Head over to the Culver City gallery openings, and be sure and stop into this gem of a bar before or after. It's got a charming patio, space for dancing, and every time I go I meet at least one of the artists showing in the neighborhood...

Go on... indulge yourself. Theirs are the best cakes in town. My personal favorite... three-berry cake.

8360 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069

This is just about the most sumptuous and among the most authentic Italian food in Los Angeles. I would suggest you reserve a trip here for a special date, an anniversary, birthday, etc. It's romantic, small (book ahead) and wonderful. [more...]

The Brentwood Country Mart is a step back in time. Built in 1948, the original barn is a stark contrast to the McMansions around it in this fancy part of LA. Lots of expensive designer shops mingle in with cobblestone courtyards, a fire [more...]

354 N. Beverly Dr.
310-274-4300
These books make the best gifts, and the store is AMAZING even if you are just browsing. You'll both find tons of things to love here. The titles range from $10 volumes of vintage graphics [more...]

The Getty Villa is a cliff-top beauty of a building overlooking the Pacific. There are collections of Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities.
The villa itself [more...]

Bottle Rock is the best of all worlds for wine enthusiasts. This both a wine bar and a retail store. Unusual wines from around the world. This is a perfect place [more...]

CalArts is a breeding ground for artists just north of L.A. in Valencia. It's a commune of sorts, on a hill in the middle of an otherwise conservative suburban [more...]

Zuma Beach is one of the loveliest stretches of sand in a state filled with lovely stretches.

Popular with Valley-fleeing teens and [more...]

Chances are good if you live in L.A. that both you and your love are writing screenplays. And if you aren't yet, you will be eventually.

The Writing [more...]

Yoga is just the beginning.

You can come and do your yoga and pilates here, but there are also classes in astrology and in nia, which combines movement from yoga, t'ai chi, martial arts and dance. There are also free healing [more...]

The Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes is one of the city's most beautiful places.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, the Wayfarer's Chapel is "a [more...]

The Vineland has been showing movies—and providing an opportunity to get to second base, for decades.
443 N. Vineland Ave.
City of Industry, 91746
(626) 961-9262

Subliminal Projects displays work by graphic artists and walks the line between fine and commercial art. Its artists are from all over the world, like Space [more...]

The Hustler Casino is just like you'd expect: gaudy, provocative and fun in a tasteless kind of way. Everything is purple and gold, the walls are red-cushioned [more...]

Exposition Rose Garden is the most romantic park in town, and it's free. Don't GIVE her roses, take her TO them instead.

Animal Acres is a 26-acre animal sanctuary dedicated to providing homes to animals saved from factory farms, stockyards and slaughterhouses.

There are over [more...]

Dangerous Curve is the best kept secret of the art world in L.A. Located inside a curved building, Dangerous Curve touts unconventional art and architecture. The [more...]

The Dresden is a must-see masterpiece. It's like stepping back into a different era. Inside is all white-leather booths, curved corners, corkboard walls and cool, carpeted standing space. It was featured in the film Swingers but the [more...]

Brennan's Pub Turtle Races are great fun. Turtle Races start about 9:30 pm every Thursday night. There are 7 divisions (from midgets to Monsters), and there are 2 [more...]