Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
If you're into aesthetics, this is a great cafe to visit. They serve Nordic food and use beautiful pottery - the interior is very minimalist/Scandinavian inspired.
40 locals recommend
Destroyer
3578 Hayden AveIf you're into aesthetics, this is a great cafe to visit. They serve Nordic food and use beautiful pottery - the interior is very minimalist/Scandinavian inspired.
Hands down the best ice cream in LA. They also have a location in DTLA. There are always lines for this place, and that's when you know it's worth the wait! I like the honey lavender ice cream in a waffle cone :)
125 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
240 N Larchmont BlvdHands down the best ice cream in LA. They also have a location in DTLA. There are always lines for this place, and that's when you know it's worth the wait! I like the honey lavender ice cream in a waffle cone :)
Best grab n' go donuts (and coffee) on this side of town (check out Blue Star donuts in Santa Monica if you're on the west side). Look for the hot pink painted exterior, and try to go early before all the good donuts are snapped up.
6 locals recommend
Trejo's Coffee & Donuts
6785 Santa Monica BlvdBest grab n' go donuts (and coffee) on this side of town (check out Blue Star donuts in Santa Monica if you're on the west side). Look for the hot pink painted exterior, and try to go early before all the good donuts are snapped up.
I'm not vegan but I love coming to this place! Their desserts are especially amazing - try their raw tiramisu and avocado key lime pie. Also love their nachos and black bean + quinoa burger.
280 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
639 N Larchmont BlvdI'm not vegan but I love coming to this place! Their desserts are especially amazing - try their raw tiramisu and avocado key lime pie. Also love their nachos and black bean + quinoa burger.
One of the most authentic thai spots in the city, hidden in a strip mall - you'll know when you walk in and most of the clientele is Thai. The soup noodles, pad see ew, fried rice and fresh coconut water is the bomb here.
32 locals recommend
Pa Ord Noodle
7075 Sunset BlvdOne of the most authentic thai spots in the city, hidden in a strip mall - you'll know when you walk in and most of the clientele is Thai. The soup noodles, pad see ew, fried rice and fresh coconut water is the bomb here.
Quirky breakfast/brunch spot hidden in a hotel - and yes, very Instagrammable :) The coconut almond french toast is delicious here, plus they have a selection of baked goods at the back.
14 locals recommend
The Hart and the Hunter
Quirky breakfast/brunch spot hidden in a hotel - and yes, very Instagrammable :) The coconut almond french toast is delicious here, plus they have a selection of baked goods at the back.
They don't take bookings and there's ALWAYS a line here, but for a reason. The food here is exceptional and it's worth the visit if you're a first time (or repeat) visitor to LA.
447 locals recommend
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveThey don't take bookings and there's ALWAYS a line here, but for a reason. The food here is exceptional and it's worth the visit if you're a first time (or repeat) visitor to LA.
Coffee shop x deli x baked goods - Gjelina is Gjusta's sister outpost. Their zucchini cake and smoothies are delicious. You'll want to stay here awhile and sample a bit of everything.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdCoffee shop x deli x baked goods - Gjelina is Gjusta's sister outpost. Their zucchini cake and smoothies are delicious. You'll want to stay here awhile and sample a bit of everything.
I love this spot - it's a cross between a cafe, surfboard shop and clothing store. Also free wifi and a generally chill, unpretentious vibe. The coffee is great here!
185 locals recommend
Deus Ex Machina - Emporium Of Post Modern Activities
1001 Venice Blvd.I love this spot - it's a cross between a cafe, surfboard shop and clothing store. Also free wifi and a generally chill, unpretentious vibe. The coffee is great here!
Shopping
One of the best flea markets I've ever visited in the world - if you're into treasure hunting like me, Rose Bowl is worth the trek. Go early to snap up the best bargains. The flea market is held on the second Sunday of every month. More info here: http://www.rgcshows.com/rosebowl.aspx
99 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl DrOne of the best flea markets I've ever visited in the world - if you're into treasure hunting like me, Rose Bowl is worth the trek. Go early to snap up the best bargains. The flea market is held on the second Sunday of every month. More info here: http://www.rgcshows.com/rosebowl.aspx
My favourite flea market in the city (closer than the Rose Bowl flea market). It's open every Sunday and I'll always make a point to visit during my visits to LA. Make sure you bring enough cash for entry - there is a Bank of America within walking distance if you need an ATM to withdraw more cash.
