James Gandolfini -- High Curious

James Gandolfini got a taste of L.A. beach life yesterday ... by moseying through a Venice pot shop.

The medical marijuana dispensary -- The Farmacy -- is almost as famous as Muscle Beach, and gets a lot more traffic. Tons of celebs are among the clientele.

A source close to James tells us ... James and his buddy had never been inside a marijuana shop, so they cruised in. We're told James doesn't have a medical marijuana card, so weed was off-limits, but he spent time perusing the holistic aisles and left without buying anything.

He should check out that methadone clinic in Bev Hills. It's fabulous!