One-stop shopping in L.A.

It’s long been known for vintage furniture and a certain artsyaesthetic. But Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, California, hasrecently graduated from hippie to haute with a slew ofdesign-minded shops and restaurants. Heading southeast from MainStreet, the mile-long strip is now a one-stop shopping zone for allthings chic.

At Tortoise (12-6 Wed-Sun or byappointment; 1208 Abbot Kinney Blvd.; 310/314-8448), look forbent-cedar bowls, porcelain tea sets, and walnut stools designed byowner Taku Shinomoto.

Nearby, Strange Invisible Perfumes(11-7 Tue-Sat, 12-6 Sun; 1138 Abbot Kinney; 310/314-1555) has themoody interiors of a nightclub but specializes in a different kindof brew: all-natural fragrances custom-blended to match yourpersonality.

At Equator Books (1103 AbbotKinney; 310/399-5544), L.A. architect Rania Alomar creates agallery-like atmosphere for first editions and collectibles incategories that range from surfing and architecture to circusfreaks and bullfighting.

Things are just as eclectic at Rose (11-6 Tue-Sun or byappointment; 1225 Abbot Kinney; 310/399-0040), which showcasesjewelry, art, sculpture, and lots of obscure curios, both new andantique. (Vintage abalone ice bucket, anyone?)

At Happy at the Beach (11-5, Thu-Sun; 1644 Abbot Kinney;310/396-8616), “one of a kind” comes in the form ofnautical-inspired vintage furniture, such as shell-motif barwarefrom the ’50s.

After a day of shopping, wind your way to Shima ( $$$$;dinner Tue-Sat, lunch Sun; 1432 Abbot Kinney; 310/314-0882), asplit-level sushi restaurant whose cool-as-a-cucumber design speaksto the best of the new on Abbot Kinney.