Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Gastropub serving California craft beers and a locally-sourced American menu with lots of vegan options. Set in a hip, brick-walled old Vaudeville theater space. Good for late nights -- food served until 1am.
323 locals recommend
Mohawk Bend
2141 Sunset BlvdGastropub serving California craft beers and a locally-sourced American menu with lots of vegan options. Set in a hip, brick-walled old Vaudeville theater space. Good for late nights -- food served until 1am.
Hip vegan spot from musician Moby features Mediterranean, plant-based cuisine & woodsy-chic design.
82 locals recommend
Little Pine
2870 Rowena AveHip vegan spot from musician Moby features Mediterranean, plant-based cuisine & woodsy-chic design.
This beautiful restaurant is very nearby in a restored 1920s firehouse. It focuses on worldly comfort food and excellent cocktails. Dine in the tin-ceilinged lounge or outside on the romantic patio. Great place for birthday get-togethers or date night.
100 locals recommend
Edendale Restaurant and Bar
2838 Rowena AveThis beautiful restaurant is very nearby in a restored 1920s firehouse. It focuses on worldly comfort food and excellent cocktails. Dine in the tin-ceilinged lounge or outside on the romantic patio. Great place for birthday get-togethers or date night.
My favorite local place for Mexican food. Old-school spot with all the classics, including live mariachis and flaming margaritas! Stop by on the way to or from a Dodger game.
268 locals recommend
El Compadre
7408 Sunset BlvdMy favorite local place for Mexican food. Old-school spot with all the classics, including live mariachis and flaming margaritas! Stop by on the way to or from a Dodger game.
Nearby coffee shop whose owners are devoted to the cult of coffee in the same way that a chapel might be dedicated to its saint. Great food too!
219 locals recommend
LAMILL COFFEE Boutique
1636 Silver Lake BlvdNearby coffee shop whose owners are devoted to the cult of coffee in the same way that a chapel might be dedicated to its saint. Great food too!
Heaping plates of homestyle comfort grub served on an airy patio or in a retro-style dining room. There is one in Los Feliz too, but the Silverlake location is much more relaxed!
72 locals recommend
HOME Restaurant Silverlake
1760 Hillhurst AvenueHeaping plates of homestyle comfort grub served on an airy patio or in a retro-style dining room. There is one in Los Feliz too, but the Silverlake location is much more relaxed!
Drinks & Nightlife
This chic neighborhood wine bar fuses the old Rambutan Thai menu with some stellar, hand-picked wines by the glass and bottle, making it one of the better places to enjoy a late night date in Silver Lake.
22 locals recommend
Same Same Thai
2835 Sunset BlvdThis chic neighborhood wine bar fuses the old Rambutan Thai menu with some stellar, hand-picked wines by the glass and bottle, making it one of the better places to enjoy a late night date in Silver Lake.
Scottish pub serving upscale burgers & pub eats in addition to a huge selection of beer & whiskey. A good place to watch sports in the area.
40 locals recommend
The Morrison
3179 Los Feliz BlvdScottish pub serving upscale burgers & pub eats in addition to a huge selection of beer & whiskey. A good place to watch sports in the area.
Neighborhood bar that serves up handcrafted cocktails and a long list of whiskeys in a saloon-style setting. Get there for happy hour for the best deals and to beat the crowds. You might want to Uber there, as parking is tough.
206 locals recommend
Thirsty Crow
2939 Sunset BlvdNeighborhood bar that serves up handcrafted cocktails and a long list of whiskeys in a saloon-style setting. Get there for happy hour for the best deals and to beat the crowds. You might want to Uber there, as parking is tough.
Entertainment & Activities
Intimate venue for live indie music just down the hill on Silver Lake Blvd. Hard to park, so best bet is to walk -- if you can manage the hill coming back! Or they have valet parking.
127 locals recommend
The Satellite
Intimate venue for live indie music just down the hill on Silver Lake Blvd. Hard to park, so best bet is to walk -- if you can manage the hill coming back! Or they have valet parking.
The Vista is a historic single-screen movie palace known for its Egyptian decor, massive screen & lots of legroom. This is a great place to see a current film!
417 locals recommend
Vista Theater
4473 Sunset DrThe Vista is a historic single-screen movie palace known for its Egyptian decor, massive screen & lots of legroom. This is a great place to see a current film!
Sightseeing
This art deco landmark from 1935 features a high-tech planetarium, public telescopes and fantastic city views. It's a fun way to take in the scope of Los Angeles. You can see it up on the hill from just about everywhere on the east side.
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdThis art deco landmark from 1935 features a high-tech planetarium, public telescopes and fantastic city views. It's a fun way to take in the scope of Los Angeles. You can see it up on the hill from just about everywhere on the east side.
