Guidebook for Los Angeles
Sightseeing
Best view in LA, #1 tourist attraction; check out a planetarium show ('Centered in the Universe' is the classic one). Combine with easy 45 min hike on the Charlie Turner trail to the peak.
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdBest view in LA, #1 tourist attraction; check out a planetarium show ('Centered in the Universe' is the classic one). Combine with easy 45 min hike on the Charlie Turner trail to the peak.
Must-see beach attraction, and, yes, please take the ferris wheel ride!
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierMust-see beach attraction, and, yes, please take the ferris wheel ride!
Famous shopping area; combine it with a trip to the Santa Monica pier.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeFamous shopping area; combine it with a trip to the Santa Monica pier.
Must-see beach activity -- really fun for all ages. Combine with visit to Abbot Kinney blvd (shopping/restaurants)
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkMust-see beach activity -- really fun for all ages. Combine with visit to Abbot Kinney blvd (shopping/restaurants)
Beautiful spot to visit, and there's a really good boathouse cafe there (square one)
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
Beautiful spot to visit, and there's a really good boathouse cafe there (square one)
Awesome hiking -- go on the 2-3 mile hike to eagle rock. Combine with food at the Inn of the Seventh Ray
277 locals recommend
Topanga State Park
20828 Entrada RdAwesome hiking -- go on the 2-3 mile hike to eagle rock. Combine with food at the Inn of the Seventh Ray
beautiful easy hike to the peak; park near the observatory and walk the Charlie Turner trail to the top. Good Hollywood Sign views too! Combine with visit to the Observatory.
137 locals recommend
Griffith Park Observatory Trails Peak
2715 N Vermont Avebeautiful easy hike to the peak; park near the observatory and walk the Charlie Turner trail to the top. Good Hollywood Sign views too! Combine with visit to the Observatory.
Likely one of the best farmer's markets anywhere with lots of food to sample + food trucks, so definitely worth checking out. Sunday morning only. Adjacent is the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
242 locals recommend
Hollywood Farmers’ Market
1600 Ivar AveLikely one of the best farmer's markets anywhere with lots of food to sample + food trucks, so definitely worth checking out. Sunday morning only. Adjacent is the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Arts & Culture
Awesome concert venue, easy walk from the house; mostly summer/early fall.
380 locals recommend
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont AveAwesome concert venue, easy walk from the house; mostly summer/early fall.
My favorite concert space in LA -- so many fun shows throughout the summer every night Tue-Sun and with tickets spanning all price ranges from less than the cost of a movie to $100+
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdMy favorite concert space in LA -- so many fun shows throughout the summer every night Tue-Sun and with tickets spanning all price ranges from less than the cost of a movie to $100+
Check out this amazing symphony space and our incredible conductor Gustavo Dudamel or just take a tour. Runs Fall/Winter/Spring.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveCheck out this amazing symphony space and our incredible conductor Gustavo Dudamel or just take a tour. Runs Fall/Winter/Spring.
Super fun and brand new art museum -- it's free too (go early and even without a ticket, you should get in easily).
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand AveSuper fun and brand new art museum -- it's free too (go early and even without a ticket, you should get in easily).
famous art everywhere you look; 19th-20th century. Beautiful space / garden. Combine with visit to Gamble house.
485 locals recommend
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado Blvdfamous art everywhere you look; 19th-20th century. Beautiful space / garden. Combine with visit to Gamble house.
Most famous craftsman home ever built; tours every hour. Combine with visit to Norton Simon museum.
157 locals recommend
The Gamble House
4 Westmoreland PlMost famous craftsman home ever built; tours every hour. Combine with visit to Norton Simon museum.
Vista Theater
4473 Sunset Drlegendary deco period movie theater; looks small but it isn't.
LA's best movie theater; high-end / expensive but worth it.
772 locals recommend
Pacific Cinerama Dome
6360 Sunset BlvdLA's best movie theater; high-end / expensive but worth it.
Food Scene
Legendary Los Feliz eating spot, fun outdoor space; see, be seen, soak up the sun. Best for breakfast/lunch/aft snacks.
