Guidebook - Los Angeles
Getting Around 🚂 🚕 ✈️
LA has lots of great public transportation options.
LA's criminally underrated Metro (Subway) has a stop IMMEDIATELY next to my building. The Red and the Purple lines stop there, and normally one is by every 6 minutes. $1.75 gets you anywhere, including Santa Monica, Union Station (trains and more), and LAX.
52 locals recommend
Pershing Square station
500 S Hill StLA's criminally underrated Metro (Subway) has a stop IMMEDIATELY next to my building. The Red and the Purple lines stop there, and normally one is by every 6 minutes. $1.75 gets you anywhere, including Santa Monica, Union Station (trains and more), and LAX.
This large and effective train station / transit center has beautiful architectural touches. They hosted they Oscars at this train station! More practically, you can get to Union Station from our unit by taking the Red or Purple metro 2 stops to the end of the line. From there you can transfer to any number of other services:
- Amtrak - You can take this train service all over the country, but the “Surfliner” route that runs up and down the CA coast is a favorite and a great way to get to San Diego or Orange County
- LAX “Fly Away” shuttle to the airport
- Other regional trains
341 locals recommend
Union Station
800 N Alameda StThis large and effective train station / transit center has beautiful architectural touches. They hosted they Oscars at this train station! More practically, you can get to Union Station from our unit by taking the Red or Purple metro 2 stops to the end of the line. From there you can transfer to any number of other services:
- Amtrak - You can take this train service all over the country, but the “Surfliner” route that runs up and down the CA coast is a favorite and a great way to get to San Diego or Orange County
- LAX “Fly Away” shuttle to the airport
- Other regional trains
I wouldn’t say I ‘recommend’ this place; it’s an airport. If you need it, you need it.
Los Angeles International Airport
1 World WayI wouldn’t say I ‘recommend’ this place; it’s an airport. If you need it, you need it.
Essentials 🛒 🍇 💊
Toiletries, groceries, drinks, etc. Check in the loft before you buy anything - we may have it!
The flagship Whole Foods in LA is just a few blocks away. Groceries, health food, pre-made meals, craft beer... It's Whole (Paycheck) Foods!
344 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
788 S Grand AveThe flagship Whole Foods in LA is just a few blocks away. Groceries, health food, pre-made meals, craft beer... It's Whole (Paycheck) Foods!
Closest “regular” grocery store to the loft. Take the shopping cart on a bit of a walk or if you drive they have (free with purchase) parking.
766 locals recommend
Ralphs
645 W 9th StClosest “regular” grocery store to the loft. Take the shopping cart on a bit of a walk or if you drive they have (free with purchase) parking.
Bodega style small grocery store. Closest spot to loft for a few quick essentials if you don’t want to head to Ralph’s or Whole Foods.
6 locals recommend
6th Street Market
212 W 6th StBodega style small grocery store. Closest spot to loft for a few quick essentials if you don’t want to head to Ralph’s or Whole Foods.
Food Scene 🍖 🍝 🥓
LA, especially DTLA, has an OUTSTANDING food scene. These are some of our favorites, most within a very short walk from the loft.
Grand Central Market, a downtown landmark since 1917, brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. It’s a PHENOMENAL food court. For very reasonable prices you can eat delicious cuisine of too many varieties to list here. Since it’s mostly shared seating, members of your group don’t have to eat at the same place.
Less than a 5 minute walk from the loft. Whenever I’m in doubt about what to eat, I head there :)
http://www.grandcentralmarket.com/
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S BroadwayGrand Central Market, a downtown landmark since 1917, brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. It’s a PHENOMENAL food court. For very reasonable prices you can eat delicious cuisine of too many varieties to list here. Since it’s mostly shared seating, members of your group don’t have to eat at the same place.
Less than a 5 minute walk from the loft. Whenever I’m in doubt about what to eat, I head there :)
http://www.grandcentralmarket.com/
Excellent (Michelin stared!) Italian joint just across the street from Grand Central Market. Friendly owner and staff, best Italian nearby. Not to be missed!
