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>> I'M AN AUSSIE BLOKE
WHO SPENDS HIS WORKING DAYS
AS AN ACTOR ON THE SET
OF "TRUE BLOOD."
>> TOO MUCH VAMPIRE SLAYING?
[LAUGHS]
>> AS I WIPE OFF THE BLOOD.
YEAH.
BUT WHEN THE WEEKEND COMES,
I LEAVE HOLLYWOOD BEHIND
AND ESCAPE TO A TOTALLY
DIFFERENT PART OF LOS ANGELES.
>> WHAT'S UP, BOSS?
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
WOW.
CLOSE YOUR EYES,
AND YOU'RE ON VACATION.
I NEVER KNEW ANY
OF THIS HISTORY.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE HEARD
BEYOND THIS TABLE.
NO, NO STOPPING NOW, PETE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I'M RYAN KWANTEN,
AND THIS IS MY GETAWAY.
LOS ANGELES.
IT'S HARD TO GET A HANDLE ON A
CITY THIS BIG AND THIS DIVERSE.
LOS ANGELES IS 468 SQUARE MILES
OF SPRAWL.
114 DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS,
EACH WITH ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE
FEEL AND FLAVOR.
>> IF YOU WANT THE BLONDES AND
THE BIG [BLEEP] AND THE BARBIE
DOLLS, YOU'RE GOING TO GO
TO BEVERLY HILLS.
>> KOREATOWN, WHICH IS SO MUCH
FUN FOR KARAOKE.
>> MONTEREY PARK, REALLY GOOD
CHINESE FOOD.
>> DOWNTOWN L.A. IS MY [BLEEP].
>> YOU GOT SILVER LAKE,
ECHO PARK.
>> IT'S HOLLYWOOD.
>> THAI TOWN IS THE ONE PLACE
IN ALL OF L.A. YOU CAN GET
A GREAT THAI MEAL AT JUST
ABOUT EVERY SINGLE RESTAURANT.
>> FOR MANY PEOPLE, L.A. IS ALL
ABOUT HOLLYWOOD, WHICH IS ON
THE EAST SIDE, BUT I MADE
MY HOME ON THE WEST SIDE.
>> SO TECHNICALLY THE WEST SIDE
IS ANYTHING WEST OF THE 405.
>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT VENICE, SANTA MONICA.
>> MALIBU.
>> MARINA DEL REY,
PLAYA DEL REY.
>> MANHATTAN BEACH, HERMOSA
BEACH, REDONDO AND THEN GOING
ALL THE WAY DOWN SOUTH.
>> FOR SOME, EAST VERSUS WEST
IS AN ONGOING BATTLE.
>> I WON'T EVEN HOLLER AT A
GIRL, I WON'T EVEN DATE A GIRL
IF SHE LIVES IN VENICE,
BECAUSE I LIVE OVER AT ECHO
PARK, AND THAT'S LIKE A LONG-
*** DRIVE.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE LIVING
IN UTAH.
>> WEST SIDE IS THE BEST SIDE,
I DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY.
>> FOR ME, THE WEST SIDE
WINS OUT, BECAUSE IT'S BASICALLY
MADE UP OF BEACH TOWNS,
AND MY VERSION OF L.A.
IS ALL ABOUT THE OUTDOORS.
>> YOU CAN KIND OF DO
EVERYTHING HERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY ANYONE
WOULD--WOULD WANT TO LIVE
REALLY ANYWHERE ELSE.
>> I'VE BEEN A TOURIST HERE,
AND NOW, AFTER 12 YEARS,
I'M A CERTIFIED LOCAL.
TO GET HERE, YOU HAVE A TON
OF OPTIONS.
>> IN L.A., WE HAVE 3 MAIN
AIRPORTS: YOU HAVE BURBANK,
THAT'S UP IN THE NORTH.
>> QUICKEST SECURITY YOU'LL EVER
GO THROUGH.
>> AND THEN YOU HAVE LONG BEACH,
UM, WHICH IS DOWN SOUTH.
>> I DON'T REALLY USE THAT ONE.
>> AND THEN YOU HAVE LAX,
WHICH I LOVE, BECAUSE I LIVE
SO CLOSE TO IT.
>> THE ONLY ONE THAT REALLY
COUNTS WHEN YOU'RE COMING
TO VENICE IS LAX.
>> NO MATTER WHERE YOU FLY INTO,
YOU NEED A CAR, BECAUSE L.A.
IS A BIG, BIG CITY.
>> THE SPRAWL HERE IS SO
RETARDED THAT YOUR CAR IS YOUR
SECOND HOME.
YOU ACTUALLY SPEND MORE TIME
IN YOUR CAR THAN YOUR HOME.
>> I'VE NEVER BEEN IN A CITY
THAT TAKES PRIDE IN THEIR CARS
AS MUCH AS L.A.
UM, I FEEL LIKE MOST PEOPLE HAVE
COMPARATIVELY A BETTER CAR THAN
THEY DO A HOUSE.
IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS
FOR A WEST SIDE GETAWAY,
IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO STAY
IN SANTA MONICA.
ONE GOOD CHOICE WOULD BE
THE VICEROY.
THIS POOCH-FRIENDLY BOUTIQUE
IS ONE OF THE FEW HOTELS ON THE
WEST SIDE THAT WELCOMES PETS.
>> THE ONE GREAT THING ABOUT THE
VICEROY IS I CAN BRING MY DOGS,
AND THEY MIGHT BE JUNKYARD
MUTTS, BUT THEY CAN STILL HANG
OUT THERE.
>> THE QUIRKY, COOL DECOR AND
THE RELAXING POOL CABANAS ARE
JUST A FEW OF THE FEATURES
THAT MAKE THE VICEROY WORTH
CHECKING OUT.
ONE CLASSIC WEST SIDE
NEIGHBORHOOD IS VENICE,
FOUNDED IN 1905 BY TOBACCO
TYCOON ABBOT KINNEY.
HE MODELED THE TOWN AFTER
VENICE, ITALY, COMPLETE
WITH 16 MILES OF CANALS.
BY THE 1950s, IT HAD EVOLVED
INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S
ANSWER TO GREENWICH VILLAGE.
TODAY, VENICE IS SOMETHING ELSE
ENTIRELY.
>> VENICE AS A WHOLE IS JUST
A GREAT HIPPIE, FREE-SPIRIT,
BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
>> PEOPLE-WATCHING IS PRICELESS,
ESPECIALLY IN VENICE.
THAT IS SOME CHEAP
ENTERTAINMENT.
>> THE BOARDWALK IS A TON
OF FUN. ALL KINDS OF SHOPS,
RESTAURANTS.
>> DEFINITELY INTERESTING
CHARACTERS DOWN IN VENICE.
>> IT CAN BE A TRIP.
>> AND THIS WEEKEND, VENICE
IS WHERE MY GETAWAY STARTS.
ON MY DAYS OFF FROM SHOOTING
"TRUE BLOOD," I TRY AND GET IN
THE WATER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE,
BUT FIRST, I'M GOING TO FUEL UP
AT A LOCAL VENICE INSTITUTION--
THE COW'S END CAFE.
LADIES [INDISTINCT]
THIS PLACE IS PART OF MY MORNING
RITUAL.
CAN I TROUBLE YOU FOR
A DOUBLE DIRTY CHAI,
A LITTLE BIT OF ALMOND MILK,
AND AN ACAI BOWL, PLEASE?
OPENED IN 1989, IT'S GOT
A FUNKY, ECLECTIC VIBE, A HUGE
SELECTION OF COFFEES AND TEAS,
AND IS VERY DOG-FRIENDLY.
IT'S PURE VENICE.
AND OWNER CLABE HARTLEY
HAS SEEN IT THROUGH A LOT
OF CHANGES.
>> WELL, 43 YEARS AGO WHEN
I CAME, NOBODY CAME TO VENICE
IN THOSE DAYS.
