Guidebook for Los Angeles
Sightseeing
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdIt's free and has some of the best views of the city
A great place to people watch, get a workout, and see a view of Los Angeles from the top!
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveA great place to people watch, get a workout, and see a view of Los Angeles from the top!
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood BlvdDesigned by Frank Lloyd Wright
Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood BoulevardBecause everyone wants this photo.
One of the most under-rated, and yet, one of the BEST museums about films and celebrities, in Los Angeles.
52 locals recommend
The Hollywood Museum
1660 N Highland AveOne of the most under-rated, and yet, one of the BEST museums about films and celebrities, in Los Angeles.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkWhere Crazy is Cool
Beverly Hills
Because everyone wants to let out their inner Pretty Woman.
One of LA's most beautiful and serene places. Huntington Gardens is jam packed with flowers, trees and gardens, but also houses several Art Museums and Galleries
6 locals recommend
Huntington Garden Drive
Huntington Garden DriveOne of LA's most beautiful and serene places. Huntington Gardens is jam packed with flowers, trees and gardens, but also houses several Art Museums and Galleries
Little Tokyo
Hmmm, Ramen, Udon. Kawaii dolls and trinkets. Karaoke, and Sushi
A peaceful walk around the reservoir (2.2miles). A thing for the locals, and those seeking authentic local hangouts.
396 locals recommend
Silver Lake Reservoir
A peaceful walk around the reservoir (2.2miles). A thing for the locals, and those seeking authentic local hangouts.
Olvera Street
Olvera StreetOldest House in LA
Where all the movies that take place in a train station - are filmed.
341 locals recommend
Union Station
800 N Alameda StWhere all the movies that take place in a train station - are filmed.
Entertainment & Activities
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo DrFun for the whole family
Because your kid will cry if you don't take them there (and by kid I mean your child, and/or your inner child).
3326 locals recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaBecause your kid will cry if you don't take them there (and by kid I mean your child, and/or your inner child).
Arts & Culture
Vista Theater
4473 Sunset DrAn old themed movie theater in Los Feliz.
Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully AveGo Dodgers!
Because Movies come out in LA first, and you want to see them before anyone else does.
772 locals recommend
Pacific Cinerama Dome
6360 Sunset BlvdBecause Movies come out in LA first, and you want to see them before anyone else does.
Fantastic, well curated exhibits, movie screenings and summer concerts on the lawn.
401 locals recommend
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N Central AveFantastic, well curated exhibits, movie screenings and summer concerts on the lawn.
A Frank Gehry design and great philharmonic concerts and other shows.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveA Frank Gehry design and great philharmonic concerts and other shows.
The place for Ballet, Opera, Musicals and the latest in main-stream Theater.
31 locals recommend
Mark Taper Forum
135 N Grand AveThe place for Ballet, Opera, Musicals and the latest in main-stream Theater.
Progressive, cool, experimental theater shows, lectures, film series and exhibits.
30 locals recommend
REDCAT ROY AND EDNA DISNEY/CALARTS THEATER
631 W 2nd StProgressive, cool, experimental theater shows, lectures, film series and exhibits.
for the cultured souls. Art, architecture, and views of the West Side of Los Angeles
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Drfor the cultured souls. Art, architecture, and views of the West Side of Los Angeles
Definitely worth the drive up to Malibu. Beautiful scenery along PCH. Tickets are free but MUST reserve ahead.
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyDefinitely worth the drive up to Malibu. Beautiful scenery along PCH. Tickets are free but MUST reserve ahead.
You won't know what to make of this place, and that's why it's awesome. My favorite Museum in LA. Like you just walked into a curiosity cabinet.
191 locals recommend
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.You won't know what to make of this place, and that's why it's awesome. My favorite Museum in LA. Like you just walked into a curiosity cabinet.
Independent films, rare prints, experimental, bizarre, cool. Favorite of LA!
51 locals recommend
Cinefamily
611 North Fairfax AvenueIndependent films, rare prints, experimental, bizarre, cool. Favorite of LA!
Food Scene
Best Pho outside of Vietnam. No sign on the door, but follow the crowds.
147 locals recommend
Pho Cafe
2841 Sunset BlvdBest Pho outside of Vietnam. No sign on the door, but follow the crowds.
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveGreat for people watching and lounging/brunching on a Sunday Morning.
Square One Dining
4854 Fountain AveYummm Breakfast!
Great celebrity sightings and people watching.