61 locals recommend
Maccheroni Republic
332 S BroadwayExcellent (Michelin stared!) Italian joint just across the street from Grand Central Market. Friendly owner and staff, best Italian nearby. Not to be missed!
They claim to be the best Mexican food in LA… I will do them one better and say that they are the best I’ve had in all of Southern California. They claim to have invested Nachos. Not to be missed!
El Cholo
They claim to be the best Mexican food in LA… I will do them one better and say that they are the best I’ve had in all of Southern California. They claim to have invested Nachos. Not to be missed!
A CLASSIC NY style deli that should not be missed! 76 years old (as of 2024) with a huge breakfast and lunch menu.
71 locals recommend
Langer's
704 S Alvarado StA CLASSIC NY style deli that should not be missed! 76 years old (as of 2024) with a huge breakfast and lunch menu.
Another old, classic DTLA spot. Great bar and good food. They claim to have invented the French Dip.
153 locals recommend
Cole's French Dip
118 E 6th StAnother old, classic DTLA spot. Great bar and good food. They claim to have invented the French Dip.
Wonderful French cafe/bakery with delicious pastries, coffee and tea, full breakfast 7 days a week. Lunch (sandwhiches and salads mainly) on the weekends. Outdoor seating right next to Pershing Square and the loft. http://www.pitchounbakery.com
25 locals recommend
Pitchoun!
545 S Olive StWonderful French cafe/bakery with delicious pastries, coffee and tea, full breakfast 7 days a week. Lunch (sandwhiches and salads mainly) on the weekends. Outdoor seating right next to Pershing Square and the loft. http://www.pitchounbakery.com
Good spot to grab a quick, reasonably priced burger or similar fare on the cheap, close to the loft. Their burgers remind me of Five Guys.
D-Town Burger Bar
216 W 6th StGood spot to grab a quick, reasonably priced burger or similar fare on the cheap, close to the loft. Their burgers remind me of Five Guys.
Trendy and popular Italian restaurant with a huge amount of seating and delicious desserts in an opulent setting.
584 locals recommend
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand AveTrendy and popular Italian restaurant with a huge amount of seating and delicious desserts in an opulent setting.
Another great food court with several fast casual restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a good pizza joint. A very short walk away.
6 locals recommend
Spring Arcade Building
541 S Spring StAnother great food court with several fast casual restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a good pizza joint. A very short walk away.
The Original Pantry Cafe
877 S Figueroa StComfort food and breakfast.
DTLA Cheese Superette
Shopping 🛍 🛒 💸
DTLA has tons of great shopping close by. These are just a few of our favorites.
The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. It is an absolute gem, the best book store I’ve even been to. You can spend hours in here and enjoy every minute of it. http://lastbookstorela.com/
324 locals recommend
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring StreetThe Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. It is an absolute gem, the best book store I’ve even been to. You can spend hours in here and enjoy every minute of it. http://lastbookstorela.com/
BUZZ wine beer bottleshop & bar
460 S Spring StCraft beer and wine, great little store.
This historic and beautiful movie theater was just renovated and re-opened as the most opulent Apple store you will ever see. Visitors can feel free to visit and gawk without the pressure to buy anything - there’s seating for viewers.
Apple Tower Theatre
802 S BroadwayThis historic and beautiful movie theater was just renovated and re-opened as the most opulent Apple store you will ever see. Visitors can feel free to visit and gawk without the pressure to buy anything - there’s seating for viewers.
One of the best farmer’s markets in the country is held 1 block from our loft at 5th and Spring. Every Sunday from around 9 AM to 3 PM. If it’s happening, you can’t miss it.
12 locals recommend
Historic Downtown Farmers Market
South Spring StreetOne of the best farmer’s markets in the country is held 1 block from our loft at 5th and Spring. Every Sunday from around 9 AM to 3 PM. If it’s happening, you can’t miss it.
Drinks & Nightlife 🍸🍷🍻
We’re don’t go out a lot, so we can’t tell you where the latest hip spots are, but these are close by and offer a little something extra besides just drinks.
