Guidebook for Los Angeles
Everything Else
Just minutes from Occidental College for graduation ceremonies!
49 locals recommend
Occidental College
1600 Campus RdJust minutes from Occidental College for graduation ceremonies!
Rose Bowl game, concerts, sporting events or just a beautiful place to take a run, bike ride, or hike!
575 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl DrRose Bowl game, concerts, sporting events or just a beautiful place to take a run, bike ride, or hike!
Dodger dogs, peanuts & perfect So Cal weather make for the perfect baseball game. The house is just a 10 minute drive from the Stadium!
877 locals recommend
Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully AveDodger dogs, peanuts & perfect So Cal weather make for the perfect baseball game. The house is just a 10 minute drive from the Stadium!
Drinks & Nightlife
Chalet like bar featuring several microbrews on tap or your favorite fancy cocktail. Great place to enjoy a drink while waiting for a table at Casa Bianca. This place is hopping late into the evening!
38 locals recommend
The Old Chalet
1630 Colorado BlvdChalet like bar featuring several microbrews on tap or your favorite fancy cocktail. Great place to enjoy a drink while waiting for a table at Casa Bianca. This place is hopping late into the evening!
Food Scene
Voted 'Best Pizza in L.A.' for several years in a row, this family restaurant is a neighborhood gem! Expect to wait for a table because people come from all over the city for a slice!
62 locals recommend
Casa Bianca Pizza Pie
1650 Colorado BlvdVoted 'Best Pizza in L.A.' for several years in a row, this family restaurant is a neighborhood gem! Expect to wait for a table because people come from all over the city for a slice!
Cafe Birdie is trendy, neighborhood bistro featuring California comfort food influenced by European and Mediterranean dishes. Whether breakfast or dinner, I've never had a disappointing meal here. There is a small speakeasy called Good Housekeeping hidden behind the restaurant that is worth a drop in if you like specialty cocktails.
102 locals recommend
Cafe Birdie
5631 N Figueroa StCafe Birdie is trendy, neighborhood bistro featuring California comfort food influenced by European and Mediterranean dishes. Whether breakfast or dinner, I've never had a disappointing meal here. There is a small speakeasy called Good Housekeeping hidden behind the restaurant that is worth a drop in if you like specialty cocktails.
Love this place for a non traditional bakery - it features multi-flavored cruffins (cross betw a croissant and muffin), unique donuts and cookies. Go early in the morning if you are visiting on a weekend, as they sell out of a lot of things. If you are craving a sugary treat, this is a great place to visit. From a lemon meringue croissant to a Thai tea cruffin, it's fun to try.
35 locals recommend
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
111 S Ave 59Love this place for a non traditional bakery - it features multi-flavored cruffins (cross betw a croissant and muffin), unique donuts and cookies. Go early in the morning if you are visiting on a weekend, as they sell out of a lot of things. If you are craving a sugary treat, this is a great place to visit. From a lemon meringue croissant to a Thai tea cruffin, it's fun to try.
Sightseeing
Frank Gehry's Los Angeles masterpiece hall and performance center featuring the best of music and entertainment.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveFrank Gehry's Los Angeles masterpiece hall and performance center featuring the best of music and entertainment.
Arts & Culture
Known as one of the most remarkable private art collections in the world, featuring works by Van Gogh, Degas and other famous artists.
485 locals recommend
Norton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdKnown as one of the most remarkable private art collections in the world, featuring works by Van Gogh, Degas and other famous artists.
The L.A. Conservancy provides fantastic walking tours in downtown Los Angeles on Saturdays & Sundays for a mere $15. I have done almost all of them and recommend the Art Deco tour, theaters tour and Union Station tour. For more info, visit: https://www.laconservancy.org/tours
15 locals recommend
Los Angeles Conservancy
523 W 6th StThe L.A. Conservancy provides fantastic walking tours in downtown Los Angeles on Saturdays & Sundays for a mere $15. I have done almost all of them and recommend the Art Deco tour, theaters tour and Union Station tour. For more info, visit: https://www.laconservancy.org/tours
Parks & Nature
One of the closest easy hikes/walks that makes you feel miles away from the city - a popular spot for bikers, hikers, runners and dog walkers, but never feels crowded.
The spreading limbs of coast live oaks create a canopy over the path as you continue to leave the city behind. You’ll cross the creek multiple times, sometimes on bridges and often by boulder hopping, passing low cobblestone walls and cabin foundations next to the trail. A good turnaround spot, especially if you’ve packed a picnic lunch, is shaded Gould Mesa Campground. Around 4 miles RT.
Gabrieleno Trail
Gabrieleno TrailOne of the closest easy hikes/walks that makes you feel miles away from the city - a popular spot for bikers, hikers, runners and dog walkers, but never feels crowded.
The spreading limbs of coast live oaks create a canopy over the path as you continue to leave the city behind. You’ll cross the creek multiple times, sometimes on bridges and often by boulder hopping, passing low cobblestone walls and cabin foundations next to the trail. A good turnaround spot, especially if you’ve packed a picnic lunch, is shaded Gould Mesa Campground. Around 4 miles RT.
My favorite local hike, about a 40 minute drive from the house. This is a moderate 4.5 mile out and back hike with a beautiful waterfall at the end. The quiet hike features patches of oak forest and nice views of the mountains. In the summer, it's good to start early and bring lots of water, as much of the trail is exposed to sun and single track.
You can get accurate directions via GPS. Park on the main road because the road to the trail is closed off to visiting vehicles. It was about .3 mile walk to the trailhead, which has signs. You need a 1 day Southern CA Forest Adventure Pass, which you can buy online.
6 locals recommend
Trail Canyon Falls
My favorite local hike, about a 40 minute drive from the house. This is a moderate 4.5 mile out and back hike with a beautiful waterfall at the end. The quiet hike features patches of oak forest and nice views of the mountains. In the summer, it's good to start early and bring lots of water, as much of the trail is exposed to sun and single track.
You can get accurate directions via GPS. Park on the main road because the road to the trail is closed off to visiting vehicles. It was about .3 mile walk to the trailhead, which has signs. You need a 1 day Southern CA Forest Adventure Pass, which you can buy online.
Essentials
There is a cleaner's right next door, as well, so get all of your errands done at once!
238 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1566 Colorado BlvdThere is a cleaner's right next door, as well, so get all of your errands done at once!
They also have a Redbox DVD rental, Wells Fargo Bank and a Starbucks inside.
274 locals recommend
Vons
561 N Glendale AveThey also have a Redbox DVD rental, Wells Fargo Bank and a Starbucks inside.