Santa Monica • Brentwood • Sawtelle

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New restaurants, hidden parks, local rituals, and the spots worth getting off the couch for — all within a few miles of home.

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Overhead view of a swimmer doing freestyle across a bright turquoise swimming pool on a hot day Outdoors

Too Hot? The Westsider’s Guide to Staying Cool in LA Right Now

Ocean swims, free air-conditioned museums, public pools, cold treats, and shady escapes — the best ways to beat the heat on the Westside right now.

6 min read Read →
A charcoal barbecue grill loaded with sausages, asparagus, and grilled vegetables sending up smoke at an outdoor cookout Outdoors

The Westsider Labor Day Weekend Guide 2026

Beach days, cookouts, where to eat, free events, and how to beat the traffic — the local’s plan for the long weekend from Santa Monica to Venice.

6 min read Read →
The Santa Monica Pier at sunset with the Ferris wheel and roller coaster silhouetted against a pink and orange sky Outdoors

Santa Monica Pier: The Complete Visitor’s Guide (2026)

Pacific Park, the Ferris wheel, the aquarium, parking, food, and the best time to go — everything to know before you visit LA’s most famous landmark.

7 min read Read →
A gelato display case filled with colorful tubs of freshly churned gelato in a shop Dining

The Best Ice Cream & Gelato in Santa Monica (2026)

Small-batch gelato, old-school scoop shops, and the cones worth the walk — a local’s guide to the best frozen treats on the Westside.

5 min read Read →
Silhouettes of people playing beach volleyball against a golden sunset sky on the sand Beaches

The Late-Summer Beach Bucket List: 10 Ways to Make the Most of August

Warm water, long light, thinning crowds — ten ways to make the most of the Westside’s best beach month before it’s gone.

5 min read Read →
The sun setting over the Pacific Ocean with gentle waves rolling onto a sandy beach Outdoors

The Best Sunset Spots on the Westside (2026)

The Westside has the best sunsets in LA — if you know where to stand. From Palisades Park to the bluffs and the Pier.

5 min read Read →
A live band on stage bathed in red light with a crowd of fans cheering with hands raised Nightlife

The Best Live Music on the Westside (2026)

Intimate club stages, free beachfront concerts, and low-key neighborhood gigs — where to hear live music in West LA.

5 min read Read →
A bright, plant-filled clothing boutique with a rack of curated garments against a white wall Hidden Gems

The Best Vintage & Thrift Shopping in West LA (2026)

Curated vintage boutiques, deep-dig thrift stores, and weekend flea markets — a local’s guide to secondhand shopping on the Westside.

5 min read Read →
A live band performing on an outdoor stage at dusk with a crowd silhouetted against blue stage lights Arts

Twilight on the Pier: Your Guide to Santa Monica’s Free Summer Concerts

Free live music over the Pacific is back at the Santa Monica Pier — here’s how to do the Westside’s best free concert night like a local.

5 min read Read →
A soccer ball on the pitch inside a large floodlit stadium Arts

The World Cup Is Here: Inside LA’s Opening Week — and What’s Still to Come

SoFi’s opening matches, the free Westside fan zones, and every game still to come through the July 10 quarter-final.

6 min read Read →
A crowded summer beach scene in Los Angeles Arts

Inside the Venice Beach World Cup Fan Zone: Free Match Screenings on the Sand

Free beach screenings, DJ sets, and food vendors — the Westside’s biggest free World Cup party is right on the boardwalk.

5 min read Read →
A perfectly cooked steak served with asparagus on a plate Dining

The Westsider Father’s Day Guide 2026: Where to Take Dad on the Westside

Father’s Day is June 21 — the best brunches, steak dinners, beach mornings, and last-minute plans from Santa Monica to Brentwood.

5 min read Read →
A lively crowd gathering for drinks inside a stylish bar Nightlife

The Best Rooftop Bars & Sunset Spots in West LA (Summer 2026)

Where to catch golden hour with a cocktail in hand, from Santa Monica to Venice.

6 min read Read →
An assortment of fresh-baked bagels in a bakery display Dining

Pop’s Bagels Lands on Montana Avenue After Closing Its Brentwood Shop

The Westside’s favorite bagel closed its original Brentwood shop and reopened on Montana Avenue in the former B&T’s Deli space.

