Guidebook for Los Angeles
Drinks & Nightlife
Plenty of people in their 20's and 30's here. The best daytime drinking spot in Los Angeles on a weekend afternoon. Very lively, great vibes, great views.
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdPlenty of people in their 20's and 30's here. The best daytime drinking spot in Los Angeles on a weekend afternoon. Very lively, great vibes, great views.
This is a restaurant that turns into a cool lounge at night with a DJ. Highly recommended after 9 pm or so for drinks until 12-1 am depending on the night. This place is newer and trendy. To skip the line at night try making a reservation for dinner very far in advance. Worth it between Thursday and Saturday.
63 locals recommend
Elephante
1332 2nd StThis is a restaurant that turns into a cool lounge at night with a DJ. Highly recommended after 9 pm or so for drinks until 12-1 am depending on the night. This place is newer and trendy. To skip the line at night try making a reservation for dinner very far in advance. Worth it between Thursday and Saturday.
41 Ocean
1541 Ocean AveA more lively nightclub in Santa Monica
This is a nice dimly lit spot to stop by. Great for happy hour cocktails between 4-7 pm everyday. It's also a nice stop early in the night before heading out elsewhere.
199 locals recommend
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdThis is a nice dimly lit spot to stop by. Great for happy hour cocktails between 4-7 pm everyday. It's also a nice stop early in the night before heading out elsewhere.
My favorite speakeasy and bar across the US. This place is a high-end, quaint speakeasy tiki-bar. It's very pricey with cocktails starting at $15. They boast a rare collection of whiskey from all over the world. This bar is only open Monday - Friday nights. It's by reservation only to those who have been given the email address. Here it is -- You can email bart@oldlightning.com.
Old Lightning
2905 Washington BlvdMy favorite speakeasy and bar across the US. This place is a high-end, quaint speakeasy tiki-bar. It's very pricey with cocktails starting at $15. They boast a rare collection of whiskey from all over the world. This bar is only open Monday - Friday nights. It's by reservation only to those who have been given the email address. Here it is -- You can email bart@oldlightning.com.
Sightseeing
Scenic walk down these canals. Come by here after or before your stroll down Abbot Kinney.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Scenic walk down these canals. Come by here after or before your stroll down Abbot Kinney.
Between Lincoln and Main Street you'll find a very lively area of Venice filled with trendy restaurants, shops and cafes.
On the first Friday of every month they have "First Friday" where the best food trucks come in from all over Los Angeles for dinner.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardBetween Lincoln and Main Street you'll find a very lively area of Venice filled with trendy restaurants, shops and cafes.
On the first Friday of every month they have "First Friday" where the best food trucks come in from all over Los Angeles for dinner.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkArts & Culture
This in my opinion is the most quintessential Californian landmark there is. The skaters are unbelievable and so is the few behind them.
162 locals recommend
Venice Skate Park
1800 Ocean Front WalkThis in my opinion is the most quintessential Californian landmark there is. The skaters are unbelievable and so is the few behind them.
Shopping
A Los Angeles landmark right behind the apartment. These closed this street down to make it an outdoor shopping mall. It has everything you need including 3 movie theaters, plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeA Los Angeles landmark right behind the apartment. These closed this street down to make it an outdoor shopping mall. It has everything you need including 3 movie theaters, plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes.
Food Scene
In-N-Out Burger
13425 Washington BlvdThe best burger in the nation.
Some of the best sushi in Los Angeles. They don't take reservations but they're only 1 block away. Stop by 1-2 hours in advance to put your name down.
115 locals recommend
SUGARFISH
1345 2nd StSome of the best sushi in Los Angeles. They don't take reservations but they're only 1 block away. Stop by 1-2 hours in advance to put your name down.
Healthy and economical quick service food. This is my daily go-to for a quick healthy bite.
432 locals recommend
Tender Greens
6290 Sunset BlvdHealthy and economical quick service food. This is my daily go-to for a quick healthy bite.
Newer restaurant serving authentic Italian pasta. Good for small groups and very reasonably priced too. Long time, so some about 45-90 minutes early to put your name down. It's across the street.
17 locals recommend
UOVO
1320 2nd StNewer restaurant serving authentic Italian pasta. Good for small groups and very reasonably priced too. Long time, so some about 45-90 minutes early to put your name down. It's across the street.
A large lively restaurant which is different from other restaurants which tend to be more quaint in Santa Monica. This place is good for great Italian food especially in groups of 4 or more.
24 locals recommend
North Italia
1442 2nd StA large lively restaurant which is different from other restaurants which tend to be more quaint in Santa Monica. This place is good for great Italian food especially in groups of 4 or more.
Come here for a nice sit-down brunch. The food is great and so is the ambiance.
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveCome here for a nice sit-down brunch. The food is great and so is the ambiance.
A very trendy food market & brunch spot in Venice that's a treasure for locals. It's pricey but the food is exceptional.
447 locals recommend
Gjusta
320 Sunset AveA very trendy food market & brunch spot in Venice that's a treasure for locals. It's pricey but the food is exceptional.
A trendy restaurant off Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles. Make a reservation here far in advance to secure a table.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdA trendy restaurant off Abbot Kinney in Los Angeles. Make a reservation here far in advance to secure a table.
One of my favorite restaurants. It's a cool trendy restaurant serving Italian in small tapas-like plates. Great especially in a group setting. Requires a reservation far in advance, and if you go here then you should definitely be sure to check out their speakeasy bar behind it called Old Lightning (see separately).
260 locals recommend
Scopa Italian Roots
2905 Washington BlvdOne of my favorite restaurants. It's a cool trendy restaurant serving Italian in small tapas-like plates. Great especially in a group setting. Requires a reservation far in advance, and if you go here then you should definitely be sure to check out their speakeasy bar behind it called Old Lightning (see separately).
If you're looking for a quintessential Californian taco truck then look no further. It usually gets there by around 11 am and they're best known for their ceviche. Highly recommended.
12 locals recommend
La Isla Bonita
400 Rose AveIf you're looking for a quintessential Californian taco truck then look no further. It usually gets there by around 11 am and they're best known for their ceviche. Highly recommended.
Parks & Nature
Feel free to take the beach chairs, ice cooler and towels for a nice day at the beach right in front of the apartment.
315 locals recommend
Santa Monica Beach
Feel free to take the beach chairs, ice cooler and towels for a nice day at the beach right in front of the apartment.
An intermediate hike through gorgeous mountains only 10 minutes away. Make some time for this if you can.
Temescal Canyon Trail
Temescal Canyon TrailAn intermediate hike through gorgeous mountains only 10 minutes away. Make some time for this if you can.
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenueA nice stroll during the day or night
Another near by option for an intermediate hike with ocean views
75 locals recommend
Los Leones Canyon Trailhead
510 Los Liones DrAnother near by option for an intermediate hike with ocean views
Essentials
Vons
4030 S Centinela AveFor grocery shopping and your everyday needs.