Venice Beach makes for a great escape from the uptown uptightness of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Shop for art, hit the beach, then eat at some of LA's best restaurants
Known to locals as The Street, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is home to boutiques, artists’ studios and some great restaurants.Photograph: Stephen SimonsCasa Linda serves some of the freshest organic Mexican this side of the border. Buy a fish or shrimp taco and make sure you get a window seat for people-watching. 1357 Abbot Kinney Boulevard Photograph: Stephen SimonsThe food vans that stop by hot spots such as The Brig bar are a big draw. Trucks tweet their locations to hungry locals.1515 Abbot Kinney Boulevard Photograph: Stephen SimonsFrench 50s60s is a treasure trove of furniture by mid-century French designers. If you can’t afford to buy, it’s still a joy to browse. 1103 Abbot Kinney Boulevard. french50s60s.comPhotograph: Stephen SimonsCraig from Nom Nom Truck shows off their Vietnamese fusion pork tacos with carrot and coriander. nomnomtruck.com Photograph: Stephen SimonsGo to Baby’s Badass Burgers van to be served burgers called the Cougar or the Man Eater by girls in hotpants. Good food and good fun. babysbadassburgers.comPhotograph: Stephen SimonsJ’s Kitchen serves macrobiotic vegan Japanese food. Their bento boxes are the best. 1239 Abbot Kinney Boulevard.Photograph: Stephen SimonsVenicePhotograph: PR