4 min read Read →
Aerial view of the Santa Monica Pier with the Pacific Ocean stretching to the horizon on a clear summer day Outdoors

Pier 360 Is Back: Your Guide to Santa Monica’s Best Free Beach Festival (June 27–28)

Two days, zero admission, a hundred reasons to show up. Paddleboard races, skate demos, live music, and the Museum of Beach Life — all at the Santa Monica Pier starting June 27.

5 min read Read →
Blue sun loungers beside a serene outdoor swimming pool with ocean views on a sunny California summer day Hidden Gems

Annenberg Community Beach House: Santa Monica’s Best-Kept Summer Pool Secret

The pool that once belonged to Hollywood’s golden age opens to the public for $10 on June 14. Hearst built it. Marion Davies swam in it. You can too.

5 min read Read →
Cozy Korean restaurant interior with warm wooden decor and intimate lantern lighting Dining

The Mulberry: Sawtelle’s Best New Korean Bistro Is Worth Every Reservation Attempt

Chef Curtis Park (Benu, Commis, Daniel) opened the Korean-American bistro Sawtelle’s been waiting for. Michelin-recognized, open late, and worth every effort to get in.

6 min read Read →
Multiple exquisite small plates beautifully arranged on a dark restaurant table at a Michelin-caliber tasting menu dinner Dining

The Westside Just Landed on the Michelin Guide — 5 Restaurants to Know Before June 24

Kojima, The Mulberry, Lielle, Electric Bleu, and Miura just made the 2026 Michelin Guide. Star ceremony: June 24. Book now.

6 min read Read →
A packed street festival crowd filling a city block on a sunny summer afternoon Arts

The Venice Fest Is Back: Your Complete Guide to LA’s Best Free Summer Festival

June 20, free, all day on Venice Boulevard — three stages, outdoor art, local food, and the full spirit of the neighborhood.

5 min read Read →
Stylish café bar counter with green tiles and warm pendant lighting Dining

Chamberlain Coffee Venice: Abbot Kinney’s Most Anticipated New Café Is Here

Emma Chamberlain’s first standalone café opened May 7 — Venice-exclusive drinks, marble from her own kitchen, and a line that hasn’t let up.

5 min read Read →
Artisan sourdough pizza with blistered crust and fresh toppings on a wooden board Dining

Folks Pizzeria at the Helms District: Culver City’s Best New Pizza Is Here

The OC sourdough cult has landed in Culver City — blistered pies, natural wine, and a front patio that already earns the drive to Helms Ave.

6 min read Read →
Contemporary furniture showroom with stylish decor and green plants Hidden Gems

IKEA Culver City Is Open in the Helms Design District — And It’s Not What You Expect

LA’s first urban-format IKEA is smaller, smarter, and nothing like the blue box you’re used to.

5 min read Read →
A crowded summer beach scene in Los Angeles, California Arts

Where to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup in West LA

Official fan zones at the Pier, car-free street festivals, beach watch parties, and the best bars to catch every match in Santa Monica.

6 min read Read →
Warm and inviting outdoor patio with wooden tables and ambient lighting Dining

The 10 Best Outdoor Dining Spots in Santa Monica (2026)

Oceanview patios, garden courtyards, rooftop terraces, and the sidewalk tables worth fighting for.

7 min read Read →
An open-air restaurant patio perched above the Pacific Ocean with white-linen tables Dining

Pacific Palisades Is Coming Back: Where to Eat and What’s Opening Next

Sixteen months after the fires, here’s what’s open — and the Nancy Silverton steakhouse that’s anchoring the Village’s comeback.

5 min read Read →
Elegant table setting with candles and flowers ideal for romantic dining Dining

The 12 Best Date Night Restaurants in West LA (2026)

Romantic dinners, rooftop views, tasting menus, and the Westside spots that make a real impression.

7 min read Read →
Sunlit Venice Beach scene with cafe, bookstore, and people enjoying the outdoors Hidden Gems

Abbot Kinney Boulevard: The Complete Guide for 2026

The best restaurants, shops, coffee, and things to do on LA’s coolest street.