>> THAT'S TRUE.
>> BANKERS AND PEOPLE THOUGHT
I WAS CRAZY.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING BUILDING
IN VENICE?
BUT IT'S STILL KEPT THAT TRUE
NATURE OF VENICE.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT REPUBLICANS,
WE GOT DEMOCRATS, WE'VE GOT
JUST AVERAGE PEOPLE,
WE GOT CELEBRITIES.
ALL THESE PEOPLE LIVE IN VENICE,
AND FOR THE MOST PART,
GET ALONG WELL.
>> ALL FUELED UP AND READY
TO TAKE ON THE DAY.
IT'S TIME TO GET OUT
ON THE BEACH.
I FEEL LIKE I'M A WATER BABY
AT HEART.
FEEL LIKE MY HEART RATE, MY
PULSE RATE IS MORE AT EASE IN
THE WATER THAN IT IS ON LAND.
AND I'M TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE,
VISTA DEL MAR, WHICH RUNS RIGHT
ALONG THE WATER.
THIS IS ACTUALLY A LOVELY,
LITTLE DRIVE.
IT'S ABOUT 5 OR 6 BEACHES
ACROSS FROM WHERE WE WERE,
AND WE'LL PASS THE MANHATTAN
BEACH AND EVENTUALLY END UP
IN HERMOSA BEACH, WHERE WE'RE
TRAINING WITH THE LIFEGUARDS
DOWN THERE, AND THEY'RE GOING
TO TALK TO US ABOUT SURF
LIFESAVING.
IT'S A HUGE SPORT IN AUSTRALIA,
BUT PROBABLY NOT AS FAMILIAR
TO AMERICANS.
>> SURF LIFESAVING HAS, UH,
MANY DISCIPLINES.
ALL ROOTED IN LIFESAVING.
>> PADDLING, SURF SKI PADDLING,
RUNNING, SWIMMING, ALL DIFFERENT
THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE YOU
A GOOD LIFEGUARD.
AND WE'RE ALL COMPETITIVE, SO WE
JUST WANT TO SEE WHO'S THE BEST.
>> THE UNIFYING THEME TO ALL
THESE EVENTS IS THAT THEY HAVE A
DIRECT RELATIONSHIP TO IMPORTANT
LIFE-SAVING TECHNIQUES.
I ACTUALLY SURVIVED A SHARK
ATTACK AS A KID, SO I HAVE HUGE
RESPECT FOR LIFEGUARDS LIKE
ALISON RIDDLE AND BRIAN MURPHY.
BRIAN AND ALISON ARE L.A.
COUNTY LIFEGUARDS, AND THEY ALSO
COMPETE NATIONALLY IN SURF
LIFESAVING.
>> SURF LIFESAVING IN THE U.S.
IS NOT A VERY BIG SPORT,
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T
ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT IT IS.
IF YOU GO TO AUSTRALIA, YOU HAVE
THE ELITE SURF LIFE SAVERS
ON THE BOX OF WHEATIES.
>> SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE
PUTTING US THROUGH OUR PACES.
>> IT'S KIND OF FUNNY TO THINK
THAT THESE WERE ACTUALLY USED
FOR LIFESAVING BACK IN THE DAY.
>> YEAH.
>> I STARTED COMPETING IN SURF
LIFESAVING AT THE RIPE OLD AGE
OF 5 BACK IN AUSTRALIA,
WHICH HAPPENS TO BE WHERE
THE SPORT WAS INVENTED IN 1907.
TODAY, WE'RE DOING TWO KINDS
OF EVENTS.
FIRST: PADDLEBOARDING.
>> YOU'RE ON YOUR KNEES, AND
YOU'RE PADDLING THE WHOLE TIME.
>> AND YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE
SWIMMING LIKE YOU WOULD
IF YOU WERE SURFING.
>> ALL RIGHT, GUYS,
NICE AND EASY THE FIRST COUPLE,
AND LET'S HAVE SOME FUN.
>> THESE BOARDS ARE RESCUE
BOARDS AND ARE RACING BOARDS.
WE LIKE TO PADDLE ON OUR KNEES
BECAUSE YOU CAN GET A LOT OF
MOMENTUM, YOU GET A LOT
OF STRENGTH WHEN YOU REACH
FORWARD AND PULL BACK.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE A CHEETAH,
HOW THEY RUN, WHERE IT'S JUST
LIKE THAT LOPEY STROKE.
>> GOT IT!
>> HA HA!
>> GOT IT!
[LAUGHS]
>> ONCE OUT OF THE BREAK,
IT'S TIME TO TURN AROUND
AND HEAD BACK IN.
AND OF COURSE, YOU HOPE TO CATCH
SOME GOOD WAVE KARMA.
BUT PADDLEBOARDING IS A CINCH
COMPARED TO SURF SKI RACING.
>> KIND OF LIKE A SKINNY KAYAK,
AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN
BECAUSE IT'S JUST SO FAST.
>> TO BECOME PROFICIENT
ON A SURF SKI TAKES
AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF SKILL.
IT'S PROBABLY THE FASTEST
SELF-PROPELLED CRAFT IN THE
OCEAN, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY
ARE ALSO EXTREMELY TIPPY,
SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE SITTING
ON A LOG, AND WHEN A WAVE'S
COMING AT YOU OR IF YOU'RE
RIDING A WAVE, IT TAKES A HECK
OF A LOT OF BALANCE AND CORE
STRENGTH TO KEEP YOURSELF
LOCKED IN.
>> AND IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH
TO KEEP TRACK OF, YOU'RE ALSO
OPERATING A RUDDER WITH FOOT
PEDALS, WHICH CAN BE ENOUGH
TO THROW ANYONE OFF BALANCE.
OH, YEAH, I COULD SPEND ALL DAY
OUT HERE,
BUT AFTER THAT WORKOUT,
I COULD DEFINITELY USE
SOME LUNCH.
SO WE'RE BACK IN THE CAR
AND HEADING NORTH UP TO VENICE.
AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN HERE, IT
STILL FEELS LIKE THERE'S SO MUCH
MORE TO TAKE IN AND TO EXPLORE.
THERE'S SO MANY CITIES THAT YOU
CAN KIND OF, UH...YOU GET
THE FEEL AND THE VIBE REAL ON.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? A LOT
OF TROUBLE HERE.
>> THERE'S NO WAY TO GET
AROUND THIS, HUH?
>> NO.
>> L.A. TRAFFIC IS A REAL
AND FAMOUS THING.
>> TRAFFIC [BLEEP] SUCKS.
THAT'S NUMBER ONE. I HATE IT.
>> I NEVER KNEW WHAT ROAD
RAGE WAS UNTIL I MOVED TO
CALIFORNIA, BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC
IS RIDICULOUS.
AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, YOU'LL RUN
INTO A TRAFFIC JAM, NO MATTER
WHAT TIME OF THE DAY IT IS.
>> WITH A LITTLE PATIENCE,
THE TRAFFIC CLEARS, AND I HAVE
ONE THING ON MY MIND.
>> BURGERS.
BURGERS ARE DELICIOUS.
>> WE LOVE BURGERS.
>> BURGERS ARE SO GOOD.
I DON'T THINK MY NUTRITIONIST
WOULD BE TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.
>> AND THERE IS, OF COURSE,
DEBATE ABOUT WHOSE IS THE BEST.
>> MY TWO FAVORITE BURGER PLACES
IN L.A., FOR THE BURGER OVER
$10 IS FATHER'S OFFICE,
HANDS DOWN.
AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO
TO MY LEVEL: MARTY'S.
SOMETHING CALLED THE COMBO.
HE TAKES A DODGER DOG, AND HE
MAKES A RAFT WITH IT, STICKS IT
OVER A CHILI CHEESEBURGER.
THAT [BLEEP].
IT'LL MAKE YOUR STOMACH ACHE,
BUT THAT [BLEEP] DELICIOUS.