310 locals recommend
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveLegendary Los Feliz eating spot, fun outdoor space; see, be seen, soak up the sun. Best for breakfast/lunch/aft snacks.
Fun vietnamese restaurant, cool vibe -- ONLY eat downstairs (not upstairs)
87 locals recommend
Blossom
4019 Sunset BlvdFun vietnamese restaurant, cool vibe -- ONLY eat downstairs (not upstairs)
Caffe Vita
4459 Sunset Blvdawesome high-end coffee venue; looks like a chemistry lab. Popular
my favorite coffee shop; big space, fun atmosphere, coffee+food. In addition to regular tables, there are 3 big communal tables so a fun place to visit, hang out at, and meet people even if solo.
86 locals recommend
Solar de Cahuenga
1847 N Cahuenga Blvdmy favorite coffee shop; big space, fun atmosphere, coffee+food. In addition to regular tables, there are 3 big communal tables so a fun place to visit, hang out at, and meet people even if solo.
delicious, small, veggie thai restaurant; bring your own booze.
34 locals recommend
Bulan Thai Vegetarian Kitchen
4114 Santa Monica Blvddelicious, small, veggie thai restaurant; bring your own booze.
Wonderful, romantic vegetarian restaurant -- moroccan influence. High end.
125 locals recommend
Elf Cafe
2135 Sunset BlvdWonderful, romantic vegetarian restaurant -- moroccan influence. High end.
Our favorite restaurant -- love the food, love the Wed $6 burger nite (great veggie burgers too)
103 locals recommend
The Park Restaurant
Our favorite restaurant -- love the food, love the Wed $6 burger nite (great veggie burgers too)
fun atmosphere -- great deep-dish pizza. Open late.
232 locals recommend
Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe
1800 Sunset Blvdfun atmosphere -- great deep-dish pizza. Open late.
Best pizza in the city -- high end, need reservations; expensive but worth it.
187 locals recommend
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N Highland AveBest pizza in the city -- high end, need reservations; expensive but worth it.
The Guest House
1750 Hillhurst AveSimple but good; nice snacks like quiches.
Cheap but super delicious italian food; bring your own wine. Small # of tables.
12 locals recommend
All Angolo Pizza & Pasta
4050 W 3rd StCheap but super delicious italian food; bring your own wine. Small # of tables.
downtown is very happening -- great italian food / delicious homemade pasta; bring your own wine if you want.
61 locals recommend
Maccheroni Republic
332 S Broadwaydowntown is very happening -- great italian food / delicious homemade pasta; bring your own wine if you want.
Awesome drive/views brings u to this hangout popular with bikers but friendly to all. Simple food. Go on Sunday late morning to see amazing bikes, cool cars. Love it! Combine with visit to Mt Wilson.
6 locals recommend
Newcomb's Ranch
California 2Awesome drive/views brings u to this hangout popular with bikers but friendly to all. Simple food. Go on Sunday late morning to see amazing bikes, cool cars. Love it! Combine with visit to Mt Wilson.
Wonderful lunch spot; I like to go on Sat (sun = big buffet). Combine with hike in Topanga Canyon.
220 locals recommend
Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon RdWonderful lunch spot; I like to go on Sat (sun = big buffet). Combine with hike in Topanga Canyon.
Delicious, inexpensive Taiwanese food; popular and a bit loud but worth it.
255 locals recommend
Pine and Crane
1521 Griffith Park BlvdDelicious, inexpensive Taiwanese food; popular and a bit loud but worth it.
Step back in time to this historic funky cafeteria; food just ok but all about the unique atmosphere. Nice bar areas.
79 locals recommend
The Pacific Seas at Clifton’s Cafeteria
648 S BroadwayStep back in time to this historic funky cafeteria; food just ok but all about the unique atmosphere. Nice bar areas.
Fred 62
1850 N Vermont AveArtsy 24-hour diner; food pretty good too. Try the strawberry malts!
Best deli in LA; it's all about the matzo ball soup and the hand-carved pastrami on twice-baked rye, though I love their egg salad on rye too!
