1. Savor the Intense Flavors at Winston Pies
The smell alone when you walk into this simple, sunny pie shop will stun you...and then you get the actual pies. It’s hard to choose which flavor to try first—fruity dark cherry? chocolate or caramel chess? hand-cut apple?—and there’s a size to suit your appetite, from whole pies to individual hand pies.
11678 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-207-5743 or winstonpies.com
2. Hit a Reading at Diesel Books
This independent bookseller has impeccable taste, which means it not only has that hard-to-find cult novel you’ve been meaning to pick up but also visits from some of today’s best authors reading their work. (Next up: Rachel Kushner discusses her Man Booker Prize shortlistednovel The Mars Room.) Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Santa Monica; 310-576-9960 or dieselbookstore.com