massage Garage (Map; 310-202-0082; www.themassagegarage.com; 3812 Main St, Culver City; massages 30/60/90 min $30/45/70, facials from $45; 10am-9pm) Feeling as run-down as your ’89 Honda? Why not pull in for a ‘test drive’ (30 minutes), a ‘tune-up’ (60 minutes) or an ‘overhaul’ (90 minutes) at this industrial-flavored yet comfortable day spa? Choose from five massage treatments, including shiatsu and Swedish massage. For the complete detox, book a mud wrap ($80).
Pho Siam Thai Spa (off Map; 213-484-8484; www.phosiam.com; 1525 Pizarro St, Silver Lake; massage 30/60/90/120 min $25/40/60/80, facials from $35; 9am-10:30pm; ) She may look tiny, but your Thai massage mistress will pull, stretch, push, knead and possibly walk on you until you feel like a marshmallow. The classy decor, soothing ambience and impeccable cleanliness make this place a steal.
* * *
TOP 10 LA BEACHES
Listed north to south. For access to Malibu’s hidden beaches, see boxed text, Click here.
Leo Carrillo (off Map) – Families love this summer-camp-style beach with enough stimulating tide pools, cliff caves, nature trails and great swimming and surfing to tire out even the most hyperactive kids.
El Matador (off Map) – This small, remote hideaway is a popular filming location thanks to super-scenic battered rock cliffs and giant boulders, but the surf is wild and clothing is optional (X-rated action has been observed).
Zuma (off Map) – Two miles of pearly sand with plenty of Halle Berry and Daniel Craig lookalikes emerging from the crystal-clear waves. Mellow swells make for perfect body surfing. Come early on weekends to snag parking.
Paradise Cove (Map) Brad and Angelina have been photographed strolling along the scenic sands of TV’s Rockford Files fame (sorry, Jim’s trailer is long gone). The water looks lovely but can be quite polluted. Eating at the beach café cuts the $25 parking fee down to $3. Walk-ins are $5.
Will Rogers (Map) – Baywatch stars Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff used to bounce along this sandy patch which is now a cruisey gay beach.
Santa Monica (Map) – Wide slab of sand where beach-umbrella-toting families descend like butterfly swarms on weekends to escape the inland heat. Water quality is poor right by the pier but OK a few hundred yards away.
Venice Beach (Map) – Get your freak on at LA’s most hipsterific beach paralleled by the Venice Boardwalk. During Sunday’s drum circle, the bongos reach crescendo and dancers turn to silhouettes as the sun dips into the ocean.
Manhattan Beach (Map) – Brassy SoCal beach with a high flirt factor and hardcore surfers hanging by the pier for, like, totally epic waves. Families can check out marine life in the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium.
Hermosa Beach (Map) – Possibly LA’s most libidinous beach party with hormone-crazed tight-bods getting their game on over beach volleyball and in the raucous pubs along Pier Ave.
Malaga Cove (Map) – This crescent-shaped, cliff-backed shoreline is the only sandy Palos Verdes beach easily accessible by the hoi polloi. Blends into rocky tide pools and has excellent rolling waves for surfers (Haggerty’s), but no lifeguards.
* * *
Swimming & Surfing
Water temperatures become tolerable by late spring and are highest (about 70°F or 21°C) in August and September. Water quality varies; for updated conditions check the Beach Report Card at www.healthebay.org.