Los Angeles Confuses Me - Please Help

Definitely recommend Library Alehouse, as it's a very quick trip over to Main Street in Santa Monica from there. Would also add Whole Foods Venice (great bottles and a bar inside too), Venice Ale House (by the beach) and the Tripel (in Playa del Rey).

If you're willing to drive, OP, Culver (on top of the recommendations above) also has the bigger Father's Office and Public School 310. It's also not a bad idea to shoot over to Pico Blvd. nearby to go to Steingarten LA.

 

Day trip advice, drive up PCH and stop off at some beaches for the wife, Leo Carrillo, Zuma, Nicholas State beach are good stops to take in the ocean. Drive into Camarillo and get some beers at Institution Brewing, drive and go get lunch at Ladyface in Agoura, drive through the Santa Monica mountains on Kanan, Los Virgenes, or Topanga and you'll be right back on PCH.

 

Make the drive to beachwood seal beach. sit the little lady on the beach, walk up the street and get a seat at the bar. Drink beers, walk back and check on the lady. Repeat until she is done with the beach or you cant walk back to the bar.

 

a trip up PCH is not a bad idea at all. leave early if it's the weekend though. stop at Neptune's Net for some fresh fish along the way (they have some decent bottles and cans there).

if you're up for an off the beaten path romantic dinner, Saddlepeak Lodge in Malibu is a pretty special place (unless you're vegan or vegetarian). Was an old hunting lodge in the 40's or something. Awesome atmosphere. Every meat you can name. Very nice place

 

So no Venice? Mar Vista? Pac Palisades? How can a city be in another city?

Yo dawg hang out Downtown, go to Far Bar, hop on Metro and go explore LA and drink some beers.

 

Offense definitely taken. I did not recommend he stay in Culver City, I simply used my power of reading complete posts to see that he was already planning on staying there (insert Wonder-Twins shape-changing sound effects here and you'll get the mood I'm going for here).

 

I thought you might be offended since you said you live there

 

No worries. Admittedly, all the bottle shops, breweries, and brewpubs I frequent are elsewhere (as in, NOT in the CC city limits) but it's not so bad. I'm close to the 405 and right at the end of the 90 (Marina Del Rey is on the other end only 2.5mi away), and not too far from the 105 or 10 so I can get places quick.

 

yah, CC is nice. and has come a long way. Father's Office is great and lots of good restaurants now. 15 years ago there was nothing. i worked there for a few years and am familiar with it.

i just think if we're recommending a place for someone coming from out of state, it's not the 1st i'd recommend

it was a sad day when they renovated the movie theater building and Mrs Garcias left. best breakfast burritos in LA

 

definitely agree. CC is a much better dining scene now. Bucato, Father's Office, Lukshon, N/Naka just to name a few.

 

now you're going to need orange county suggestions instead of los angeles. Huntington Beach is quite the trek to Los Angeles.

 

If not anything else, you are pretty close to the Beachwoods. LOL

 

The Hilton in HB is a great choice. Right across the street from the beach and near downtown. In downtown on Main St you have Huntington Beach Brewing Co. . . . .skip it. But do check out taphunter.com to see what guest beers they do have. Otherwise. . . . .skip it. We do have a new brewery here in Surf City, Beach City Brewery (and another one on the way. . .Four Sons (grand opening on Sept 7 & near Beach City). Back to downtown HB, right next to Hunt Bch Brewery, the owner also owns Pizza Lounge. Lots of drafts and bottles I believe. Haven't been yet. But they are on taphunter.com. I guess most of the restaurants in the downtown area have jumped on the craft beer bandwagon. But most are charging outrageous $$'s for a pour. And most of it is not a proper pour. So be aware. You might want to stay away from the downtown area and head towards north HB and check out BT's Southern BBQ with a lot to choose from as far as good BBQ and IPA's. They have only 13 taps but most everything is good and they do get Societe beers almost every week. And they do half pours for half the price of a full pour. Daily specials and the smoked Angus burger you can't beat for $8 with side. Its better than Slaters 50/50 (which also down the street from Hilton on Beach Blvd. If you do go I would the get chicken/pancakes and save the burger for BT's (Sat only). For bottles you have Total Wine, BevMo and Whole Foods all on or off Beach Blvd. Mr Kegs on Warner Ave and Liquor Warehouse (again near Hilton). And they do get Pliny in on Thursdays but its not every week. Call ahead. And its down to 1 bottle per person. Eureka! at Bella Terra is another choice for craft beer and burgers. But damn, your not far from Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach. Thats a do not miss spot. In between Beachwood and the Hilton you also have Brixs and Schooner's at Sunset. Both in Sunset Beach. I've been avoiding Schooners lately. And Brixs too, unless Rick gets Alpine stuff in. Can you get any Zombie Dust?

 

Hermosa would have been a really good choice too.

 

If I were to go to one bar in LA, I'd go to the Rainbow. Pretty much the best place ever. Legendary Rock and Roll bar on Sunset. Cheap drinks that are super strong. AND, you are almost always going to bump into some one famous. No good beer though.

 

except it's an orange county experience ;p.

you'll have fun. Lots to explore in orange county. You're right next to westminster, so if you like vietnamese food.. some really awesome vietnamese food around there.

It might be a little cold at the beach at the end of October though. So I wouldn't expect much frolicking in the water

 

Also, you have hi times in costa mesa. Just south of hb. Good bottle shop. Would recommend heading there on a tuesday-thursday mid to late afternoon. Could score some pliny. For eats check out the corner on magnolia. Great food. He has just outstanding bottles once in a while.