Guidebook for Venice
Everything Else
Westminster Off-Leash Park
1234 Pacific AveClose by if you need to let your dog run
Venice Canals
Beautiful place to walk around (much quieter than the boardwalk)
Zinqué
1440 Lincoln BlvdGreat cafe / wine bar where you can go anytime
Friday morning farmer's market, smallish but intimate and nice
101 locals recommend
Venice Farmers' Market
500 Venice Blvd.Friday morning farmer's market, smallish but intimate and nice
Huge zoo farmer's market on Sundays - great food stands, pony rides, like a carnival
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StHuge zoo farmer's market on Sundays - great food stands, pony rides, like a carnival
Watch amazing acrobatics for free at this outdoor gym or do some yourself :)
7 locals recommend
Traveling Rings Set 1
Watch amazing acrobatics for free at this outdoor gym or do some yourself :)
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierRides, games, restaurants, ice cream
Townhouse Venice
52 Windward AveLocals' dive bar
City of Santa Monica - Airport Park
3201 Airport AveGreat dog park and people park
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueGreat park where you can look over the bluff at the ocean.
Close by to hike - can take a couple buses to get here if you don't have a car.
223 locals recommend
Temescal Canyon Park
15900 Pacific Coast HwyClose by to hike - can take a couple buses to get here if you don't have a car.
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeShopping outdoor and indoor, people watching
Playa del Rey
Fire pits on the beach! I think you can BBQ here too (can't at most beaches)
Windward Market
105 Windward AveGreat little market with a food counter for prepared food
Trading Post Liquor Store
1313 Main StJust really close by and a standard liquor store
1 Rose Ave
1 Rose AvenuePlayground
See people fish or just walk out to be over the water in the Santa Monica Bay with Malibu to the north and Palos Verdes to the south
186 locals recommend
Venice Fishing Pier
Venice Fishing PierSee people fish or just walk out to be over the water in the Santa Monica Bay with Malibu to the north and Palos Verdes to the south
Nice, less crowded beach in Malibu. Can take the 534 bus here.
44 locals recommend
Zuma Beach Access Road
Zuma Beach Access RoadNice, less crowded beach in Malibu. Can take the 534 bus here.
1700 Ocean Front Walk
Basketball courts
Muscle Beach! Outdoor gym. Arnold used to work out here! You can get a day pass for $10 I think
1800 Ocean Front Walk
Muscle Beach! Outdoor gym. Arnold used to work out here! You can get a day pass for $10 I think
The bike path goes all the way up to Pacific Palisades and down to the South Bay or into Culver City along Ballona Creek.
1500 Ocean Front Walk
The bike path goes all the way up to Pacific Palisades and down to the South Bay or into Culver City along Ballona Creek.
Deluxe Nail Bar & Spa
2913 Main StBest nail salon - $25 manicure/pedicure Monday-Thursday
Entertainment & Activities
This park is just a bike ride away, right on the water of the Marina, and has grills. You can watch the sailboats and sea lions as you picnic.
72 locals recommend
Burton Chace Park
13650 Mindanao WayThis park is just a bike ride away, right on the water of the Marina, and has grills. You can watch the sailboats and sea lions as you picnic.
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico BlvdHuge pool with lap swimming or kids' times
1705 Ocean Front Walk
Playground on the beach!
Drinks & Nightlife
The Brig
1515 Abbot Kinney BlvdPool table, music, cool crowd
Copa d'Oro
217 BroadwayHappy hour with great drinks for $5 from 5-8 every day!
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
1700 Ocean AvePool bar! And hottub!
Basement Tavern
2640 Main StDecent bar at the Victorian
Circle Bar
2926 Main StSuper trashy bar but fun if you want to dance
I go here for the bar, great view, classy, expensive place.
63 locals recommend
The Huntley Hotel Santa Monica Beach
1111 2nd StI go here for the bar, great view, classy, expensive place.