8 min read Read →
A selection of vibrant cocktails in a bar setting perfect for happy hour Nightlife

The 10 Best Happy Hours in Santa Monica (2026)

Half-price cocktails, $1 oysters, rooftop specials, and the deals locals actually use on the Westside.

6 min read Read →
A grill master cooking thick steaks over open flames in a rustic wood-fired kitchen Dining

Big Sur Grill Santa Monica: The Wood-Fired Table You Need to Book

Chef Philip Wojtowicz’s new wood-fired California coast restaurant on Wilshire is the Westside date-night spot we’ve been waiting for.

5 min read Read →
A bartender pours a drink into a jigger at a stylish bar with bottles in the background Nightlife

The 12 Best Bars in Santa Monica Right Now (2026)

Rooftop cocktails, natural wine spots, dive bars that have earned their sticky floors, and the speakeasies worth finding on the Westside.

7 min read Read →
A barista works in a modern cafe with minimalistic decor and warm lighting Dining

The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Santa Monica (2026)

From specialty roasters and latte art temples to the neighborhood cafes where locals actually work and hang out.

6 min read Read →
Juicy smash burger with melted cheese and crispy caramelized edges on a toasted bun Dining

The Win~Dow Santa Monica: The Cult $4.50 Smash Burger Lands on Montana Avenue

The cult LA smash burger brand just opened on Montana Avenue, and the $4.50 cheeseburger is still somehow the best deal in West LA…

5 min read Read →
Dimly lit bar counter with bottles and warm amber lighting evoking a classic dive bar atmosphere Nightlife

Circle Bar Is Back: Santa Monica’s Most Historic Dive Bar Reopens This Month

Santa Monica’s most legendary late-night dive — the one that served Jim Morrison and Truman Capote — is back this month…

5 min read Read →
A romantically set dinner table with wineglasses creating a luxurious ambiance Dining

The 15 Best Restaurants in Santa Monica Right Now (2026)

From Michelin-starred tasting menus to late-night Thai and oceanview rooftops — where we actually eat…

8 min read Read →
Stunning aerial view of a lively beachfront with palm trees and cityscape Beaches

The 12 Best Beaches in Los Angeles: A Westside Local’s Ranking

Hidden coves, surf breaks, family-friendly stretches, and the bonfire beach — ranked by a local…

7 min read Read →
Outdoor music festival at night with a lit-up stage, colorful lights, and a crowd of thousands Arts

Santa Monica International Jazz Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide

Free Promenade sets, a Coltrane centennial at BroadStage, and Kamasi Washington at Tongva Park — the Westside’s first jazz festival is here…

5 min read Read →
Breathtaking sunset over Santa Monica Pier with illuminated Ferris wheel and vibrant skies Hidden Gems

25 Things to Do in Santa Monica: A Local’s Guide for 2026

Every list starts with the Pier. This one starts where locals actually go — 25 spots organized by effort level…

7 min read Read →
Beautiful coastal landscape with rocky shoreline, lush trees, and expansive ocean view Outdoors

The 8 Best Hikes Near Santa Monica (All Under 20 Minutes Away)

Ocean-view trails, waterfall loops, and beginner-friendly paths — all within striking distance of the beach…

6 min read Read →
Appetizing breakfast table with orange juice, fried eggs, breads, and fresh vegetables Dining

The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Santa Monica Right Now

From oceanview rooftops and farmers market cafes to neighborhood classics worth the wait…

6 min read Read →
Vibrant spread of traditional Indian dishes served on a table in a restaurant Dining

Fitoor Santa Monica: The Upscale Indian Restaurant the Westside Has Been Waiting For

Santa Monica’s most exciting new Indian restaurant is hiding in plain sight on Ocean Ave — and on weekends it brings the fire dancers.

5 min read Read →
Overhead flat lay of diverse colorful dishes and fresh ingredients on a wooden table Dining

Neighborly Brentwood: Four Celebrity Chefs, One San Vicente Address

Questlove’s fried chicken, Mini Kabob wraps, Gaby Dalkin’s salads, and Sicilian pizza — the best new food hall in Brentwood is not a food court.

5 min read Read →
Colorful Mexican tacos plated on a wooden board with fresh toppings and bright garnishes Dining

Broken Spanish Comedor: The Modern Mexican Kitchen Culver City Has Been Waiting For

Chef Ray Garcia’s beloved Broken Spanish is back — duck albondigas, a 100-bottle mezcal list, and mom’s enchiladas in a moody Culver City room.

