6 Santa Monica Hotel Brunches To Explore Without Checking In

One of the best perks of living in Los Angeles is adventuring to other neighborhoods and surrounding areas. When you feel like you need an escape, but you don’t have enough vacation days, get in your car, drive to another part of town and have weekend brunch at a hotel for some much-needed reprieve. Make a day of it: grab a friend, sip on espresso martinis and indulge in French toast, omelets and eggs benedict. You’ll feel renewed in no time. Plus, it’s a great excuse to experience some Santa Monica’s best hotels without booking a stay.

Here are six Santa Monica hotels featuring fantastic brunch menus — no room key required.

The Georgian Hotel’s Sirena is the ultimate spot for a picture-perfect brunch. After its massive renovation last year, the iconic hotel gives Wes Anderson vibes and exudes Old Hollywood glamour. Make a reservation for brunch and ask for a table outside with views of the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the beautiful patio and consider favorites like the decadent croissant French toast soufflé or the hearty breakfast burrito with slow braised beef short rib barbacoa. Although espresso martinis are always a hit, go for another caffeinated cocktail – The Rosamond with gin, Lillet blanc, yuzu, peach, green tea and lemon for a bright and refreshing option.

The Sandbourne Hotel is a stunner and one of the newer kids on the block. Both locals and tourists can enjoy brunch at Marelle, but make sure to have a reservation so you can snag a table with ocean views. The interior’s earth tones are warm and inviting with a “modern Tulum-meets-Santorini” design. Santa Monica native Raphael Lunetta helms the kitchen here, bringing his coastal California cuisine to Marelle. Order the crispy chicken and pancakes for a delicious savory and sweet bite. If you love Chef Raphael’s other restaurant, Lunetta, this brunch menu feels similar. Beyond breakfast, you can order lunch, like a salmon club sandwich or a Snake River Farm cheeseburger. Don’t skip out on the cocktails because the options are fun and exciting. The La Vie en Rosé comes with rose-colored glasses and includes tequila, lime, Aperol, guava and bubbles. For an additional cost, the viral seashell coupe barware can be ordered for any cocktail.

Pierside Hotel is steps away from the bustling Santa Monica Pier, making it a great place to check out brunch while playing tourist in your city. The hotel restaurant, The Surfing Fox, has an ambiance that’s beachy and laidback, perfectly encompassing Santa Monica’s vibe. Start with a tropical Brazilian-spiked lemonade that serves two and is presented in a whole coconut. You’ll find classics here like breakfast burritos, avocado toasts and breakfast sandwiches, but with Asian and Latin American twists. One of the best bites is the ceviche with hamachi, mandarin-coconut leche de tigre, Fresno chilies and charred oranges. Dog parents, bring your furry friends because The Surfing Fox boasts a canine menu.

Many may know Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel because of its fabulous happy hour offerings or the delicious cocktails at The Bungalow. But if you want to feel like you’re on vacation without booking a room, head to Fig for brunch. Fairmont’s hospitality and the bright and lively restaurant atmosphere make for an exciting escape without leaving town. If you have a sweet tooth, try the warm cinnamon roll with vanilla fondant, or choose the brunch ramen with crispy pork, miso and slow-cooked egg.

Santa Monica’s Proper Hotel blends coastal elegance with modern luxury. Beyond the thoughtfully curated interiors by Kelly Wearstler, the rooftop dining at Calabra Rooftop is one of the best Santa Monica hot spots. Spend a weekend brunch on the sun deck or the circular bar, taking in the Pacific Ocean views. At Calabra, the menu feels more Mediterranean with options like harissa-marinated steak and eggs or a Mediterranean breakfast with smoked salmon, frisée salad, hummus, labneh and garlic naan. The Challah French Toast should not be missed with its decadent cinnamon coconut cream, banana rum compote and vanilla whipped cream. Lean into the tropical atmosphere and order a Piña Calabra, their take on a piña colada with a float of dark rum on top.

Viceroy Hotel’s Sugar Palm Restaurant is like a Santa Monica hidden gem. You’ll find a wraparound indoor and outdoor bar and the restaurant has a coastal and laid-back feel. Grab a table on the spacious terrace and enjoy brunch outdoors, it’s a few steps away from the beach, but you’ll still feel an ocean breeze. Some house specials include a short rib benedict toast and wellness bowls, like a green bowl with green spirulina, coconut yogurt, berries, mangoes, granola and hemp seeds. If you want to try something other than pancakes, consider a Dutch baby; it’s like a thinner pancake that’s light and fluffy. Instead of eating your fruit, drink them in this perfect brunch cocktail called the Smokey Morning with mezcal, pineapple juice, mango juice and lime juice.