Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!

E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

Discover

🌴 LA's Santa Monica, Venice, Hollywood, Silver Lake & Downtown: Tacos, Pastrami & City of Angels Classics

34 items

Mikey Stark

My favorite Los Angeles loop: the beach in Santa Monica and Venice, the Getty and Griffith Observatory for views, then tacos, pastrami, and French dips across Hollywood, Silver Lake, and Downtown. These are the spots I send every friend visiting LA f...

Map

I walk the Santa Monica Pier at sunset, ride the solar-powered Ferris wheel, and watch the surfers below.

Santa Monica Pier

I people-watch on the Venice Boardwalk, from the skate park and Muscle Beach to the street performers.

Venice Beach Boardwalk

I wander the Venice Canals for a quiet walk over little footbridges past the prettiest houses in LA.

Venice Canal Historic District

I grab a smoked fish plate and a pastry at Gjusta, a buzzing Venice bakery and deli with a sunny patio.

Gjusta

Gjelina is my go-to dinner on Abbot Kinney for wood-fired pizza and the best roasted vegetables around.

Gjelina

I order the Office Burger with a craft beer at Father's Office, and I know not to ask for ketchup.

Father's Office

I go to Tsujita on Sawtelle for the tsukemen, thick dipping noodles with a rich pork broth that's worth the line.

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodles

I ride the tram up to the Getty Center for free art, gorgeous gardens, and the best views across the whole city.

The Getty

I drive up the PCH to Neptune's Net for fried shrimp and a cold beer right across from the ocean.

Neptune's Net

I hike up to Griffith Observatory for the Hollywood Sign view and stay for the city lights after dark.

Griffith Observatory

I always stop at the TCL Chinese Theatre to compare my hands to the stars' prints in the forecourt.

TCL Chinese Theatre

I order a martini and the flannel cakes at Musso & Frank, Hollywood's oldest restaurant with red-jacketed waiters.

Musso & Frank Grill

I pack a picnic and a bottle of wine for a summer concert under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl.

Hollywood Bowl

I hike Runyon Canyon in the morning for a quick workout with big views over Hollywood and downtown.

Runyon Canyon Park

I get a chili dog at Pink's, a La Brea stand that's been serving Hollywood late into the night since 1939.

Pink's Hot Dogs

I graze my way through the Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax, from donuts to gumbo.

The Original Farmers Market

I take photos at the Urban Light lampposts outside LACMA and then spend hours inside the galleries.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Even non-car people I bring to the Petersen love the movie cars and the wild building itself.

Petersen Automotive Museum

I go to République for brunch pastries and a stunning dining room inside a historic building on La Brea.

République

I get al pastor tacos at Leo's, sliced right off the spinning trompo with a piece of pineapple on top.

Leo's Tacos Truck

Guelaguetza is my pick for Oaxacan food in Koreatown, and I always order the mole sampler and a michelada.

Guelaguetza Restaurant

I order the #19 at Langer's, a hot pastrami sandwich with coleslaw and Swiss that I think beats New York's.

Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant

I start Silver Lake mornings with a pour-over on the Intelligentsia patio at Sunset Junction.

Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar

I order the sorrel pesto rice bowl and ricotta toast with house jam at Sqirl, the spot that changed LA breakfast.

Sqirl

I walk the loop around the Silver Lake Reservoir and hang out at the Meadow with half the neighborhood's dogs.

Silver Lake Reservoir

I catch a Dodgers game with a Dodger Dog and watch the sunset behind the hills from the top deck.

Dodger Stadium

I get a double-dipped lamb French dip with the spicy house mustard at Philippe's, an LA classic since 1908.

Philippe The Original

I stroll Olvera Street in the oldest part of LA for taquitos, colorful market stalls, and live music.

Olvera St

I brave the line at Howlin' Ray's for Nashville hot chicken, and I order it hot, not the scary heat levels.

Howlin' Ray's Hot Chicken - Chinatown

I eat my way through Grand Central Market downtown, and Eggslut and the taco counters are always on my list.

Grand Central Market

I browse The Last Bookstore for used finds and take a photo in the book tunnel upstairs.

The Last Bookstore

I reserve free tickets to The Broad for the contemporary art, and the Infinity Mirror Room is a must.

The Broad

I walk the hidden rooftop garden at Walt Disney Concert Hall and see the LA Phil when I can get tickets.

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Bestia is my favorite big Italian dinner in the Arts District, and I always get the bone marrow and a pasta.

Bestia