Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Absolutely amazing vegetarian/vegan food. Great wines too, if that's your thing. Perfect for birthday dinners out or special evenings. And their smoothies are amazing. They do take-out too!
280 locals recommend
Cafe Gratitude
639 N Larchmont BlvdAbsolutely amazing vegetarian/vegan food. Great wines too, if that's your thing. Perfect for birthday dinners out or special evenings. And their smoothies are amazing. They do take-out too!
As a vegetarian, I'm always a little wary of the taco stands. Not here. And they use tons of avocado. Try the veggie mulita!
58 locals recommend
Cactus Taquerias #1
950 Vine StAs a vegetarian, I'm always a little wary of the taco stands. Not here. And they use tons of avocado. Try the veggie mulita!
Something for everyone. Cafeteria style -- you pick what you want on your plate as you make your way through the line. Outdoor seating.
516 locals recommend
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdSomething for everyone. Cafeteria style -- you pick what you want on your plate as you make your way through the line. Outdoor seating.
This place rivals Intelligentsia, in my book, though I'm more of a tea person... They have great breakfast and lunch options.
27 locals recommend
Coffee + Food
5630 Melrose AveThis place rivals Intelligentsia, in my book, though I'm more of a tea person... They have great breakfast and lunch options.
If you want a place to chill out and compute, this is it. Great outdoor garden seating; quiet work space upstairs. Try the black sesame rice flour chewy roll with some butter and have your mind blown.
35 locals recommend
Bricks and Scones
403 N Larchmont BlvdIf you want a place to chill out and compute, this is it. Great outdoor garden seating; quiet work space upstairs. Try the black sesame rice flour chewy roll with some butter and have your mind blown.
Stella Barra Pizzeria
2000 Main StBest pizza in United States! Quite a claim, yes. And you'll wait in line for it too.... Or be smart and get a reservation. Or try for a seat at the bar (if you are alone or with only one other person).
187 locals recommend
Pizzeria Mozza
641 N Highland AveBest pizza in United States! Quite a claim, yes. And you'll wait in line for it too.... Or be smart and get a reservation. Or try for a seat at the bar (if you are alone or with only one other person).
Drinks & Nightlife
If you've seen Swingers, you've seen the inside of this local bar. Burlesque Mondays, dance parties on Fridays and Saturdays. Great ambiance. I dig the jukebox and the brocade wallpaper.
31 locals recommend
The Three Clubs
1123 Vine StIf you've seen Swingers, you've seen the inside of this local bar. Burlesque Mondays, dance parties on Fridays and Saturdays. Great ambiance. I dig the jukebox and the brocade wallpaper.
I don't hit the bars much, but the first time I went here, there was a girl singing in a hanging bird cage that slowly descended to the floor. She owned the joint. Pretty impressive.
56 locals recommend
Pour Vous
5574 Melrose AveI don't hit the bars much, but the first time I went here, there was a girl singing in a hanging bird cage that slowly descended to the floor. She owned the joint. Pretty impressive.
The pool here is open to the public and it's quite a scene. Also the bars are pretty nice. An iconic Hollywood location...
284 locals recommend
The Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood BlvdThe pool here is open to the public and it's quite a scene. Also the bars are pretty nice. An iconic Hollywood location...
Sightseeing
Amazing foods from local farms. The north-south axis has the fruits and veggies, the east west axis has the vendors and gift sellers. Always fun music, great food samples. A vibrant scene.
242 locals recommend
Hollywood Farmers’ Market
1600 Ivar AveAmazing foods from local farms. The north-south axis has the fruits and veggies, the east west axis has the vendors and gift sellers. Always fun music, great food samples. A vibrant scene.
My favorite spot in LA! The view on a clear day is stellar. It's a great hike if you start below on Fern Dell Drive (don't forget to get the lavender shortbreak cookie at The Trails Cafe first!). The Foucoult Pendulum, the amazing Planetarium shows, the planet displays... it's nerd heaven here. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd My favorite spot in LA! The view on a clear day is stellar. It's a great hike if you start below on Fern Dell Drive (don't forget to get the lavender shortbreak cookie at The Trails Cafe first!). The Foucoult Pendulum, the amazing Planetarium shows, the planet displays... it's nerd heaven here. I LOVE THIS PLACE!
