Food Scene
Mao's is a great local spot. It's fabulous if you are on a budget too! BYOB (beer and wine only though I believe), I recommend their large yummy $1 dollar spring rolls, their MASSIVE $6 bowl of sweet and sour soup, their $1 salads, and ordering off menu and getting their General Tsao's Chicken. Open until 3am on the weekends, this is a great place to grab a 6 pack or a bottle of wine and hit up after the bars or clubs, and never seems to be overcrowded.
112 locals recommend
Mao's Kitchen
1512 Pacific AveMao's is a great local spot. It's fabulous if you are on a budget too! BYOB (beer and wine only though I believe), I recommend their large yummy $1 dollar spring rolls, their MASSIVE $6 bowl of sweet and sour soup, their $1 salads, and ordering off menu and getting their General Tsao's Chicken. Open until 3am on the weekends, this is a great place to grab a 6 pack or a bottle of wine and hit up after the bars or clubs, and never seems to be overcrowded.
GJelina is AMAZING. The ambiance and the food both can't be beat. It is so good, however, it is hard to get into and I recommend making a reservation days in advance if you don't want a 30-60 minute wait for a table.
1061 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdGJelina is AMAZING. The ambiance and the food both can't be beat. It is so good, however, it is hard to get into and I recommend making a reservation days in advance if you don't want a 30-60 minute wait for a table.
Great little wine bar with excellent food! Highly recommend their happy hour. It's a small local joint just a quick walk down the beach on Washington Blvd. Talk to me for some dish recommendations. Happy to talk food anytime!
29 locals recommend
Bin 73
14 Washington BlvdGreat little wine bar with excellent food! Highly recommend their happy hour. It's a small local joint just a quick walk down the beach on Washington Blvd. Talk to me for some dish recommendations. Happy to talk food anytime!
The BEST tasting menu around. 4 amazing, local, organic courses for $49. A bit on the pricey side when not getting the tasting menu, depending on the dishes you choose, but the quality of the ingredients cannot be beat. A place I go when I want a really special treat, and it's right off the colorful Venice Boardwalk as well.
12 locals recommend
Osteria Venice West
5 Dudley AvenueThe BEST tasting menu around. 4 amazing, local, organic courses for $49. A bit on the pricey side when not getting the tasting menu, depending on the dishes you choose, but the quality of the ingredients cannot be beat. A place I go when I want a really special treat, and it's right off the colorful Venice Boardwalk as well.
Drinks & Nightlife
On the rooftop of Hotel Erwin overlooking the Venice Boardwalk art walls, skate park and beach, this is THE place to come get your perfect instagram photo to share of your trip. They also have decent sliders. A touch on the pricey side, but definitely worth coming up and grabbing a beer to enjoy the sunset. Also, if you reserve a table, they will bring you cozy blankets (as many as you need really haha) to keep you nice and toasty warm.
97 locals recommend
High Rooftop Lounge
1697 Pacific AveOn the rooftop of Hotel Erwin overlooking the Venice Boardwalk art walls, skate park and beach, this is THE place to come get your perfect instagram photo to share of your trip. They also have decent sliders. A touch on the pricey side, but definitely worth coming up and grabbing a beer to enjoy the sunset. Also, if you reserve a table, they will bring you cozy blankets (as many as you need really haha) to keep you nice and toasty warm.
Famous for it's scene in I LOVE YOU MAN and it's famous fish tacos, this is a fun and unique place to grab a drink. Half off wine bottles on Mondays, and they have a great selection of beers, scotches, stiff cocktails, and a nice wine list. I do not recommend the food however. Planchas tacos across the street is the place to grab a taco! It gets really packed on the weekends, but is pretty chill on the week nights.
258 locals recommend
James' Beach
60 N Venice BlvdFamous for it's scene in I LOVE YOU MAN and it's famous fish tacos, this is a fun and unique place to grab a drink. Half off wine bottles on Mondays, and they have a great selection of beers, scotches, stiff cocktails, and a nice wine list. I do not recommend the food however. Planchas tacos across the street is the place to grab a taco! It gets really packed on the weekends, but is pretty chill on the week nights.
