Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Food Truck heaven .Only open Sundays, it's walkable from the house. Lots of great food options and some shopping. Beer garden available too.
59 locals recommend
Smorgasburg
777 S Alameda StFood Truck heaven .Only open Sundays, it's walkable from the house. Lots of great food options and some shopping. Beer garden available too.
Bäco Mercat
408 S Main StReally great small plate restaurant with a casual atmosphere.
Tea house with tea, light snacks, wine and cocktails. Around the corner from the house.
9 locals recommend
American Tea Room
909 South Santa Fe AvenueTea house with tea, light snacks, wine and cocktails. Around the corner from the house.
P.Y.T.
400 S Main StPlant based restaurant with some meat options but many vegan as well
Ride bikes from Downtown along the LA river and stop for some elevated Mexican food and great cocktails
Really nice outdoor seating
$$
155 locals recommend
Salazar
2490 Fletcher DrRide bikes from Downtown along the LA river and stop for some elevated Mexican food and great cocktails
Really nice outdoor seating
$$
Chef Ludo's restaurant and one of my absolute favorites in LA
Difficult to get in, you need to purchase tickets 2 weeks in advance.
Set tasting menu
$$$$
29 locals recommend
Trois Mec
716 N Highland AveChef Ludo's restaurant and one of my absolute favorites in LA
Difficult to get in, you need to purchase tickets 2 weeks in advance.
Set tasting menu
$$$$
Great atmosphere and fantastic food!
One of my favorite restaurants in LA
Lunch and Dinner
$$$
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdGreat atmosphere and fantastic food!
One of my favorite restaurants in LA
Lunch and Dinner
$$$
It's a convenient store with a counter to order Po Boys and New Orleans style sandwiches available for lunch
$
25 locals recommend
The Little Jewel of New Orleans
207 Ord StIt's a convenient store with a counter to order Po Boys and New Orleans style sandwiches available for lunch
$
Blue Bottle Coffee
582 Mateo StPopular SF Coffee Shop here in LA.
$
Super popular spicy fried chicken joint, seems to be a popular place at the moment.
$
69 locals recommend
Howlin' Ray's
727 N BroadwaySuper popular spicy fried chicken joint, seems to be a popular place at the moment.
$
Sausage restaurant with all kinds of options from basic to rattlesnake and vegan.
They have really great Belgium fries and a good beer selection.
Indoor and outdoor seating
$
194 locals recommend
Wurstküche
800 East 3rd StreetSausage restaurant with all kinds of options from basic to rattlesnake and vegan.
They have really great Belgium fries and a good beer selection.
Indoor and outdoor seating
$
Handmade pasta at really great prices. Kind of a locals place. Not much to it but I really like it.
$$
61 locals recommend
Maccheroni Republic
332 S BroadwayHandmade pasta at really great prices. Kind of a locals place. Not much to it but I really like it.
$$
Big open market indoor/outdoor with lots of options for food and drinks.
My favorite is Madcapra Falafal and a Filipino restaurant but they have everything
I love ordering food to go and sitting at the outside tables where The Horse Thief BBQ restaurant is and ordering a beer.
$
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S BroadwayBig open market indoor/outdoor with lots of options for food and drinks.
My favorite is Madcapra Falafal and a Filipino restaurant but they have everything
I love ordering food to go and sitting at the outside tables where The Horse Thief BBQ restaurant is and ordering a beer.
$
Really nice upscale spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Beautiful dessert selection, like adult Willy Wonka
$$$
584 locals recommend
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand AveReally nice upscale spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Beautiful dessert selection, like adult Willy Wonka
$$$
Incredible ice cream store from Portland located in the Arts District.
189 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney BlvdIncredible ice cream store from Portland located in the Arts District.
Fantastic Ice Cream store from NYC!