182 locals recommend
Melrose Trading Post
7850 Melrose AveMy favourite flea market in the city (closer than the Rose Bowl flea market). It's open every Sunday and I'll always make a point to visit during my visits to LA. Make sure you bring enough cash for entry - there is a Bank of America within walking distance if you need an ATM to withdraw more cash.
Newly opened shopping area which houses Reformation, Bird Brooklyn, Soul Cycle, Van Leeuwan's Ice Cream, Aesop, Janessa Leone and more.
63 locals recommend
Platform LA
8850 Washington BlvdNewly opened shopping area which houses Reformation, Bird Brooklyn, Soul Cycle, Van Leeuwan's Ice Cream, Aesop, Janessa Leone and more.
Parks & Nature
I'm based in NYC, but come to LA often - and when I do, Runyon Canyon is a must-visit, not only for the views of the city, but the various hiking trails. Also great for people watching.
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveI'm based in NYC, but come to LA often - and when I do, Runyon Canyon is a must-visit, not only for the views of the city, but the various hiking trails. Also great for people watching.
Arts & Culture
Recently opened, with great permanent art installations from Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and more. They usually have special exhibitions throughout the year where you can pre-book a ticket in advance, or you can chance it and line up on the day of to snap up a ticket.
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand AveRecently opened, with great permanent art installations from Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and more. They usually have special exhibitions throughout the year where you can pre-book a ticket in advance, or you can chance it and line up on the day of to snap up a ticket.
Instagram worthy museum that's worth a visit, and an LA institution!
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdInstagram worthy museum that's worth a visit, and an LA institution!
Essentials
Love this place for fresh produce, and yummy snacks that don't break the bank (sorry Whole Foods)
1811 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura BlvdLove this place for fresh produce, and yummy snacks that don't break the bank (sorry Whole Foods)
Sprouts Farmers Market
915 N La Brea AveYour one-stop shop for stocking up on groceries.
Entertainment & Activities
One of the toughest workouts in the city - and about a 5 min drive or 20 min walk away from our Airbnb house. Not for the faint of heart but I always love to go here for a sweaty workout when I'm in town.
6 locals recommend
Barry's Bootcamp
6201 Hollywood BlvdOne of the toughest workouts in the city - and about a 5 min drive or 20 min walk away from our Airbnb house. Not for the faint of heart but I always love to go here for a sweaty workout when I'm in town.
Here on holiday but want to squeeze in a workout? Lift Society is a short drive from our Airbnb house. Great for HIIT workouts and weight lifting.
Lift Society
7300 Sunset BlvdHere on holiday but want to squeeze in a workout? Lift Society is a short drive from our Airbnb house. Great for HIIT workouts and weight lifting.
Iconic Hollywood establishment - come here on a rainy day if you're looking to watch a movie (and then check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame that stretches across Hollywood Boulevard)
1423 locals recommend
TCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood BlvdIconic Hollywood establishment - come here on a rainy day if you're looking to watch a movie (and then check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame that stretches across Hollywood Boulevard)
Organic cafe, yoga studio, meditation workshops and more. Within walking distance from our house :)
22 locals recommend
Wanderlust Hollywood
1357 N Highland AveOrganic cafe, yoga studio, meditation workshops and more. Within walking distance from our house :)
Getting Around
We're a 5 min drive or 15 min walk to the Hollywood/Vine metro stop, which provides direct access to North Hollywood, Universal Studios, Koreatown, MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), DTLA, Little Tokyo and more. More information here: https://media.metro.net/documents/b4f1f223-c6b4-4b6e-bd18-648dbca1e7e9.pdf
165 locals recommend
Hollywood / Vine Station
Hollywood BoulevardWe're a 5 min drive or 15 min walk to the Hollywood/Vine metro stop, which provides direct access to North Hollywood, Universal Studios, Koreatown, MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art), DTLA, Little Tokyo and more. More information here: https://media.metro.net/documents/b4f1f223-c6b4-4b6e-bd18-648dbca1e7e9.pdf