Places That Feel Like Europe in California
If you have a case of European wanderlust, but do not want to brave the heat or crowds this summer, you can still get a taste of Europe in and around Los Angeles. While many do choose to travel across the pond in the busy months, some opt to visit in the slower shoulder seasons when the bustling cities like Paris and Rome have less visitors. Whether you are staying local or not, there are plenty of places in California that can transport you to what we all love about the charming old world in Europe, year-round. Here are twenty destinations to visit that will give you the feel of Europe that you may be craving.
Cities:
Solvang
Right outside of Santa Barbara is a town called Solvang, which was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish immigrants who were looking for a place to establish a Danish community. The name “Solvang” means “sunny fields” in Danish. The town was designed to resemble a traditional Danish village, with half-timbered buildings, windmills, and colorful flowers. Solvang’s architecture is one of its main attractions, where the buildings feature traditional Danish designs, including decorative timberwork, thatched roofs, and cobbled streets. The famous Round Tower, a replica of the Rundetårn in Copenhagen, stands tall in the heart of the village. You can find plenty of traditional Danish cuisine and desserts there, along with great wine from the neighboring wine country, Santa Ynez.
Venice Canals
The Venice Canals in Venice Beach were originally created in 1905 by developer Abbot Kinney, who aimed to replicate the charm and ambiance of Venice, Italy. He constructed a system of man-made canals to drain the marshy area and created a network of waterways lined with beautiful homes. The neighborhood consists of a series of intersecting canals, with pedestrian bridges connecting the streets. You can even take gondola rides along the canals, just like in Italy.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea, often referred to simply as Carmel, is a beautiful coastal town located on the Monterey Peninsula in Northern California. Known for its coastal cuisine, charming architecture, and artistic ambiance, Carmel offers an idyllic setting that feels much like being in a quaint English town.
Lunada Bay
Many visitors have claimed that the breathtaking coasts of Palos Verdes resemble Italy, especially the views from the cliffs of Lunada Bay. You may feel like you have been transported all the way to Sicily when you look out from the ocean views in Palos Verdes, and the hills may remind you of Umbria and Tuscany.
Montecito
Often referred to as the “American Riviera,” Santa Barbara’s Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, red-tiled roofs, and palm-lined streets create a Mediterranean ambiance. The climate, beautiful beaches, and walkable Main Street make it feel like a coastal European town.
Avalon
Although technically an island off the coast of California, Avalon is often described as feeling very much like the Amalfi Coast. The town’s colorful buildings, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters are reminiscent of Positano, Italy.
Bars & Restaurants
Rose Tree Cottage
Rose Tree Cottage was established in 1981 by Mary Lou Heard, an English native who wanted to bring a piece of England to Southern California. The cottage itself is a historic building dating back to 1895 and is a designated Pasadena Cultural Heritage Landmark. The heart of Rose Tree Cottage is its English tea room, which offers a quintessential British tea experience. Inside the cozy and intimate setting, you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea or cream tea, complete with a selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, and jam. The tea room is filled with antique teapots, fine china, and vintage decor, creating an authentic English ambiance.
Capri Club
This retro aperitivo bar in Eagle Rock on the Eastside of Los Angeles offers effortlessly cool vibes, Italian bar bites and a taste of la dolce vita.
Barra Santos
Lisbon, Portugal has been inundated with tourists in recent years, as fans from across the globe (and particularly America) head to the coastal European city in search of seafood, steep hills, and lots of sherry. Now Angelenos can book a closer-to-home trip for much the same experience, with the opening of Barra Santos in Cypress Park.
Greekman’s
If you want to be transported to Greece, check out Greekman’s in Silver Lake. Greekman’s channels the breeziness of a Greek island taverna, compete with a blue-and-white theme. The Mediterranean menu features souvlaki and other small bites like smoked cauliflower with spicy labneh and grilled octopus.
Cafe Stella
Who doesn’t love dark, moody French bistros? Cafe Stella beautifully captures the feeling of being in France, with “cuisine traditionnelle”, with a menu featuring classic items such as onion soup, escargots, frisée lardon, and peppercorn steak that can be enjoyed on their romantic patio, or inside in the dimly lit interior with brick walls and white table cloths.
Taverna Tony
A forever Malibu staple, Taverna Tony will transport you to Greece from the moment you step on the bougainvillea and string-lit covered patio. This spanakopita, charred octopus, pastitsio, and saganaki, the flaming table side cheese that comes with the servers screaming ‘opt’ and the occasional belly dancer, too.
The Little Door
One of the most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles, The Little Door serves high-end French Moroccan cuisine with Mediterranean influence in a beautiful ambiance.
Bar Lis
High above the heart of Hollywood sits Bar Lis, a chic rooftop lounge that captures the iconic spirit and style of the French Riviera.
Loupiotte Kitchen
If you think about what a French cafe would feel like, this is it. Small tables on the sidewalk, wicker chairs, an espresso machine, candles and organized chaos. This French spot in Los Feliz is ideal for grabbing some pastries and a latte in the morning while you read a book, or drinking some beaujolais at 3pm on a Wednesday, or meeting friends for a weeknight dinner. In other words, it’s a classic, all-purpose cafe, a place that’s there when you need it.
Cara
One of the most elegant poolside dining restaurants is Cara, located in the Cara Hotel in Silver Lake. This al fresco destination is lined with olive trees and offers Californian-Italian inspired dishes using fresh, organic ingredients.
Bicyclette
Bicyclette in Beverly Hills might just be as traditional French as it gets. Walk down stairs to the cozy bistro, which offers approachable French home-style cooking perfect for date-night.
Marvin
A slice of the French countryside right in the middle of West Hollywood, Marvin is the neighborhood spot that we all need. The menu utilizes fresh, local ingredients in dishes like ratatouille, goat cheese toast and steak frites with a very accessible French wine list.
Petit Trois
An old school Parisian brasserie feel, Petit Trois is a French bistro owned by Chef Ludo Lefebvre with two locations in LA – Sherman Oaks and Hollywood.