Many Vegan options as well my go to:)
50 locals recommend
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
5915 Franklin AveFantastic Ice Cream store from NYC!
Many Vegan options as well my go to:)
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner available with a lot of coffee drinks to pick from and a big baked goods selection
Popular spot
$
288 locals recommend
Urth Caffé
459 S Hewitt StBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner available with a lot of coffee drinks to pick from and a big baked goods selection
Popular spot
$
Vegan Restaurant great food and good drink selection comfortable environment.
$$
280 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
639 N Larchmont BlvdVegan Restaurant great food and good drink selection comfortable environment.
$$
Vegan Restaurant but they do serve eggs
Great juices and smoothies with raw food options
$$
Yoga studio in the back
20 locals recommend
The Springs
608 Mateo StVegan Restaurant but they do serve eggs
Great juices and smoothies with raw food options
$$
Yoga studio in the back
Breakfast, lunch and dinner indoor and outdoor seating pretty casual nice place for breakfast or lunch.
$$
85 locals recommend
Zinc Cafe & Market and Bar
580 Mateo StreetBreakfast, lunch and dinner indoor and outdoor seating pretty casual nice place for breakfast or lunch.
$$
Church & State LA
1850 Industrial StFrench restaurant
reservations are recommended on weekends
$$$
Popular Coffee Shop from Portland walkable from house, typically there is a food truck outside or you can walk another block to Bread Lounge for food.
80 locals recommend
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
806 S Santa Fe AvePopular Coffee Shop from Portland walkable from house, typically there is a food truck outside or you can walk another block to Bread Lounge for food.
Voted one of the best restaurants in the country.
Reservations can be tough to get so book early or try and get a seat at the bar.
Italian $$$$
322 locals recommend
Bestia
2121 E 7th PlVoted one of the best restaurants in the country.
Reservations can be tough to get so book early or try and get a seat at the bar.
Italian $$$$
Bread Lounge
700 S Santa Fe AveFantastic Lunch, Bread and Pastries for breakfast $
Punk rock pizza joint
Great Pizza by the Slice $
2$ Tuesday
Closed Monday
57 locals recommend
Pizzanista!
2019 E 7th StPunk rock pizza joint
Great Pizza by the Slice $
2$ Tuesday
Closed Monday
Drinks & Nightlife
The Echo
1822 Sunset BlvdSmall music venue with affordable shows
Echoplex
1154 Glendale BlvdSmall music venue good options and not usually more than $15 for a show
Fantastic outdoor music venue. You can bring your own food and drinks. Check out website for schedule.
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA
Fantastic outdoor music venue. You can bring your own food and drinks. Check out website for schedule.
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont AveMusic Venue check out website for schedule
Speakeasy down some stairs and through an alley a little tricky to find. Relaxed environment with good cocktails.
10 locals recommend
Birds and Bees
207 S BroadwaySpeakeasy down some stairs and through an alley a little tricky to find. Relaxed environment with good cocktails.
Craft cocktails and elevated bar food. Not pretentious beautiful decor. Tax and tip included in drink prices. Happy hour 5-7pm
8 locals recommend
Here & Now
300 S Santa Fe AveCraft cocktails and elevated bar food. Not pretentious beautiful decor. Tax and tip included in drink prices. Happy hour 5-7pm
Little Bear
1855 Industrial StCasual gastropub serving food and cocktails and beer.
It's a hotel but on the 2nd Floor they have a great Karaoke bar it's more mellow than Tokyo Beat, I like it because it can attract an odd bunch some nights
Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
328 E 1st StIt's a hotel but on the 2nd Floor they have a great Karaoke bar it's more mellow than Tokyo Beat, I like it because it can attract an odd bunch some nights
Tokyo Beat
319 E 2nd StFun Karaoke bar in Little Tokyo
Super secret distillery with special tours on Saturday.
I won't give away the surprises:)
10 locals recommend
Lost Spirits Distillery
Super secret distillery with special tours on Saturday.