Hollywood Walk Of Fame HQ
6255 Sunset BlvdMichael Jackson Memorial
Because I love MJ forever...
Essentials
Great for an outdoor quick-shop. The flowers here are the freshest in town. Always yummy fruits to sample too. Also, the olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette vendors are superb. Great gift idea...
52 locals recommend
Larchmont Farmers' Market
209 N Larchmont BlvdGreat for an outdoor quick-shop. The flowers here are the freshest in town. Always yummy fruits to sample too. Also, the olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette vendors are superb. Great gift idea...
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura Blvd
Pavilions
727 Vine St
Sprouts Farmers Market
915 N La Brea AveA new organic option in town
Whole Foods Market
7871 Santa Monica Blvd
Laundromat
722 Vine StCleanest laundromat in the area. And the Rose & Vine Cafe is in the same strip mall!
Shopping
Amoeba Music
6200 Hollywood BlvdThe west coast gold standard for record stores.
If you're into soaps or skin products, you probably already know about this apothecary. The dark rum candle and perfume are gorgeous.
MALIN+GOETZ
238 N Larchmont BlvdIf you're into soaps or skin products, you probably already know about this apothecary. The dark rum candle and perfume are gorgeous.
Ampersand Boutique
Fun resale and consignment options for women. They have some great vintage too.
Frankly I avoid going here because it's full of tourists. However, it's basically the home of the Oscars (the Kodak Theater), and the shopping is decent and the cafe's are pretty good too. I especially recommend Chado Tea Room.
922 locals recommend
Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood BlvdFrankly I avoid going here because it's full of tourists. However, it's basically the home of the Oscars (the Kodak Theater), and the shopping is decent and the cafe's are pretty good too. I especially recommend Chado Tea Room.
This is a variety of places, including Urban Outfitters, Hennesy & Ingalls Art & Architecture Booksellers, Free People, and Umami Burger. Next to the Farmer's Market, when it's Sunday morning...
15 locals recommend
Space 15 Twenty
1520 N Cahuenga BlvdThis is a variety of places, including Urban Outfitters, Hennesy & Ingalls Art & Architecture Booksellers, Free People, and Umami Burger. Next to the Farmer's Market, when it's Sunday morning...
Wacko Soap Plant and art gallery are bananas! Everything for everyone, gift-wise. So very much to look at...
81 locals recommend
Soap Plant/La Luz de Jesus
4633 Hollywood BlvdWacko Soap Plant and art gallery are bananas! Everything for everyone, gift-wise. So very much to look at...
Everything Else
The best movie-going experience available in Los Angeles is a walk away. Book your seats in advance on opening weekends.
772 locals recommend
Pacific Cinerama Dome
6360 Sunset BlvdThe best movie-going experience available in Los Angeles is a walk away. Book your seats in advance on opening weekends.
Parks & Nature
It's a quick and dirty (sweaty) hike and the people watching is pretty wow. I prefer Griffith Park for hiking, frankly, but I would be remiss not to mention this hike. Off times, you can catch a celebrity sighting or two as well. Beware this is also an off-leash dog area, so the smell can be a bit overpowering at times...
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveIt's a quick and dirty (sweaty) hike and the people watching is pretty wow. I prefer Griffith Park for hiking, frankly, but I would be remiss not to mention this hike. Off times, you can catch a celebrity sighting or two as well. Beware this is also an off-leash dog area, so the smell can be a bit overpowering at times...
This is a great breakfast and lunch cafe. Rustic, outdoors, and at the foot of a great hiking trail. Homemade pies and cookies are stellar!
133 locals recommend
The Trails
2333 Fern Dell DrThis is a great breakfast and lunch cafe. Rustic, outdoors, and at the foot of a great hiking trail. Homemade pies and cookies are stellar!
Whether you enter on Fern Dell, Vermont, or further east on Crystal Springs, Griffith Park is worth a visit on a sunny day. Just lovely.
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs DriveWhether you enter on Fern Dell, Vermont, or further east on Crystal Springs, Griffith Park is worth a visit on a sunny day. Just lovely.