Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Places for food and/or coffee.
Great Hawaiian cuisine. Get 10% off menu prices by ordering 'self-service' and sitting outside.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Rutts Hawaiian Cafe
11707 Washington PlGreat Hawaiian cuisine. Get 10% off menu prices by ordering 'self-service' and sitting outside.
Nice French inspired spot for brunch and lunch. Funky, artsy space.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Atmosphere Mar Vista
12034 Venice Blvd.Nice French inspired spot for brunch and lunch. Funky, artsy space.
Taiwanese soul food. Unique. Pretty space. Nice little bar next door called Accomplice.
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Little Fatty
3809 Grand View BlvdTaiwanese soul food. Unique. Pretty space. Nice little bar next door called Accomplice.
FIN
12223 W Washington BlvdGood Japanese food.
Great coffee and pastries. Free parking lot. Limited seating inside, but more space outside.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
Alana's Coffee Roasters
12511 Venice Blvd.Great coffee and pastries. Free parking lot. Limited seating inside, but more space outside.
An Asian food court with attached grocery and gift shop. Good place for ramen.
130 Einheimische empfehlen
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Santa Monica
3760 S Centinela AveAn Asian food court with attached grocery and gift shop. Good place for ramen.
Small space with a small Scandinavian/ Turkish food menu plus beer and wine. Cool, artsy space.
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Gravlax
12400 Washington BlvdSmall space with a small Scandinavian/ Turkish food menu plus beer and wine. Cool, artsy space.
Upscale, hipster-y space that is not cheap, but a definitely a quality experience.
93 Einheimische empfehlen
Hatchet Hall
12517 W Washington BlvdUpscale, hipster-y space that is not cheap, but a definitely a quality experience.
The Detour Bistro Bar
12473 Washington BlvdGood food and drinks, good happy hour.
Menotti's Coffee Stop
56 Windward AveGreat local coffee spot.
Unique, SoCal inspired cuisine. A little upscale. Good spot for weekend brunch. Pretty space.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
The Mar Vista
12249 Venice Blvd.Unique, SoCal inspired cuisine. A little upscale. Good spot for weekend brunch. Pretty space.
A quirky little market that also serves an affordable menu of breakfast and lunch (good sandwiches and omelets). You can also buy bottled soft drinks and beer/wine here. They have live music some nights.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Grand View Market
12210 Venice Blvd.A quirky little market that also serves an affordable menu of breakfast and lunch (good sandwiches and omelets). You can also buy bottled soft drinks and beer/wine here. They have live music some nights.
A German-style beer garden open for dinner and brunch on the weekends. Good drink selection and in addition to all of the wonderful meat options on the menu, they offer vegan items as well.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden Los Angeles
3817 Grand View BlvdA German-style beer garden open for dinner and brunch on the weekends. Good drink selection and in addition to all of the wonderful meat options on the menu, they offer vegan items as well.
Entertainment & Activities
A bowling alley with a great bar, pool table, pin ball machines, foosball, and food.
76 Einheimische empfehlen
Bowlero Mar Vista
12125 Venice Blvd.A bowling alley with a great bar, pool table, pin ball machines, foosball, and food.
Go here if you want to rent bicycles to get around on. You can also rent skates.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Venice Bike & Skates
Go here if you want to rent bicycles to get around on. You can also rent skates.
Rider Shack
13211 Washington BlvdGo here to rent surf boards!
Drinks & Nightlife
Alibi Room
12236 Washington BlvdCool space, good drinks.
The Corner Door
12477 Washington BlvdNice bar, walking distance from the apartment.
Alley
12223 W Washington BlvdFun little hidden bar with unique decor.
Old Man Bar
12517 W Washington BlvdGreat space with great drinks. Attached to Hatchet Hall.
A short car ride away. A funky bar with a national park theme (imagine what a bar would be like if Smokey the Bear was in charge). Good night life.
70 Einheimische empfehlen
Bigfoot West
10939 Venice Blvd.A short car ride away. A funky bar with a national park theme (imagine what a bar would be like if Smokey the Bear was in charge). Good night life.
Busy spot, but right on the beach with good food and drinks.
