So I thought of a new blog series. I’ll highlight some spots that have been key to the hobosoul, places we’ve lived near that have many key locations–for working, for pooing, for eating, for shopping, for banking, etc.

For installment #1, Venice and Centinela on the west side of LA.

This has been a hot spot for us for quite a while now. On each corner there is something worth visiting.

Southeast: Coffee Connection and Venice Grind. Two of our favorite coffee shops. CC is on Centinela, Venice Grind on Venice a bit more east. Both offer free wifi, both have friendly service, free electricity, clean bathrooms and are open early and late. Daily newspapers free to read, some food, great selection of teas, and a computer if you don’t have your own, all at no cost. Venice Grind is slightly louder and busier, coffee is better (so I’m told), and the staff is a young energetic bunch. Both have outdoor patios with minimal power, but the option to be outside editing/surfing the internet instead of stuck indoors all the time…because they both keep their A/C on very high. Coffee Connection is connected to the Westside Vineyard, so if you want to go to church after you’re done editing on a Sunday, you can. Just behind both also, one block up Venice is a US Post Office. PO Boxes

Northeast: WAMU used to be the highlight here, but since the Hobosoul officially despises that bank, that’s out. Still, there’s a CVS, for those times we get sick or need 200 Otter Pops for $4. Mitsuwa, the Japanese market, in the same plaza, full of Japanese groceries and a few small restaurants. Great place. Just east on Venice is Pepy’s Galley, the best breakfast around. Haven’t heard much good about their other meals, but the breakfast is cheap and oh so very tasty.

Northwest: My girlfriend lives here. Showers, electricity, internet, food, television, good company. A great resource. Not sure if that would help out other anonymous hobos reading this, but for us, it works.

Southwest: Kragen Auto Parts. When you live in a vehicle, a store like this nearby is priceless. Many times we’ve run over there from a session at the Coffee Connection to pick things up to fix our cars and/or Dick.

Stay tuned for more Hot Corners.