The Beach House at Hermosa, Hermosa Beach, Calif - Shape your life news

Shape, Oct, 2003 by Gabrielle Gayagoy

A true vacation in Los Angeles means no driving. At the Beach House at Hermosa (from $224; 888-895-4559, beach-house.com), you can leave your car keys and your worries behind.

Located in Hermosa Beach, the heart of L.A.'s South Bay, the Beach House offers cozy accommodations just steps from the sand and within walking distance of eclectic shopping, dining and nightlife. Wake up to a stunning ocean view and take a leisurely stroll by the quaint beachfront properties on The Strand, a 26-mile paved sidewalk linking several beach communities. Or amble one block south of the hotel to Pier Plaza, where you'll find everything from flamenco dancing at Sangria (310-376-4412, sangriahermosa.com) to martinis and manicures at The Lighthouse Cafe ($10 for the combo; 310-376-9833, thelighthousecafe.net).

For more you-time options, hike up the Pier Avenue hill to Trilogy Spa, where you can customize your treatments at the Hawaiian Scrub and Scent Bar (take-home scrubs, $38; spa treatments, from $130; 310-318-3511, trilogyspa.com). If you prefer, saunter back to the Beach House's own spa for mix-and-match services like the Fresh Face Massage and Lower Leg and Feet Treat ($50 each).

When you're done with custom pampering, take a yoga class that targets your trouble spot. The hybrid classes at YogaFit, for instance, range from the good-for-glutes YogaButt to the ab-blasting YogaGut (from $8 per class; 310-798-8773, yogafit.com). For traditional hatha yoga, head to Planet Yoga, which offers beginner to power yoga--even Power Yoga for Beginners ($15 per class; 310-376-5354, planetyoga.com).

Rather play outside? Make a pit stop at Hermosa Cyclery and join the many cyclists and skaters on The Strand (rentals, from $6 an hour; 310-374-7816, hermosacyclery.com). Then refuel yourself with a healthy meal at Rocky Cola Cafe (310-798-3111, rockycolacafe.com). A favorite among South Bay locals, this diner features a Fitness Menu touting nutritional breakdowns for more than 50 items.

By the end of your stay, you'll forget you own a car.