Surfing Cowboys (No. 1624) is HQ for California dreaming. Husband-and-wife team, Wayne and Donna Gunther, opened their mini-shrine to the beach in 1998 and it's still one of the best spots on the strip. Vintage surf culture paraphernalia mingles with mid-century modern furnishings and retro Hawaiian collectibles for the ultimate seaside pad.

Venice has got a brand-new bag: Shopping Boulevard's eclectic boutiques add chic to funky beach town

Andrea Arria-Devoe, Special to The Chronicle