DETAILS

Leimert Park

GETTING THERE: Alaska, Southwest, American and United fly nonstop from the D.C. area to Los Angeles, about seven miles from the Leimert Park area. Prices sometimes drop to about $217 round trip; regular non-sale fare starts at about $280. Several other airlines, including Northwest and AirTran, offer connecting service from $225.

WHERE TO STAY: The pickings for lodging near Leimert Park are slim. Downtown hotels -- 20 minutes or so away -- are the best bet. The Millennium Biltmore (506 Grand Ave., 800-245-8673, http://www.millenniumhotels.com/ ) offers frequent weekend specials. On Friday and Saturday nights, doubles start at $129 a night. To avoid the downtown hustle, the Four Points Sheraton in Culver City (5990 Green Valley Circle, 800-325- 3535, http://www.starwoodhotels.com/ ; from $85) is a decent property west of Leimert Park.

WHERE TO EAT: Augustine's Fine Dining (4336 Degnan Blvd., 323-290-9575) is a cozy white-tablecloth restaurant specializing in Southern food. The food is fabulous, and there is live entertainment on weekend evenings. The Sunday brunches come with biscuits, omelets and live music. Dinner entrees range from $6 to $15.

M&M Soul Food (3552 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., 323-299-1302) dishes out excellent Southern lunches and casual dinners. Fans of fried chicken, collards and cornbread will be close to heaven here. A lunch for two runs around $20.

WHERE TO SHOP:

· Zambezi Bazaar (4334 Degnan Blvd., 323-299-6383) sells vintage books, magazines, records and other Afrocentric paraphernalia.

· Gallery Plus (4333 Degnan Blvd., 323-296-2398) sells paintings and other artwork, mostly by local African Americans. Many of the pieces are very affordable.

· Ahneva Ahneva (3419-B W. 43rd Pl., 323-291-2535), a clothing boutique, offers custom-designed suits, dresses and other items. Prices depend on the fabric, style and amount of work required.

HANGING OUT: Babe's & Ricky's Inn (4339 Leimert Blvd, 323-295-9112, http://www.bluesbar.com/ ) offers live blues Friday, Saturday and Monday nights. The cover is usually $8 for one or $15 per couple. Mondays, when a free soul-food buffet is served with a jam session, are a particularly good deal.

A full schedule of art shows, dramatic readings and political discussions at Lucy Florence Coffeehouse (3351 W. 43rd St., 323-293-1356) make it a must-visit place. It has a devoted following among local gay men and lesbians, among others.

The World Stage Performance Gallery (4344 Degnan Blvd., 323-293-2451, http://www.theworldstage.org/ ) is one of the best venues in L.A. featuring live jazz. The place is small and basic, but between the spoken-word performances, jazz concerts and jam sessions, something is happening here every night.

INFORMATION: Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-228-2452, http://www.lacvb.com/ .

-- Gary Lee