High Tide tea at this historic hotel, which sits just feet away from the sand and surf in Santa Monica, offers views of the blue sky and beach from practically every seat in a luxurious lounge.

This is not your mother's afternoon tea. Friendly servers help you maneuver through the "waves" menu, which playfully riffs off of the classic tea service: The Low Tide offers simple noshes and tea; High Tide adds an Elixir specialty drink like the blueberry bikini; Rip Tide (our fave!) is the most decadent, because it also adds a glass of champagne and a white chocolate-dipped strawberry. The "tide bites" come on two trays, one savory and one sweet, and trust us, it's a lot of food (only two people can fit to a table because the plates are so large). The menu includes salmon tea sandwiches, egg salad on wheat bread, tiny grilled gruyere and tomato sandwiches on brioche, chocolate cannoli, peanut butter and jelly on banana bread, scones and more.