Mike's place in Venice Beach was a really good base for LA and the coast. It is very comfortable, light, clean and stylish and we loved the neighbourhood which is built around the old canals which survive from a madcap scheme to build 'Venice in America' in the early 1900s! It's a short walk to the beach, and a quick drive (or rather longer but easy bus ride on number 1 bus) to Santa Monica, which has a bigger choice of restaurants and shops and also a Metro station from which you can take a train into downtown LA (about 30 mins on train) to avoid driving and parking. Parking was immediately outside the apartment and very convenient. Highly recommended.