Equator Books
One of the coolest book stores in L.A. stocks rare and out-of-print books that range from first editions to fetishes. They also carry vinyl.
1103 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/399-5544
equatorbooks.com

Firefly
This gift shop has everything from coffee-table books on design and cooking to Burn candles to women’s clothes— mostly cotton tops—in an open double storefront.
1409 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/450-6288

LFrank
The owner of LFrank gallery, Liseanne Frankfurt, finds inspiration for her jewelry designs in art, architecture, and from cultures where adornment is integral to society. She also does custom work for a long list of celebs.
1116 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/398-6334
lfrankjewelry.com

Principesa and Vamp
Principessa’s goods (gauzy tops, jeans, straw hats, canvas flats) attract celebs, and the clerks can be snooty. Vamp, the accessible little sister store next door, has great frocks at $100 or less.
1323 Abbot Kinney Blvd .
310/450-6696

Salt
The most sophisticated women’s clothing shop on the boulevard sells carefully edited European separates. Five years old, it pioneered the now ubiquitous cement-floor, white-wall stark decor.
1138 1/2 Abbot Kiney Blvd.
310/452-1154

Strange Invisible Perfumes
This attractive store has a beautiful collection of scents and emollients. And for $2,100, plus a few months of interviews and experiments, they’ll make a scent just for you.
1138 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/314-1505
siperfumes.com

Surfing Cowboys
Headquarters for Venice style: surf memorabilia and Hawaiiana, plus midcentury modern furniture and a few togs, mostly T-shirts.
1624 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/450-4891
surfingcowboys.com

Vert
Everything you need to keep yourself beautiful and chemical free, with organic house-cleaning items, jewelry, and makeup— even soy-based nail polish remover.
1121 Abbot Kiney Blvd .
310/581-6126
vertlosangeles.com
"Compass: Venice Beach" originally appeared in the Fall 2008 issue of Culture+Travel. For a complete list of articles from this issue available on ARTINFO, see Culture+Travel's Fall 2008 Table of Contents.