Sepulveda Boulevard in central Culver City has an unpretentious, oldschool feel. A tinge of urban hipness graces the area, but the appeal is in its lack of polish. Two blocks of odd, hodgepodge storefronts offer enough food, coffee and interesting shopping to keep you occupied for at least a couple of hours.
The very picture of a chill coffee place, Tanners has a sizable lounging area in front jammed with couches and big, soft chairs. There are also local artists paintings on the high walls; a borrow-a-book shelf; free wireless Internet access; and reliably good sandwiches, smoothies and baked goods. If your cars got a problem, bring it to the amazingly honest Ed Little Auto Service around the corner here while you wait.
Say the word zymurgy. It sounds like youre saying synergy while incredibly drunk, which is appropriate because it means the study of fermentation, as in, the art of home brewing. If youve ever had the urge to zymurge, check out this shop with its bulk bins of rich, deeply aromatic specialty grains for serious brewing dudes and dudettes.
A cleaner, shinier, more modern version of the cozy neighborhood cafe, Dolce Vita offers the usual sandwiches, bakery items and coffee drinks one expects, but it also boasts substantial hot breakfast plates. Its a good place for a day of reading, writing or contemplating the traffic on Sepulveda, and theres a pleasant sidewalk patio area if you want to take it outside.
This place will have you at hola. Its front patio features a bamboo slat fence and festive umbrellas, and the interior is similarly tropicalized, with a colorful Afro-Caribbean vibe. The name of the Cuban-owned outpost translates to “the Creole corner,” and the menu features must-have meaty, starchy island specialties—plus half-price mojitos on Mondays.
Kids love model trains. Some adults love model trains too. If you think a suspended state of childhood is commendable (and why not?), youll dig this jam-packed den of choochoos, where you can indulge your inner conductor, railroad magnate or passenger on the 3:10 to Yuma.
A classic Los Angeles resource renowned for its, er, scope of camera equipment (both still and motion varieties), with aisles and display cases full of related gadgetry. This superstore should satisfy any fine-art photographer, paparazzo, aspiring movie auteur or high-tech peeping Tom.