Famous for it's burgers, Hinano's is just a quick walk down the beach to Washington Blvd. and has great live music on the weekends, pool tables, and is a great locals dive bar. I go for the cheesesteaks though! They have free popcorn popped fresh each morning and free hot dogs on Mondays. Or was it Tuesdays. One of those days haha!
318 locals recommend
Hinano Cafe
15 Washington BlvdFamous for it's burgers, Hinano's is just a quick walk down the beach to Washington Blvd. and has great live music on the weekends, pool tables, and is a great locals dive bar. I go for the cheesesteaks though! They have free popcorn popped fresh each morning and free hot dogs on Mondays. Or was it Tuesdays. One of those days haha!
Essentials
CVS Pharmacy
255 Main StPharmacy
CVS
8601 S Sepulveda BlvdPharmacy
Ralphs
1644 Cloverfield BlvdLocal liquor store. Doors close at 1:50am SHARP each night. Prices are hiked due to the tourist location, but they likely have what you need.
33 locals recommend
Nick's Liquor Store
11 Washington BlvdLocal liquor store. Doors close at 1:50am SHARP each night. Prices are hiked due to the tourist location, but they likely have what you need.
This is a Whole Foods SUPERSTORE. If you haven't been in one like it yet, be prepared to be mind blown. It has it's own wine and beer bar and flat screen hidden in the liquor section for example. They have so many fresh food stations I can't count. Great to come to to grab a bite and do your shopping all at once. Ask me for further details, I am happy to tell you all about it.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdThis is a Whole Foods SUPERSTORE. If you haven't been in one like it yet, be prepared to be mind blown. It has it's own wine and beer bar and flat screen hidden in the liquor section for example. They have so many fresh food stations I can't count. Great to come to to grab a bite and do your shopping all at once. Ask me for further details, I am happy to tell you all about it.
Shopping
This is a really fun street to go shopping on. They have plenty of restaurants, bars, clothing stores, gift shops, and more.
207 locals recommend
Main Street
Main StreetThis is a really fun street to go shopping on. They have plenty of restaurants, bars, clothing stores, gift shops, and more.
This is a really fun street to go shopping on. They have plenty of restaurants, bars, clothing stores, gift shops, and more, as well as a mall at the end of the street. Plus, it's right next to the Santa Monica Pier.
1594 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThis is a really fun street to go shopping on. They have plenty of restaurants, bars, clothing stores, gift shops, and more, as well as a mall at the end of the street. Plus, it's right next to the Santa Monica Pier.
Sightseeing
The iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk! Tons of shopping, local artists selling their wares, with plenty of restaurants, bars and fast food to choose from. Go enjoy famous MUSCLE BEACH or the GRAFFITI ART WALLS or the SKATE PARK! So much to do and see all in a short walk. The people watching here can't be beat.
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkThe iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk! Tons of shopping, local artists selling their wares, with plenty of restaurants, bars and fast food to choose from. Go enjoy famous MUSCLE BEACH or the GRAFFITI ART WALLS or the SKATE PARK! So much to do and see all in a short walk. The people watching here can't be beat.
Literally the end of famous Route 66! Santa Monica Pier has everything you need to have some fun. The ferris wheel offers spectacular views, and the arcade is a fun spot to go play some air hockey, and it's overall just a fun spot to swing by. Carnival games and rides, a carousel, and more. I would recommend eating elsewhere however. It's touristy and overpriced there. Plenty of amazing restaurants in Santa Monica within walking distance though!
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierLiterally the end of famous Route 66! Santa Monica Pier has everything you need to have some fun. The ferris wheel offers spectacular views, and the arcade is a fun spot to go play some air hockey, and it's overall just a fun spot to swing by. Carnival games and rides, a carousel, and more. I would recommend eating elsewhere however. It's touristy and overpriced there. Plenty of amazing restaurants in Santa Monica within walking distance though!