>> UMAMI BURGER IS AMAZING.
IT'S SO GOOD.
I DEFINITELY ENJOY THEM
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
>> I'M A BIG FAN OF FATBURGER,
WHICH IS A CHAIN.
I GET THE DOUBLE TURKEYBURGER
WITH EGG ON TOP OF IT
AT FATBURGER.
>> THIS IS TO ME HOW YOU KNOW
WHEN YOU'VE BECOME REALLY L.A.
YOU START OFF GOING TO
FATBURGER, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT
YOU KNOW, AND THEN YOU GO TO
IN-N-OUT BURGER, AND YOU REALIZE
IN-N-OUT BURGER IS YOUR BURGER.
>> I JUST WANT IN-N-OUT.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE, NORMALLY A COUPLE
DOUBLE-DOUBLES, SOME FRIES AND
A SHAKE, AND I'M OUT THE DOOR
REALLY HAPPY AND FULL.
>> BUT MY BURGER OF CHOICE
IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET
AT HINANO'S.
OTHERS HAVE COME AND GONE,
BUT HINANO'S HAS BEEN PARKED
ON WASHINGTON BOULEVARD
IN VENICE SINCE 1962.
>> HINANO'S IS A GREAT BAR.
AND IT IS A DIVE BAR.
YOU'LL GO IN THERE,
AND YOU'LL HAVE A GREASY
HAMBURGER, YOU'LL GET A PITCHER
OF BEER, YOU CAN PLAY POOL,
THEY HAVE LOUD MUSIC,
SOME OF IT LIVE.
AND IT'S A LOCAL DIVE BAR.
I LOVE THAT.
>> AND I'M HERE TO MEET UP WITH
MY GOOD MATE AND DRINKING BUDDY
CHUCK WALTON, WHO, WHEN HE'S NOT
EATING BURGERS, IS AN
ENTERTAINMENT WRITER.
>> IT'S KIND OF LIKE VENICE
CENTRAL, LIKE RIGHT WHERE
WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.
>> IT FEELS LIKE IT'S--
IT'S STILL A SECRET,
EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN AROUND
FOR SO LONG.
>> YOU CAN, LIKE, TASTE THE
TRADITION JUST KIND OF LIKE
HANGING OUT HERE.
>> AND THE BEST BURGER IN TOWN.
>> BEST BURGER IN TOWN, YES.
UNLIKE PAYING, LIKE, $40
FOR A BURGER THAT, YOU KNOW,
MAYBE IS GOOD,
HERE YOU PAY LIKE $6...
>> HEY, YOU KNOW THE RUMOR AS
TO WHY IT IS SO GOOD?
>> WHAT? WHAT IS THAT?
>> THEY NEVER CLEAN THEIR HOT
PLATE, SO ALL THAT JUICY, GREASY
STUFF JUST BUILDS UP
AND IT'S PART OF THE FLAVOR.
FOR THE BURGER IN QUESTION,
THE PROTOCOL IS SIMPLE,
AND THE OPTIONS ARE CLASSIC.
CHUCKLES, CHUCK.
YOU JUST WANT PLAIN CHEESE?
>> YEAH.
>> BUT THE EXECUTION IS SUPERB.
TOASTED BUN, A LITTLE MAYO
AND RELISH, ONIONS, LETTUCE,
TOMATO, AND THE CHEESE.
>> [SPEAKING SPANISH]
>> THAT'S WHY IT'S A SIMPLE
BURGER, BUT IT'S PRETTY MUCH GOT
EVERYTHING A YOUNG GROWING MAN
COULD NEED.
>> A PERFECT CHEESEBURGER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
2, 4, 6, 8.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> THAT'S A HELL OF A BURGER.
>> IT'S THE BURGER TO HAVE
IN L.A.
IT'S RIGHT HERE.
WOO-HOO!
>> BUT IF YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR
A MORE UNCONVENTIONAL BURGER,
YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE SOUTHERN
FRY AT PLAN CHECK.
LOCALS LOVE THE SOUTHERN FRY
SANDWICH.
A PIECE OF FRIED JIDORI CHICKEN,
CHOPPED WITH DUCK HAM, PIMENTO
CHEESE, AND SHAVED PICKLES.
BUT I'M A BIG FAN OF THE PCB,
SERVED WITH CHEF ERNESTO
UCHIMURA'S SIGNATURE KETCHUP
LEATHER.
THIS WAGYU BEEF BURGER IS PAIRED
WITH A HEALTHY LAYER OF
AMERICANIZED DASHI CHEESE.
BUT FOR TODAY, I'M HAPPY WITH
MY CHEESEBURGER AT HINANO'S.
NOW, THIS ISN'T JUST ANY OLD
BIKER BAR.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO MIGHT
SHOW UP AND PLAY A SET.
LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO,
3 WEEKS AGO,
BILLY IDOL TURNED UP
ON HIS HARLEY.
>> CAME IN, PLAYED LIKE
4 OR 5 SONGS.
>> PRETTY MUCH SHUT DOWN
THE STREET OF VENICE JUST HERE.
>> IT'S VERY REAL.
LIKE YOU SAID, LIKE THERE'S--
THERE'S SAWDUST ON THE FLOOR.
LIKE IT DOESN'T GET ANY MORE
REAL THAN THAT, SO...
[LAUGHS]
>> THE FOOD IN L.A. IS OFF
THE HOOK, BUT DON'T TAKE
MY WORD FOR IT,
LISTEN TO THE LOCALS.
>> STEREOTYPE ABOUT L.A., THAT I
HATE, WE DON'T HAVE GREAT FOOD.
[BLEEP] YOU, GUYS.
>> I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD.
FOR SURE.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES
TO GO FOR MEXICAN,
PALMILLA IN HERMOSA BEACH.
HOLY CRAP.
>> WE GOT TACO TRUCKS
THAT *** MOST PEOPLE'S
REAL RESTAURANTS. ***.
>> THERE'S A PLACE OFF ABBOT
KINNEY THAT I LOVE. CASA LINDA.
SO GOOD.
>> LIKE GRANDMA, ON THE GRILL,
IN THE BACK, COOKING IT UP.
>> LATIN FOOD IN L.A.
IS THE [BLEEP].
YOU GOT TO DO THE SEAFOOD TACOS
IN VERNON OFF THE TRUCK.
>> FISH TACOS,
THEY'RE JUST STAPLES.
>> SO FREAKING GOOD.
>> AFTER A SHOWER AND A COSTUME
CHANGE, I'M HEADING OUT
TO VENICE, WHERE I'M MEETING
SOME FRIENDS FOR DINNER,
AND KNOWING THEM, IT'S GOING
TO BE A LONG NIGHT.
IT'S AN EASY STROLL DOWN
ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD.
LIKE THEY'RE LOOKING BACK
AT YOU.
STAY, STAY.
GOOD DOG.
ONE OF THE ORIGINALS
ON ABBOT KINNEY, THE BRIG,
VERY FAMOUS SPOT.
GREAT SORT OF COCKTAIL LOUNGE,
SORT OF A VERY DIVEY
SORT OF A FEEL.
I KNOW THIS PLACE.
HOW ARE YOU, MATE?
>> WHAT'S UP, BOSS?
>> NICE TO SEE YOU.
ANOTHER ONE OF THE SORT
OF LOCAL, CLASSIC HOT SPOTS.
IT'S CALLED
HAL'S BAR & GRILL.
ALWAYS VERY POPULAR WITH THE
LOCALS, LOTS OF GREAT LIVE MUSIC
PLAYING, AND A FANTASTIC STEAK.
WE'RE HEADING NOW TO A LOVELY,
LITTLE WATERING HOLE,
THE OTHEROOM, A PLACE
THAT I LOVE, YOU KNOW.
MY DAD WAS IN TOWN TWO MONTHS
AGO, SO HE ALWAYS WANTS TO GO
BACK THERE. IT MAKES HIM FEEL
VERY MUCH AT HOME.