I won't give away the surprises:)
Iron Triangle
1581 Industrial StreetBrewery in Arts District
Boomtown Brewery
700 Jackson StMy favorite brewery in Arts District
Popular Brewery in the Arts District big open area seating food trucks available often
179 locals recommend
Angel City Brewery
216 S Alameda StPopular Brewery in the Arts District big open area seating food trucks available often
Distillery that has cocktail making classes, really really fun
1 Minute walk from the house
Greenbar Distillery
2459 E 8th StDistillery that has cocktail making classes, really really fun
1 Minute walk from the house
Tony's Saloon
2017 E 7th StSimple dive bar next to Pizzanista and walkable from the house
Wine bar with games and light food casual with indoor and outdoor seating
13 locals recommend
Pour Haus Wine Bar
1820 Industrial StWine bar with games and light food casual with indoor and outdoor seating
Not casual but not too dressy
Indoor and outdoor seating, close to the house and they serve food as well
48 locals recommend
Everson Royce Bar
1936 E 7th StNot casual but not too dressy
Indoor and outdoor seating, close to the house and they serve food as well
Beautiful Bar in the old private power plant
Dress code enforced, pricey and a bit of a scene
They have entertainment some nights
241 locals recommend
The Edison
Beautiful Bar in the old private power plant
Dress code enforced, pricey and a bit of a scene
They have entertainment some nights
Break Room 86
630 S Ardmore AveSecret 80's bar with surprises, I won't give away any of them:)
Fantastic Tiki Bar in Cliftons upstairs
Beautiful interior and really great drinks
79 locals recommend
The Pacific Seas at Clifton's Cafeteria
648 S BroadwayFantastic Tiki Bar in Cliftons upstairs
Beautiful interior and really great drinks
My go to bar in DTLA right now.
Love the outdoor seating
Craft cocktails and live music indoors
36 locals recommend
Resident
428 S Hewitt StMy go to bar in DTLA right now.
Love the outdoor seating
Craft cocktails and live music indoors
Bar where the bartenders berate you! It's a total dive and a fun place to go when you want to be treated like trash.
950 Mei Ling Way
950 Mei Ling WayBar where the bartenders berate you! It's a total dive and a fun place to go when you want to be treated like trash.
Sightseeing
At the top of the US Bank building there is an exhibit highlighting Los Angeles. It's the 2nd tallest building west of the Mississippi. The tallest is also downtown. They also offer a glass slide ride down the side of the building. It only goes down 1 or 2 floors and isn't as cool as you want it to be.
130 locals recommend
OUE Skyspace LA
633 W 5th StAt the top of the US Bank building there is an exhibit highlighting Los Angeles. It's the 2nd tallest building west of the Mississippi. The tallest is also downtown. They also offer a glass slide ride down the side of the building. It only goes down 1 or 2 floors and isn't as cool as you want it to be.
It's touristy but its awesome and worth it
Hike down to the Hollywood Sign if you have the time
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdIt's touristy but its awesome and worth it
Hike down to the Hollywood Sign if you have the time
Ask to go to the top Observation deck. It's free and a fantastic view of the city
99 locals recommend
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring StAsk to go to the top Observation deck. It's free and a fantastic view of the city
Parks & Nature
Some nice hiking trails with views of LA and the ocean. You can also take a tour of Will Rogers home or go horse back riding.
12$ for parking
204 locals recommend
Will Rogers State Historic Park
1501 Will Rogers State Park RdSome nice hiking trails with views of LA and the ocean. You can also take a tour of Will Rogers home or go horse back riding.
12$ for parking
Popular park just outside of downtown. Great for a picnic or grab lunch at the little cafe. They also have paddle boats if you'd like to take a loop around the lake.
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
Popular park just outside of downtown. Great for a picnic or grab lunch at the little cafe. They also have paddle boats if you'd like to take a loop around the lake.
13 Mile Hike to the peak of Baldy the tallest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and the tallest point in LA County.
Challenging hike 4,100 feet elevation
18 locals recommend
Mt. Baldy Resort
8401 Mt Baldy Rd13 Mile Hike to the peak of Baldy the tallest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains and the tallest point in LA County.
Challenging hike 4,100 feet elevation
Mount Wilson Trail Park
189 E Mira Monte Ave16 Mile hike to the top semi challenging trail
Ernest E Debs Regional Park
4235 Monterey RdNice place for a hike a few miles of trails
One of the few green spaces in Downtown 4 blocks of green space with occasional events
283 locals recommend
Grand Park
200 N Grand AveOne of the few green spaces in Downtown 4 blocks of green space with occasional events
Secret park on the outskirts of DTLA. Great view of downtown and one of my favorite little parks
63 locals recommend
Vista Hermosa Natural Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority
100 N Toluca StSecret park on the outskirts of DTLA. Great view of downtown and one of my favorite little parks
Miles of awesome Hiking trails right in the heart of LA
137 locals recommend
Griffith Park Observatory Trails Peak
2715 N Vermont AveMiles of awesome Hiking trails right in the heart of LA
Arts & Culture
It's more of a shop, totally fun and proceeds go to a good cause.
