Food Scene
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica BlvdClose by
Delicious food, coffee and great place to meet near Main Street and Venice.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StDelicious food, coffee and great place to meet near Main Street and Venice.
Uplifters Kitchen
2819 Ocean Park BlvdGreat for coffee, breakfast and lunch.
Il Forno
2901 Ocean Park BlvdLocal and good Italian restaurant, with reasonable lunch special
Sushi Sasabune
11917 Wilshire Blvdexcellent sushi
Plan Check
1800 Sawtelle BlvdGood for hamburgers and beers
Crimson
2901 Ocean Park BlvdHealthy, fresh, grilled food.
Shopping, great cafes and restaurants -- and on the First Friday of each month, food trucks line the street, for a community event.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardShopping, great cafes and restaurants -- and on the First Friday of each month, food trucks line the street, for a community event.
On Sawtelle, north of Pico, a busy street, lined with restaurants, cafes, desert destinations -- from dumplings and ramen to pizza and burgers.
25 locals recommend
Sawtelle
On Sawtelle, north of Pico, a busy street, lined with restaurants, cafes, desert destinations -- from dumplings and ramen to pizza and burgers.
Family friendly casual restaurant -- build-your-own burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes.
128 locals recommend
The Counter
5779 Wilshire BlvdFamily friendly casual restaurant -- build-your-own burgers, sandwiches, and milkshakes.
Sightseeing
Boardwalk, restaurants, carousel, and Pacific Park amusement park -- for young children and grown ups.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierBoardwalk, restaurants, carousel, and Pacific Park amusement park -- for young children and grown ups.
Venice Canals
Lovely walking area, nearby Abbot Kinney restaurants, in Venice
Outstanding university and performance venues, including Royce Hall, located in the heart of Westwood -- a college town that has grown to be a vibrant part of West LA.
473 locals recommend
University of California, Los Angeles
Outstanding university and performance venues, including Royce Hall, located in the heart of Westwood -- a college town that has grown to be a vibrant part of West LA.
Very casual, with a wide array of people, shops, restaurants, food stands.
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkVery casual, with a wide array of people, shops, restaurants, food stands.
Arts & Culture
IPIC Westwood
10840 Wilshire BlvdMovie with dinner.
The Wine Bar at The Landmark
10850 W Pico BlvdComfortable movie theater
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan AveArt Galleries -- and try the Bergamot Cafe within the complex
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveExcellent performances.
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrBeautiful art pavilions, gardens and outstanding views.
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyA beautiful museum and gardens
Renowned artists for special family performances for children.
26 locals recommend
The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage
1310 11th StRenowned artists for special family performances for children.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveWorth trying!
Ralphs
1644 Cloverfield BlvdNearby grocery
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdQuality produce, as well as prepared options
Sundays, 9am to noon -- Fresh produce, food trucks and a nice stroll
101 locals recommend
Venice Farmers' Market
500 Venice Blvd.Sundays, 9am to noon -- Fresh produce, food trucks and a nice stroll
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Santa Monica
3760 S Centinela AveJapanese market
Entertainment & Activities
Visit the beach and reserve parking and pool passes in advance.
152 locals recommend
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast HwyVisit the beach and reserve parking and pool passes in advance.
basketball courts, children's play area, picnic tables
40 locals recommend
Mar Vista Recreation Center
11430 Woodbine Stbasketball courts, children's play area, picnic tables
The full Disney experience -- with two parks: Disneyland and California Adventures
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrThe full Disney experience -- with two parks: Disneyland and California Adventures
Shopping
Westside Pavilion
10800 W Pico BlvdCovered mall, connected to Landmark movie theaters
An outside mall, with shopping, movie theaters and restaurants.
232 locals recommend
Century City Mall station
An outside mall, with shopping, movie theaters and restaurants.
Shopping, restaurants and movie theaters, with a rooftop view of the ocean.
28 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pl
Shopping, restaurants and movie theaters, with a rooftop view of the ocean.
Retail shopping, movie theaters, restaurants, and LA's original Farmer's Market, open daily.
2581 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrRetail shopping, movie theaters, restaurants, and LA's original Farmer's Market, open daily.