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Photograph: Michael JulianoVenice Beach.
Photograph: Michael Juliano

What to see and do along the CicLAvia Culver City Meets Venice route

Restaurants, bars, shops and other landmarks along the 6-mile CicLAvia Culver City Meets Venice route

Michael Juliano
Written by Michael Juliano
Editor, Los Angeles & Western USA
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CicLAvia pedals its way back onto the Westside with a 6-mile route between Culver City and Venice. The last time the bike-friendly fest made its way to the beach, it started all the way over in Downtown LA. You'll find a much more manageable route this time around, and though a decent chunk is residential, there's still plenty to see and do in historic Downtown Culver City, through easygoing Mar Vista, near posh Abbot Kinney and along eclectic Venice Beach.

The CicLAvia Culver City Meets Venice route

Click here for a larger view of the map.

Pssst. Hang out with us at the Mar Vista hub and pick up one of our spoke cards with discounts at places like A-Frame, Lemonade and the Anchor.

Things to see and do

We'll be starting from Culver City and ending in Venice—because why wouldn't you want to wrap up along the ocean?—so follow along as we move westward.

Helms Bakery

  • Bakeries
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
Helms Bakery
Helms Bakery
Built in 1931 and operated as a bakery (naturally) for over four decades, the cherished historic landmark has since been repurposed as a group of restaurants, shops and public spaces for locals to enjoy.
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Downtown Culver City Hub

Take a bike safety class, listen to live music and explore the walkable neighborhood. Accessible by Metro Expo Line.

The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation

  • Performing arts space
  • Palms
The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation
The Actors' Gang at the Ivy Substation
Photograph: Los Angeles/Wikimedia
This century-old, former streetcar substation is now home to the Actors' Gang's 99-seat theater. Tim Robbins, who co-founded the company in 1981, remains in charge of its hard-edged material. Stop by during CicLAvia for a free, kid-friendly staging of a Harry Potter-themed Hamlet.
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Museum of Jurassic Technology

  • Museums
  • History
  • Palms
  • price 1 of 4
Museum of Jurassic Technology
Museum of Jurassic Technology
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/ Allison Fender
Don't be fooled by the name: this is not some kind of Spielbergian dinosaurland. Fact is mixed with the fantastical through the elaborate and beautiful treatment accorded to everything from the history of trailer parks to 17th-century Renaissance man Athanasius Kircher. Which exhibits, if any, are bona fide? Which, if any, are satirical? And, most crucially of all, does it matter?

Culver Hotel

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Culver City
  • price 3 of 4
Culver Hotel
Culver Hotel
This historic hotel played part-time residence to Old Hollywood stars like Clark Gable and Buster Keaton. Charlie Chaplin supposedly sold the hotel to John Wayne for a buck, while tales of apparitions surround the Neo-Renaissance–designed hotel; locals and tourists alike can drop in for a nightcap at the hotel's lobby bar.
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Kirk Douglas Theatre

  • Culver City
  • price 3 of 4
Kirk Douglas Theatre
Kirk Douglas Theatre
Photograph: Craig Schwartz
Formerly the Culver Theatre—its original neon sign still lights up—this Streamline Moderne movie palace is now the Westside home of the Center Theatre Group's most adventurous, intimate stage productions. Stop in for an open house during CicLAvia.

Sony Pictures Studios

  • Things to do
  • Walks and tours
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
Sony Pictures Studios
Sony Pictures Studios
Photograph: Michael Juliano
Though its footprint is much smaller than its days as the iconic MGM Studios, you can still tour the Sony lot's soundstages and Art Deco facades during weekday walking tours. It won't be open for tours during CicLAvia, but you'll still be able to spot the studio's 94-foot-tall rainbow, an homage to the filming of The Wizard of Oz.
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Tellefson Park Hub

You'll find the CicLAvia Old School Merchandise booth in this pint-sized park.
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Mitsuwa Marketplace

