Food Scene
Fantastic menu, quality ingredients, great wine and atmosphere -- and celebrity sighting if you're into that. Reservations needed.
1061 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdFantastic menu, quality ingredients, great wine and atmosphere -- and celebrity sighting if you're into that. Reservations needed.
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdLovely casual lunch spot with great healthy options.
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
600 W 7th StIf you love sushi, eat here. Trust me.
If for some reason you don't want to eat out, eat in the easy way -- order Thai. Wirin is great, fast and their drivers can find Chez Marco without getting lost.
27 locals recommend
Wirin
2308 Lincoln BlvdIf for some reason you don't want to eat out, eat in the easy way -- order Thai. Wirin is great, fast and their drivers can find Chez Marco without getting lost.
Barnyard
1715 Pacific AveGreat wine, great atmosphere, great small bites and patio, too!
Superba Snack Bar
Five words: grilled watermelon and fried chicken
Axe
1009 Abbot Kinney BoulevardHave brunch here. Seriously.
Cha Cha Chicken
1906 Ocean AveJerk chicken and yummy lemonade. Great post-beach day spot.
New eatery with a kid-friendly, dog-friendly, people-friendly vibe. Yummy breakfast.
320 locals recommend
Superba Food + Bread
1900 Lincoln BlvdNew eatery with a kid-friendly, dog-friendly, people-friendly vibe. Yummy breakfast.
Tiny little Italian spot with a precise menu that never disappoints.
46 locals recommend
Centanni Trattoria
1700 Lincoln BoulevardTiny little Italian spot with a precise menu that never disappoints.
Old-school Santa Monica in the heart of Main Street. Christmas lights and galley decor make for a fun vibe. The food is always good, and the Bloody Marys rule.
55 locals recommend
The Galley
2442 Main StOld-school Santa Monica in the heart of Main Street. Christmas lights and galley decor make for a fun vibe. The food is always good, and the Bloody Marys rule.
Go for the history if not for the food! Tiny little dive just a block up from the beach. Good for a beer or a full-on surf-and-turf.
46 locals recommend
Chez Jay
1657 Ocean AveGo for the history if not for the food! Tiny little dive just a block up from the beach. Good for a beer or a full-on surf-and-turf.
Hip yet quiet spot for dinner for two. Afterward, it's just a short stroll to the Santa Monica beach.
83 locals recommend
Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica BoulevardHip yet quiet spot for dinner for two. Afterward, it's just a short stroll to the Santa Monica beach.
Everything Else
Music, fun, kooky characters, SoCal souvenirs, ocean views and ice cream!
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkMusic, fun, kooky characters, SoCal souvenirs, ocean views and ice cream!
Venice Muscle Beach
1800 Ocean Front WalkFor a great workout or some fantastic eye-candy.
Thursday night free concert series is amazing. Ferris wheel over the ocean is a must.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierThursday night free concert series is amazing. Ferris wheel over the ocean is a must.
Shopping, shopping, shopping! And the rooftop eateries offer yummy food and sweeping ocean views.
178 locals recommend
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceShopping, shopping, shopping! And the rooftop eateries offer yummy food and sweeping ocean views.
A classic film junky's mecca, this old theater shows the best of the best and typically hosts a q&a with someone involved in making that night's feature -- actors, directors, writers. Amazing.
57 locals recommend
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana AveA classic film junky's mecca, this old theater shows the best of the best and typically hosts a q&a with someone involved in making that night's feature -- actors, directors, writers. Amazing.
Venice Beach Wines
529 Rose AveFun, casual crowd. Great for wine with friends.
This gorgeous old hotel serves as a casual-chic spot for dinner or drinks. Go when there's live music. Hipster-friendly.
211 locals recommend
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdThis gorgeous old hotel serves as a casual-chic spot for dinner or drinks. Go when there's live music. Hipster-friendly.
Fantastic art and grounds. You won't regret it.
3161 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdFantastic art and grounds. You won't regret it.
Google LAX BIN1
340 Main StThe Google campus is as awesome as the search engine.
A great workout in a space that affords everyone room to move. Don't go on an empty stomach.
8 locals recommend
The Space
3009 Lincoln BlvdA great workout in a space that affords everyone room to move. Don't go on an empty stomach.
Equinox Marina Del Rey
13455 Maxella AveClean gym with all the fixings and awesome Zumba classes.
Gold’s Gym
360 Hampton DrIconic. Do some squats while scanning for the Terminator.
The Huntley Hotel Santa Monica Beach
1111 2nd StIt's sceney and fun and offers killer views.
Drinks & Nightlife
Order the cheese fritters and the gruner, and sit back and wait for Hanks to walk in. That's Tom.
109 locals recommend
Salt Air
1616 Abbot Kinney BlvdOrder the cheese fritters and the gruner, and sit back and wait for Hanks to walk in. That's Tom.
The Commons Ale House
129 BroadwayBeach-side spot. Bring your dog!
It is exactly as the name suggests -- beach-bungalow decor, indoor/outdoor space, people clad in shorts, sundresses and flipflops -- but with lots of bars. Lots and still somehow not enough.
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdIt is exactly as the name suggests -- beach-bungalow decor, indoor/outdoor space, people clad in shorts, sundresses and flipflops -- but with lots of bars. Lots and still somehow not enough.
The last dive on the west side! This place rocks pretty much every night of the week with some variety of local live music.
22 locals recommend
The Cinema Bar
3967 Sepulveda BlvdThe last dive on the west side! This place rocks pretty much every night of the week with some variety of local live music.
Essentials
Stock up on healthful nuggets for snacking, ready-to-eat meals and quality ingredients for cooking.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdStock up on healthful nuggets for snacking, ready-to-eat meals and quality ingredients for cooking.
Entertainment & Activities
From Venice Beach, the bike path follows the ocean north through Santa Monica up to Malibu and south through Marina del Rey down to the South Bay's Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
28 locals recommend
Bike Path
From Venice Beach, the bike path follows the ocean north through Santa Monica up to Malibu and south through Marina del Rey down to the South Bay's Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Arts & Culture
Catch a cool exhibit and then explore lively Westwood Village, home to UCLA students galore!
374 locals recommend
Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire BlvdCatch a cool exhibit and then explore lively Westwood Village, home to UCLA students galore!
Motorcycles, surf, strong coffee. Tres cool.
185 locals recommend
Deus Ex Machina - Emporium Of Post Modern Activities
1001 Venice Blvd.Motorcycles, surf, strong coffee. Tres cool.