Los Angeles

Here it is: LA’s Coney Island, Woodstock vs. Myrtle Beach, a carnival and an American microcosm, home to billionaires, bombshells, hustlers, and drifters. On the boardwalk, Venice bustles all day (and gets dicey at night). Along Abbot Kinney, Venice is a cozy bohemia, with ample eateries, bars and boutiques. And with Lincoln Boulevard right there, you don’t have to venture far to get that pesky smog check.

Landmarks

• Binoculars Building • 340 Main St
Frank Gehry’s design features a large statue of binoculars marking its entrance.

• Muscle Beach • 1817 Ocean Front Walk
310-578-6131
Don’t forget to oil up first.

• Venice Boardwalk • Ocean Front Wk
A freak show to some, while others thrive on the eclectic crowds. Marvel at the graffiti-bedecked palm trees.

• Venice Canals • Pacific Ave & N Venice Blvd
There used to be more than six, but they were deemed impractical and turned into roads.

• Venice Pier • Washington Blvd
It’s been a casualty to weather conditions at least twice.

• Windward Circle • Main St & Windward Ave
A great meeting place for those looking to spend the day at the beach.

Nightlife

• Baja Cantina • 311 West Washington Boulevard
310-821-2252
Free chips ‘n’ salsa with your margs.

• The Brig • 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-399-7537
For trendy westsiders too lazy to drive to Cahuenga.

• James’ Beach • 60 N Venice Blvd
310-823-5396
Outdoor patio bar with ocean view.

• The Other Room • 1201 Abbot Kinney Blvd
312-396-6230
Plus/minus thirty bar. Fun ambition minus the Hollywood hustle.

• Roosterfish • 1302 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-392-2123
Friendly gay oasis in dude-ridden beach area.

• Townhouse • 52 Windward Ave
310-392-4040
No longer a dive, not yet a lounge.

• Venice Whaler • 10 Washington Blvd
310-821-8737
Take out-of-town friends for buckets of beer, sunsets.

Restaurants

• Abbot’s Pizza • 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-396-7334 • $
Bagel crust pizza.

• Axe • 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-664-9787 • $$$$
Healthfood with a chef’s touch, movie star approval, and a long wait.

• Baby Blues BBQ • 444 Lincoln Blvd
310-396-7675 •
Quit whining—LA does have decent BBQ.

• Baja Cantina • 311 West Washington Boulevard
310-821-2252 • $$
Mexican with seafood specialties and sizeable margaritas.

• The Brick House • 826 Hampton Dr
310-581-1639 • $$
Definitely a local hangout. Lunch and breakfast only. Great porch.

• Café 50’s • 838 Lincoln Blvd
310-399-1955 • $$
All-American food without pretense.

• Café Buna • 3105 Washington Blvd
310-823-2430 • $$
Breakfast of champions with excellent coffee.

• Casablanca • 220 Lincoln Blvd
310-392-5751 • $$$
Nice evening out, guaranteed.

• Gjelina • 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-450-1429 • $$$$
California cuisine with a New York sensibility.

• Hal’s Bar & Grill • 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-396-3105 • $$$
Pub food.

• Hinano • 15 Washington Blvd
310-822-3902 • $
Burgers, beer, benches, beach.

• Joe’s • 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-399-5811 • $$$$
French-Californian unique cuisine, worth the prices.

• La Cabana Restaurant • 738 Rose Ave
310-392-7973 • $$
Very festive atmosphere and diverse meeting place.

• Primitivo Wine Bistro • 1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-396-5353 • $$$
Shabby chic Mediterranean tapas and wine bar.

• Rose Café • 220 Rose Ave
310-399-0711 • $$
Trendy eclectic Californian and pleasant brunch in art gallery.

• The Shack • 2 Westminster Ave
323-209-7316 • $
Beachside Salvadoran snacks.

• The Tasting Kitchen • 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-392-6644 • $$$$
For special occasions, hipster-style.

• The Terrace Café • 7 Washington Blvd
310-578-1530 • $$
Convenient lunch spot for rollerbladers.

Venice is an artist colony striving to survive amid the juxtaposition of million-dollar homes and drug houses, walk streets and canals. For those with some disposable income, head to funky Abbot Kinney for great shops and restaurants. Joe’s French-California cuisine is one of the best fusion spots in LA, while wine and tunes go hand-in-hand at The Other Room’s exposed-brick wine bar. See also, The Tasting Kitchen and Gjelina. Venice Beach is okay for surfing, if you can dodge the swarm of dirty needles, but don’t confine your voyeurism to Venice Walk—Washington Boulevard has more memorable characters.

Shopping

• A + R Store • 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-392-9128
Treats for the home from around the globe.

• Ananda • 1356 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-399-4186
Unique, affordable, beach Buddha fashion.

• DNA • 411 Rose Ave
310-399-0341
Shhh . . . this tiny designer outlet is a big secret.

• Fiore Designs • 1617 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-230-5007
A bridal store that thus far avoids the cheesy.

• Firefly • 1405 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-450-6288
Great for gifts. Better for yourself.

• Green House Smoke Shop • 1428 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-450-6420
Tools for those high on life.

• Heist • 1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-450-6531
Decadent beachwear, sexy imperial classics, and well-edited denim.

• Helen’s Cycles • 2472 Lincoln Blvd
310-306-7843
One of the best bike stores in the area.

• Mollusk Surf Shop • 1600 Pacific Ave
310-396-1969
Respected surfer depot. Fewer familiar logos, more enthusiasm.

• The Starting Line • 114 Washington Blvd
310-827-3035
If you are a serious walker or runner, this place is for you.

• Venice Bike & Skates • 21 Washington Blvd
310-301-4011
Rent yourself some boardwalk transport.

• Waraku • 1225 Abbot Kinney Blvd
310-452-5300
Specializing in custom sneakers and other cool clothes.