Visitors and residents in Los Angeles continue to enjoy summer well into the fall, with the Westside neighborhoods of Culver City, Mar Vista, and Venice offering a range of activities for a day out.
In Culver City, Helms Bakery has reopened under the guidance of Michelin-recognized Chef Sang Yoon, serving sourdough baguettes and house-roasted coffee. Shoppers can visit The Culver Steps or Platform on Washington Boulevard, home to brands such as Reformation, Kinn, and Catbird. Those seeking outdoor activity often climb the Culver Stairs for panoramic views of the city and coast.
Other local highlights in Culver City include The Culver Hotel, which recently marked its 100th anniversary. Guests can have breakfast or afternoon tea in its historic living room. Self-care options are available at Formula Fig with facial treatments, while Bitter Root Pottery offers pottery classes in Hayden Tract. Destroyer cafe provides minimalist design alongside creative cuisine.
Mar Vista, west along Venice Boulevard, is known for its blend of restaurants, artist pop-ups, and shops. Saby’s cafe serves modern Mexican food and specialty lattes like the Channel Orange. Time Travel Mart operates as a gift shop benefiting 826LA—a nonprofit that supports student writing skills (https://826la.org/). Mar Vista Farmer’s Market runs on Sundays with various vendors and artisan goods. Saba Surf Cafe combines a coffee shop with a surfboard shop experience. Beethoven Market presents Italian-inspired groceries and meals in a community-focused setting.
Venice Beach remains popular in the evening for its vibrant street culture featuring roller skaters and musicians. The Venice Walk Streets provide pedestrian-only routes established in the early 1900s by Abbot Kinney to resemble those of Venice, Italy. The Mosaic Tile House is another local attraction covered entirely in hand-laid tiles.
Kassi Rooftop Venice Beach opened atop Hotel Erwin in June, offering Mediterranean dishes and cocktails such as Oracle of Delphi or Velvet Seafoam during sunset hours overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
