Experiencing L.A. on Abbot Kinney Blvd (Part II)

Abbot Kinney Blvd. is one of the most eclectic and unusual shopping districts in Los Angeles.

"Bohemian" - not original with me - is the word I used in Part I (I suggest reading Part I first).


I'm still trying to figure out what Zingara (above) is.

Here's a link to their website (their site features interesting background music).

I think it's some sort of antique store, but I'm not sure. That pretty much sums up a lot of the businesses on Abbot Kinney.


The diversity of architecture - and businesses - is amazing. It makes for a great, pleasant walk.


I terms of businesses, this Pinkberry Yogurt was the only "chain" anything I found of Abbot Kinney. Everything else was definitely one of a kind. More on this later.


I thought this liquor store was interesting only because it was so different from the rest of the immediate community. Looks like it belongs someplace else in L.A. Definitely old-school Venice.


It's not just in the movies. People in California - both male and female really call each other "dude." The use is directly proportional to proximity to the ocean. It's also an expression: "Dude!" as in "Dude! I almost missed that exit!"


It's amazing what some color and patters do to any otherwise industrial looking building. Palm trees help, too.


Every wonder what happens to old playground equipment? Neptina turns it into artwork. Just another local store specializing in "mid century glass, lighting, tables, and art." Here's a link.


Mystic Journey Bookstore. A new-age bookstore. There were tarot cards and a crystal ball in the front window. While I wouldn't recommend this bookstore to others, I enjoy trying to find common ground with individuals who consider themselves "spiritual, but not religious."


I love this color!


I like to think that everyone is in favor of peace and love, but maybe not.


A view looking backwards (east).


My favorite orange building - with a turquoise building next to it. Amazing was some bright paint will do to otherwise bland buildings.


I love this tile mural - I thought this was a Jewish cultural center, but now I'm not sure. If you have a clue, let me know.


This entire poster of (at the time) President-Elect Obama was made from newspaper clippings. Creative, engaging artwork. Was it OK for me to still be impressed with the historical significance of our nation's first African-American President, even if I didn't vote for him?


Glencrest Bar-B-Que helps balance out the "Organic Vegan" place down the street. This, along with the liquor store down the street, looks old-school, pre-gentrification Venice.


Abbot Kinney's pedestrian traffic isn't limited to adults. I think this dad is taking his daughters to Pinkberry Yogurt, or ...


... to Tales & Toys. Nice to know that even that even in an funky, eclectic neighborhood like Venice, you can find a toyshop. Of course, it's not Toys R Us - which might be a good thing.


What looks like a former auto repair or garage is now a ... bookstore. Makes perfect sense.


Inside: artistic, open, with books (I'm guessing) won't find at Barnes & Nobel. I was running out of time, so I didn't go in.


Towards the end of Abbot Kinney is a small bi-lingual private school (French).


And a church. A web search didn't give too much information (unfortunately they don't have a website). From what I can surmise, Second Community Baptist Church is a historically black church serving Venice. I'm not familiar with them, but I appreciate seeing a church in the community.


Another block - and then I turned around (at Brooks) and headed back. A helpful overview of Abbot Kinney can be found at here (thanks to John for this link).


Across the street I noticed what is actually an small office building. See what you learn on foot? I've driven by this building over a hundred times, never knew what it was. My guess is that is a restored, historic home ... although it could be a new building designed to look old.


Having owned two VW bugs, I had to get a picture of this. I'm not sure where the paint stops and where the graffiti begins, but for some reason this car did not look out of place in the neighborhood.


Abbot Kinney ends at Brooks Ave (a few blocks from the beach). Time to head back.


Walking back to my car I noticed these old tracks running parallel to Abbot Kinney. My guess is they're a piece of the Red Car Line that use to run between downtown Los Angeles and Venice. The convenience of private automobiles doomed the Red Cars after WWII (subject for another blog). Ironically, the tracks are now covered by a narrow parking lot.


A view through my windshield - a final look heading home on Abbot Kinney.


What's the appeal of Abbot Kinney? Why is walking up and down the street more enjoyable than a trip to the (yuck) mall?

While many (but not all) of the stores are just too "funky" for my taste, I really enjoyed my time walking up and down this street. So what's the appeal?

Perhaps it's simply the variety of shapes, sizes, styles, colors, textures, and ages of the buildings and shops up and down the street. Yet no one building dominates - each one seems to work in concert with the others. This didn't happen by accident. There's a reason why (with the exception of Pinkberry Yogurt) there aren't any chain restaurants or stores: there's a culture, and both written and un-written rules, that make Abbot Kinney what it is today.

As a Christian, I wish more churches functioned like that (some actually do!). Each member exercising his or her God-given gifts and talents. Unique, but working together. Colorful, different, and a variety of ages and styles. Yet sharing a common faith and purpose. Working together in concert. Both unity and diversity. A strong sense of community.

Almost 2000 years ago, the Apostle Paul wrote to churches in the cities of Ephesus and Corinth:

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kids of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." I Corinthians 12:4-7

View Abbot Kinney Blvde, Venice California in a larger map

Just a few thoughts the next time you walk - or drive - down Abbot Kinney.

