It's virtually impossible to get onto the beach at Malibu if you don't own a slice of it, but Bob Morris' Beach Cafe is right on the beach at Paradise Cove. The food is also great - lots of surf and turf type dishes - and you can hang out on the beach before and after dining. To get to the beach, you have to drive through what is probably the world's most expensive trailer park.

www.paradisecovemalibu.com/beachcafe
Turn left off PCH North, about 30 mins from Santa Monica.

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The Inn at Venice Beach is a very easy-going hotel. It's set one block back from the Venice boardwalk, south of St Mark's Place,and is perfectly placed for the Venice Whaler, the canals and Marina Del Ray. Staff are helpful and pleasant, it's well-placed for MTA buses but the key to the charm is the little centre courtyard where breakfast is held.

www.innatvenicebeach.com
327 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
(800) 828-0688
(310) 821-2557

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Pretty self explanatory really, runs along the beach. Best walked on the weekends when all manner of strange and fabulous people emerge, reminiscent of Glastonbury at times, but, you know, with fewer annoying middle class students. Watch out for various street entertainers including a guy who walks literally 6 inches behind you, imitating everything you do, to the amusement of everyone sitting in the cafes. Rollerblading or rollerskating along the sidewalk is best if you can manage it, or rent a cycle. Parking can be found at one of several large lots right next to the beach for around $10/day, park at Marina del Rey and walk up to Venice past Muscle Beach and the basketball courts for a longer stroll, stop at the Sidewalk cafe for a margarita before heading back or further north to Santa Monica.

Venice Beach

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Take a drive down to Manhattan Beach. Enjoy the pier and beach, but do not miss out on this fantastic restaurant. It's clean, inexpensive, friendly, with utterly delicious food. They have many tasty dishes suitable for vegetarians (but not vegans), as well as the standard Mexican fare very well prepared. I lived in L.A. for many years and ate there regularly.

1005 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA

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A great place to see the cool and relaxed side of the busy city. It’s best at weekends, if you have never seen a mum pushing her child in a buggy while rollerblading, this is the place to go. Street markets and entertainers abound and the whole atmosphere is friendly.

Head north-west up the coast and you can't miss it.

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The one thing that has succeeded in halting the sprawl of LA: the Pacific Ocean. The beaches in LA - or more correctly in the Westside cities - offer an uninterrupted 7-mile stretch packed with all the cliches: rolling surf, golden sand, guaranteed sunshine (avoid June and July). Take the cycle path from Venice broadwalk, with its body builders and hawkers, to the fringes of Malibu and you'll believe you are Harry O.

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