Colin's Local Favorites: Old-School Staples Meets the New Wave

CAMPBELL WELLMAN GREAT WHITE VENICE LOCAL EATERY COLINS FAVORITE

Taking a breather from Q4 market stats and pricing trends this week to talk about something equally important: where to actually hang out.

Growing up in Palisades, you get used to a certain rhythm. You have your old-school heritage spots—the ones rooted in family memory—and then you have the new wave of places that show up and somehow feel like they’ve always belonged. Here are five spots across Venice, Mar Vista, and Pali that I keep on high rotation.

The Neighborhood New Wave

1. Great White (Venice)

  • Location: 1604 Pacific Ave, Venice

  • The Vibe: Sunny, easygoing, all-day coastal casual.

  • Why It’s a Go-To: Right off Windward, it’s basically the ultimate post-surf or late-morning coffee spot. Great energy, solid sourdough, and a blue-algae smoothie that I order way more often than I’d like to admit. It captures that effortless Venice blend of relaxed and well-designed.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN GREAT WHITE VENICE LOCAL EATERY COLINS FAVORITE

2. Belles Beach House (Venice)

  • Location: 24 Windward Ave, Venice

  • The Vibe: Tiki-inspired, low-key, indoor-outdoor party.

  • Why It’s a Go-To: Just steps from the sand, Belles brings a subtle 1970s Hawaiian vibe without taking itself too seriously. It’s easy, fun, and ideal for a late afternoon drink that accidentally turns into dinner with a group of friends.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN BELLES BEACH HOUSE VENICE BEACH CA

3. Bluey’s (Mar Vista)

  • Location: 12825 Venice Blvd, Mar Vista

  • The Vibe: Bright, neighborhood-centric Aussie café.

  • Why It’s a Go-To: Tucked away on Venice Blvd, Bluey’s feels like a local secret even though everyone knows about it. Great coffee, incredible breakfast burritos, and a sunny patio where you can sit with a paper or catch up on emails without feeling rushed.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN BLUEYS MAR VISTA LOCAL OG SPOT

The New Palisades Classics

4. Angelini Ristorante & Bar (Palisades Village)

  • Location: 1038 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades

  • The Vibe: Refined, welcoming, classic Italian.

  • Why It’s a Go-To: Gino Angelini’s original Beverly Blvd spot is an L.A. legend, so having them right in the heart of the Village feels like a total win. The Tagliolini Limone and Lasagna Verde are unmatched. It’s polished without feeling stiff—exactly what the neighborhood needed.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN ANGELINI PALISADES VILLAGE

5. McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams (Palisades Village)

  • Location: 1060 Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades

  • The Vibe: Sweet, nostalgic, local family ritual.

  • Why It’s a Go-To: McConnell’s has been making ice cream out of Santa Barbara since 1949, so while the Village location is newer, the heritage is real. Walking over for a cone of Eureka Lemon & Marionberry on a warm evening is pretty much a weekly requirement in our house.

CAMPBELL WELLMAN PALISADES MCCONNELLS ICE CREAM

The Takeaway

At the end of the day, what makes Westside real estate special isn't just square footage or ocean views—it's the vibes of the community around it. Whether it's a legacy brand setting down new roots in Palisades or an Aussie café bringing fresh energy to Venice, these are the places that make living here feel like home.