Everything Else
Venice Fishing Pier
Venice Fishing PierLocal focal point and beautiful ocean views.
This beach is amazing, because it doesn't have the Venice Boardwalk behind it. Feels more private - best kept secret in Santa Monica Bay.
Lighthouse Beach
This beach is amazing, because it doesn't have the Venice Boardwalk behind it. Feels more private - best kept secret in Santa Monica Bay.
Food Scene
This area is where the restaurants and bars are on Washington - perfect after a day at beach. C&O is a no-nonsense pasta place which is very recommendable and affordable.
181 locals recommend
C&O Trattoria
3016 Washington BoulevardThis area is where the restaurants and bars are on Washington - perfect after a day at beach. C&O is a no-nonsense pasta place which is very recommendable and affordable.
Amazing views of the Marina and some high-end cocktails and dining at this location.
26 locals recommend
The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey
4375 Admiralty WayAmazing views of the Marina and some high-end cocktails and dining at this location.
Bar and restaurant area walking very close to the condo complex.
63 locals recommend
Tony P's Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty WayBar and restaurant area walking very close to the condo complex.
This is a trendy, new-age Italian place with craft cocktails and great designer atmosphere
260 locals recommend
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington BlvdThis is a trendy, new-age Italian place with craft cocktails and great designer atmosphere
This is literally steps away from the complex. It is not very happening, but the atmosphere is inviting and there is a fireplace in the lounge area. The tables outside overlook the Marina. Great for brunch or a drink.
14 locals recommend
Cast & Plow
4375 Admiralty WayThis is literally steps away from the complex. It is not very happening, but the atmosphere is inviting and there is a fireplace in the lounge area. The tables outside overlook the Marina. Great for brunch or a drink.
Quintessential SoCal restaurant with excellent kitchen and a bit of scene. Hard to get in - reservations recommended.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdQuintessential SoCal restaurant with excellent kitchen and a bit of scene. Hard to get in - reservations recommended.
Quintessential SoCal restaurant with excellent kitchen and a bit of scene. Hard to get in - reservations recommended.
395 locals recommend
The Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney BlvdQuintessential SoCal restaurant with excellent kitchen and a bit of scene. Hard to get in - reservations recommended.
This is a vegan place if you are into that - I like the atmosphere. Very "Cali" design. It's a popular and happening place. They don't accept reservations. They don't a liquor license, so their drinks are "skinny", but wine is normal :)
175 locals recommend
The Butcher's Daughter
1205 Abbot Kinney BoulevardThis is a vegan place if you are into that - I like the atmosphere. Very "Cali" design. It's a popular and happening place. They don't accept reservations. They don't a liquor license, so their drinks are "skinny", but wine is normal :)
This is one of my favorite places with hearty vegan locally sourced dishes and good drinks.
488 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
512 Rose AveThis is one of my favorite places with hearty vegan locally sourced dishes and good drinks.
Icecream par excellence, with some weird and interesting seasonal flavors as well!
189 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney BlvdIcecream par excellence, with some weird and interesting seasonal flavors as well!
This place is very "Venice" where local techies as well as Venice-bound Hollywood celebrities come for brunch and drinks. Atmospheric.
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveThis place is very "Venice" where local techies as well as Venice-bound Hollywood celebrities come for brunch and drinks. Atmospheric.
A lower grade but hearty food joint right on the Paradise Cove beach (outside tables are in the sand). Must dine in the cafe not to pay through the nose for parking. Reservations recommended. Very Malibu.
267 locals recommend
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast HwyA lower grade but hearty food joint right on the Paradise Cove beach (outside tables are in the sand). Must dine in the cafe not to pay through the nose for parking. Reservations recommended. Very Malibu.
If you are planning a day trip to Malibu, I recommend the cafe on the pier early in the day (no wait), with nice views of the all popular and iconic Surfrider beach, locally grown and organic food, and some beautiful California sun (or marine layer as the case may be!)
244 locals recommend
Malibu Pier
23000 CA-1If you are planning a day trip to Malibu, I recommend the cafe on the pier early in the day (no wait), with nice views of the all popular and iconic Surfrider beach, locally grown and organic food, and some beautiful California sun (or marine layer as the case may be!)
For some stiff NY-like coffee and bagels, this place is good to grab somethings quick and savory. Starbucks' shops abound nearby as well
25 locals recommend
Noah's Bagels
548 Washington BlvdFor some stiff NY-like coffee and bagels, this place is good to grab somethings quick and savory. Starbucks' shops abound nearby as well
Sightseeing
Originally the reason why Venice is called Venice! Beautiful houses and landscaping in a picturesque canal setting. Perfect for those profile photos!
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Originally the reason why Venice is called Venice! Beautiful houses and landscaping in a picturesque canal setting. Perfect for those profile photos!
I'm including this in Arts and Culture, because this is quintessential Venice Beach - perfect for people watching, hanging out, soaking up sun, various foods, shopping for arts and crafts and picture opportunities.
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkI'm including this in Arts and Culture, because this is quintessential Venice Beach - perfect for people watching, hanging out, soaking up sun, various foods, shopping for arts and crafts and picture opportunities.
Expansive ocean views (together with Ocean Ave park), as well as an amusement park, and generally a place with lots to do.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierExpansive ocean views (together with Ocean Ave park), as well as an amusement park, and generally a place with lots to do.
