Del Rey Los Angeles, CA

Stop in at the Native Foods Cafe on Culver Boulevard, a vegan restaurant that manages to delight carnivores as well. You may not expect to see a bacon cheeseburger on a vegan menu, but the Native Foods version impresses everyone who tries it, and the cornmeal-encrusted pickles are a delightful added treat. Locals love the Rockin' Moroccan bowl with its quinoa, raisins and almonds with traditional Moroccan spices. Make sure you wash it all down with watermelon juice or lavender lemonade.

You'll find unforgettable chili at Tub's Fine Chili on Overland Avenue. This family-owned restaurant cooks with top-quality meat to produce a wide range of chilis, including seasonal offerings such as Oktoberfest chili. Don't be disappointed if your order initially tastes a little mild; Tub's provides all sorts of hot sauces to let you spice it up as you prefer. Try the bacon, beef and black bean chili, or ask for the off-menu vegan chili with its sweet potatoes and black beans.

Head to the Helms Bakery building area for a special meal at Bucato, where you'll delight to handmade pasta and house specialties such as squash blossoms stuffed with mint and goat cheese. Try the figs with burrata to start, then choose from entrées such as pork chops with persimmons and black currants, prawns in a garlic salsa verde, or jidori chicken with pumpkin polenta and chestnuts. Bucato asks guests to turn off their mobile phones during their meal, so you're guaranteed to have the full attention of your dining companions.

Head to the Backstage Bar & Grill for inexpensive drinks and plenty of fun in the form of pool tables, a photo booth and karaoke that gets the whole bar involved. The Bar at the Culver Hotel exudes a cool, speakeasy vibe where you can relax with a hand-crafted cocktail, enjoy some live jazz or take to the dance floor.

Head to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook for a challenging stair-climbing workout that rewards you with both stunning city views and rock-hard glutes. Culver City Park on Jefferson Boulevard makes your kids and dogs happy, thanks to the kids' section and huge dog run. The park also features soccer fields, baseball and softball diamonds, a skate park and free parking. Fox Hills Park gives residents access to a beach volleyball court, basketball courts, tennis courts, a jogging trail and outdoor workout equipment.

The nearest shopping mall is Westfield Culver City, known to most residents as the Fox Hills Mall. Here, locals enjoy shopping at Target, Macy's, and Best Buy as well non-chain stores. People from all over Los Angeles flock to the Helms Bakery shopping district, where high-end furniture and home decor stores are clustered.

Room & Board presents home furnishings in a creative atmosphere. Come here for high-quality furniture with a modern aesthetic. The place features a massive warehouse of furniture and excellent service, and many of the furniture pieces can be customized.

When you're done shopping and ready for a bite to eat, head to Surfas Culinary District, which is aptly described as a chef's paradise. Locals come here to get knives sharpened, pick up exotic cheeses and colored fondants or buy professional-grade cooking equipment. Stop in at the cafe for an espresso or quick sandwich, and take home a sampling from the amazing selection of chocolate.

Jackson Market on Jackson Avenue delights locals with Italian specialties and wonderful sandwiches served on its back patio. The Supermercado Brazil sells Brazilian specialties, and the Northgate Gonzalez Market satisfies Mexican food cravings. The Culver City Farmers Market opens on Tuesday afternoons and sells locally sourced fruits and vegetables right in the heart of downtown.