Guidebook for Los Angeles

Melanie
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Food Scene

Authentic French cuisine...even the waiters are snooty. Just like France!
125 locals recommend
Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset Blvd
125 locals recommend
Authentic French cuisine...even the waiters are snooty. Just like France!
Budget Friendly and VERY casual. Affordable Mexican/American cuisine. Drive thru or order at the counter inside... long line's before a Dodger's game. They have genuine menuodo if you have a hang-over
14 locals recommend
Rick's Drive In & Out
2400 Fletcher Dr
14 locals recommend
Budget Friendly and VERY casual. Affordable Mexican/American cuisine. Drive thru or order at the counter inside... long line's before a Dodger's game. They have genuine menuodo if you have a hang-over
Has Coffee Brewing classes. Check their schedule.
70 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
1712 Sunset Blvd
70 locals recommend
Has Coffee Brewing classes. Check their schedule.
Authentic coffee shop from the 40s and just a walk up Park Ave. Nachos are big enough for 2.
131 locals recommend
Brite Spot
1918 Sunset Blvd
131 locals recommend
Authentic coffee shop from the 40s and just a walk up Park Ave. Nachos are big enough for 2.
Food and market.
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway
968 locals recommend
Food and market.
Friday Afternoon.
59 locals recommend
Echo Park Farmers' Market
1146 Logan St
59 locals recommend
Friday Afternoon.
Best Fish Tacos in LA. Taco Tuesdays $1.99 per taco. Shrimp Tacos $2.99. Just a taco stand... no restrooms. No fuss. Only have wipes to clean your hands so wash up beforehand.
14 locals recommend
El Siete Mares
3131 Sunset Blvd
14 locals recommend
Best Fish Tacos in LA. Taco Tuesdays $1.99 per taco. Shrimp Tacos $2.99. Just a taco stand... no restrooms. No fuss. Only have wipes to clean your hands so wash up beforehand.
Great Dim Sum. They come quickly with the carts and can be a little pushy. The Shrimp with candied walnuts is amazing. Great place for lunch and then explore LA's fading China town.
21 locals recommend
Ocean Seafood Restaurant
750 N Hill St
21 locals recommend
Great Dim Sum. They come quickly with the carts and can be a little pushy. The Shrimp with candied walnuts is amazing. Great place for lunch and then explore LA's fading China town.
This is a great late night noodle house. Open most nights until 3AM! Serving Japanese beer on tap and domestic. My favorite dish is the... Tenshin Men (Shrimp Omelette on Ramen with Gravy Soy Sauce Based Soup) Ask to add a 1/2 order of fried rice on the side for about $3. Goes great with a pint of Kirin or Sopporo.
Kouraku
314 E 2nd St
This is a great late night noodle house. Open most nights until 3AM! Serving Japanese beer on tap and domestic. My favorite dish is the... Tenshin Men (Shrimp Omelette on Ramen with Gravy Soy Sauce Based Soup) Ask to add a 1/2 order of fried rice on the side for about $3. Goes great with a pint of Kirin or Sopporo.
Great Chinese Place. Pretty fast, but can be busy. Takes Cash only. Open until 9PM. Authentic and fushion.
HONG KONG BBQ RESTAURANT
803 N Broadway
Great Chinese Place. Pretty fast, but can be busy. Takes Cash only. Open until 9PM. Authentic and fushion.
Healthy restaurant within walking distant. Has gluten free and healthy vegan options. Vegans travel across town to eat at this gem. Can be a little noisy.
311 locals recommend
Sage Plant Based Bistro and Brewery Echo Park
1700 Sunset Blvd
311 locals recommend
Healthy restaurant within walking distant. Has gluten free and healthy vegan options. Vegans travel across town to eat at this gem. Can be a little noisy.
Deep dish pizza... count on 45 minutes.
232 locals recommend
Masa of Echo Park Bakery & Cafe
1800 Sunset Blvd
232 locals recommend
Deep dish pizza... count on 45 minutes.
Cheap pizza to go and just past Sunset. $5 for a whole pizza. Can drive thru for Cheese or Pepperoni. They also have 2 liter soda for $3.
26 locals recommend
Little Caesars Pizza
4042 S Centinela Ave
26 locals recommend
Cheap pizza to go and just past Sunset. $5 for a whole pizza. Can drive thru for Cheese or Pepperoni. They also have 2 liter soda for $3.
This easy-to-miss storefront in the heart of Echo Park offers a New American menu that's classic with some quirky twists (think braised-beef pot pie), not unlike the neighborhood. The space is blockhouse modern, with painted brick walls and lots of candles.
156 locals recommend
Ostrich Farm
1525 Sunset Blvd
156 locals recommend
This easy-to-miss storefront in the heart of Echo Park offers a New American menu that's classic with some quirky twists (think braised-beef pot pie), not unlike the neighborhood. The space is blockhouse modern, with painted brick walls and lots of candles.
Right on the lake with a view. Nice food choices and great coffee.
49 locals recommend
Square One at the Boathouse
751 Echo Park Avenue
49 locals recommend
Right on the lake with a view. Nice food choices and great coffee.
Some like Rodeo better, but I like this quick Mexican flare that has burgers and delivers too. Rodeo has Margaritas and food is of higher quality. Weekday $2.99 Huevos Rancheros.
7 locals recommend
Happy Tom's Restaurant
1807 Sunset Boulevard
7 locals recommend
Some like Rodeo better, but I like this quick Mexican flare that has burgers and delivers too. Rodeo has Margaritas and food is of higher quality. Weekday $2.99 Huevos Rancheros.
Affordable Mexican fare. Rated very highly.
395 locals recommend
Guisados
1261 Sunset Blvd
395 locals recommend
Affordable Mexican fare. Rated very highly.
No nonsense cafe at the bottom of the Citibank building. Great muffins and coffee. Yum.
Reggie's Deli & Cafe
1910 Sunset Blvd
No nonsense cafe at the bottom of the Citibank building. Great muffins and coffee. Yum.
Not fancy. Burgers and more.
15 locals recommend
Patra Burgers On Sunset
1524 Sunset Blvd
15 locals recommend
Not fancy. Burgers and more.
Coffee bar that is laptop friendly and quieter than most Starbucks.
84 locals recommend
Woodcat Coffee Bar
1532 Sunset Blvd
84 locals recommend
Coffee bar that is laptop friendly and quieter than most Starbucks.

