Car Free Hanukkah
December 7, 2017 10:00 AM
by Jason Kligier
Back when he was on the City Council, Assemblymember Richard Bloom was fond of singing Tom Lehrer’s “Hanukkah in Santa Monica” at the annual City Hall holiday open house. This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Whether or not you will be “wearing sandals lighting candles by the sea,” the holiday ushers in some tasty treats and fun community events to fill your stomach and your calendar.
Food
Latkes, or potato pancakes, are a savory Hanukkah staple to enjoy with applesauce, sour cream, or both! Nothing beats homemade, but they can be a laborious and messy proposition. If you are game, here’s a classic recipe from the New York Times; be sure to squeeze as much liquid as possible out of the grated potatoes. If cooking isn’t your thing, head to the following local delis for a taste:
Izzy’s Deli (1433 Wilshire Blvd.)
Bike lanes on 14th and 17th streets, and California and Arizona avenues, as well as convenient bike racks located immediately in front of the deli make biking a cinch. If you take a Breeze bike, the nearest station is a block away on 14th Street, next to Unleashed. Big Blue Bus line 2 stops a block away on 14th Street. The 17th Street/SMC Expo Station is a 15 minute walk.
Fromin’s Restaurant & Delicatessen (1832 Wilshire Blvd.)
There are bike lanes on 17th Street, and California and Arizona avenues, but you’ll have to lock your bike to a parking meter until racks are installed in 2018. The nearest Breeze station is three blocks away on Arizona Avenue at 16th Street, but don’t forget that you can lock your Breeze bike to any rack in Santa Monica for a $2 fee. Big Blue Bus line 2 stops a block away on 14th Street and the 17th Street/SMC Expo Station is a 15 minute walk.
Wexler’s Deli (616 Santa Monica Blvd.)
Wexler’s offers a Hanukkah dinner catering package. Click here for more details. Bike lanes on Broadway and 6th and 7th streets provide access from the WilMont and Mid-City neighborhoods and there is a bike rack by the entrance. If you’re on a Breeze bike, the nearest stations are at Santa Monica Boulevard and 5th Street or 7th Street between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. Wexler’s is a short 10 minute walk from the Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station and Big Blue Bus line 1 stops nearby.
Fun
Downtown Santa Monica hosts nightly public menorah lightings on the Third Street Promenade between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard. The lightings happen at sundown and are hosted by local synagogues and community groups. Expect singing, dancing, and games. Please note that there are lightings every night except for Friday, December 15.
The Downtown Santa Monica Expo Station is only a 10 minute walk, and multiple Big Blue Bus lines serve The Promenade. Bike lanes on 2nd Street and Arizona Avenue are your best connection. There are many bike racks nearby, or take advantage of the 2 hours of free, secure bike valet at The Bike Center at the corner of 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue. Click here for more details.
Authored By
Jason Kligier
Mobility Manager