Wilshire Boulevard is an almost 16-mile-long artery connecting Downtown Los Angeles to the beach in Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica. Some call it the spine of LA because of how central it is to the city. It spans 3 cities and represents the diversity of Los Angeles throughout its length. The street also has structures that show off every architectural era of the past century and more. Wilshire is quite a feast for history buffs, it tells the story of the city as no other place can. It’s helped by the fact that so many of the buildings around it have been preserved impeccably by the Los Angeles Conservancy, with many being Historic-Cultural Monuments.
Miracle Mile is a notorious part of Wilshire Boulevard which contains most of the largest museums in the city. Close to it is the high-status area colloquially called Millionaire’s Mile which has several glamorous condos. Also known as the Wilshire Corridor, this area is one of LA’s busiest, and it is also home to the studios of Fox and MGM.
Besides being steeped in history, Wilshire is also one of the most diverse places you’ll see. The famous Koreatown uses Wilshire as its primary street. Koreatown has some of LA’s oldest buildings, including skyscrapers that will fascinate anyone who loves architecture. The area of Wilshire Center has the largest population of Koreans anywhere in the world, second only to Seoul itself. There are also similar large communities of Japanese, Iranian and Latinx people who call Wilshire their home.
Wilshire is California, but fun-sized. Along this street, you’ll find restaurants by hot new chefs who are making a name for themselves, beside charming little family-owned bakeries, or perhaps a Mexican place that has been run by the same family for generations, all co-existing together in harmony. The boulevard is also a favorite of bargain hunters for its handful of vintage and consignment stores. Quality matters more than quantity here because although there aren’t many of them, you’ll more often than not find a hidden gem in one of these boutiques.
After your shopping spree, you can get a bite to eat at Earth, Wind & Flour, a restaurant that has been a welcoming people of the neighborhood for almost 40 years. Their Italian food with a Californian twist is served well into the night.
If you’re feeling more Japanese, there’s the sushi bar Kimuya Sushi. Drop in on a Sunday when it’s happy hour all day and see the lantern-filled interior it’s known for. They serve everything from bento boxes to a range of sakes. For a heavier meal, visit Malbec Argentinean Cuisine where the ambiance will make you feel right at home. Or if you want something fancier, there’s the Rustic Canyon wine bar, which bases its menu on what’s in season at the time at the farmers market. Not only that, the ingredients are locally sourced, which really takes the flavors up a notch. Their menu is created with sharing in mind, so this is a great place to go with your friends. The extensive wine collection is from small vineyards around the world, and they also have great craft beers as well as their own cocktails.
If you’re still in the mood for shopping after your meal, there’s the well-known chain Bag’n Baggage with their Santa Monica outlet. They’ve got all your traveling essentials: from suitcases to duffel bags. They also carry comfy travel clothes and accessories you won’t know you needed until you see them. After you have seen them, you won’t be able to leave the store without them.
To really fit into Santa Monica, and to get a real feel for the city’s fashion, visit Diane’s Beachwear. There’s no better place for you to find the perfect bathing suit from a designer brand. If you want to take it one step further, hop over to Performance Bicycle. Santa Monica is known for its bike riders and the stretches of bike lanes it has for their ease. The folks at Performance Bicycle will set you up with the best bike for you, as well as the right clothing so you’ll be indistinguishable from a local. If you visit on a Saturday morning, you can also join their group ride around the city.
After the grueling workout session, you can reward yourself with a treat from Vanilla Bake Shop. This delightful little shop will be sure to have something that tempts you, whether it be a cute little decorated cupcake that’s ready to pose as your next Instagram photo, or their famous Dirt Cake that’s served in a mason jar.
source https://santamonicaday.com/wilshire-boulevard/
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