Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Charming breakfast & lunch spot with outdoor seating on Ocean Park Blvd., and Groundworks coffee. Surfer vibe.
28 locals recommend
The OP Cafe
3117 Ocean Park BlvdCharming breakfast & lunch spot with outdoor seating on Ocean Park Blvd., and Groundworks coffee. Surfer vibe.
Iconic diner serving breakfast and lunch, opens 6:30 a.m. Red leather booths, counter. Location shot in various movies.
19 locals recommend
Rae's Restaurant
2901 Pico BlvdIconic diner serving breakfast and lunch, opens 6:30 a.m. Red leather booths, counter. Location shot in various movies.
Great build your own burger place. Beer and wine. Sports TV above the bar.
128 locals recommend
The Counter
5779 Wilshire BlvdGreat build your own burger place. Beer and wine. Sports TV above the bar.
Fine dining and classic cocktails, good selection of beers on tap. 3 different rooms including secluded patio. Happy hour. Popular night spot.
18 locals recommend
The Arsenal
12012 W Pico BlvdFine dining and classic cocktails, good selection of beers on tap. 3 different rooms including secluded patio. Happy hour. Popular night spot.
Drinks & Nightlife
Collegial bar known for single malts galore plus 30+ craft beers on tap & shuffleboard & pool.
43 locals recommend
Daily Pint
2310 Pico BlvdCollegial bar known for single malts galore plus 30+ craft beers on tap & shuffleboard & pool.
Sophisticated, book-lined bar featuring classic cocktails, old world ambiance & a lively atmosphere.
45 locals recommend
The Wellesbourne
10929 W Pico BlvdSophisticated, book-lined bar featuring classic cocktails, old world ambiance & a lively atmosphere.
Santa Monica is an easy place to find a good drink, with its myriad pubs, beloved dives, upscale lounges and casual wine-centric hangs. But speak-easy-style bourbon bars in basements of grand 19th century homes? Not so much.
This is it. DJ and live music. Enter through the alley.
96 locals recommend
The Victorian
2640 Main StSanta Monica is an easy place to find a good drink, with its myriad pubs, beloved dives, upscale lounges and casual wine-centric hangs. But speak-easy-style bourbon bars in basements of grand 19th century homes? Not so much.
This is it. DJ and live music. Enter through the alley.
No-frills, old-school bar with a collegial vibe plus a pool table, Ping-Pong, sports on TV & tunes. Dancing, karoke.
55 locals recommend
Mom's
12238 Santa Monica BlvdNo-frills, old-school bar with a collegial vibe plus a pool table, Ping-Pong, sports on TV & tunes. Dancing, karoke.
Arts & Culture
World famous, sizable free museum highlighting American & European art, architecture & manicured gardens. Fantastic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean to Downtown LA. Outdoor summer music concerts with cash bar " Saturdays Off The 405". Parking $15, $10 after 3 p.m.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrWorld famous, sizable free museum highlighting American & European art, architecture & manicured gardens. Fantastic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean to Downtown LA. Outdoor summer music concerts with cash bar " Saturdays Off The 405". Parking $15, $10 after 3 p.m.
Essentials
Trader Joe's is a neighborhood grocery store with amazing food and drink from around the globe and around the corner. Great quality at great prices
881 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveTrader Joe's is a neighborhood grocery store with amazing food and drink from around the globe and around the corner. Great quality at great prices
Getting Around
The Expo Line is a light-rail line that runs between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The line is named "Expo" after Exposition Boulevard, which it runs alongside for most of its route. Bicycle path runs parallel to the Expo Line. Expo/ Bundy Station is a 10 minute walk from the house.
64 locals recommend
Metro Los Angeles Expo Line Extention
The Expo Line is a light-rail line that runs between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica. The line is named "Expo" after Exposition Boulevard, which it runs alongside for most of its route. Bicycle path runs parallel to the Expo Line. Expo/ Bundy Station is a 10 minute walk from the house.
Parks & Nature
Intermediate loop hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. Beautiful views of the ocean and over a bridge with a waterfall now that the drought has ended. An approximate 1 & 1/2 hour hike.
38 locals recommend
Temescal Gateway Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority
15601 Sunset BlvdIntermediate loop hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. Beautiful views of the ocean and over a bridge with a waterfall now that the drought has ended. An approximate 1 & 1/2 hour hike.
Entertainment & Activities
Wander through the gee-tars and other stringed things in this one-of-a-kind li'l shrine to live music. The music store opened in 1958 and has been hosting concerts in its back room since the late 1960s, featuring such stellar performers as Lucinda Williams, Sun Ra, They Might Be Giants, Gil Scott-Heron, Ralph Stanley, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Innes, Les Paul, Hubert Selby, Jackie DeShannon, Ali Farka Toure, Tom Waits, Linda & Richard Thompson, Alex Chilton and Emmylou Harris, among many others. Coffee and sweets available; no alcohol. All ages.
18 locals recommend
McCabe's Guitar Shop
3101 Pico BlvdWander through the gee-tars and other stringed things in this one-of-a-kind li'l shrine to live music. The music store opened in 1958 and has been hosting concerts in its back room since the late 1960s, featuring such stellar performers as Lucinda Williams, Sun Ra, They Might Be Giants, Gil Scott-Heron, Ralph Stanley, Linda Ronstadt, Neil Innes, Les Paul, Hubert Selby, Jackie DeShannon, Ali Farka Toure, Tom Waits, Linda & Richard Thompson, Alex Chilton and Emmylou Harris, among many others. Coffee and sweets available; no alcohol. All ages.