Parks & Nature
Relax on the lawn, walk or jog around the lake, or even rent a totally fun paddle boat and enjoy a lazy afternoon in the middle of the busy metropolis! You'll recognize this iconic setting from many movies.
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
Relax on the lawn, walk or jog around the lake, or even rent a totally fun paddle boat and enjoy a lazy afternoon in the middle of the busy metropolis! You'll recognize this iconic setting from many movies.
If you're looking for a unique workout, try these outdoor steps that were made famous by the Laurel & Hardy 1932 short film "The Music Box" in which the comic duo attemped to haul a piano up an impossibly long flight of stairs. Google "Secret Stairs Silver Lake" for info and maps on these and many other secret hidden staircases all over the hills.
23 locals recommend
Music Box Steps
Music Box StepsIf you're looking for a unique workout, try these outdoor steps that were made famous by the Laurel & Hardy 1932 short film "The Music Box" in which the comic duo attemped to haul a piano up an impossibly long flight of stairs. Google "Secret Stairs Silver Lake" for info and maps on these and many other secret hidden staircases all over the hills.
There is a 2.2 mile dirt walking/jogging path just down the hill that goes around the reservoir. Great views of the lake and local architecture, including some mid-century legends.
396 locals recommend
Silver Lake Reservoir
There is a 2.2 mile dirt walking/jogging path just down the hill that goes around the reservoir. Great views of the lake and local architecture, including some mid-century legends.
One of the largest urban parks in North America. It boasts over 50 miles of hiking trails with awesome views of LA! See a trail map here: http://griffithobservatory.org/about/pdf/Griffith_Park_Map.pdf
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs DriveOne of the largest urban parks in North America. It boasts over 50 miles of hiking trails with awesome views of LA! See a trail map here: http://griffithobservatory.org/about/pdf/Griffith_Park_Map.pdf
Arts & Culture
This unique park, which offers breathtaking views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign, is also home to the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Junior Arts Center and the famous Hollyhock House that was designed in the 1920's by the internationally acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
224 locals recommend
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood BlvdThis unique park, which offers breathtaking views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign, is also home to the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Junior Arts Center and the famous Hollyhock House that was designed in the 1920's by the internationally acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
If you like the lore of the west you'll love this museum! The Autry presents a wide range of exhibitions and public programs, including lectures, film, theater, festivals, family events, and music.
105 locals recommend
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage WayIf you like the lore of the west you'll love this museum! The Autry presents a wide range of exhibitions and public programs, including lectures, film, theater, festivals, family events, and music.
Shopping
This is a great little gift shop with all sorts of oddities. Pick up some one-of-a-kind LA neighborhood T-shirts, used records, tote bags, used books, political toys, funny magnets and other kitschy, offbeat, vintage and new novelties. Great gifts for the oddball in your life!
7 locals recommend
Y Que Mask and PPE Trading Post - Masks Wholesale
1770 N Vermont AveThis is a great little gift shop with all sorts of oddities. Pick up some one-of-a-kind LA neighborhood T-shirts, used records, tote bags, used books, political toys, funny magnets and other kitschy, offbeat, vintage and new novelties. Great gifts for the oddball in your life!
Wacko is a really unique and fun pop-culture gift shop, art gallery, book store, handmade soap-slinger and toy emporium. This must-see shop has over 6,000 square feet of pop-culture ephemera, signature beauty products, and serves as the birthplace of Low-Brow art.
La Luz de Jesus Gallery in the back of the shop is one of the most important, ground-breaking galleries in LA. From folk to outsider art, this gallery shows unusual counterculture work with new exhibits monthly.
81 locals recommend
Soap Plant/La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood BlvdWacko is a really unique and fun pop-culture gift shop, art gallery, book store, handmade soap-slinger and toy emporium. This must-see shop has over 6,000 square feet of pop-culture ephemera, signature beauty products, and serves as the birthplace of Low-Brow art.
La Luz de Jesus Gallery in the back of the shop is one of the most important, ground-breaking galleries in LA. From folk to outsider art, this gallery shows unusual counterculture work with new exhibits monthly.
Section of Sunset Blvd (where Santa Monica crosses) full of fun and funky shops and dining -- including Intelligentsia Coffee, Pazzo Gelato, Mohawk General Store, The Cheese Store, etc.!
19 locals recommend
Sunset Junction Neighborhood
1647 North Coronado StreetSection of Sunset Blvd (where Santa Monica crosses) full of fun and funky shops and dining -- including Intelligentsia Coffee, Pazzo Gelato, Mohawk General Store, The Cheese Store, etc.!
Lots of great shops, boutiques, bakeries and dining choices are all within a few blocks along Glendale Blvd. between the LA River and San Fernando Rd.
62 locals recommend
Atwater Village
Lots of great shops, boutiques, bakeries and dining choices are all within a few blocks along Glendale Blvd. between the LA River and San Fernando Rd.