THE OTHEROOM ON ABBOT KINNEY,
THE PERFECT PLACE TO UNWIND
AFTER A LONG WEEK.
I'M MEETING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS
DAN NEWMARK AND BRAD STEINBERG.
DO YOU REMEMBER THE TIME
YOU ALMOST KILLED MY MOM?
>> OF COURSE I DO.
>> BRAD ALMOST KILLED MY MOM.
>> ON PURPOSE?
>> NO, NOT ON PURPOSE.
SHE'S AN ANGEL.
>> BRAD IS A NATIVE ANGELENO,
WHO HAS LIVED HERE
HIS WHOLE LIFE.
AND DAN IS A TRANSPLANT
FROM ST. LOUIS.
THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN
A MAINSTAY FOR ME.
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FEEL
UNCOMFORTABLE HERE, WHETHER YOU
GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN,
A BIG CITY.
IT'S THE KIND OF PLACE THAT
FEELS WELCOMING NO MATTER
WHO OR WHERE YOU--
WHERE YOU'RE FROM.
>> AND THE PEOPLE THAT
ACTUALLY WORK HERE GIVE OFF
THAT VIBE, TOO.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW BEER, AND YOU
ASK THEM, THEY'LL GO THROUGH,
THEY'LL SPEND 10 MINUTES WITH
YOU JUST KIND OF WORKING IT OUT.
>> THE OTHEROOM ONLY OFFERS BEER
AND WINE, BUT THEY HAVE A SUPERB
SELECTION, WHICH MAKES IT
A GREAT PLACE TO START
YOUR NIGHT OR END YOUR DAY.
>> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT
I ACTUALLY LIKE OUTSIDE OF THAT.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS PLACE IS
THAT NOT A LOT OF OTHER STATES
CAN YOU ACTUALLY HAVE ALL YEAR
ROUND THESE DOORS AND WINDOWS
OPEN FROM MORNING UNTIL NIGHT.
SO LIKE A GOOD HAPPY HOUR, YOU
GOT THE SUNSET GOING DOWN, YOU
HAVE A COUPLE OF DRINKS HERE.
>> IT'S ACTUALLY A VERY NEW YORK
VIBE WITH THE SEA BREEZE
COMING THROUGH.
>> YEAH, IT'S NICE.
>> DAY DRINKING IN L.A.
IS AWESOME.
>> WHEN THE WEATHER IS GREAT
HERE, PEOPLE LOVE THE IDEA
OF THE SUNSHINE AND WE HAVE
THE WINDOWS OPEN, SIT HERE,
RELAX, COME FROM THE BEACH.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF PATIOS,
THERE'S A LOT OF BEACH AREAS, SO
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO,
SOMETHING TO DRINK AND GET IT
ON TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE.
>> I HAVE A PRETTY STANDARD
PROTOCOL WHEN PEOPLE COME TO
THE CITY.
I DO A LOT OF OUTDOOR STUFF
WHEN PEOPLE COME TO L.A.
SO WE GO TO SANTA MONICA,
PACIFIC PALISADES, MALIBU
KIND OF AREA.
ALWAYS DO A BIKE RIDE ALONG
THE BEACH.
>> MY ACTUAL GO-TO IS PARADISE
COVE, UP IN MALIBU, BECAUSE
THE BEACH IS BEAUTIFUL,
THE ENTIRE COVE.
>> YOU'RE ACTUALLY, LIKE,
SIPPING COCKTAILS ON THE SAND.
>> ON THE SAND.
YOU CAN BRING A COOLER,
YOU CAN BRING BEERS,
YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN FOOD.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT THE ONE
DOWNSIDE OF THAT PLACE IS?
>> WHAT?
>> THE SIZE OF THE SEAGULLS.
>> OH, MY GOD!
>> THEY ARE THE MOST...
>> AND THEY'RE FEARLESS.
>> BECAUSE THEY'RE HUGE!
BUT IT'S TIME TO WRAP IT UP
HERE.
WE GOT FRIENDS WAITING ON US
FOR DINNER, AND THIS KID
IS GETTING HUNGRY.
WE'RE HEADING UP THE STREET TO
SUNNY SPOT, THE LATEST OUTPOST
FROM CHEF ROY CHOI, KNOWN FOR
HIS PIONEERING KOGI TRUCKS.
>> YEAH, SUNNY SPOT
IS THE [BLEEP].
LIKE FOR REAL, BECAUSE ROY'S A
HOMIE, HE'S ONE OF US THAT,
LIKE, CAME FROM THIS SIDE OF
TOWN, AND, UM, IT'S--
IT'S THE BOMB.
>> BUT AT SUNNY SPOT, ROY
IS GOING FOR A CARIBBEAN FEEL,
WITH FRESH L.A. INGREDIENTS
LIKE THESE WHAT-A-JERK WINGS.
THAT'S OUTSTANDING.
AND THE [BLEEP] MOFONGO,
MADE WITH PLANTAINS, BACON,
AND RED STRIPE BEER.
THESE FINE FOLKS ARE PART OF
THE CORE GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT
HAVE REALLY SHAPED MY EXPERIENCE
IN L.A.
HAPPILY, SUNNY SPOT, LIKE MANY
RESTAURANTS ON THE WEST SIDE,
HAS A PATIO THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE
LARGE GROUPS LIKE US.
>> FOR SOME REASON, TOURISTS
DON'T TEND TO COME TO THESE
PLACES, LIKE, ON THE WEST SIDE.
>> I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE'S SEEN
THE OVERALL L.A. VERSION,
THE HOLLYWOOD L.A.
>> I THINK THAT ON THE WEST
SIDE--FOR, LIKE 10 OF US,
IT'S A LOT EASIER TO DO.
BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS PATIO.
>> AND MANY PLACES OFFER
THE BEACH SETTING, MANY PLACES
ARE ON THE BEACH.
>> THE VIEW!
>> YOU GOT NOOKS, THOUGH.
WHAT ARE YOUR--I KNOW YOU GOT
YOUR OLD NUGGETS.
>> TOP 3 NOOKS.
>> BEACH NOOKS.
>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE HEARD
OR SEEN BEYOND THIS TABLE.
>> NO, NO, NO.
>> TWO: LEO CARRILLO,
GREAT BEACH.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO, LIKE, A
SORT OF MARINA DEL REY BEACH
JUST BEFORE DOCKWEILER.
TWO--THE TWO MOST SECLUDED
BEACHES YET ATTACHED TO THE
MAINLAND THAT THEY'RE
MY SECRET KIND OF BEACH SPOTS.
BUT BEFORE I CAN GIVE AWAY ALL
MY SECRETS, THE FOOD ARRIVES.
I ORDERED THE HALF LIVE LOBSTER,
STILL KICKING JUST A FEW MINUTES
AGO AND DRIPPING WITH A SPICY
CHILI GLAZE.
AND THE BRAISED PORK BELLY
WITH MOJO SAUCE AND GRILLED
PINEAPPLE.
THERE'S ALSO A DELICIOUS-LOOKING
OXTAIL PASTA.
>> WOW. NICELY DONE.
>> AND THE DIABLO JUMBO SHRIMP
IN A SPICY RUM SAUCE.
THAT'S A GREAT SAUCE.
>> THAT IS A GREAT SAUCE.
>> THE DIABLO?
>> YEAH.
>> AND?
>> JUST SPICIER THAN I THOUGHT.
>> [LAUGHING]
>> IT'S HARD NOT TO HAVE A GOOD
TIME WITH MY L.A. PEEPS,
BUT THIS FOOD WAS JUST
INCREDIBLE.
LET'S SQUEEZE IN ANOTHER ROUND
OF DRINKS, THEN IT'S OFF
TO THE INEVITABLE NEXT STOP,
THE FINAL STOP FOR THE EVENING,
THE CHARLESTON.