Sightseeing

A must if you love Harry Potter.
3326 locals recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
3326 locals recommend
A must if you love Harry Potter.
Celebrity Hand Prints and Hollywood Stars. This street can by busy. Also, consider seeing a movie at the El Capitan just down the street... sometimes they have short stage shows prior to the movie starting.
1423 locals recommend
TCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood Blvd
1423 locals recommend
Celebrity Hand Prints and Hollywood Stars. This street can by busy. Also, consider seeing a movie at the El Capitan just down the street... sometimes they have short stage shows prior to the movie starting.
1173 locals recommend
Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood Boulevard
1173 locals recommend
Beverly Hills Baby! This hotel sign is featured in about every Beverly Hills Montage. To get a little of the Beverly Hills taste, stop by the bar... but avoid the dim coffee shop in the basement. Park on the side street for free.
83 locals recommend
The Beverly Hills Hotel Spa
9641 Sunset Blvd
83 locals recommend
Beverly Hills Baby! This hotel sign is featured in about every Beverly Hills Montage. To get a little of the Beverly Hills taste, stop by the bar... but avoid the dim coffee shop in the basement. Park on the side street for free.
34 locals recommend
Beverly Hills Park
455 N Rexford Dr
34 locals recommend
Least busy and best bike path in all LA. Go North up the channel with the ocean and channel on both sides of you or south to Manhattan Beach and enjoy the Ocean Spray. Path Goes all the way to Redondo Beach. Go North to Malibu with some breaks in the path around Marina del Rey. Watch out for windy days as you will get sand blasted.
70 locals recommend
Playa del Rey
70 locals recommend
Least busy and best bike path in all LA. Go North up the channel with the ocean and channel on both sides of you or south to Manhattan Beach and enjoy the Ocean Spray. Path Goes all the way to Redondo Beach. Go North to Malibu with some breaks in the path around Marina del Rey. Watch out for windy days as you will get sand blasted.
Fun to see the architecture. Rockets flown into buildings over the top! Fun to see a movie there. Can get crazy on the weekends. Also, the fountains are fun on a hot day.
516 locals recommend
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
516 locals recommend
Fun to see the architecture. Rockets flown into buildings over the top! Fun to see a movie there. Can get crazy on the weekends. Also, the fountains are fun on a hot day.

