Venice Beach is one of the hippest spots in LA -- something hard to achieve in the "mecca of hip". If you appreciate art, fashion, beach living, and the occasional drive-by shooting, Venice is the place for you!

Start with breakfast at the French Cafe on Abbot Kinney Blvd just souuth of Venice Blvd. This cool cafe is run by expat French citizens who serve up some tasty and authentic French fare. I suggest the "Le Cheval" with a latte....heaven.

After breakfast, walk West on Abbot Kinney Blvd to explore all the upstart boutiques featuring clothing that range from "beach bum" to "nice bum"....sometimes in the same store.

Grab a few slices for lunch at Abbot's Pizaa. This hole-in-the-wall serves some of the best pizza on the West side of LA and they often have great music playing while you wait (inlcuding one of my favs - Mana)

Walk down to the Beach to check out the scene on the boardwalk. I'd suggest renting a bike for a little ride up and down the beach. It is great people watching and a good way to work off the Cheval/Pizza combo from earlier in the day.

After watching the sun set in the distance over Malibu return the bike and walk East a few blocks up from the Beach to Winward Circle to have dinner at the great local sushi joint - Hama Sushi. Sit at the bar and make friends with the sushi chefs...you'll both be buying each other beers in short order. And be sure to look in the corner for Dennis Hopper or other celebs who live in Venice.

After the beer/saki combo kicks in, it is time to stumble back up Abbot Kinney for a night cap at a hot new bar called The Other Room. It has a killer wine selection - ask the bartender for something memorable. Don't worry, you won't remember it anyway.

Find your way back to your hotel/house/surfboard...oh, and you can take off your sunhat and sunglasses now.