AS RESPONSIBLE WEST SIDE
CITIZENS, A FEW OF US HOP IN A
CAB AND HEAD UP TO SANTA MONICA
TO THE CHARLESTON.
THE CHARLESTON IS OUR GO-TO STOP
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT.
>> THE CHARLESTON IS INTERESTING
BECAUSE DURING THE DAY AND HAPPY
HOUR, IT'S GOT ONE VIBE AND THEN
AS SOON AS AROUND 9:00,
10:00 HITS, AND THE MUSIC
STARTS GOING A LOT BIGGER
AND IT GETS PACKED, BUT NOT
TOO PACKED TO WHERE YOU FEEL
LIKE IT'S TOO MUCH OF LIKE
A HOLLYWOOD SCENE.
>> PEOPLE COME HERE FOR
ALL SORTS OF REASONS.
WHETHER IT'S THE LIVE MUSIC,
THE RETRO DECOR, THE GREAT FOOD
BY CHEF JET TILA, BUT TONIGHT
WE'RE HERE FOR THE COCKTAILS.
>> WHEN I GO OUT, I LIKE TO
DRINK HARD LIQUOR.
I LIKE MY ***,
I LIKE MY MIXED COCKTAILS.
I KNOW IT WOULD BE SO CLASSY
TO HAVE A GLASS OF WINE,
BUT I--I DON'T KNOW,
I GUESS I DON'T HAVE THAT.
>> YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE
LIKE THE MIXOLOGY HERE ON
THE WEST SIDE.
IT'S--IT'S PRETTY STELLAR.
>> FOR THE MOST PART, WHEN I GO
OUT, GIVE IT TO ME REAL.
>> THE CHARLESTON IS SUCH
A GREAT SPOT FOR CONVERSING
OR MAYBE EVEN AN IMPROMPTU
DANCE PARTY.
AND ON SATURDAY NIGHTS,
THERE'S USUALLY A DJ TO KEEP
THINGS SHAKING.
BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE
IN-YOUR-FACE, HEAD TO DOWNTOWN
SANTA MONICA FOR THE HARLOW
GOLD BURLESQUE AT HARVELLE'S.
>> WHOO!
>> ESTABLISHED IN 1931,
HARVELLE'S IS THE OLDEST LIVE
MUSIC VENUE ON THE WEST SIDE.
>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING TONIGHT AT
HARVELLE'S WITH HARLOW GOLD
IS STRONG WOMEN, DANGEROUS,
IN-YOUR-FACE BURLESQUE.
>> THE REVUE IS A LOVE LETTER
TO THE FEMALE FORM.
HARLOW GOLD ATTRACTS AN ECLECTIC
MIX OF ANGELENOS.
>> COUPLES COME, WOMEN COME, MEN
COME, ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE COME.
>> THIS SHOW IS CONSISTENTLY
SOLD OUT, WITH LITERALLY EVERY
TABLE AND BAR STOOL FILLED.
SO, RESERVATIONS ARE
RECOMMENDED.
>> TOUGH TO GET INTO,
SO IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT
COMING TO LOS ANGELES,
DEFINITELY CALL AHEAD
AND PUT YOUR NAME ON THE LIST.
>> BUT TONIGHT, I'M STICKING
WITH MY FRIENDS AT THE
CHARLESTON.
IT'S BEEN AN AWESOME DAY
ON THE WEST SIDE AND I SHOULD
PROBABLY HEAD HOME SOON.
RIGHT AFTER THIS ROUND OF SHOTS.
>> GREAT KOREAN FOOD
IN LOS ANGELES.
>> KOREATOWN IS LIKE ONE OF THE
FEW PLACES THAT IS LIKE CENTRAL
AND IT'S AWESOME.
>> IT'S LIKE AN INSANE MAZE
OF THE MOST AMAZING KOREAN
RESTAURANTS.
>> OH, MAN. SO GOOD.
>> THERE IS A PLACE CALLED
DAN SUNG SA.
>> THERE IS A GREAT KOREAN
BARBEQUE RESTAURANT CALLED
CHOSUN GALBEE ON OLYMPIC
BOULEVARD.
>> I HAVE EATEN KOREAN BARBEQUE,
BUT IN KOREA, SO...
>> IT'S SUNDAY MORNING, AND
THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO SHAKE
OFF THE COBWEBS FROM A NIGHT
OF DRINKING THAN TO GO OUTSIDE
AND GET A LITTLE EXERCISE.
SO I'M BACK IN THE CAR
AND HEADING UP THE COAST
ON HIGHWAY ONE.
SO THIS IS THE INFAMOUS PACIFIC
COAST HIGHWAY, NOT A BAD VIEW TO
HAVE WHILE YOU WAIT IN TRAFFIC.
>> YOU'VE GOT THE OCEAN
TO THE LEFT, YOU'VE GOT
MOUNTAINS TO THE RIGHT.
YOU GOT TO DO THAT DRIVE.
AS SOON AS YOU GET TO L.A.
YOU GOT TO HIT THE P.C.H.
HIGHWAY.
IT'S BREATHTAKING.
>> THIS IS SORT OF THE TIP
OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS,
WHICH GO ON FOR PRETTY MUCH WHAT
SEEMS LIKE FOREVER, FROM THE
BEACHES ALL THE WAY THROUGH
TO INTO HOLLYWOOD.
>> THAT'S SOMETIMES HOW PEOPLE
LIKE TO SPEND THEIR SUNDAY
MORNINGS.
THEY GO HIKING.
>> THERE ARE SOME GREAT HIKES
IN HOLLYWOOD WHERE YOU CAN
TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE CITY.
>> IT'S AWESOME JUST TO GET OUT
THERE AND KIND OF ESCAPE
THE CITY FOR A LITTLE BIT.
>> THE NATURAL BEAUTY IN L.A.
IS JUST...YOU CAN'T BEAT IT.
>> TURNING OFF THE P.C.H.
AND HEADING INLAND, I'M GOING
TO MEET UP WITH A FRIEND WHO
APPRECIATES THE BEAUTY OF L.A.
AS MUCH AS ANYONE I KNOW.
L.A. REALLY IS THE LAND
OF DREAMS.
THAT'S WHY THE GENTLEMAN
THAT WE'RE MEETING TODAY,
PETE ANTICO, FOR ME,
HE IS THE EPITOME
OF AN AMERICAN DREAM.
HE'S GROWN UP WITH TOURETTE'S,
AND, UM, HE'S OVERCOME THAT,
AND HE'S NOW ONE OF AMERICA'S
MOST SUCCESSFUL HOLLYWOOD
STUNTMEN AND COORDINATORS.
>> ABOUT TIME YOU GOT HERE,
RYAN.
I MEAN, YOU KEPT ME WAITING
25 MINUTES TO TORTURE ME
IN THESE MOUNTAINS.
>> YEAH, PETE HAS A JOKE
AND A SMILE FOR EVERY OCCASION.
>> I'M GOOD.
>> YOU READY FOR SOME PAIN?
>> GUESS SO.
>> WOW, LOOK AT THAT.
HE'S A MAN READY FOR A FIGHT.
>> [CHUCKLES]
>> WE'RE FIGHTING
THESE MOUNTAINS.
>> BEAUTIFUL. WELL, IT COULDN'T
BE A BETTER DAY.
>> YOU READY?
>> ARE YOU READY?
>> NO, BUT LET'S DO IT ANYWAY.
WE'RE HERE TO TAKE ON TEMESCAL
GATEWAY PARK.
140 ACRES OF OAK AND SYCAMORE
CANYONS, MILES OF TRAILS,
AND SWEET VIEWS.
ONLY ANOTHER 22 MILES TO GO.
>> FEW ROCKS
UNDER THE [INDISTINCT]
>> WORKING OUT IN L.A.
IS A BIG DEAL.
>> I RUN.
I RUN ON THE BEACH.
>> THERE'S BEACH BOOT CAMPS.