510 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar
3922 Sunset BlvdGreat celebrity sightings and people watching.
Proof Bakery
3156 Glendale BlvdGreat pastries and sandwiches made fresh every morning.
Figaro Bistrot
1802 N Vermont AveGood happy hours
Broome St. General Store
2912 Rowena AveGreat coffee and beautiful patio.
Yen Sushi & Sake Bar
2081 Hillhurst AveReally delicious baked sushi
Caffe Vita
4459 Sunset BlvdGreat location
Dinosaur Coffee
4334 Sunset BlvdBecause the name alone makes it worthy of a visit.
Dune
3143 Glendale BlvdHmmmm, great lunchtime specials in the heart of Atwater Village.
Guisados
1261 Sunset BlvdThe line is worth the wait
Good sour bread and flavors. Lots of restaurants on this street gives you plenty of choices. I have always liked Merkato.
26 locals recommend
Little Ethiopia
1048 S Fairfax AveGood sour bread and flavors. Lots of restaurants on this street gives you plenty of choices. I have always liked Merkato.
Best sushi restaurant in LA. Nestled in the Alameda Mall, and with very few tables. Prices are $20-$40 per person but won't leave disappointed.
10 locals recommend
Sushi Go 55
333 Alameda StBest sushi restaurant in LA. Nestled in the Alameda Mall, and with very few tables. Prices are $20-$40 per person but won't leave disappointed.
Best Thai Restaurant outside of Thailand. Be prepared to wait for a table during peak hours, and be prepared to wait for your food (they cook each dish to order). The Miang Kham is a must- Appetizer.
67 locals recommend
Jitlada Restaurant
5233 Sunset BlvdBest Thai Restaurant outside of Thailand. Be prepared to wait for a table during peak hours, and be prepared to wait for your food (they cook each dish to order). The Miang Kham is a must- Appetizer.
Pine and Crane
1521 Griffith Park BlvdHipster Chinese/Taiwanese food.
Try to make a reservation before going. Great Great restaurant, specializes in Fish.
80 locals recommend
Son of a Gun
8370 W 3rd StTry to make a reservation before going. Great Great restaurant, specializes in Fish.
Delicious poutine, bone marrow with chimichurri, and every part of the meat, prepared and on the menu.
117 locals recommend
Animal
435 N Fairfax AveDelicious poutine, bone marrow with chimichurri, and every part of the meat, prepared and on the menu.
Sightseeing galore. $6.50 coffee infused with orange rind is surely worth $6.50. The Silverlake Reservoir 2 minutes ahead.
219 locals recommend
LAMILL COFFEE Boutique
1636 Silver Lake BlvdSightseeing galore. $6.50 coffee infused with orange rind is surely worth $6.50. The Silverlake Reservoir 2 minutes ahead.
Shopping
Squaresville
1800 N Vermont AveMy favorite vintage shop
Melrose Avenue
7763 Melrose AveGreat LA Fashion shopping and thrifting.
Because it's something the locals love to do. Great antiques (and not so great ones). Cool for people watching.
11 locals recommend
PCC Flea Market
1570 E Colorado BlvdBecause it's something the locals love to do. Great antiques (and not so great ones). Cool for people watching.
Biggest and Best Flea Market in LA, every second Saturday of the month. $8-$15 to get in, depending on the time you arrive. So So Worth it!
575 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl DrBiggest and Best Flea Market in LA, every second Saturday of the month. $8-$15 to get in, depending on the time you arrive. So So Worth it!
Go shopping without the hassle of driving through mid-city or to the Westside.
642 locals recommend
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana WayGo shopping without the hassle of driving through mid-city or to the Westside.
Nothing too exciting, just shops and more shops. Street performers are gimmicky.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeNothing too exciting, just shops and more shops. Street performers are gimmicky.
Where all the locals shop. Grungy, cool, and colorful, hundreds of booths with fashion, clothes, shoes, and more.
34 locals recommend
Santee Alley
Santee AlleyWhere all the locals shop. Grungy, cool, and colorful, hundreds of booths with fashion, clothes, shoes, and more.
If you love music, you'll spend an entire day at Amoeba Records. Sometimes they have bands and signings- make sure you look on their website.
272 locals recommend
Amoeba Music
6200 Hollywood BlvdIf you love music, you'll spend an entire day at Amoeba Records. Sometimes they have bands and signings- make sure you look on their website.
Yolk
3910 Sunset BlvdCool boutique store with designed products. Great for authentic gifts.
Everything Else
Froyo Life
1924 Hillhurst AvenueHmmmm, Frozen Yogurt
A secluded reservoir with great views of the Hollywood Sign and the city of Los Angeles
152 locals recommend
Hollywood Reservoir
G6451 Weidlake DrA secluded reservoir with great views of the Hollywood Sign and the city of Los Angeles
Essentials
Trader Joe's
2738 Hyperion AveEveryone needs milk, cereal and amazing treats.
Slightly overpriced, but they (supposedly) pay their workers well.
653 locals recommend
Gelson's Market
2725 Hyperion AveSlightly overpriced, but they (supposedly) pay their workers well.
Albertsons
2035 Hillhurst AveConvenient, one-stop-shop grocery
Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins
2080 Hillhurst AveBecause sometimes you want to eat healthy