Santa Monica/Venice

Me: I made it to Manhattan Beach. I don't recommend going that far in a heavy cruiser with a 15 lb dog in your basket! Lotsa extra weight!

Bars

The bungalow

As name suggests, an old bungalow home converted to a bar! Feels like someone's cool place.

The bungalow is  Just steps away from touristy promenade for world class shopping which you are allowed to stop by of course! It's an outdoor shopping mall. Don't forget to check out the new Santa Monica place if you do go to the promenade. I enjoy eating at zengo on the 3rd floor. Modern Latin American menu with happy hours and good cocktails. Plus you can kinda see the ocean from up there. And the couches/seating is nice. 

And of course you might as well walk to pier. Maybe ride the Ferris wheel. I highly highly recommend you rent a bike and take it down the bike path. You can stop at Venice. (only about a mile or 2 away).Keep going to Washington st another mile or 2) And even go some more up until Manhattan beach! That's about 30 miles round trip. :)

Visit

Abbot Kinney blvd for food, shops, and bars. 

Gjelina is suppose to be great food although I have yet to try! If you can do it please do. In the day time there a lot if cute shops especially for home. Moon juice has a store here (a juice company run by a seasoned chef so think amazing flavor combinations). There's also an inteligentsia for coffee off this blvd. For evenings I like the brig which is loud and full of energy. Down the other end of street is the other room, a wine bar, which is dark and more quiet feeling. 

If you visit Venice beach. Do not be surprised by it's grittiness. Do enjoy drinks at the rooftop if Erwin hotel! Hey have warm cocktails for that cool ocean breeze, heaters, and blankets too, but that view up and down the California coast! Plus the couches feel private, each sectioned off. I love that they stuck with the street art theme even though it's a nice hotel! 

There is also a poke place called poke poke and a bread pudding stall right to for it for cheap and light bites! Otherwise you'll just be eating a lot of expected beach side food which is not bad. You know.. Pizza and burgers. 

If you like dives and pool go to Hinano cafe off Washington blvd. it will force you to walk down the beach path for a it. They also claim best burgers in town. There are a lot of dives off that street. Including Cabo Cantina for greasy bad but what your body wants with margaritas and cheap Mexican beer. And they have happy hour. Yah!

A circa 2010 photo. We are at the other room. It was dark when we walked in. I told my friends, "When I go to a dark place this I think there is celebrity around." Lo and behold there was one and we even sat right next him. It's L.A. Keep your eyes open!