THERE'S THE YOGA.
>> YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO STAY
IN TOP-NOTCH SHAPE LIVING
IN CALIFORNIA.
>> BECAUSE IN L.A.,
LET'S FACE IT, WE DON'T LIKE
TO WEAR A LOT OF CLOTHES.
THE WEATHER IS GOOD, SO YOU
BETTER MAKE SURE YOU LOOK GOOD,
OR YOU'RE GOING TO GET TALKED
ABOUT.
>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL UP HERE.
I TRY AND WORK OUT EVERY DAY,
BUT I'M VERY RARELY IN THE GYM.
MY WORKOUTS ARE PREDOMINANTLY
OUTSIDE, WHETHER IT'S IN THE
WATER OR UP IN THE MOUNTAINS.
NO, NO STOPPING NOW, PETE.
>> COME ON, COME ON, COME ON.
>> I COME HERE AS OFTEN AS I
CAN, AND I THINK SPENDING A FEW
HOURS IN THESE PARKS COULD GIVE
ANYBODY SOME WELL-NEEDED
PEACE OF MIND.
BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
A LESS STRENUOUS START
TO YOUR SUNDAY,
ALL MY MATES RECOMMEND
BRUNCH AT M.B. POST.
FOR THOSE WITH A SWEET TOOTH,
TRY THE BLUEBERRY LEMON
SKILLET CAKE.
A FLUFFY PANCAKE TOPPED WITH
LEMON SLICES AND COOKED BERRIES.
OR SATISFY YOUR SAVORY SIDE
WITH THEIR FAMOUS BACON CHEDDAR
BUTTERMILK BISCUITS.
>> BACON CHEDDAR BISCUITS.
BOMB.
AND THEY HAVE, LIKE, THIS MAPLE
BUTTER THAT GOES WITH IT.
AAH!
>> GREAT EATS AND A RETRO VIBE
MAKE THIS FORMER POST OFFICE
QUITE THE BEACHSIDE HOT SPOT.
MAYBE NEXT WEEKEND I'LL MAKE IT
DOWN THERE, BUT TODAY, PETE
AND I ARE HEADED TO ONE OF MY
FAVORITE PLACES: THE REEL INN,
NEAR TOPANGA CANYON BEACH.
THE REEL INN IS AN INSTITUTION
AMONG SURFERS,
KNOWN FOR THEIR FRESH FISH,
SUNNY PATIO, AND THEIR LOVE
OF PUNS.
YOU CAN SEE WHY THERE'S ALWAYS
A LINE.
>> I LOVE THE REEL INN.
IT'S COOL, IT'S REAL.
>> IT'S REAL, IT IS REAL.
THEIR FISH IS REALLY GOOD,
LOTS OF DIFFERENT STUFF,
GOOD BEER AND GREAT PRICE.
>> IT'S ONLY 3 HOURS.
>> 3-HOUR WAIT.
3-HOUR WAIT.
>> WE'RE NOT WAITING!
>> I'M JOKING. I'M JOKING.
>> OH, MY GOD!
>> PETE'S NEVER BEEN HERE, SO I
ORDER US BOTH THE GRILLED SALMON
WITH FRIES AND A SWEET LITTLE
SIDE OF CALAMARI.
>> THAT'LL DO IT FOR YOU GUYS?
CAN I GET A NAME
FOR YOUR ORDER?
>> UM...
>> ***.
>> ***?
>> YEAH, ***.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, GUYS.
>> ***, FOOD'S READY. ***.
>> YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT.
YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.
>> THANK YOU.
THE REEL INN HAS A GREAT
DINING AREA, BUT IT'S SO CLOSE
TO THE BEACH THAT WE'RE GOING TO
HEAD BACK OUT AND ENJOY THE DAY.
>> THE FIAT WOULDN'T HURT YOU,
AT ALL.
[CAR HORN]
COME ON, RYAN.
>> THIS IS A WORLD-CLASS
CALAMARI.
>> WOW.
>> THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND
A SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN L.A.
>> FOR ME, MY FAVORITE BEACH
IS VENICE BEACH.
>> TOPANGA IS A COOL SPOT
TO SURF.
>> HERMOSA IS DEFINITELY MORE
OF A PARTY BEACH.
>> EL MATADOR IN MALIBU.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD TO FIND,
WHICH IS GOOD.
>> ALL OF THE BEACHES ARE GREAT
IN L.A.
>> DON'T BE A COUCH POTATO.
YOU'RE WASTING LOS ANGELES.
YOU CAN SURF, YOU CAN MOUNTAIN
CLIMB, YOU CAN SKYDIVE.
>> YOU REALLY HAVE NOTHING
TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.
>> I CAN MAKE THAI FOOD AT HOME,
BUT COMING HERE IS WAY BETTER.
THAI TOWN IS THE LARGEST
COMMUNITY OF THAI PEOPLE
OUTSIDE OF THAILAND.
>> I LOVE EATING AT THAI TOWN.
>> IT'S 6 BLOCKS OF HOLLYWOOD
BOULEVARD THAT LIVE BETWEEN
WESTERN AND NORMANDIE.
>> EVERYONE'S GOT THEIR LITTLE
PLACES WHERE THEY LIKE TO GO.
>> MY FAVORITE SPOT IS PALM'S
THAI ON HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD.
IT'S THE [BLEEP].
>> THAI PEOPLE, THEY GO TO
RUEN PAIR.
THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO GET
THE BEST PAPAYA SALAD
IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES.
>> THE COCONUT SOUP WITH TOFU
IS REALLY GOOD.
>> SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
>> I PROBABLY EAT HERE, LIKE NO
[BLEEP], PROBABLY LIKE 8 TO 10
TIMES A WEEK.
THAT'S WHERE THIS ALL
COMES FROM.
THIS IS PURE THAI TOWN
RIGHT HERE.
>> IT'S ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY
AFTERNOON IN L.A.,
AND I FEEL LIKE DOING SOME
SHOPPING.
ABBOT KINNEY BOULEVARD IN VENICE
IS A POPULAR SPOT FULL OF MOM
AND POP SHOPS AND DESIGNER
STORES.
BUT SADLY, NO LONGER INCLUDES
ONE OF MY FAVORITE DESTINATIONS:
SURFING COWBOYS.
ONCE A MAINSTAY ON ABBOT KINNEY,
SURFING COWBOYS NEEDED ROOM
TO GROW, SO THEY RELOCATED
TO A LARGER SPACE IN NEARBY
MAR VISTA.
>> SURFING COWBOYS IS A GREAT
STORE REPRESENTATIVE OF VENICE,
CALIFORNIA,
EVEN THOUGH THEY MOVED OUT
OF VENICE.
WHEN YOU GET TO L.A.,
YOU GOT TO GET YOURSELF
A SURFING COWBOYS T-SHIRT.
>> FOR 14 YEARS, OWNERS WAYNE
AND DONNA GUNTHER HAVE CREATED
A SPACE THAT FEELS LESS LIKE A
STORE AND MORE LIKE WALKING INTO
SOMEONE'S ECLECTIC LIVING ROOM.
SWIMSUIT.
AND THEY'RE THEIR MALE
SWIM TRUNKS?
>> YEAH, ACTUALLY THAT IS
OUR EARLY BVDs.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE'S
GUYS IN HERE WEARING...KIND OF
THIS IS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER
VERSION, BUT THE SAME KIND
OF DEAL.
>> WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT OF IT?
I MEAN, IT'S NOW JUST THE
DRAWSTRING, BUT IT USED--YES,
IT USED TO BE THE ENTIRE BELT.
>> BECAUSE THEY HAD TO HOLD IT
UP BECAUSE IT WAS WOOL.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT.
>> YOU GET OUT OF THE WATER
AND YOUR--YOUR TRUNKS WOULD
BE LIKE--
>> OH, YEAH!
>> [LAUGHS] HANGING DOWN!
