You could spend your July 4^th weekend lounging about, or you could throw on that star spangled bathing suit of yours, grab your friends and family and capitalize on everything this great city of ours has to offer.

Home of the Brentwood Country Mart

Get a small town feel in this big-time city as you stroll through the Brentwood Country Mart (map). Adorn yourself in vintage and luxe finds from Post 26.  Capture the days of summer with your own “signature scent” created at Marie Mason Apothecary. Stop by Sweet Rose Creamery and savor their delightful ice cream, made from organic cream, eggs and sugar.

The Brentwood Country Mart will not be open on Sunday, July 4th, but read on to find out about other fun happenings around town!

Good ol’ Abbot Kinney

We’re a nation of multiculturalism, and great food! Enjoy French, Italian and Mexican-inspired plates and drinks at The Tasting Kitchen* (map), where the ingredients are locally grown and purchased. Instead of your usual Fourth of July BBQ, continue this unconventional celebration of patriotism by opting for a Sunday brunch at Gjelina (map). Try freshly prepared BlueBerry Ricotta Buckwheat Pancakes made with ingredients straight from the farmers’ market. Give in to your shopping cravings and head over to Heist (map) clothing boutique to browse through its selection of eco-friendly picks or peruse Firefly’s* (map) eclectic mix of art books and home goods from local designers.

Red, White & Malibu

Home to beaches like El Matador and Paradise Cove, this town has everything a sand, sea and nature-lover could ask for. Start at Vital Zuman Organic Farm (map) and gather up an armful of newly harvested seasonal fruits and raw honey for a morning snack on the beach. Just as the waves of the sea beckon you, so do the shops of the Malibu Lumber Yard (map). The aquatic sanctuary, fish tanks, shopping and “green, sustainable” design will keep you busy for hours.  Spice up your afternoon with some Latin-inspired dishes at Café Habana (map), where the only thing that isn’t eco-friendly is the bathing suit you’re wearing – wait, no, that’s eco too! End your evening on a high note in the hills with wine tasting at Malibu Family Wines (map).

You’re a Grand Old Main Street

Surf’s up and you’re ready to go – or are you? Before you boogie on down to the beach in Santa Monica, make sure you have the right surfing gear from ZJ Boardinghouse (map), which sells boards made with “environmentally-friendly organic fibers and non-toxic materials.” After you’ve surfed those killer waves, you’ll be aching (literally) for a good drink.  Head back to Main Street for one of Library Alehouse’s* (map), 29 microbrews, or snack on an appetizer made from organic ingredients. The Sunday Market (map) is perfect for picking up everything you need for your Fourth of July veggie-inspired BBQ.

Photos courtesy of:  Gary Leonard, Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Photos by Travels With Two