Venice

With a resident skateboarding saxophonist, Muscle Beach bums, and the highest concentration of henna this side of Bollywood, the nabe sure has character (good thing some of it comes in the form of smart architecture, market-fresh menus, and swoon-worthy design shops).

EXPLORE ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD:

Linus Bike Showroom

1413 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-857-7777

Lightweight, extra-good-looking bicycles styled after those seen in retro French cinematic masterpieces. Plus all the accessories needed for the wheels to become your main mode of transportation. Beret not included.

Photo: Courtesy of Linus Bike

Gjelina

1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-450-1429

Hipsters vie for couch seats by the outdoor fire pit and farm-style communal tables in front. Wood-fire specialty pizzas and simple, rustic flavor make it worth the wait.

Photo: Courtesy of Gjelina

Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea

1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-399-1233

Smart choice. Extensively trained baristas take their espresso and Clover machine brewing very seriously, so you can count on a seriously good cup of joe.

Photo: Phillip Kim / Courtesy of Intelligentsia Venice

Tortoise General Store

1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-314-8448

Slow and steady wins the race, Japanese style. Classes, art shows, and a bevy of imported goods from both new- and old-world craftsmen mean you’re in store for quite the culture shop.

Photo: Courtesy of Tortoise General Store

A+R Store

1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd 310-392-9128

High-design imports and ephemera for the person who has everything. Think you’ve got everything? How about porcelain Wellington boots from the Czech Republic or ultra-modern drinking glasses from Denmark? Thought not.

Photo: Courtesy of A+R Store

COMMENTS

Posted by PKitty319 on Nov 30, 2009 7:58:14 PM

Abbot Kinney rocks

Posted by Rollerstar on Nov 17, 2009 3:36:23 PM

It would be fantastic if the person reviewing a neighborhood "ventured" off a single street and truly took in the flavor of one of L.A.'s most distinct stretches. Abbot Kinney is hardly all there is to Venice, though it may seem that way to someone reading Daily Candy!