5 min read Read →
Bright museum hallway with exhibits and empty walkways, showcasing modern design Arts

LACMA’s New David Geffen Galleries Are Finally Here

After nearly two decades, LACMA’s 100,000 sq ft Peter Zumthor masterpiece opens April 19 with 26 galleries spanning 5,000 years of art…

5 min read Read →
Warm and inviting restaurant setting with elegant leather seating and table setting Dining

The Wilkes: Brentwood Finally Gets the Steakhouse It Deserves

Snake River Farms cuts, latke-crusted schnitzel, and a 1954 Streamline Moderne building that was made for leather booths and old fashioneds…

5 min read Read →
Cyclists riding through a car-free urban street on a bright sunny day Outdoors

CicLAvia West LA 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Car-Free April Event

West LA’s streets belong to bikes and pedestrians this April 26 — a free 3-mile car-free route through the heart of the Westside.

5 min read Read →
Sunlit trail through a lush green park, dappled light filtering through trees Outdoors

Santa Monica Airport Is Becoming a 192-Acre Park — And the Designs Just Dropped

Eight districts, five miles of trails, a 2,000-seat amphitheater, and a community farm. The future of West LA’s biggest park just got very real.

5 min read Read →
Vibrant spread of modern Indian dishes with bold colors and fresh garnishes Dining

BADMAASH Venice: Abbot Kinney Finally Has an Indian Restaurant Worth the Wait

Tikka poutine, date jam bourbon cocktails, and a cave-like back room on the Westside’s best dining street.

5 min read Read →
Inviting outdoor restaurant patio with chairs, tables, and string lights in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Dining

The West LA Spring Dining Guide: 7 Tables We're Fighting Over Right Now

From a Brentwood courtyard doing Japanese-Argentine fusion to a Mar Vista wine bar that feels like a secret, these are the tables we can’t stop…

5 min read Read →
Baseball at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day Outdoors

Opening Day: The Dodgers Are Back and the Padres Are Already Planning for Next Year

Everything went exactly as expected for the greatest franchise in the history of professional sports.

5 min read Read →
Vibrant Thai green curry with fresh herbs and coconut milk Dining

Holy Basil Santa Monica: The Westside Finally Gets Real Thai Street Food

The acclaimed Thai street food kitchen opens on Santa Monica Blvd — seafood-forward, uncompromising, and already one of the best new restaurants on the Westside.

5 min read Read →
Intimate wine bar with warm lighting and string lights Nightlife

Force of Nature: Venice’s Most Interesting New Bar Is Hiding Above Abbot Kinney

A women-owned wine bar in a century-old Victorian home, with a rooftop pulley that delivers pizza from next door. The best new bar on the Westside.

5 min read Read →
Rich tonkotsu ramen with chashu pork and soft-boiled egg at Tsujita LA on Sawtelle Dining

Sawtelle Blvd: West LA’s Japanese Food Street You’ve Been Sleeping On

Tsujita’s tsukemen, Menya Tigre’s velvety broth, Marugame Udon’s $10 lunch — your complete guide to Little Osaka in West LA.

7 min read Read →
Golden sunset over the Pacific Ocean viewed from a clifftop park with palm trees Outdoors

Palisades Park at Sunset: The Free Show That Beats Any Bar

26 acres of blufftop parkland along Ocean Avenue, the 1889 Camera Obscura, a rose garden, and nightly sunsets over Santa Monica Bay that still stop people mid-sentence.

4 min read Read →
Charming outdoor courtyard restaurant with string lights and casual seating Hidden Gems

Brentwood Country Mart: Brunch, Boutiques, and Sunday Ritual

Farmshop’s California brunch, Reddi Chick rotisserie, an artisanal Sunday farmers market, and the low-key courtyard energy that Brentwood does better than anyone.

5 min read Read →
Bright colorful vegetables and fruit at an outdoor farmer's market Dining

Santa Monica Farmer’s Market: Why Wednesday Wins

75 farmers, the best chefs in LA all shopping before you, and stone fruit so ripe it doesn’t survive the drive home. Arizona Ave & 2nd St, 8am–1pm, rain or shine.

