Guidebook for Los Angeles
Sightseeing
Hollywood Walk Of Fame HQ
6255 Sunset BlvdSanta Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierRodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front Walk
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd
Downtown Los Angeles
You get a 360 degrees view of LA. Popular tourist attraction, an excellent view of the Hollywood sign, and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Since the observatory opened in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with Griffith's will. However, some planetary shows inside have a small added charge. Great photo opportunities. If you're looking for something last minute to get out and do in LA whether you're a tourist or local, definitely head here. You have an amazing view of LA and can hike to the Hollywood sign. The views at night are amazing with the city lights lighting up the night but definitely worth the trek up the mountain. Be aware parking can get a littl
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdYou get a 360 degrees view of LA. Popular tourist attraction, an excellent view of the Hollywood sign, and an extensive array of space and science-related displays. Since the observatory opened in 1935, admission has been free, in accordance with Griffith's will. However, some planetary shows inside have a small added charge. Great photo opportunities. If you're looking for something last minute to get out and do in LA whether you're a tourist or local, definitely head here. You have an amazing view of LA and can hike to the Hollywood sign. The views at night are amazing with the city lights lighting up the night but definitely worth the trek up the mountain. Be aware parking can get a littl
Food Scene
Well known fancy eatery in Downtown LA. It's first come first serve and the food is great. Try the fried portebello mushrooms first. We came here on a few dates before we got engaged. The back area is "waiting list" and the front cafe area is first come first serve bar sitting style. Just grab a seat. Both areas serve the same thing but it's just faster if you ask someone for their table if they look like they're leaving. That's usually the best way unless you prefer to wait for a bigger table. Be warned, it can get packed...
584 locals recommend
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave Well known fancy eatery in Downtown LA. It's first come first serve and the food is great. Try the fried portebello mushrooms first. We came here on a few dates before we got engaged. The back area is "waiting list" and the front cafe area is first come first serve bar sitting style. Just grab a seat. Both areas serve the same thing but it's just faster if you ask someone for their table if they look like they're leaving. That's usually the best way unless you prefer to wait for a bigger table. Be warned, it can get packed...
Very popular Venice eatery. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. A farm to table American bistro that serves pizzas, salads, small and larger dishes. On the pricey side, but not exorbitant. Make sure to get reservations or expect to wait. If they are over booked go next door to GTA (Gjelina Take Away) they have pretty much the same menu.
1064 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdVery popular Venice eatery. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. A farm to table American bistro that serves pizzas, salads, small and larger dishes. On the pricey side, but not exorbitant. Make sure to get reservations or expect to wait. If they are over booked go next door to GTA (Gjelina Take Away) they have pretty much the same menu.
Ongoing farmer's market at the Grove, which is a popular upscale shopping destination in LA. HUGE variety of merchants, and especially beautiful during the holidays! Check out Moruno next door for delicious Greek food.
819 locals recommend
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd StOngoing farmer's market at the Grove, which is a popular upscale shopping destination in LA. HUGE variety of merchants, and especially beautiful during the holidays! Check out Moruno next door for delicious Greek food.
This is the defacto town hall for Silver Lake. Exceptionally good coffee, consistently prepared by dedicated baristas without the side of attitude you would expect from a place like this. Also the people watching is like non other.
510 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar
3922 Sunset BlvdThis is the defacto town hall for Silver Lake. Exceptionally good coffee, consistently prepared by dedicated baristas without the side of attitude you would expect from a place like this. Also the people watching is like non other.
One of the newer trendy restaurants on Abbot Kinney, it gets mixed reviews on Yelp. Pricey...they have interesting cocktails, and a more reasonably priced brunch on the weekend. Brunch runs till 2:30 and the restaurant keeps late hours! (Open till 2AM) Reservations a must, unless you're going late at night!
396 locals recommend
The Tasting Kitchen
1633 Abbot Kinney BlvdOne of the newer trendy restaurants on Abbot Kinney, it gets mixed reviews on Yelp. Pricey...they have interesting cocktails, and a more reasonably priced brunch on the weekend. Brunch runs till 2:30 and the restaurant keeps late hours! (Open till 2AM) Reservations a must, unless you're going late at night!
Getting lunch for a 10-spot at this century-old market has become harder and harder over the past few years, as grass fed beef, oysters and smoked fish have encroached on the tacos, steam tables, and low-grade produce. But there are still cheap lunches to be had, like Belcampo Meat Co.'s $5 "fast burger," a bacon egg and cheese at Eggslut, or a Margherita pizza from Olio. Or you can always stick with the classics, like a bowl of wonton soup from China Cafe or a carnitas taco from Las Morelianas.
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S BroadwayGetting lunch for a 10-spot at this century-old market has become harder and harder over the past few years, as grass fed beef, oysters and smoked fish have encroached on the tacos, steam tables, and low-grade produce. But there are still cheap lunches to be had, like Belcampo Meat Co.'s $5 "fast burger," a bacon egg and cheese at Eggslut, or a Margherita pizza from Olio. Or you can always stick with the classics, like a bowl of wonton soup from China Cafe or a carnitas taco from Las Morelianas.
Super popular LA coffee shop/ dinner or lunch spot.. its always packed, no matter the time. Great food, extensive menu full of both healthy items and delicious treats. Open semi late too.