Hip rooftop restaurant and bar across the street from the building. Dine and drink with the beautiful people and soak in the views of the city.
786 locals recommend
Perch
448 S Hill StHip rooftop restaurant and bar across the street from the building. Dine and drink with the beautiful people and soak in the views of the city.
Cannabis is legal for recreational use in California and this chain dispensary is 2 blocks away. Enjoy and be safe!
MedMen Los Angeles - DTLA (S. Broadway)
735 S BroadwayCannabis is legal for recreational use in California and this chain dispensary is 2 blocks away. Enjoy and be safe!
Great old school bar (lots of wood, dark) with a great cocktail menu and you can get a great French Dip sandwich.
153 locals recommend
Cole's French Dip
118 E 6th StGreat old school bar (lots of wood, dark) with a great cocktail menu and you can get a great French Dip sandwich.
Sightseeing 👀 📸 🖼
You could sightsee all day, every day, and still not see everything :)
It's Hollywood, nuff said. Take the metro (subway) from Pershing Square (just next to the building) for $1.75.
740 locals recommend
Hollywood
It's Hollywood, nuff said. Take the metro (subway) from Pershing Square (just next to the building) for $1.75.
Historic landmark, featured in the movie Blade Runner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Building
164 locals recommend
bradbury building
304 South BroadwayHistoric landmark, featured in the movie Blade Runner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Building
From world-renowned fashion houses to one-of-a-kind local boutiques, Beverly Hills offers a shoppers’ paradise located within a compact, easily walkable area known as the Golden Triangle. Experience world-famous Rodeo Drive where you'll find Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Dior and Cartier. Discover the crown jewel in the heart of Beverly Hills, Two Rodeo Drive, with quaint cobblestone walkways leading you to the likes of Versace, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany. Blocks east of Rodeo, shop Beverly and Cañon Drives with local boutiques, unique luxury shops, fantastic Beverly Hills restaurants and open-air cafés. Anchoring the southern border of the Golden Triangle is Department Store Row, home to the titans of luxury retailing, including Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.
678 locals recommend
Beverly Hills
From world-renowned fashion houses to one-of-a-kind local boutiques, Beverly Hills offers a shoppers’ paradise located within a compact, easily walkable area known as the Golden Triangle. Experience world-famous Rodeo Drive where you'll find Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Dior and Cartier. Discover the crown jewel in the heart of Beverly Hills, Two Rodeo Drive, with quaint cobblestone walkways leading you to the likes of Versace, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany. Blocks east of Rodeo, shop Beverly and Cañon Drives with local boutiques, unique luxury shops, fantastic Beverly Hills restaurants and open-air cafés. Anchoring the southern border of the Golden Triangle is Department Store Row, home to the titans of luxury retailing, including Neiman-Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.
An old but still functional train that takes you from Grand Central Market up to to Bunker Hill. Ride it for the (brief) experience rather than for transport.
91 locals recommend
Angels Flight Railway
351 S Grand AveAn old but still functional train that takes you from Grand Central Market up to to Bunker Hill. Ride it for the (brief) experience rather than for transport.
Parks & Nature ☀️ 🏝 🌲
Don’t sleep on how much natural beauty there is in and around LA!
Iconic beach and pier due west of the city and accessible via the metro (subway) - take the Exhibition line.
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierIconic beach and pier due west of the city and accessible via the metro (subway) - take the Exhibition line.
Beautiful beach community west of LA. 45 min, $1.75 subway ride from my loft.
513 locals recommend
Santa Monica
Beautiful beach community west of LA. 45 min, $1.75 subway ride from my loft.
Venice is known for its canals, beaches, and the circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half-mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, mystics, artists and vendors.
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkVenice is known for its canals, beaches, and the circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half-mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, mystics, artists and vendors.
Great urban park you will see out of our window :-). Frequent live music. Ice staking rink in the winter.
93 locals recommend
Pershing Square
532 S Olive StGreat urban park you will see out of our window :-). Frequent live music. Ice staking rink in the winter.
Spring Street Park
428 S Spring St