The Men’s Inn-sider Guide

For the Guys

New Man-Friendly Toiletries
So we are starting on the inside…of the Inn where we noticed most of our bath amenities are more appealing to women. With Dollar Shave Club news being all the latest, we thought we would acquire something similar to their shave cream and put the product in our baths. Thus…

We are pleased to introduce for our guests the “astonishingly superior” Cremo Cream shaving cream. Their unique foam-free formulation is unusually thin compared to your typical shave gel or “creams” and produces a gentle, very smooth shave.

Made with only natural ingredients including Macadamia Seed Oil, Aloe, and extracts of Calendula, Lemon, Papaya, and Olive Leaf. Paraben Free and not tested on animals.

Let us know how you like it as we will make it available for one month, and will continue to do so if you say so.

Buddy Road Trip
A recent travel article recommended a guys-only urban road trip in Los Angeles that included the best bars, a USC or UCLA football game, a good jazz club such as the Catalina Room in Hollywood or the Tap Room in Westwood. But, we think the best Buddy Road Trip from anywhere else ends up at our beach.

So, here is our neighborhood take on a “Buddy End-of-the-Road” trip:

Fun Things to Do, Man

How about gathering a group together and angling for game fish like Halibut, Barracuda or White Sea Bass? Marina del Rey Sport fishing and their experienced crews have daily open party fishing trips or charter a vessel for yourself and your friends- they can provide you with gear, bait, and licenses. For a faster adventure, jet skis are rentable from Marina del Rey Boat Rentals by the hour.

Seeking something more sedate? Just steps away from the Inn on Culver Blvd. is Mo’s Place, a classic bar, known locally for playing darts and shooting pool.

Battleship USS Iowa docked in San Pedro is a quite popular attraction. (The people on TripAdvisor ranked it at #13 in Los Angeles!) Guests explore the many exhibits about the ship’s capabilities and her history- often retired military experts are on hand to share and discuss her impressive past exploits. After the tour, The Whale and Ale up the street serves up good English pub grub including fish & chips and curry with frequent live music and great ales on tap.

Sports to See and DO!

You MAY have heard something about this lately in sporting news- the Rams have returned! It has been 25 years since we had an NFL team here in Los Angeles. They have already won their season opener. Tickets are still available for future games.

LA Metro has added extra service to Memorial Coliseum on game days. But plans are underway to build their permanent home only moments from Inn in Inglewood on the site of the former Hollywood Park Race Track.

The Olympics may be over for now, but you still have a chance to swim-bike-run like an Olympian- right here in Playa del Rey! The 9th Annual Playa del Rey Triathlon is on October 23rd at Dockweiler beach, sponsored by the USA Triathlon Team and a portion of the funds raised go to the UCLA and USC Triathlon teams. Athletes can choose to do the “sprint distances” of 600m swim, 20k bike, and 5k run OR compete like an Olympian and do the 1500m swim, 40k bike, and 10k run! And for those who just like to watch, it is truly amazing to witness these competitors in person.

Eating (and Drinking) with the Guys
OK, so I am a woman who likes whiskey, beer, and red meat as much as any guy. And, I know many men who relish a fresh salad and a crisp, white wine. But, for fun, let’s appeal to the stereotypes….

Only a short walk from the Inn towards the ocean is one of our absolute favorite restaurants. Playa Provisions is, in fact, several eateries under one roof. Grain whiskey bar is their old-school, speakeasy-style venue. Along with an astonishing array of scotches, bourbons, and whiskeys, the small plates- such as the scotch egg with turkey bacon sausage, grain mustard and espelette- compliment all the beverages perfectly. Maybe try one of several tasting flights of different labels- “Rye on the Money”, for example.

Cannibal Beer and Butcher just up the road in Culver City- despite its name- was a smashing success in New York City before expanding to the West Coast this past spring. Yes, excellent steaks are grilled there, but they really excel in unusual cuts, sausages and cured meats. A lovely selection of vegetable dishes are on the menu also like a super-fresh kale salad with grapes, almond, shaved radish, and lemon vinaigrette. And, the list of craft beers one can order goes on for pages and pages!

Sharp-Dressed Man

Venice Beach sets the fashion trends in shopping. With clothing it is no different. At Alternative Apparel, not only do the men’s and women’s clothing look and feel amazing, 70% of them are made sustainably- with recycled or organic fabrics colored with eco-friendly dyes. Also on Abbot Kinney Blvd., Current/Elliot is the epicenter for denim fashion for all genders. Their philosophy “that every item in your closet should be rich in stories; unique and treasured” gives your wardrobe a true one-of-a-kind feel.

In downtown Hermosa Beach, Deep Pocket Jean Company may have found the perfect way for men to shop. They have combined American-made luxury goods, signature denim jeans- with pockets so deep your keys will never fall out accidentally again- a barber shop, and a humidor and cigar-smoking porch. All just steps from the beach.

Prefer shopping from home? The leather goods, clothing, and accessories from Jack Spade are rich with class and quality.

Liz’s Corner

I often get asked whether we have any men on the staff. The answer is yes, indeed, there is a man who works here. Edgar Estrada.

For over fifteen years Edgar has been spending the night at the Inn as the overnight manager. While the rest of us – guests and staff – sleep soundly, Edgar is letting in a guest whose flight was late, luggage was lost, and cab driver never heard of our street.

He has always been a valuable member of our team. But last month his athletic abilities surprised us all and surprised him. Additionally, Edgar works two jobs; He is the night manager at the Inn and has a day job at an auto parts store. He says he does not have time for sports or to work out and any spare time is spent with his family which now includes his adoring granddaughter and grandson. But, since his wife and daughter were running again in the Jet to Jetty 5K on the Inn’s team, he decided to let us sign him up.

So… Edgar ran the three miles. And…he beat almost all of us. He came across that line with his huge grin that we have grown to love.

I am VERY proud of all my team members; but last month I was most proud of “our man” Edgar. So we don’t just have any men on our staff, we have The Man, Edgar.

“The Inn Crowd” Runs and Wins!

Of all the 34 teams racing in this year’s Jet to Jetty Run for Mental Health, the Inn at Playa del Rey came in first for the most participants! Almost the entire staff ran the race. And… we actually came in 7th place out of the 34 teams for speed.

Hey Fellas, Listen to This!

Only about ten minutes from the Inn at the Fabulous Forum the inimitable Gwen Stefani will be giving two concerts on October 14th and 15th. The former lead singer of No Doubt and judge on the hit TV show The Voice will be performing all her hits and new songs from her “This Is What the Truth Feels Like” album.

“Sharp Dressed Man” is a song that will surely get played on October 6th when ZZ Top plays the Greek Theatre. Maybe we should take them a tube of Cremo Cream- LOL.

Jazz?! Couldn’t be better than The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach- excellent jazz happy hour or Sunday jazz brunch. Jazz flute? Yup, found at the non-profit Jazz Bakery in Culver City at the iconic Helms Bakery arts complex. Check them out- both jazz clubs are way cool.

A Day at the Races

What’s a good boys’ trip without a horse race. Ronald Reagan was once quoted as saying, “There’s nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” Ok, so you won’t get to ride the horses at Santa Anita Race Track, but with their Farrier’s Package you can enjoy the day of racing in box seating complete with a racing program and vouchers for an entrée and craft beer or wine in the Club House.

Or, try Oktoberfest trackside. On October 1st, their festival will feature beer (of course) as well as music from the Bavarian Wunderband and food from The Berlin Truck. For even more fun, folks can enter a costume contest, or compete in stein-holding or other games. Beer and horses, what a combo.

At the End of the Road

(ours)…

There is Always the Beach

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