Parks & Nature

Paddle boating is $10 for adults and $5 for children. FREE fishing for kids on Sundays from 9-11AM. Fish bite on the earlier side. Their cafe has pretty tasty goods. Vendors in the park sell fresh fruit cups for $5. Watch for turtles.
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
563 locals recommend
Paddle boating is $10 for adults and $5 for children. FREE fishing for kids on Sundays from 9-11AM. Fish bite on the earlier side. Their cafe has pretty tasty goods. Vendors in the park sell fresh fruit cups for $5. Watch for turtles.
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs Drive
898 locals recommend

Entertainment & Activities

Several movies have been shot here including Rebel Without a Cause. Great for those who love the stars.
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Rd
4367 locals recommend
Several movies have been shot here including Rebel Without a Cause. Great for those who love the stars.
220 locals recommend
LA Zoo station
220 locals recommend
Don't forget to see the Beach and walk along 3rd Street Promenade for great shopping. 3rd Street has fun street performers at night, but traffic can be a nightmare during rush hour.
10 locals recommend
Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica Boulevard
10 locals recommend
Don't forget to see the Beach and walk along 3rd Street Promenade for great shopping. 3rd Street has fun street performers at night, but traffic can be a nightmare during rush hour.
If you come to LA, this is a must see "cultural experience." Kind of seedy and rougher on the weekends. Muscle Beach has been featured in so many movies and TV shows. Fun to rent a bike. BTW, if you want to see some hot beach babes you may want to drive to Manhattan or Huntington Beach.
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front Walk
1387 locals recommend
If you come to LA, this is a must see "cultural experience." Kind of seedy and rougher on the weekends. Muscle Beach has been featured in so many movies and TV shows. Fun to rent a bike. BTW, if you want to see some hot beach babes you may want to drive to Manhattan or Huntington Beach.
10 minute Hike to Batman Caves... Batman!!!
118 locals recommend
Bronson Canyon Playground
3200 Canyon Dr
118 locals recommend
10 minute Hike to Batman Caves... Batman!!!
A bit of a drive, but if you are in LA once, it's a must! Two words. Fast Pass.
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland Dr
3085 locals recommend
A bit of a drive, but if you are in LA once, it's a must! Two words. Fast Pass.
Self explanatory. Try the Dodger dogs.
877 locals recommend
Dodger Stadium
1000 Vin Scully Ave
877 locals recommend
Self explanatory. Try the Dodger dogs.
Explore trains and take mini train rides. Affordable and kid friendly. This used to be Walt Disney's personal train collection and partial inspiration for Disneyland.
31 locals recommend
Travel Town
5200 Zoo Drive
31 locals recommend
Explore trains and take mini train rides. Affordable and kid friendly. This used to be Walt Disney's personal train collection and partial inspiration for Disneyland.
Fun for kids... some things can be a little gross so maybe check for age appropriate content for little ones.
134 locals recommend
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
6780 Hollywood Blvd
134 locals recommend
Fun for kids... some things can be a little gross so maybe check for age appropriate content for little ones.
Call ahead to get tickets and only for those in the know. If you want a magic show this is the place to go. Close parlor tricks and general show. Sunday Brunch is fun, but a little pricey.
48 locals recommend
Magic Castle Hotel
7025 Franklin Ave
48 locals recommend
Call ahead to get tickets and only for those in the know. If you want a magic show this is the place to go. Close parlor tricks and general show. Sunday Brunch is fun, but a little pricey.
Be up and personal with celebrities... or I should say the wax version.
220 locals recommend
Hollywood Wax Museum
6767 Hollywood Blvd
220 locals recommend
Be up and personal with celebrities... or I should say the wax version.