50 locals recommend
Echo Park Time Travel Mart
1714 Sunset BlvdIt's more of a shop, totally fun and proceeds go to a good cause.
Seen some really fantastic puppet shows here. They don't have shows very often, but if you like the art of puppetry check it out.
Automata Theater
504 Chung King CtSeen some really fantastic puppet shows here. They don't have shows very often, but if you like the art of puppetry check it out.
Contemporary theater, can be hit or miss. I've seen some really great stuff and some pretty terrible work as well.
30 locals recommend
REDCAT ROY AND EDNA DISNEY/CALARTS THEATER
631 W 2nd StContemporary theater, can be hit or miss. I've seen some really great stuff and some pretty terrible work as well.
Ahmanson Theatre
135 N Grand AvePlays, opera and musicals check out website for schedule.
Interesting architecture, check out an opera or the LA Philharmonic. Check out the website for the schedule.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveInteresting architecture, check out an opera or the LA Philharmonic. Check out the website for the schedule.
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood BlvdBest place to see broadway musicals
Towers built from tiles, shells, glass, steel, and pottery in the middle of Watts by Sam Rodia an outsider artist. There are 17 towers total and tours available. Worth a visit.
55 locals recommend
Watts Towers Arts Center
1727 E 107th StTowers built from tiles, shells, glass, steel, and pottery in the middle of Watts by Sam Rodia an outsider artist. There are 17 towers total and tours available. Worth a visit.
Beautiful interior with an incredible staircase. It's free and a piece of movie making history, part of Blade Runner was shot inside.
164 locals recommend
bradbury building
304 South BroadwayBeautiful interior with an incredible staircase. It's free and a piece of movie making history, part of Blade Runner was shot inside.
Beautiful Eames Home with incredible views of the ocean take a drive over when you are visiting Venice and Santa Monica
$20 Donation I believe
21 locals recommend
Eames Foundation
203 Chautauqua BlvdBeautiful Eames Home with incredible views of the ocean take a drive over when you are visiting Venice and Santa Monica
$20 Donation I believe
Take a tour of Frank Llyod Wrights first LA project.
Great views and story
67 locals recommend
Hollyhock House
4800 Hollywood BlvdTake a tour of Frank Llyod Wrights first LA project.
Great views and story
Totally blows my mind
If you don't have the time or money you can still walk the grounds and check out the tar pits for free, I think it's awesome
890 locals recommend
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire BlvdTotally blows my mind
If you don't have the time or money you can still walk the grounds and check out the tar pits for free, I think it's awesome
Wonderful museum with rotating exhibits and free Jazz on Fridays
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdWonderful museum with rotating exhibits and free Jazz on Fridays
One of my favorite museums, I won't spoil it just go
191 locals recommend
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.One of my favorite museums, I won't spoil it just go
Instagram famous Museum people love it
You need to buy tickets ahead of time
74 locals recommend
MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM SAN FRANCISCO
1 Grant AveInstagram famous Museum people love it
You need to buy tickets ahead of time
Free museum donated by Eli and Edith Broad. Huge collection along with a rotating collection.
Building looks like a cheese grater worth a visit
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand AveFree museum donated by Eli and Edith Broad. Huge collection along with a rotating collection.
Building looks like a cheese grater worth a visit
Great Contemporary Museum
Thursdays after 5pm is free
401 locals recommend
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N Central AveGreat Contemporary Museum
Thursdays after 5pm is free
The Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S Grand AveGreat museum Thursdays after 5pm is free
Shopping
I don't have great suggestions for shopping but I LOVE this fabric store!
6 locals recommend
Michael Levine Fabrics 26
920 Maple AveI don't have great suggestions for shopping but I LOVE this fabric store!
Essentials
Ralphs
645 W 9th StBasic chain grocery store
Large
Big grocery store LOTS of options for prepared food
A bit more expensive
344 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
788 S Grand AveBig grocery store LOTS of options for prepared food
A bit more expensive
Small specialized grocery store
Outdoor seating walkable from the house
Jazz on Wednesdays
35 locals recommend
Urban Radish
Small specialized grocery store
Outdoor seating walkable from the house
Jazz on Wednesdays
Grow the Produce Shop
C 300 S Santa Fe AveSmall grocery store, more of a specialized grocery store
Joe's Downtown Market
1855 Industrial StFor any basic convenience store items