71 locals recommend
Langer's
704 S Alvarado StBest deli in LA; it's all about the matzo ball soup and the hand-carved pastrami on twice-baked rye, though I love their egg salad on rye too!
Legendary 24 hour diner; it's all about the breakfast -- eggs, potatoes, pancakes, & sourdough bread. Best under $10 breakfast ever, though u won't be hungry for lunch or dinner.
88 locals recommend
The Original Pantry Cafe
877 S Figueroa StLegendary 24 hour diner; it's all about the breakfast -- eggs, potatoes, pancakes, & sourdough bread. Best under $10 breakfast ever, though u won't be hungry for lunch or dinner.
24 hour deli & quite a scene late nite on Fri/Sat post bars closing; fun spot as well for lunch. Sit in the main room with the ceiling of fall leaves. Langer's has better food but Canters rocks too.
183 locals recommend
Canter's Restaurant, Bakery, Deli and Bar
419 N Fairfax Ave24 hour deli & quite a scene late nite on Fri/Sat post bars closing; fun spot as well for lunch. Sit in the main room with the ceiling of fall leaves. Langer's has better food but Canters rocks too.
A really nice spot for Saturday/Sunday brunch. Very popular. Great food / atmosphere. Did I say blueberry pancakes?!
33 locals recommend
BLD Restaurant
7450 Beverly BlvdA really nice spot for Saturday/Sunday brunch. Very popular. Great food / atmosphere. Did I say blueberry pancakes?!
Delicious food and desserts makes this a terrific lunch spot. Order at the front, take a cafe seat outside and people watch!
343 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Melrose
8565 Melrose AveDelicious food and desserts makes this a terrific lunch spot. Order at the front, take a cafe seat outside and people watch!
VERY popular lunch spot for Sat/Sun. If you LOVE pancakes (big ones), this might be for you. Fun, lively crowd. Be prepared to wait.
212 locals recommend
The Griddle Cafe
7916 Sunset BlvdVERY popular lunch spot for Sat/Sun. If you LOVE pancakes (big ones), this might be for you. Fun, lively crowd. Be prepared to wait.
Legendary Wolfgang Puck Beverly Hills hot spot. Expensive but delicious and a beautiful, romantic spot with lovely outdoor dining. Special occasion place. Reservations needed.
92 locals recommend
Spago
176 N Canon DrLegendary Wolfgang Puck Beverly Hills hot spot. Expensive but delicious and a beautiful, romantic spot with lovely outdoor dining. Special occasion place. Reservations needed.
Delicious and cheap; great pho and cha gio (spring rolls)! Popular + fun atmosphere. Open until midnight. If you want something more upscale, try Blossom, but I think the food's better here.
147 locals recommend
Pho Cafe
2841 Sunset BlvdDelicious and cheap; great pho and cha gio (spring rolls)! Popular + fun atmosphere. Open until midnight. If you want something more upscale, try Blossom, but I think the food's better here.
Great indoor coffee/restaurant--nice selection, really good food; a breakfast/lunch spot, popular. Would be an alternative to The Alcove, particularly if the weather is bad, though absolutely worthy in its own right.
21 locals recommend
Stamp Proper Foods
4500 Los Feliz BlvdGreat indoor coffee/restaurant--nice selection, really good food; a breakfast/lunch spot, popular. Would be an alternative to The Alcove, particularly if the weather is bad, though absolutely worthy in its own right.
Awesome ice cream, high end. Expensive but totally worth it! Popular and open late.
59 locals recommend
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1954 Hillhurst AveAwesome ice cream, high end. Expensive but totally worth it! Popular and open late.
The Morrison
3179 Los Feliz BlvdReally good spot for late-night burgers & beer.
A recommended spot for breakfast / lunch - popular, good food and coffee too!
114 locals recommend
The Sycamore Kitchen
143 S La Brea AveA recommended spot for breakfast / lunch - popular, good food and coffee too!
Old school but delicious mexican restaurant; nice enchiladas, chili rellenos, and tamales.