  • Mar Vista
  • price 2 of 4
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Mitsuwa Marketplace
Photograph: Wayne Parsons
These supermarket shelves are stocked with enough pork, panko and Pocky for shoppers to stage their own Japanese blowouts. Be sure to check out the food court, too, which is wedged between an anime toy store and the grocery store's own cash registers.
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Mar Vista Time Travel Mart

  • Things to do
  • Cultural centers
  • Mar Vista
  • price 2 of 4
Mar Vista Time Travel Mart
Mar Vista Time Travel Mart
Photograph: Courtesy 826LA
Stock up on “time travel” curiosities—Robot Toupees, Barbarian Repellent, Primordial Soup In a Can—at this quirky storefront from 826LA, a nonprofit organization which tutors kids ages 6 to 18. Unlike the Echo Park location's convenience store theme, the Mar Vista outpost has more of a nautical flair.

Beyond Baroque

  • Things to do
  • Literary events
  • Venice
  • price 1 of 4
Beyond Baroque
Beyond Baroque
Photograph: Courtesy Beyond Baroque
Before Venice became part of Los Angeles, this was its city hall. Now, it's home to poetry readings, storytelling shows and offbeat events like typewriter workshops thanks to creative haven Beyond Baroque.
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Venice Hub

Cool off with a paleta from Artesana Pops before making your way over to the beach.
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Venice Beach

  • Attractions
  • Beaches
  • Venice
Venice Beach
Venice Beach
People-watching is the raison d'être at Venice Beach, which effectively continues from the southern end of Santa Monica Beach without a break. Jump into the flow of the winding Venice Boardwalk, where you can skate or cycle, watch or play volleyball or basketball, and check out the pumped-up gym obsessives who work out at Muscle Beach. For a completely different side of Venice, take a stroll through the idyllic Venice Canals (centered around Venice Boulevard and Dell Avenue).
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Where to eat and drink

Check out some of our favorite spots to eat and drink in the area, both on and off the CicLAvia route. Bring a Time Out spoke card with you (available at the Mar Vista hub) for a few discounts.

Father's Office

  • Hamburgers
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
Father's Office
Father's Office
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
It's all about the beer and burgers at this iconic LA gastropub, which offers a rotating selection of 36 craft brews on tap; the bar's eponymous caramelized onion-topped burger is worth a try, too.
Order online
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Kay 'n Dave's

  • Mexican
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
Kay 'n Dave's
Kay 'n Dave's
Photograph: Courtesy Kay 'n Daves
This neighborhood spot, with locations in the Pacific Palisades and Brentwood as well, serves up Mexican comfort food and killer happy hour specials.

Complimentary dessert and agua fresca samples with spoke card.

East Borough

  • Vietnamese
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
East Borough
East Borough
This modern Vietnamese eatery cooks up fresh food with a kick. The cozy colorful spot serves up greens, rice and noodles along with well-balanced drinks.
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The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa

  • Tea rooms
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa
The Conservatory for Coffee, Tea & Cocoa
Photograph: Sara Fay
This Culver City café is a haven for coffee tea, and cocoa lovers. Ask any one of their friendly staff members to help you decide which of their hundreds of teas to order, and you'll get an education that isn't intimidating or brusque.

Oldfields Liquor Room

  • Cocktail bars
  • Palms
  • price 2 of 4
Oldfields Liquor Room
Oldfields Liquor Room
Oldfield’s offers a subdued, neighborhood bar experience with an homage to a particular brand of hideaways—blinds drawn, French bistro barstools and white tiles.

One free drink (value up to $12) with spoke card.
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Copenhagen Pastry

  • Bakeries
  • Culver City
  • price 1 of 4
Copenhagen Pastry
Copenhagen Pastry
Photograph: Courtesy Copenhagen Pastry
The light, flaky pastries at this bakery taste like the've come straight from Denmark—or at least straight out of the oven. The kringle, filled with almond paste and custard, is a must-try, though you really can't go wrong with anything here.

