Los Angeles

Culver City was once regarded as the New Jersey of Los Angeles, but call it “the armpit” no more. Not only have people realized the charm behind this once-maligned corner of the city but they’re coming here to play, too. Today there are tons of great places to eat and hang out at along Washington and Culver Boulevards. And the addition of the Kirk Douglas Theatre, the restoration of the Culver Hotel, and the Helms Bakery Building, now full of elegant furniture for sale, have all added touches of class to the area.

Landmarks

• The Center for Land Use Interpretation • 9331 Venice Blvd
310-839-5722
Sublime presentation of humanity’s impact on the face of America.

• Culver Hotel • 9400 Culver Blvd
310-558-9400
Home to many a munchkin during the shooting of The Wizard of Oz.

• Helms Bakery • 8800 Venice Blvd
They used to make bread, now they sell furniture.

• Museum of Jurassic Technology • 9341 Venice Blvd
310-836-6131
The coolest. Check out Mary Davis’s horn.

• Sony Pictures Studios • 10202 Washington Blvd
310-244-6926
Before Sony and Spider-Man, it was MGM and the Munchkins.

Nightlife

• Backstage • 10400 Culver Blvd
310-839-3892
Karaoke joint across from the Sony lot.

• Blind Barber • 10797 Washington Blvd
310-841-6679
Doesn’t deserve the name “speakeasy,” but it’ll do in a pinch.

• The Cinema Bar • 3967 Sepulveda Blvd
310-390-1328
World’s smallest honkytonk.

• The Jazz Bakery • 9820 Washington Blvd
310-271-9039
Live theatre-style jazz and yes, dessert.

• Oldfields • 10899 Venice Blvd
310-842-8066
Speakeasy-vibe and mighty fine cocktails.

Restaurants

• Café Brasil • 10831 Venice Blvd
310-837-8957 • $$
The fresh-squeezed juices are amazing!

• Café Surfas • 8777 Washington Blvd
310-558-1458 • $
Sandwiches made by food experts.

• Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa •
10117 Washington Blvd
310-558-0436 • $
They roast their own and serve it up graciously.

• The Coolhaus Shop • 8588 Washington Blvd
310-424-5559 • $
The ice cream sandwich goes upscale.

• Ford’s Filling Station • 9531 Culver Blvd
310-202-1470 • $$$$
Hip “gastropub” headed by Harrison Ford’s chef son, Ben Ford.

• George Petrelli’s Famous Steakhouse •
5615 S Sepulveda Blvd
310-397-1438 • $$$
Meat and potato lovers’ paradise.

• Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken • 9537 Culver Blvd
310-202-5453 • $$
Tasty fried chicken, mouth-watering biscuits.

• In-N-Out Burger • 9245 W Venice Blvd
800-786-1000 • $
Top California burger joint.

• India Sweets and Spices • 9409 Venice Blvd
310-837-5286 • $
Cheap, filling veggie Indian fare.

• Jasmine • 4135 Sepulveda Blvd
310-313-3767 • $
Like Indian, but not. And halal.

• Johnnie’s Pastrami • 4017 Sepulveda Blvd
310-397-6654 • $
The best dang dip in town. Great signage.

• L’Epicerie Market • 9900 Culver Blvd
310-815-1600 • $$
Casual dining, grocery-shopping, and Frenchness.

• La Dijonaise • 8703 Washington Blvd
310-287-2770 • $$
Typical Parisian entrees without the stuffiness or high prices. Divine desserts.

• Natalee Thai • 10101 Venice Blvd
310-202-7003 • $$
Popular Pad Thai and curries.

• S&W Country Diner • 9748 Washington Blvd
310-204-5136 • $
Yee-haw! Breakfast’s on.

• Versailles • 10319 Venice Blvd
310-558-3168 • $
The LA institution’s garlicy Cuban grub will stay with you.

Culver City contains some of LA’s more popular home-grown fast food joints (Tito’s Tacos, Johnnie’s Pastrami) and The Jazz Bakery still spins tunes you might barely remember, but of late this mini-city is perhaps better known for its grown-up restaurants. Try anything in the Helms Bakery complex, from dressed-up burgers to Asian fusion, or visit La Dijonaise for French without the stuffiness or prices. Meanwhile, BottleRock is a date-friendly wine bar.

Shopping

• Allied Model Trains • 4371 Sepulveda Blvd
310-313-9353
It’s so much more than just Lionel.

• Attire • 5879 Washington Blvd
310-287-2333
Discount women’s clothing from major brands.

• H.D. Buttercup • 3225 Helms Ave
310-558-8900
Interior-design mecca in Helms Bakery building.

• Surfas • 8777 Washington Blvd
310-559-4770
They’ll design your kitchen and stock it too.