>> IT HAS SO MANY COOL AND
BIZARRE OBJECTS TO LOOK AT
AND TRY ON, BUT FOR ME,
THE HIGHLIGHT IS ALWAYS
THE SURFBOARDS.
IF YOU'RE NOT IN CALIFORNIA
NOW.
>> IT'S A COLLECTION OF
PADDLEBOARDS FROM THE 1930s
AND 40s.
I MEAN, THAT ONE IS 15
FEET LONG.
GOES THROUGH THE ROOF.
>> THIS IS THE DAYS BEFORE THEY
USED TO PUT WAX ON THE BOARD?
HOW WOULD YOU GRIP?
>> WELL, HONESTLY,
VERY CAREFULLY.
>> [LAUGHS]
>> I MEAN, BEFORE THESE BOARDS,
THEY WERE SOLID WOOD.
THEY WOULD WEIGH UP TO ABOUT 150
POUNDS.
IN THE 1920s, A GUY CALLED TOM
BLAKE INVENTED THE HOLLOW
PADDLEBOARD.
IT MADE THEM INCREDIBLY LIGHT.
THESE WENT DOWN TO SOMETHING
LIKE 50-60 POUNDS.
>> I'VE BEEN SURFING MY WHOLE
LIFE, NEVER KNEW ANY
OF THIS HISTORY.
I COULD POKE AROUND HERE FOR
HOURS, BUT I'VE GOT TO MEET UP
WITH A FRIEND IN SANTA MONICA.
ONE MORE THING I LIKE
ABOUT THE WEST SIDE--
AROUND HERE, BIKES RULE.
>> I TAKE MY BIKE EVERYWHERE.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE OWN BIKES,
UM, BECAUSE THE TRAFFIC IS BAD,
SO IF YOU WANT TO GO PLACES IN
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, PEOPLE BIKE.
>> ACTUALLY, RIDING A BIKE
SOMETIMES CAN BE THE FASTEST
WAY.
>> WHEN I FIRST MOVED OUT HERE
13 YEARS AGO, IF YOU WAS
RIDING A BIKE YOU WERE BROKE.
NOW YOU'RE JUST LIBERAL.
>> MOST PEOPLE RIDE BIKES OUT
OR TAXI OUT BECAUSE EVERYBODY
REALLY, REALLY PARTIES HARD.
>> FOR A STRESS-FREE SUNDAY
EVENING, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH
COPA D'ORO, LOCATED RIGHT
BETWEEN THE SANTA MONICA PIER
AND THE THIRD STREET PROMENADE,
AND KNOWN FOR THEIR CRAFT
COCKTAILS.
>> THE EMPHASIS IS DEFINITELY
ON, LIKE, SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
AND LIKE, REALLY UNIQUE
BEVERAGES. IF YOU'RE LIKE,
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT,"
THEY'LL, LIKE, CREATE SOMETHING
FOR YOU. THE GUYS THERE
ARE REALLY, REALLY AWESOME.
>> JOINING ME IS MY GOOD FRIEND
AND TEQUILA EXPERT
LUIS NAVARRO.
AND WE HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE
OF BEING SERVED BY HEAD BARMAN
VINCENZO MARIANELLA.
>> GENTLEMEN, WHAT CAN I GET YOU
TODAY?
>> WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, RYAN?
>> I'M THINKING SOMETHING
IN THE TEQUILA WORLD.
>> GIVE ME SOME HINT.
MARGARITA STYLE OR...
>> FOR ME, MARGARITA STYLE.
>> MANHATTAN STYLE
OR SAME MARGARITA?
>> PERFECT. MANHATTAN AND MAYBE
AN OLD...YEAH, CLASSIC COCKTAIL.
>> FOR LUIS, VINCENZO PREPARES
A DRINK HE CALLS "THE DOCTOR."
STARTING WITH ANEJO TEQUILA,
HE ADDS CARDAMOM AND CINNAMON
BITTERS.
TWO KINDS OF ITALIAN AMAROS
AND FINISHES WITH A LEMON TWIST.
>> FOR YOU, MY FRIEND.
>> GREAT, THANK YOU.
>> CHEERS.
>> AND FOR ME, THE RUBY SLIPPER.
BLANCO TEQUILA, LYCHEE LIQUEUR,
AGAVE NECTAR, FRESH LIME,
AND RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS,
ENJOY IT.
>> [INDISTINCT]
>> THANK YOU.
OHH!
>> HOW IS IT?
>> IT'S PHENOMENAL.
IT REALLY IS.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE
HERE ON YOUR MENU?
>> NO, I WAS JUST IMPROVISING.
>> THIS IS NOW MY NEW DRINK.
>> [LAUGHS]
>> I'M A WHISKEY GIRL, BUT
WHEN I DRINK TEQUILA, I LIKE
A MUDDLED HAND-MADE MARGARITA
WITH FRESH SQUEEZED LEMON
AND LIME JUICE, AGAVE.
I LOVE A JALAPENO SPICE IN THAT.
AHH...IT'S REALLY GOOD STUFF.
>> HIPSTERS ARE TAKING CRAFT
COCKTAILS A LITTLE TOO
SERIOUSLY.
LIKE, I JUST WANT A DRINK.
I DON'T NEED ALL THAT GIANT
[BLEEP] WITH SMOKE.
>> YOU KNOW, TEQUILA,
IN MY PERSPECTIVE, IT WAS ALWAYS
SORT OF SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD
JUST SHOOT DOWN AND TRY TO GET
IT DONE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.
WELL, THAT'S THE OTHER
INTERESTING THING IS THAT
BECAUSE IT IS JUST THE AGAVE,
THERE REALLY IS NO OTHER REAL
SORT OF INGREDIENTS TO IT,
IF YOU CHOOSE TO JUST
DRINK IT NEAT.
>> YEAH.
>> FOR ME, PERSONALLY, ANYWAY,
THE HANGOVER FACTOR IS,
YEAH, PRETTY MUCH ZERO.
>> NONEXISTENT.
>> YEAH.
FOR ME, IT'S A LOVELY WAY
TO KIND OF END--END LIKE A HARD,
STRESSFUL DAY.
>> TOO MUCH VAMPIRE SLAYING?
[LAUGHS]
>> AS I WIPE OFF THE BLOOD.
>> CHEERS.
>> YEAH. VERY NICE
TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
>> NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, TOO.
>> WITH TEQUILA THIS DELICIOUS,
WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SHOOT IT?
>> I THINK THE OLDER I'M
GETTING, THE MORE I'M REALIZING
TEQUILA IS NOT YOUR ENEMY.
IT'S ACTUALLY...WHEN SPOKEN TO
PROPERLY, CAN BE A GOOD FRIEND.
>> BUT I GOT TO PACE MYSELF,
BECAUSE I'M CAPPING OFF
THE NIGHT WITH A REAL LOCAL GEM.
>> FOOD TRUCKS IN L.A.
ARE REALLY AWESOME.
>> I LIKE THE GRILLED CHEESE
TRUCK.
I FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER.
>> FOLLOW THEM ON TWITTER
AND STUFF, AND THEY'LL TELL YOU
WHERE THEY ARE.
IT'S SO FREAKING RAD.
>> A REALLY GREAT PLACE
TO CATCH FOOD TRUCKS,
NEXT TO THE TAR PITS.
EVERY SINGLE DAY, YOU'LL HAVE
AT LEAST 5 TO 7 FOOD TRUCKS
ROLL UP.
>> SO YOU CAN GET SHISH-KEBABS.
>> LOBSTER.
>> THEY'RE DOING
WOOD-FIRED PIZZAS.
>> GOURMET BURGERS.
>> AT THE VERY NEXT TRUCK,
YOU CAN GET ITALIAN PASTA.
>> WE GOT THE BEST FOOD TRUCKS
ANYWHERE IN AMERICA.
>> DO YOU WHICH, PICK, CHOOSE?