FIN

  • Japanese
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
FIN
FIN
Photograph: Courtesy FIN
You'll find Asian tapas and specialty craft cocktails here, all served in a candlelit dining room, lounge and bar with upbeat music.

10% off total bill with spoke card.
Order online
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Alley

  • Cocktail bars
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
Alley
Alley
Housed behind Fin, you'll need to walk through an "Employees Only" sign to enter this "secret" bar. Once you’re through the door, an ornate painting of a peacock lets you know you’ve either arrived at the right place or stumbled into the most lavish break room imaginable.

One free bartender's choice cocktail with spoke card.

The Corner Door

  • American
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
The Corner Door
The Corner Door
A cozy culinary and libation retreat, this spot feels like a neighborhood place where everybody knows your name. Exposed red brick meets dark wood paneling under Edison-approved lighting, along with drinks and bites that are reliable and flavorful.

$10 off a purchase of $25 or more with spoke card.
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A-Frame

  • Hawaiian
  • Culver City
  • price 2 of 4
A-Frame
A-Frame
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
Roy Choi has revamped his popular restaurant into a Hawaiian-centric eatery, now sporting poke and baby octopus and macaroni salad. Cocktails, too, have a tropical flair, with names like Hibiscus Habit, Lei Me Down and Zombie Isle—umbrellas included, of course.

15% off total bill with spoke card.

Superba Food + Bread

  • American
  • Venice
  • price 2 of 4
Superba Food + Bread
Superba Food + Bread
There's little distinction between indoor and outdoor seating here; a glass-paneled bakery lines one wall and a beautiful coffee bar sits in the corner. The menu is pleasantly straightforward and the bread is excellent.
Book online
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Sunny Spot

  • Caribbean
  • Venice
  • price 2 of 4
Sunny Spot
Sunny Spot
Roy Choi's ode to the sunny Caribbean has a tropical theme throughout, from the brightly colored, floral-patterned stools to an Island-themed menu.

15% off total bill with spoke card.

Lemonade

  • American
  • Venice
  • price 2 of 4
Lemonade
Lemonade
Photograph: Courtesy Lemonade
The lengthy menu here covers cafeteria-style dishes, including well-dressed salads, stews, pastas, sandwiches and side dishes. To drink, of course, there are a half dozen or so types of lemonade.

Free lemonade with any $10 purchase with spoke card.
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Salt Air

  • Seafood
  • Venice
  • price 3 of 4
Salt Air
Salt Air
Peruse an upscale, seafood-centric menu of oysters, lobster rolls and the like in an airy, stark white space. It's at once refined and beach-y enough to feel right at home on Abbot Kinney.

Menotti's Coffee Stop

  • Coffee shops
  • Venice
  • price 2 of 4
Menotti's Coffee Stop
Menotti's Coffee Stop
Photograph: Courtesy Menotti's
Menotti's Coffee Stop—emphasis on the "stop"—feels like a friendly refuge from the neighboring Venice Boardwalk. The interior is welcoming but spartan, with most of the attention focused on the bean selection and, behind it, a stack of vinyl and a taxidermy armadillo.
Order online
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Townhouse & the Del Monte Speakeasy

  • Cocktail bars
  • Venice
  • price 2 of 4
Townhouse & the Del Monte Speakeasy
Townhouse & the Del Monte Speakeasy
Photograph: Courtesy Del Monte Speakeasy
The Del Monte Speakeasy, Townhouse's basement bar, has been a hidden hideout since 1915. Today, the hooch is done, replaced instead with fancy-pants handcrafted cocktails, as well as live entertainment including local bands, comedy, jazz and vaudeville acts.

10% off total bill with spoke card.
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The Anchor

  • Seafood
  • Venice
  • price 3 of 4
The Anchor
The Anchor
This tiny seafood restaurant is a place where you can sit down at the bar solo, order a glass of wine and a lobster roll, and feel completely at ease.

15% off total bill with spoke card (not to be combined with other promotions).
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