Shopping

1266 locals recommend
Beverly Center
8500 Beverly Blvd
1266 locals recommend
Rodeo Drive baby! The iconic street where Pretty Woman gets snubbed then snubs. Walk into the stores and check out the jaw dropping prices and designer digs. Fan out your credit cards in front of Tiffany's for a fun pic. If you must buy something at Tiffany's the most affordable thing I have found is the key chain or money clip. Worth it for the bag and beautiful gift wrap.
200 locals recommend
North Rodeo Drive
North Rodeo Drive
200 locals recommend
Rodeo Drive baby! The iconic street where Pretty Woman gets snubbed then snubs. Walk into the stores and check out the jaw dropping prices and designer digs. Fan out your credit cards in front of Tiffany's for a fun pic. If you must buy something at Tiffany's the most affordable thing I have found is the key chain or money clip. Worth it for the bag and beautiful gift wrap.
Super close grocery store. Has a lot specialty food items, but no alcohol.
267 locals recommend
Lassens Natural Food and Vitamins
1631 Sunset Blvd
267 locals recommend
Super close grocery store. Has a lot specialty food items, but no alcohol.
One of the best flea markets in the country. Check calendar for days.
99 locals recommend
Rose Bowl Flea Market
1001 Rose Bowl Dr
99 locals recommend
One of the best flea markets in the country. Check calendar for days.
Bookstore that is open late and sells beer and wine! I'm in heaven.
149 locals recommend
Stories
1716 Sunset Blvd
149 locals recommend
Bookstore that is open late and sells beer and wine! I'm in heaven.
Fun to stop by when walking on Sunset on your way to places. Sells novelty gag gifts that fund a non-profit for tutoring disadvantaged youth.
50 locals recommend
Echo Park Time Travel Mart
1714 Sunset Blvd
50 locals recommend
Fun to stop by when walking on Sunset on your way to places. Sells novelty gag gifts that fund a non-profit for tutoring disadvantaged youth.

Drinks & Nightlife

Fun, but now that I've had kids, I haven't been there in years.
185 locals recommend
Echoplex
1154 Glendale Blvd
185 locals recommend
Fun, but now that I've had kids, I haven't been there in years.
Ok... it's not Napa but it's close.
45 locals recommend
San Antonio Winery
737 Lamar St
45 locals recommend
Ok... it's not Napa but it's close.
Just and Uber ride away. You can take a picnic basket into the Hollywood bowl and alcohol too; EXCEPT for lease events (check website for details) when they will make you throw out any container. You can still buy wine at the event.
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl Rd
1407 locals recommend
Just and Uber ride away. You can take a picnic basket into the Hollywood bowl and alcohol too; EXCEPT for lease events (check website for details) when they will make you throw out any container. You can still buy wine at the event.
This slick spot for hipsters and sipsters features counters, booths and communal tables, with virtually every corner and wall lined with vintage arcade games, from Pac-Man to pinball.
106 locals recommend
Button Mash
1391 Sunset Blvd
106 locals recommend
This slick spot for hipsters and sipsters features counters, booths and communal tables, with virtually every corner and wall lined with vintage arcade games, from Pac-Man to pinball.
Mexican food and flaming margaritas.
268 locals recommend
El Compadre
7408 Sunset Blvd
268 locals recommend
Mexican food and flaming margaritas.
Craft beer and European bites.
92 locals recommend
The Semi-Tropic
1412 Glendale Blvd
92 locals recommend
Craft beer and European bites.

Arts & Culture

Fun to see the animals caught in tar and time.
890 locals recommend
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd
890 locals recommend
Fun to see the animals caught in tar and time.
If you love cars, this is the place to go.
538 locals recommend
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd
538 locals recommend
If you love cars, this is the place to go.
The toilet on the wall is art... do not use. Fun to ride the escalators.
695 locals recommend
The Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S Grand Ave
695 locals recommend
The toilet on the wall is art... do not use. Fun to ride the escalators.
House of Blues Studio
No need to go to Mexico. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. Often has Mariachis. www. calleolvera.com for details.
412 locals recommend
Olvera Street
Olvera Street
412 locals recommend
No need to go to Mexico. This is the birthplace of Los Angeles. Often has Mariachis. www. calleolvera.com for details.
Check theater for details.
380 locals recommend
The Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Ave
380 locals recommend
Check theater for details.
If you love Westerns, this is the place to go. Trigger is stuffed here. It has a gallery of Georgio O'Keefes.
105 locals recommend
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way
105 locals recommend
If you love Westerns, this is the place to go. Trigger is stuffed here. It has a gallery of Georgio O'Keefes.
One of the best museums in the world. A bit of a drive, but world class art.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
2309 locals recommend
One of the best museums in the world. A bit of a drive, but world class art.
Modern art at it's best.
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd
3162 locals recommend
Modern art at it's best.