I used to live in LA for four years, and the location of this place cannot be beat. We were only a few blocks from Santa Monica beach and went twice every day of our stay. There are also great shops and cafes just around the corner, one of my favourites being Urth Cafe. The neighbourhood is very walkable with easy access to public transport, like the Big Blue Bus, if you're carless. We found it quite easy--and enjoyable--to get around both on foot and by bus. I highly recommend staying here if you're looking for a lovely stay in Santa Monica.