O'Brien's Irish Pub
2941 Main StreetIrish pub with outdoor seating
the otheroom Venice Beach
Decent bar, very loud
Roosterfish
1302 Abbot Kinney BlvdFun gay bar
Nikki's
72 E Market StDecent bar
Actually haven't been, but I've been meaning to try this bar since it's a rooftop place that sounds fun
97 locals recommend
High Rooftop Lounge
1697 Pacific AveActually haven't been, but I've been meaning to try this bar since it's a rooftop place that sounds fun
Food Scene
Intelligentsia Coffee Venice Coffeebar
1331 Abbot Kinney BlvdGreat coffee but long lines
Musubi is made hot right in front of you Has meat or vegetable in the middle of rice wrapped with seaweed. They also have pretty good frozen yogurt. And free iced tea
161 locals recommend
Sunny Spot
822 Washington BlvdMusubi is made hot right in front of you Has meat or vegetable in the middle of rice wrapped with seaweed. They also have pretty good frozen yogurt. And free iced tea
Deus
2318 Lincoln BoulevardLove this place for coffee and pastries - very local hangout
Cute European cafe with light, healthy food and amazing service. Very kid-friendly
10 locals recommend
Kafe K
2209 Main StCute European cafe with light, healthy food and amazing service. Very kid-friendly
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StBest pizza ever
Toms Shoes
Hang out for coffee and a game or a chat on the patio at Tom's - weird but a great spot
La Fiesta Brava
259B Hampton DrCheap, good Mexican. And BYOB
Cha Cha Chicken
1906 Ocean AveBYOB with yummy Caribbean food - outdoor seating only
Casablanca
220 Lincoln BlvdBottomless mimosas or Bloody Marys at Sunday brunch!
26 Beach
3100 Washington BlvdGood food.
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdGood food. Expensive.
The Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney BlvdBeautiful place, great food and drinks. Expensive.
N'Ice Cream
1410 Abbot Kinney BoulevardGelato!!!
N'ice Cream
619 Ocean Front WalkGelato!
Hama Restaurant
213 Windward AveDecent local sushi place, good happy hour, local crowd
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveGood food, cafe stuff
Happy hour all night (maybe after 8?)! Great happy hour food, not the cheapest but way cheaper than the restaurant side and really good. Drinks $6 but super limited selection. Lychee martini
153 locals recommend
Chaya
110 Navy StHappy hour all night (maybe after 8?)! Great happy hour food, not the cheapest but way cheaper than the restaurant side and really good. Drinks $6 but super limited selection. Lychee martini
Greens up! Salads
912 Montana AveHuge overpriced salads but fresh and good food
Super cute spot for lunch or brunch - food is good but not amazingly interesting
123 locals recommend
French Market Cafe
2321 Abbot Kinney BlvdSuper cute spot for lunch or brunch - food is good but not amazingly interesting
Sweet Rose Creamery
225 26th StBest ice cream!!!
Huckleberry Cafe
1014 Wilshire BlvdGood brunch but crazy line - food really is good though
Beach City Creamery
1209 Wilshire BlvdIce cream sandwiches!
Funnel Mill Rare Coffee & Tea
1506 BroadwayMost relaxing coffee spot
Great sandwiches and Italian market - expect a line on the weekend though
141 locals recommend
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln BlvdGreat sandwiches and Italian market - expect a line on the weekend though
Local 1205
1205 Abbot Kinney BlvdSandwiches are soooo good and soooo expensive!
Espresso Yo Self
1827 Ocean Front WalkThey serve Blue Bottle Coffee, which is the best!
Amazing ice cream sandwiches with interesting flavors and choose-your-own cookies. Also serves Blue Bottle Coffee. Has trucks that might come around.
36 locals recommend
The Coolhaus Shop
8588 Washington BlvdAmazing ice cream sandwiches with interesting flavors and choose-your-own cookies. Also serves Blue Bottle Coffee. Has trucks that might come around.
The Victorian
2640 Main StLots of food trucks show up on Tuesdays
The Bungalow is a cool bar with a great vibe - very "LA"
21 locals recommend
Fairmont Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows
101 Wilshire BlvdThe Bungalow is a cool bar with a great vibe - very "LA"
Lady Chocolatt
12008 Wilshire BlvdCute place for hot chocolate, Belgian chocolates, waffles, yum!
California Roll Factory
11629 Santa Monica BlvdCheap good sushi
Musha
424 Wilshire BlvdGreat Japanese tapas-style place
Cafe 212 Pier
212 Pier AveCafe open 24 hours, kind of Bohemian feel
Wirin
2308 Lincoln BlvdCheap great Thai food, free delivery
English pub with full restaurant and a shop for candies and things English.
33 locals recommend
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica BlvdEnglish pub with full restaurant and a shop for candies and things English.
Mao's Kitchen
1512 Pacific AveHealthy-ish Chinese (they have brown rice)
Decent food (standard, not special) for breakfast, lunch, anytime - right on the boardwalk so good for people-watching
52 locals recommend
The Sidewalk Cafe
1401 Ocean Front WalkDecent food (standard, not special) for breakfast, lunch, anytime - right on the boardwalk so good for people-watching
Yum! Great desserts, pretty much everything is good here. Ask about the day-old bake sale desserts that are half price.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StYum! Great desserts, pretty much everything is good here. Ask about the day-old bake sale desserts that are half price.
M Street Kitchen
2000 Main StGood food
Dogtown Coffee
2003 Main StGreat coffee shop with good food too
Manchego
2518 Main StBYOB tapas! Great spot but could have a wait