282 Einheimische empfehlen
VENICE WHALER BAR & GRILL
10 Washington BoulevardBusy spot, but right on the beach with good food and drinks.
A really hip bar attached to a Taiwanese soul food restaurant.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Accomplice Bar
3811 Grand View BlvdA really hip bar attached to a Taiwanese soul food restaurant.
A really unique speakeasy with a hidden entrance that requires you to go through a functioning barber shop. Great drink menu and the food menu is a collection of different grilled cheese sandwiches.
80 Einheimische empfehlen
Blind Barber
10797 Washington BlvdA really unique speakeasy with a hidden entrance that requires you to go through a functioning barber shop. Great drink menu and the food menu is a collection of different grilled cheese sandwiches.
Sightseeing
Great people-watching. You can stroll the boardwalk and buy all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs from locals and also from the store fronts along the path. I don't recommend getting in the ocean here, however. And be careful of sharp debris in the sand.
1387 Einheimische empfehlen
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkGreat people-watching. You can stroll the boardwalk and buy all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs from locals and also from the store fronts along the path. I don't recommend getting in the ocean here, however. And be careful of sharp debris in the sand.
Iconic spot in the hills overlooking Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. You can explore the exhibits in the Observatory, see a presentation at the Planetarium, and hike the surrounding grounds.
4367 Einheimische empfehlen
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdIconic spot in the hills overlooking Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles. You can explore the exhibits in the Observatory, see a presentation at the Planetarium, and hike the surrounding grounds.
Parks & Nature
This is where I go to get out on the sand and in the water. Less crowded than other nearby beaches and usually a lot cleaner. Restrooms on site, lifeguards on duty. Bring a towel and a picnic! It's usually not too hard to find free parking on a nearby street.
53 Einheimische empfehlen
Playa Del Rey Beach
7313-7351 S Marine AveThis is where I go to get out on the sand and in the water. Less crowded than other nearby beaches and usually a lot cleaner. Restrooms on site, lifeguards on duty. Bring a towel and a picnic! It's usually not too hard to find free parking on a nearby street.
Shopping
A neat little local shop carrying clothing and gifts mostly from local artisans. Owned by a talented muralist. Check out some of his work in the neighborhood- on the side of Alana's and the side of the thrift shop next to the post office on Venice and Grand View.
Mar Vista Art Department
12513 Venice Blvd.A neat little local shop carrying clothing and gifts mostly from local artisans. Owned by a talented muralist. Check out some of his work in the neighborhood- on the side of Alana's and the side of the thrift shop next to the post office on Venice and Grand View.
A quirky shop with novelty gifts themed around time travel and science. Supports educational programs for kids.
Time Travel Mart
12515 Venice Blvd.A quirky shop with novelty gifts themed around time travel and science. Supports educational programs for kids.
Vintage on Venice
12218 Venice Blvd.Antique store with clothing, knick knacks, etc. Nice local spot.
Essentials
Groceries, laundry, etc
Right across the street from the apartment. Full grocery store with produce, liquor, and deli counter. They will charge you 10 cents for bags at check out, so take some with you. There are paper grocery bags in the kitchen, behind the trash bin. Feel free!
226 Einheimische empfehlen
Vons
4030 S Centinela AveRight across the street from the apartment. Full grocery store with produce, liquor, and deli counter. They will charge you 10 cents for bags at check out, so take some with you. There are paper grocery bags in the kitchen, behind the trash bin. Feel free!
Rite Aid
888 Lincoln BlvdThis is the closest pharmacy/chemist.
The local post office for mailing letters, packages, etc.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
United States Postal Service
2720 Neilson WayThe local post office for mailing letters, packages, etc.
This is where I do my laundry. They have quarter machines, but you will need small bills to feed them. They also sell detergent and other laundry needs. Small place, but usually not too crowded- especially if you can go mid-day on a weekday.
Laundry Lounge
12131 Washington PlThis is where I do my laundry. They have quarter machines, but you will need small bills to feed them. They also sell detergent and other laundry needs. Small place, but usually not too crowded- especially if you can go mid-day on a weekday.