© 2012 www.experiencingla.com - originally posted 1/11/2009

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Experiencing L.A. on Abbot Kinney Blvd (Part I)

Three years ago, when we were living in Los Angeles, took a walk down Abbot Kinney Blvd in nearby Venice. I've driven up and down this street hundreds of times ... and decided to see what it looks like from street level.


"Bohemian" is probably the best word to describe the atmosphere. Abbot Kinney - and much of the surround Venice neighborhood - continues to experience gentrification, but the community maintains it's funky edge.


There's an incredible mix of architectural styles: everything from converted homes to contemporary glass and steel boxes. This, of course, is all part of the appeal.


There were also a surprising number of pedestrians up and down the street. Granted, I was there on a Saturday afternoon, but Abbot Kinney is very walkable and pedestrian friendly.


I parked on Broadway, cross the street - walking east on Abbot Kinney on the south side of the street.


"Zingara" - have no idea what they sell/do - I just like the building. A quick search on the internet mentioned a gypsy band, someone giving free psychic reading, and a wine and cheese event. Huh.


I've seen antique shops, I've seen surf shops - but I've never seen an antique surf shop. If vintage surf clothing, artwear, or even old boards are your thing, they've got it on Abbot Kinney.


No, this is not a Hollywood set (at least I don't think it is). My guess is a new structure is going behind the old front. I've seen this elsewhere in Santa Monica: kind of the best of both worlds.


The street curves slightly and then crosses Venice Blvd. It curves again after crossing Venice - and from there is almost entirely residential.


The curve after crossing Venice Blvd. In the distance are the towers of Marina del Rey.


This could be almost anywhere in Los Angeles: wide parkways, palm trees, and small apartments buildings.


One of the few single family homes on the street. A small house in between a couple of 4-6 unit apartment buildings.


Another single family home, this one significantly bigger, across the street. I just thought it was funny seeing homes mixed in with apartment buildings. Reminded me of "Monopoly" - little green houses and bigger red hotels.


I made it to Washington Blvd, and then crossed the street to walk on the north side back. At one time these lots were single family homes - each, of course, with it's own backyard. Unfortunately, the change in zoning did not include the addition of any sort of public space - even a basketball court or small playground would have been great.


I think what caught my eye was the wires coming off this telephone pole. How many lines can you count?


Normally, a roof deck would be desirable ...


Heading back to commercial/business section of Abbot Kinney. I like the mix of the old 1950's (what's now referred to as "mid-century") one story stucco next to the three story office building. Of course, the people living right next to the three story office building probably don't like it so much. This is just before I crossed back over Venice Blvd.


No, this is not a movie or TV set - (remember "Sanford & Son"?). This is a real working garage. Got to love the atmosphere.


I liked the old advertisement on the side of the building. "Stronghold" is a brand of locally made denim jeans. I think a single pair starts at $150 - apparently popular with the Hollywood crowd.


Surfing Cowboys - from the other side of the street.

I took a lot of photos - Abbot Kinney is only 1.3 miles from Brooks Street to Washington Blvd. (for a total distance of just 2.6 miles).

More in Part II

© 2012 www.experiencingla.com - originally posted 1/11/2009

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Gourment Food Trucks on Abbot Kinney Blvd: Passing Fad or Future Trend?

Driving home through Venice on Abbot Kinney Blvd I noticed yet another gourmet food truck in the parking lot at The Brig. As these trucks are usually out at night, I decided to pull over, check this one out.


This is "Nom Nom Truck". Thanks to twitter, you can follow where they are, when they'll be in your neighborhood.


Bánh Mi - the big item on their menu - is a Vietnamese baguette sandwich. OK, I had no idea what Bánh Mi was until I looked it up on the Internet. But it sounds yummy.

Nom Nom specializes in Vietnamese food, including something called a Vietnamese Taco.


I've had a good experience with a gourmet food truck previously, but already had dinner. On another night I might have tried something.


A block later on the same street I came across Fish Lips Sushi.


No tacos here: Fish Lips Sushi specializes in - surprise - sushi.


These two trucks were a block apart on the same street.

Are they a passing fad, or a peek into the future?

Los Angeles is known for setting trends that influence the rest of the country and the much of the world. Ten years from now, will cities like Omaha, Nebraska and Little Rock, Arkansas have similar gourmet food trucks, or is this a passing fad ... just another "L.A. thing?"

As a follower of Christ, I think there is something to be said about living in a city that sets trends that influence the rest of the world. I've met numerous Christians who've intentionally moved to Los Angeles for that very reason: wanting to make their faith real in a city whose impact spans the globe. Those who've moved here have found it challenging, and by that I mean on a practical day to day basis. Sure, you can twitter the location of a gourmet food truck, but good luck finding a Target or a Walmart.

2500 years ago the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah reminded the people of God to "seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you ...[pray] for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

True anywhere - especially in a city like Los Angeles.

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