style-bytes.com

Los Angeles native Kimberly Ovitz is stuck in her hometown for the summer. She’s actually scrambling to complete her Spring 2010 collection, so it’s not quite accurate to say that Ovitz is taking a staycation—but, summer being summer, Ovitz does have leisure on her weekend agenda. In the meantime, however, she has a few cheap and cheerful ideas for summer fun, SoCal-style.

1. Shop the Santa Monica Flea

“I’m a big fan of the Santa Monica Flea Market. It goes up the last Sunday of every month at a location near the Santa Monica Airport, and there’s a lot of old anything—old clothes, old jewelry, old furniture, you name it. I’ve made some great finds there over the years: a rocking chair, cool antique daybeds, some ancient Japanese tables that were shockingly affordable. I love browsing for furniture—design is a big influence—and so I also try to make time for the stores on Abbot Kinney, in Venice, as well. And Venice is great for biking, too.”

Santa Monica Outdoor Antique and Collectible Market, Airport Avenue and Bundy Drive, Santa Monica, Calif.; $5 admission, free parking.

2. Enjoy Fresh Fish by the Ocean at Neptune’s Net

“Broad Beach and El Matador Beach in Malibu are two of my favorites, and when I head up the coast, I make a point of ending my day at Neptune’s Net. It’s right on the Pacific Coast Highway, at the border of Malibu and Oxnard—the middle of nowhere, pretty much. Neptune’s is basically a biker hangout, but the place has good beer and the best fresh fish ever. You get in line, point to what you want, and they charge you by the pound. There’s one line for steamed fish, one line for fried. The seating is all outdoors, so you get the ocean view while you eat.”

Neptune’s Net, 18661 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, Calif., (310) 456-8221, www.neptunesnet.com.

3. Skip the Music Festival for the Hotel Cafe

“Hotel Cafe in Hollywood makes a point of booking local L.A. musicians, and I’ve honestly never seen a bad show there. The venue is small, the vibe is low-key, and the shows are usually acoustic. Always a great night out. And no, it’s not in a hotel—that’s just the name.”

Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A., (323) 461-2040, www.hotelcafe.com.

4. Ride Into the Sunset

“I grew up as an equestrian hunter jumper, which has been a huge influence on my clothing line. My hectic work schedule doesn’t allow me to ride as avidly now, but on the weekend I try to get up to my mom’s ranch in Ojai (a short drive outside of L.A.), where she breeds western pleasure horses. Riding is so therapeutic and relaxing for me. Her place is not open to the public, but there is a great spot called Sunset Ranch in L.A. where you can rent horses for the day, which is a great alternative.”

Sunset Ranch, L.A., www.sunsetranchhollywood.com.

Read the full post at Style.com