343 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Melrose
8565 Melrose Ave
Super popular LA coffee shop/ dinner or lunch spot.. its always packed, no matter the time. Great food, extensive menu full of both healthy items and delicious treats. Open semi late too.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Edison is a steampunk themed nightclub located inside the Higgins Building basement in Los Angeles, California. The Edison opened in 2007. The Higgins Building basement was Los Angeles' first ever power plant, built by Thomas Higgins. After spending several years derelict and underwater, it was rescued by entrepreneurs Andrew Meieran and Marc Smith, who made a post-industrial steampunk venue for Los Angeles nightclubbers.
241 locals recommend
The Edison
The Edison is a steampunk themed nightclub located inside the Higgins Building basement in Los Angeles, California. The Edison opened in 2007. The Higgins Building basement was Los Angeles' first ever power plant, built by Thomas Higgins. After spending several years derelict and underwater, it was rescued by entrepreneurs Andrew Meieran and Marc Smith, who made a post-industrial steampunk venue for Los Angeles nightclubbers.
This is THE SPOT for drinks and appetizers at sunset. You can see the entire city on this rooftop. Once you find the small entrance, take the elevators up to the top floor, walk across the hall and take another set of elevators to the restaurant. Try a french inspired cocktail and the truffle fries.
787 locals recommend
Perch
448 S Hill StThis is THE SPOT for drinks and appetizers at sunset. You can see the entire city on this rooftop. Once you find the small entrance, take the elevators up to the top floor, walk across the hall and take another set of elevators to the restaurant. Try a french inspired cocktail and the truffle fries.
If you always wanted to spend your summers at sleepaway camp (or were always denied an invite to all the coolest house parties), The Bungalow is for you. Vintage details, oldies music and a retro cocktail menu at this hotel-adjacent bar by the beach are so carefully curated you'll be surprised you weren't offered a post-war costume at the door. Bungalow is the perfect place to make visiting friends jealous that you live in Santa Monica while you sip a can of Golden Road and play ping pong. Arrive anytime after opening hour and you'll be waiting in line
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdIf you always wanted to spend your summers at sleepaway camp (or were always denied an invite to all the coolest house parties), The Bungalow is for you. Vintage details, oldies music and a retro cocktail menu at this hotel-adjacent bar by the beach are so carefully curated you'll be surprised you weren't offered a post-war costume at the door. Bungalow is the perfect place to make visiting friends jealous that you live in Santa Monica while you sip a can of Golden Road and play ping pong. Arrive anytime after opening hour and you'll be waiting in line
Parks & Nature
Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood BoulevardGreat for off-leash dogs and star-spotting, take the main trail up to the top. Spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign, all of LA! Take the Mulholland side for an easier walk.
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller Ave Great for off-leash dogs and star-spotting, take the main trail up to the top. Spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign, all of LA! Take the Mulholland side for an easier walk.
Entertainment & Activities
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaThe Hollywood Bowl is an amphitheater located in the Hollywood, California. The Hollywood Bowl is known for its band shell, a distinctive set of concentric arches that graced the site from 1929 through 2003, before being replaced with a somewhat larger one beginning in the 2004 season. The shell is set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood Sign to the Northeast. The "bowl" refers to the shape of the concave hillside the amphitheater is carved into. The bowl is owned by the County of Los Angeles and is the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the host of hundreds of musical events each year.
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdThe Hollywood Bowl is an amphitheater located in the Hollywood, California. The Hollywood Bowl is known for its band shell, a distinctive set of concentric arches that graced the site from 1929 through 2003, before being replaced with a somewhat larger one beginning in the 2004 season. The shell is set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood Sign to the Northeast. The "bowl" refers to the shape of the concave hillside the amphitheater is carved into. The bowl is owned by the County of Los Angeles and is the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the host of hundreds of musical events each year.
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. A Massive modern arena for sports plus music headliners. Capacity: 18,118 Address: 1111 S Figueroa St, LA, CA 90015 Teams: Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings.
1229 locals recommend
Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa StStaples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. A Massive modern arena for sports plus music headliners. Capacity: 18,118 Address: 1111 S Figueroa St, LA, CA 90015 Teams: Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings.
Both an historic landmark AND a functioning modern space to take in some great first-run moves, this is where you will find hand and foot prints from stars since the Golden Age. Even R2D2 and C3PO! If you don't want to take in a movie, they give pretty amazing tours, so you can still see the amazing art deco interior and they often have actual costumes from movies on display.
1423 locals recommend
TCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood BlvdBoth an historic landmark AND a functioning modern space to take in some great first-run moves, this is where you will find hand and foot prints from stars since the Golden Age. Even R2D2 and C3PO! If you don't want to take in a movie, they give pretty amazing tours, so you can still see the amazing art deco interior and they often have actual costumes from movies on display.
Shopping
Beverly Hills
Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood BoulevardMost popular mall in LA. Adjacent to the Farmer's Markets. Only 10 years old, but looks like an outdoor town square with a huge fountain, its own trolly and many shops and places to eat. Excellent people watching!
2582 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrMost popular mall in LA. Adjacent to the Farmer's Markets. Only 10 years old, but looks like an outdoor town square with a huge fountain, its own trolly and many shops and places to eat. Excellent people watching!
Arts & Culture
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd