Bikram's Yoga College Of India
Imagine stretching to the limits of your body and holding that position for minutes at a time. Then imagine doing that for an hour and a half in a room that is 105 degrees. That's Bikram Yoga!!! It's an insane workout. You think you'll never do it again, but something draws you back. If you can make it for a second run and keep it up, it'll put you in amazing shape. They also say it can help the body recover from serious injuries. By the way, don't plan on going anywhere after your session except the shower. You'll be sweating from every pore in your body. It's the hardest workout I've ever done in my life.
PROS: An incredible workout
CONS: Gotta be able to take the pain
Santa Monica Video
Santa Monica Video is a perfect for all your video reproduction needs. They can usually turn a job around in 24 hours or less and reproduce with top-notch quality audio and video signals. They can do the huge jobs of professional production houses, and if you have a small personal dubbing project, they can also take care of your individual needs. You may also have seen them zooming around LA because they deliver in those great flaming VW bugs.
Exacta Messenger Svc
Exacta is a great way to get a package out if you need same-day delivery. They've been very reliable and will follow up with a phone call if there are any questions. Their messengers are usually on multiple runs, so if you have a huge job that may require the messenge to wait around, make sure you specify.
House Of Blues
Although The House of Blues is cool, funky and fun, it's not the blues joint you may be used to. It's a great night out, but be warned if you looking for that true dark, dingy blues joint, you might want to keep looking. I sometimes find it a bit too commercial, but if you can work your way up to the VIP Foundation Room, the experience is top knotch. They bring in great talent, and the atmosphere is primed for fun. Check it out for a good time, but you'll probably find your best blues elsewhere. The Sunday Gosple Brunch is a must see, though. Imagine attending a revival while feasting on some great southern favorites.
PROS: Not always true blues
CONS: Fun atmosphere
Shelter Furniture
Shelter is the place for hip, sleek furniture. It's definitely not your typical IKEA fare. On quality alone they stand out, then go beyond with some a really simple, but creative style. It's worth a stop just to find out what's hip for your home.
Santa Monica Homeopathic Pharm
This is a great little spot for homeopathic medicine. I went in with cold symptoms and the clerk was able to give me just what I needed to kick my illness. He even had great recommendations for the best flavors of Emergen-C. They had quite the stock there. I didn't realize there were so many. If you're coming down with a cold, or just need a little vitamin boost, check this place out.
Vidiots
This is the place to go if you're looking for a hard-to-find title. They have an enormous selection and a very cool alternative vibe. There is a fee for membership, but its well worth it. The staff is very knowledgeable. Careful, they can be a bit snobbish because of that. Still the place has a cool vibe that's more like a comic book store than a stuffy video rental chain.
PROS: Incredible selection
CONS: Parking can be hard to find
Vic's Firestone
I've been to these guys a few times and every time they've been great. They turned my car around quickly and didn't try to push a lot of extra service on me. When a real problems came up that I should be aware of, they called me up and let me make the decision, no pressure. It's hard to find a mechanic you can trust, and I trust these guys.
Burke Williams
Burke Williams is a total relaxation experience. From the moment you walk in, you are transported to a serene world that'll take you away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. The massages in my experience could use a bit more pressure, but I don't think there's a better place for a haircut than the Burke Williams salon. You get to take full advantage of the sauna and steam room before your cut. Not all locations have a salon, but the Santa Monica one is great. I've never had better treatment for a haircut, and they charged less than my usual guy.
PROS: Total relaxation
CONS: Massage could be stronger
Museum Of Jurassic Technology
Wow, this museum is like no other. Walking in from the strange little doorway on Venice Boulevard is like going from the black and white, everyday world of Kansas into the full-color Land of Oz--only you've ended up on the absurd dark side. It is a total mind trip of exhibits that treat the bizarre with such utter respect that you'll lose yourself in the hilarious absurdity. The more you try to understand what you are seeing, the more confused you'll be. The beauty is, that's the point!!! The best part of my trip was that there were two students there who had randomly chosen to review this museum for a school writing assignment. Watching the horror on their faces as the realized they had no idea where to begin was priceless. If you're up for a little alternative entertainment, The Museum of Jurassic Technology is definitely a must!