21 locals recommend
La Cabañita
3445 N Verdugo RdOld school but delicious mexican restaurant; nice enchiladas, chili rellenos, and tamales.
Beautiful, peaceful spot in Griffith Park, shaded with lots of shaded picnic-table seating. Serves Stumptown coffee and nice quiches, sandwiches, scones/biscuits. From this spot, u have an easy walk up to the Observatory.
133 locals recommend
The Trails
2333 Fern Dell DrBeautiful, peaceful spot in Griffith Park, shaded with lots of shaded picnic-table seating. Serves Stumptown coffee and nice quiches, sandwiches, scones/biscuits. From this spot, u have an easy walk up to the Observatory.
Though there's also a location at the Glendale America, why not enjoy the original spot in Arcadia! Super taiwanese dumpling spot with loads of terrific side dishes too. U won't be disappointed!
125 locals recommend
Din Tai Fung
400 S Baldwin AveThough there's also a location at the Glendale America, why not enjoy the original spot in Arcadia! Super taiwanese dumpling spot with loads of terrific side dishes too. U won't be disappointed!
Vegan mexican restaurant, open late with fantastic outdoor seating, a glamorous crowd, and delicious food that will appeal to non-vegans as well!
241 locals recommend
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose AveVegan mexican restaurant, open late with fantastic outdoor seating, a glamorous crowd, and delicious food that will appeal to non-vegans as well!
Everything Else
Our favorite pizza spot -- old school, open late. Delicious sausage. Great anti-pasta salad!
62 locals recommend
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
1650 Colorado BlvdOur favorite pizza spot -- old school, open late. Delicious sausage. Great anti-pasta salad!
Shopping
Silverlake Wine
2395 Glendale BlvdBoutique wine shop; great people and fun wine-tasting events.
Great shopping, restaurants; combine with trip to Venice Beach.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardGreat shopping, restaurants; combine with trip to Venice Beach.
Fun shopping spot, with expensive but very trendy clothes; that said, really good deals in the gift shop + a very nice restaurant and cafe. A favorite celebrity hot spot.
99 locals recommend
Fred Segal
8500 Sunset BlvdFun shopping spot, with expensive but very trendy clothes; that said, really good deals in the gift shop + a very nice restaurant and cafe. A favorite celebrity hot spot.
Essentials
Our neighborhood TJ's. The hollywood/vine location has easier parking but this is closer.
1699 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
2738 Hyperion AveOur neighborhood TJ's. The hollywood/vine location has easier parking but this is closer.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Abbey
692 N Robertson BlvdLegendary gay/mixed bar in west hollywood.
Great atmosphere, fun bar -- doesn't look like anything from the outside but magical inside.
90 locals recommend
Good Luck Bar
1514 Hillhurst AveGreat atmosphere, fun bar -- doesn't look like anything from the outside but magical inside.
Tiki Ti
4427 Sunset BlvdLegendary, tiny tiki bar -- so cool!
unique, fun bar; u enter through a refrigerator! Can be long lines so time your visit well
266 locals recommend
Good Times at Davey Wayne's
1611 N El Centro Aveunique, fun bar; u enter through a refrigerator! Can be long lines so time your visit well
Lost in time -- throw-back lounge act Marty and Elayne have been here FOREVER and keep on ticking. Great space for a Fri/Sat night starter drink. Though, old school,it attracts a young/mixed crowd.
210 locals recommend
The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge
1760 N Vermont AveLost in time -- throw-back lounge act Marty and Elayne have been here FOREVER and keep on ticking. Great space for a Fri/Sat night starter drink. Though, old school,it attracts a young/mixed crowd.
Fun local gay bar (though mixed crowd); dance side opens fri/sat nites. Hipster crowd.
119 locals recommend
Akbar
4356 Sunset BlvdFun local gay bar (though mixed crowd); dance side opens fri/sat nites. Hipster crowd.
Wild downtown gay bar, with a New York City club feel. Drinking, dancing, and even smoking. Hipsters, drags, leather; a bit of everything. Fri/Sat nites very fun & busy!
12 locals recommend
Precinct DTLA
357 S BroadwayWild downtown gay bar, with a New York City club feel. Drinking, dancing, and even smoking. Hipsters, drags, leather; a bit of everything. Fri/Sat nites very fun & busy!