5 min read Read →
Modern urban park with lush greenery and city skyline in the background Outdoors

Tongva Park: Santa Monica’s Most Underrated Six Acres

Free concerts at the Gathering Hill amphitheater, 170+ plant species, a splash pad for kids, and ocean panoramas from Observation Hill — one block from the Pier.

4 min read Read →
Bright contemporary art gallery interior with white walls and natural lighting Arts

The Hammer Museum: World-Class Art, Always Free

UCLA’s Hammer Museum on Wilshire is one of LA’s best contemporary art spaces. Free admission every day, a legendary bookstore, free film screenings, and an open-air courtyard restaurant.

4 min read Read →
Cyclist on a paved bike path alongside a creek on a sunny Los Angeles day Outdoors

Ballona Creek Bike Path: West LA’s Secret 7-Mile Escape

A flat, car-free Class I path from Culver City through West LA, past Sawtelle, all the way to the beach at Marina del Rey. The best way to spend a Sunday morning without leaving the Westside.

5 min read Read →
Elegant plated fine dining dish with precise garnish and sauces Dining

SELINE: Santa Monica’s New Michelin-Worthy Tasting Menu

Chef Dave Beran’s 15-to-18-course menu on Main Street just landed on the 2025 Michelin Guide. Southern California ingredients, no predictable plays. Book weeks ahead.

6 min read Read →
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza with a puffy char-blistered crust fresh from the oven Dining

Cosetta Is the California-Italian Spot Ocean Park Needed

Chef Zach Pollack’s Ocean Park newcomer does puffy-crusted pizzas, small plates, house-baked bread, and a sprawling alfresco patio that makes every dinner feel like summer.

5 min read Read →
Rooftop bar at dusk with city lights and a warm glowing atmosphere Nightlife

The Best Bars in Santa Monica Right Now

From the craft cocktails at Elephante on Ocean Ave to the no-frills dive energy of Chez Jay — the definitive Westsider bar guide for 2025.

5 min read Read →
Delicate steamed soup dumplings xiaolongbao arranged in a bamboo steamer Dining

Din Tai Fung Opens at Santa Monica Place — With Ocean Views

The iconic Taiwan-born XLB empire finally has a Santa Monica outpost, and it comes with a patio overlooking the ocean. Worth the wait and the (inevitable) line.

4 min read Read →
Empty sandy beach with calm blue water and clear California skies Beaches

The Locals’ Guide to Santa Monica Beach (Beyond the Pier)

Where to park, which lifeguard zones are least crowded, the best volleyball nets, where to watch the Santa Monica sunset with zero tourists. All the things only residents know.

6 min read Read →
Craft cocktails glowing on a dimly lit upscale bar Nightlife

S Bar by Katsuya: Brentwood’s Best Kept Nightlife Secret

Craft cocktails, Katsuya’s famous spicy crispy rice on happy hour, DJs Thursday through Saturday, and a bar staff that makes you feel like a regular from night one.

5 min read Read →
Perfectly seared wagyu steak resting on a wooden board Dining

Matu Kai: Brentwood’s New Wagyu Destination

100% grass-fed New Zealand wagyu, a five-course tasting menu at $87, and a wood-fire grill on San Vicente. The best new option for red meat lovers on the Westside.

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Elegantly plated Persian dishes on a white tablecloth Dining

Perse: A Modern Persian Dining Experience in Brentwood

The most refined Persian restaurant on the Westside — saffron lamb chops, short rib ghormeh sabzi, a glass wine cellar, and a room that looks like Paris.

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Single big red chili pepper on white background Dining

A Man of Consistency: The San Diego Resident Who Has Eaten at Chili’s Six Times This Week

Riley eats at Chili’s six times a week. He has a booth, a server named Trevor, and more peace of mind than anyone on our staff. We drove down to interview him and came back changed.

5 min read Read →
Lush green par-3 golf course on a sunny California morning Hidden Gems

Heroes Golf Course: West LA’s Best Kept Golf Secret

A 9-hole par-3 on the VA campus near UCLA — $12 to play, free for veterans, almost never crowded, and one of the most peaceful spots in West LA.

4 min read Read →