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favorite wine bar and also the beginning of the Abbot Kinney night-life and boutique shopping / gallery area of Venice
251 locals recommend
Zinqué
1440 Lincoln BlvdOur favorite wine bar and also the beginning of the Abbot Kinney night-life and boutique shopping / gallery area of Venice
This is a newer "local" brewery (it's a chain, but the brewery is right on site) with a fairly nice bar and restaurant scene with bar food. Their brews selection is excellent, though, and is a good place to go watch a sporting event.
55 locals recommend
Firestone Walker Brewing Company - The Propagator
3205 Washington BlvdThis is a newer "local" brewery (it's a chain, but the brewery is right on site) with a fairly nice bar and restaurant scene with bar food. Their brews selection is excellent, though, and is a good place to go watch a sporting event.
This is quintessential Santa Monica / Los Angeles nightlife - beautiful people abound. I go there for the atmosphere - it is a nicely stylized place where "someone's" bungalows have been made into a bar / club. On Fri and Sat there is way too many people, and is too sceny. I prefer to go on Wed or Thu.
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdThis is quintessential Santa Monica / Los Angeles nightlife - beautiful people abound. I go there for the atmosphere - it is a nicely stylized place where "someone's" bungalows have been made into a bar / club. On Fri and Sat there is way too many people, and is too sceny. I prefer to go on Wed or Thu.
This is a historical cocktail bar with live music (check what's on on the night). The bar scene is strong, and downstairs they sometimes have very good DJ's come through. On Sundays, they sometimes have local radio station KCRW DJs do a set (who are excellent at curating the music of various genre's).
212 locals recommend
Townhouse Venice
52 Windward AveThis is a historical cocktail bar with live music (check what's on on the night). The bar scene is strong, and downstairs they sometimes have very good DJ's come through. On Sundays, they sometimes have local radio station KCRW DJs do a set (who are excellent at curating the music of various genre's).
This is cool spot not many people know about. It's divey, but at the same time intimate. On Sunday's they have the unique burlesque show, and other live music performers on other days. Check for reservations if you want a table (very reasonably priced).
99 locals recommend
Harvelle's Blues Club
1432 4th StThis is cool spot not many people know about. It's divey, but at the same time intimate. On Sunday's they have the unique burlesque show, and other live music performers on other days. Check for reservations if you want a table (very reasonably priced).
Essentials
There are a couple of Ralphs in very close proximity, but I prefer this one. it is also located in a nice plaza with various other shops, food places and a couple restaurants (fast food and sit-down). Gets very busy on weekends.
503 locals recommend
Ralphs
1644 Cloverfield BlvdThere are a couple of Ralphs in very close proximity, but I prefer this one. it is also located in a nice plaza with various other shops, food places and a couple restaurants (fast food and sit-down). Gets very busy on weekends.
This is the closest, walking distance UPS / FedEx location. Can also print here.
33 locals recommend
The UPS Store
13428 Maxella AveThis is the closest, walking distance UPS / FedEx location. Can also print here.
Convenient UPS store close to Ralphs in a large plaza with other shops / food places
33 locals recommend
The UPS Store
13428 Maxella AveConvenient UPS store close to Ralphs in a large plaza with other shops / food places
Full service office center and ship center. Parking in rear off of driveway between Stella apartment building and DSW shoe store
66 locals recommend
FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
5575 Sepulveda BlvdFull service office center and ship center. Parking in rear off of driveway between Stella apartment building and DSW shoe store
Several locations available close by (search for Dry Cleaners in google), but this one is closest and walking distance
7 locals recommend
The Cleaning Baron
566 Washington BlvdSeveral locations available close by (search for Dry Cleaners in google), but this one is closest and walking distance
Closest first aid location. For emergency, dial 911 or go to the closest hospital
The Westside Clinic
2000 Washington BlvdClosest first aid location. For emergency, dial 911 or go to the closest hospital
Cedars Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital
4650 Lincoln BlvdNearest emergency room
Parks & Nature
This is a freshly updated park which is great for jogging, and walking in the morning. Bike trail runs along it.
10 locals recommend
Yvonne B. Burke Park
4350 Admiralty WayThis is a freshly updated park which is great for jogging, and walking in the morning. Bike trail runs along it.
This is a place to visit to get a sense of Malibu - a relatively easy hike to a point with stunning views of the Santa Monica bay and Ocean. Amazing. Popular wedding spot. Zuma beach right underneath for a very Malibu vibe. A day trip.
103 locals recommend
Point Dume
This is a place to visit to get a sense of Malibu - a relatively easy hike to a point with stunning views of the Santa Monica bay and Ocean. Amazing. Popular wedding spot. Zuma beach right underneath for a very Malibu vibe. A day trip.
This is a bit of a drive, but worth it. A beach with some interesting rock formations and stunning views - very popular picture opportunity spot. Can be combined with point Dume trip.
222 locals recommend
El Matador Beach
32350 Pacific Coast HwyThis is a bit of a drive, but worth it. A beach with some interesting rock formations and stunning views - very popular picture opportunity spot. Can be combined with point Dume trip.
Entertainment & Activities
This is an excellent small theater for some improv (not that many on the West Side - most of them in Hollywood). Advance tickets recommended (can be easily bought online) - this is spot is a frequent "on the whim" decision to visit if you want some variety.
20 locals recommend
Westside Comedy Theater
1323-A 3rd StThis is an excellent small theater for some improv (not that many on the West Side - most of them in Hollywood). Advance tickets recommended (can be easily bought online) - this is spot is a frequent "on the whim" decision to visit if you want some variety.
Street entertainment and generally a nice Santa Monica scene on this newly updated promenade. Very touristy spot.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeStreet entertainment and generally a nice Santa Monica scene on this newly updated promenade. Very touristy spot.