YOUR REALITY.
>> BEING SO NEAR THE OCEAN,
L.A. HAS SOME OF THE FINEST
SEAFOOD IN THE WORLD.
MY FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD SPOT
FOR OUTSTANDING SEAFOOD:
BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE.
INSIDE, IT LOOKS LIKE
A SANTA MONICA BEACH HOUSE.
WHITEWASHED WALLS, WICKER
CHAIRS, COZY AND INVITING.
>> I LOVE BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE.
THAT RESTAURANT,
IT IS RIDICULOUSLY GOOD.
>> A GREAT PLACE FOR A FIRST
DATE.
A GREAT PLACE FOR ANY DATE,
I GUESS. WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND
IS OBVIOUSLY THE OYSTERS AND
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND SITTING
AT THE BAR AND JUST CHATTING
WITH THE WAITER AND THE
BARTENDERS BEHIND THE BARS.
REALLY THE WAY TO DO IT.
>> AHH...I LOVE THIS PLACE.
THE CHANGING SEASONAL MENU
AND THE DAILY CATCH
MEANS THERE'S ALWAYS
SOMETHING NEW TO TRY.
DURING THE COURSE OF THIS
WEEKEND, I THINK I'VE HAD
VIRTUALLY EVERY TYPE
OF ALCOHOL YOU CAN HAVE.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A RYAN
KWANTEN WEEKEND.
YOU CAN'T GO TO THE BLUE PLATE
OYSTERETTE AND NOT GET THE
OYSTERS, SO I'VE GOT A HALF-
DOZEN RAW WEST COASTERS.
>> TOP OYSTERS?
>> OH, THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE
I COME TO FOR OYSTERS IN L.A.
>> WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE
ABOUT OYSTERS?
ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE ON A DATE,
IT'S SUPPOSED TO GET YOU ***.
>> SADLY, MY DINING COMPANION
DOESN'T EVEN LIKE OYSTERS,
SO ALL 6 OF THESE PUPPIES
ARE FOR ME, AND I LIKE THEM
AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.
JUST A LITTLE LEMON,
AND THAT'S IT.
I TRY AND DO 7 1/2 DROPS
ON EACH OYSTER.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
AND A HALF.
>> WOW.
>> AND DOWN.
>> PLEASE EXPLAIN HOW YOU WOULD
EAT AN OYSTER PROPERLY.
>> WELL, ULTIMATELY THERE'S
REALLY NO SEXY WAY
OF EATING AN OYSTER.
I TRY AND LOOSEN IT UP
A LITTLE BIT.
DOWN THE HATCH.
>> OKAY.
>> OH, THAT'S FANTASTIC.
>> REALLY GOOD?
>> YEAH, IT SORT OF LAYERS
THE ESOPHAGUS.
IT GOES DOWN EASY.
REALLY NICE.
BUT TONIGHT, I'M GOING TO TAKE
OUR WAITER'S SUGGESTION AND TRY
ONE WITH THE MIGNONETTE,
RED WINE VINEGAR, MINCED
RED ONION, AND SHALLOTS.
WOW, THAT IS INCREDIBLE.
OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO TRY OUR
FIRST ON TELEVISION RIGHT NOW.
WILL YOU TRY AN OYSTER FOR ME?
>> OH!
OKAY, FINE.
I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M DOING THIS.
>> LOOSEN IT UP A BIT,
AND THEN YOU'RE GOING...
THAT'S YOUR ROOT RIGHT THERE.
>> OH, GOD.
>> WHAT'S THE VERDICT?
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD.
I CANNOT BELIEVE
I JUST DID THAT.
THAT'S A HUGE THING,
AND IT'S ACTUALLY DELICIOUS.
>> NEXT UP, WE HAVE AN ALBACORE
CRUDO WITH GRILLED PINEAPPLE,
MANGO, AND TOPPED WITH EDIBLE
FLOWERS.
>> OH, MY GOD.
YOU'RE ABOUT TO CRY.
YOU'RE GOING TO CRY.
[LAUGHS] OH, MY GOD!
>> CLOSE YOUR EYES,
AND YOU'RE ON VACATION.
IT'S ALL MY FAVORITE THINGS
IN ONE DISH.
NOW, I THINK WE'VE ESTABLISHED
THAT L.A. IS ALL
ABOUT GREAT SEAFOOD,
AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE,
THAT MEANS SUSHI.
>> IF YOU WANT SOME OF THE BEST
SUSHI IN THE WORLD
OUTSIDE JAPAN, THAT'S L.A.
>> AN EXCELLENT CHOICE IS
SUGARFISH, CREATED BY LEGENDARY
SUSHI CHEF KAZUNORI NOZAWA.
THE MANTRA HERE IS
"DON'T THINK, JUST EAT."
AND THAT'S THE PHILOSOPHY
BEHIND THE "TRUST ME" MENU.
IT'S OMAKASE, OR CHEF'S CHOICE.
>> I USUALLY GET THE TASTY MENU.
SOMETIMES I DOUBLE UP,
BECAUSE I'M A BIG BOY.
>> I REALLY, REALLY LIKE IT.
THE REASON I REALLY, REALLY LIKE
IT IS BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT
TWO-MINUTE WALK FROM MY HOUSE,
AND THAT'S WHY I GO THERE
ALL THE TIME,
BUT IT IS GREAT SUSHI.
>> WE'RE NOT DONE YET.
ASHLEY ORDERED THE GRILLED
BRANZINO WITH GARLIC HERBS
AND LEMON OVER ORZO.
I'M HAVING A FISH
THAT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF.
WILD OPAH FROM FIJI
WITH COCONUT BROWN RICE.
WOW.
>> WOO-HOO!
>> ASHLEY USUALLY WON'T ORDER
FISH, BUT CHEF PAOLO BENDEZU'S
BRANZINO HAS CHANGED HER MIND
ABOUT SEAFOOD.
>> I CAN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING,
TO BE HONEST.
>> OUTSTANDING.
OUTSTANDING.
LOOK AT THAT.
IT'S SO NICELY COOKED.
IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE A THICK
FISH, TOO, THOUGH.
>> YOURS IS A VERY THICK FISH.
MINE IS SO FLAKY.
BUT THEN THE SKIN IS SO CRUNCHY.
>> EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN A FISH
LOVER MY WHOLE LIFE, I FEEL LIKE
EVERY TIME I COME HERE
I FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.
>> OH, YEAH.
>> LIKE ALL GOOD THINGS,
MY WEEKEND COMES TO AN END.
BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE?
>> OUI OUI.
>> SO YOU'VE SPENT THE WEEKEND
WITH ME.
UH, I'VE HAD A FABULOUS TIME
SHOWING YOU MY VERSION OF L.A.
WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING FROM
SURF LIFESAVING IN HERMOSA
TO DRIVING DOWN THE P.C.H.
TO TEQUILA TASTING TO THE
WONDERFUL BLUE PLATE OYSTERETTE.
>> IF YOU'RE ONLY IN L.A.
FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS...
>> DON'T DO THE TOURIST THINGS.
>> HIKE UP NEXT TO
THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN,
TAKE AN AWESOME PICTURE.
YOU CAN GET SOME GREAT, LIKE,
CITY SKYLINE VIEWS DOING THAT.
>> HANG OUT WITH LOCALS.
GO TO LOCAL BARS.
>> AND GO TO THE BEACH AND JUST
SIT IN THE SAND, AND, LIKE, HANG
OUT AND RELAX.
>> I DIDN'T EVEN LIKE L.A.
UNTIL I MOVED TO NEW YORK,
AND THEN I FINALLY WAS LIKE,
"L.A. IS NOT THAT BAD."
>> SO, THANKS FOR JOINING ME.
IT'S BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE.
I'M NOW GETTING A CAB HOME,
BECAUSE I'VE HAD FAR TOO MUCH
TO DRINK.
HOW ARE YOU, MATE?
IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE.