James’s guidebook
Venice area recommendations
Venice (Trendy area with lots of great food and boutiques) great area to walk around eat and shop. Dog friendly Neighborhood.
On the first Friday of every month all the food trucks park on Abbot Kinney in the evening and you can get a variety of good food.
Great food, popular place, popular place for celebrity sightings.
I highly recommend the mushroom toast, cauliflower, pomodoro pizza, butterscotch pot, and strawberry rhubarb pie.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdGreat food, popular place, popular place for celebrity sightings.
I highly recommend the mushroom toast, cauliflower, pomodoro pizza, butterscotch pot, and strawberry rhubarb pie.
Gjelina’s sister restaurant. Great deli and bakery.
I recommend their hot sauces, hummus, and olive bread.
447 locals recommend
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveGjelina’s sister restaurant. Great deli and bakery.
I recommend their hot sauces, hummus, and olive bread.
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney BlvdUnique and tasty ice cream.
Great Juices and healthy food. I recommend Marjon’s Favorite and the kale chips if you want something healthy. The tonic shots are also good if you need a boost.
113 locals recommend
Kreation Organic Kafe & Juicery
1202 Abbot Kinney BlvdGreat Juices and healthy food. I recommend Marjon’s Favorite and the kale chips if you want something healthy. The tonic shots are also good if you need a boost.
Greenleaf Kitchen & Cocktails
1239 Abbot Kinney BoulevardGood healthy food options.
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveGreat place for brunch.
Santa Monica area recommendations
Beachside city. Great place to eat and shop.
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierFamous pier with rides, games, and view of the Pacific.
The Lobster
1602 Ocean AveGood food and great view of the ocean.
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceGood shopping and dining area.
3rd Street Promenade
3rd Street PromenadeGood for shopping and people watching.
Montana Avenue
Montana AvenueNice area to shop and eat.
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StGreat sandwiches, salads, soups, coffee, and tea.
Good inexpensive place for traditional Mexican foods. I recommend the Green corn tamales when they are in season and the LA lemonade Margarita.
55 locals recommend
El Cholo
1025 Wilshire BlvdGood inexpensive place for traditional Mexican foods. I recommend the Green corn tamales when they are in season and the LA lemonade Margarita.
Nice museum. Located in a Private airport where many celebrities have hangars.
45 locals recommend
Museum of Flying
3100 Airport AveNice museum. Located in a Private airport where many celebrities have hangars.
Good local Japanese restaurant. The red dragon roll and mango salad are my favorites.
12 locals recommend
Noma
2031 Wilshire BlvdGood local Japanese restaurant. The red dragon roll and mango salad are my favorites.
Century City area recommendations
Nice business district with a great outdoor shopping mall. Adjacent to Beverly Hills.
Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica BlvdNewly remolded. Great place to hang out, shop and eat.
La Colombe
3900 Sunset BlvdI highly recommend their cold draft lattes.
Shake Shack
8520 Santa Monica BlvdGreat place for burgers and shakes.
Beverly Hills area recommendations
Nice upscale shopping and dinning area.
I recommend their garlic noodles, crab, and eggplant & tofu. The eggplant & tofu is an off menu item you can request.
35 locals recommend
Crustacean Beverly Hills
468 N Bedford DrI recommend their garlic noodles, crab, and eggplant & tofu. The eggplant & tofu is an off menu item you can request.
The cupcakes are delicious! My favorites flavors are strawberry, banana, and smores. They also have a cupcake vending machines for after hours.
62 locals recommend
Sprinkles Beverly Hills Cupcakes
9635 S Santa Monica BlvdThe cupcakes are delicious! My favorites flavors are strawberry, banana, and smores. They also have a cupcake vending machines for after hours.
The Farm of Beverly Hills
189 The Grove DrGood place for brunch.
Good food and great coffee. Best time to go is Friday night when it is not so busy.
132 locals recommend
Urth Caffé Beverly Hills
267 S Beverly DrGood food and great coffee. Best time to go is Friday night when it is not so busy.
Pinkberry
1612 Montana AveGreat alternative to ice cream. My favorite flavor is pomegranate.
Neiman Marcus
9700 Wilshire BlvdNice upscale shopping store. Good selection of designer handbags.
Brentwood area Recommendations
Upscale Westside area with good restaurants.
Coral Tree Cafe
11645 San Vicente BlvdGood place for casual dining.
Really good truffle pizza and tiramisu. I recommend going during the week and not on a Friday or Saturday.
43 locals recommend
Toscana Restaurant in Brentwood
11633 San Vicente BlvdReally good truffle pizza and tiramisu. I recommend going during the week and not on a Friday or Saturday.
Pizzana Brentwood
11712 San Vicente BlvdExcellent gourmet pizza and salads.
Good place for steak. Service is excellent and a beautiful place to dine. Their homemade steak sauce is excellent.
39 locals recommend
Baltaire Restaurant
11647 San Vicente BlvdGood place for steak. Service is excellent and a beautiful place to dine. Their homemade steak sauce is excellent.
West Los Angeles area recommendations
Great area to eat.
Sawtelle Japantown
Good area for Japanese food. It is a night time destination.
Volcano Tea House
2111 Sawtelle BlvdGood place for Boba teas. I recommend the lychee slushy.
Atticus Creamery & Pies
10893 W Pico BlvdThe caramel Macchiato is addictive.
Great Persian food. I recommend the ground beef kabobs and the juicy chicken kabobs.
19 locals recommend
Darya Restaurant Santa Monica
12130 Santa Monica BlvdGreat Persian food. I recommend the ground beef kabobs and the juicy chicken kabobs.
Hamasaku
11043 Santa Monica BlvdGood upscale Japanese restaurant.
Shopping Recommendations
Great Places to shop nearby.
Century City Mall station
Great place to shop, eat, and hang out nearby.
Downtown Santa Monica Station
402 Colorado AveGreat place to people watch and shop.
Montana Avenue
Montana AvenueNice boutiques and places to eat.
A convient place to shop near Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.
178 locals recommend
Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica PlaceA convient place to shop near Santa Monica Pier and Third Street Promenade.
Neiman Marcus
9700 Wilshire BlvdGood place to shop for luxury brands.