Guidebook for Los Angeles
Everything Else
Ballona Creek Bike Path
Ballona Creek Bike PathYou can go south to or north to Venice. Super fun.
Overlooks all of Playa, super close to us and Mark walks the dogs there every morning. Interesting views of the Spruce Goose hangar (where"Avatar" was shot).
South Bluff Trail Road
South Bluff Trail RoadOverlooks all of Playa, super close to us and Mark walks the dogs there every morning. Interesting views of the Spruce Goose hangar (where"Avatar" was shot).
Sightseeing
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkSuper-funky Venice Beach.
Playa del Rey
Best and closest beach, and you can bike there!
Best flea market in Los Angeles, hands down. Every Sunday rain or shine, and we have coupons for $1 entry. great deals and it's right by The Farmer's Market and hip Melrose.
182 locals recommend
Melrose Trading Post
7850 Melrose AveBest flea market in Los Angeles, hands down. Every Sunday rain or shine, and we have coupons for $1 entry. great deals and it's right by The Farmer's Market and hip Melrose.
One of the lest-visited parks we know of and if you're out in Malibu stop by. Just an amazing view. Watch for ticks and rattlesnakes.
28 locals recommend
Charmlee Wilderness Park
2577 Encinal Canyon RdOne of the lest-visited parks we know of and if you're out in Malibu stop by. Just an amazing view. Watch for ticks and rattlesnakes.
Nice place to walk if the beaches are too crowded (they always are during the weekends). This nature preserve is lovely, and so close to us. Watch out for rattlesnakes.
Ballona Wetlands
Nice place to walk if the beaches are too crowded (they always are during the weekends). This nature preserve is lovely, and so close to us. Watch out for rattlesnakes.
The best beach in LA. period. You'll need to navigate stairs to get to it, plus it pays to consult tide charts because in high tide the beach gets a lot smaller, but still is amazing.
El Matador Beach Rd
The best beach in LA. period. You'll need to navigate stairs to get to it, plus it pays to consult tide charts because in high tide the beach gets a lot smaller, but still is amazing.
Great for off-leash dogs and star-spotting, take the main trail up to the top. Spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign, all of LA! Take the Mulholland side for an easier walk.
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveGreat for off-leash dogs and star-spotting, take the main trail up to the top. Spectacular views of the Hollywood Sign, all of LA! Take the Mulholland side for an easier walk.
Really fun, full of restaurants, bars, clubs and great shopping. Has a Hello Kitty Store.
435 locals recommend
Little Tokyo
Really fun, full of restaurants, bars, clubs and great shopping. Has a Hello Kitty Store.
A mall, really, but you van walk the same entry used by the Oscars, tour the facilities and check out Grauman's Chinese with its famous footprints and the stars on Hollywood Blvd.
922 locals recommend
Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood BlvdA mall, really, but you van walk the same entry used by the Oscars, tour the facilities and check out Grauman's Chinese with its famous footprints and the stars on Hollywood Blvd.
Cool restored Egyptian Theater, home of the American Cinematheque, go there for screenings.
American Cinematheque
1604 N Cahuenga BlvdCool restored Egyptian Theater, home of the American Cinematheque, go there for screenings.
Welcome to the birth of the film industry. Great place to walk, play and eat.
82 locals recommend
Downtown
Welcome to the birth of the film industry. Great place to walk, play and eat.
DAY TRIP: San Diego can be pretty fun and it's close to Tijuana. Only 2 hours or less depending on traffic. Check out the Gas Light District and Balboa Park.
290 locals recommend
San Diego
DAY TRIP: San Diego can be pretty fun and it's close to Tijuana. Only 2 hours or less depending on traffic. Check out the Gas Light District and Balboa Park.
DAY TRIP: Just south of San Diego Tijuana is really fun. Park at the border for and walk over. Check out Avenieda de Revolucion for a safe and fun shopping and tequila guzzling experience.
148 locals recommend
Tijuana
DAY TRIP: Just south of San Diego Tijuana is really fun. Park at the border for and walk over. Check out Avenieda de Revolucion for a safe and fun shopping and tequila guzzling experience.
DAY TRIP: Check out the quaint and charming Danish village. There's an interesting museum about Danish immigration, good shopping and even better food. Close to the Chumash Casino.
128 locals recommend
Solvang
DAY TRIP: Check out the quaint and charming Danish village. There's an interesting museum about Danish immigration, good shopping and even better food. Close to the Chumash Casino.
DAY TRIP: Santa Barbara is gorgeous, Spanish Colonial-themed and near some excellent beaches. Check out State Street and also Mark thinks they have an important art museum.
182 locals recommend
Santa Barbara
DAY TRIP: Santa Barbara is gorgeous, Spanish Colonial-themed and near some excellent beaches. Check out State Street and also Mark thinks they have an important art museum.
DAY TRIP: Right by Solvang, this casino has grown into a proper destination. Loose slots.
36 locals recommend
Chumash Casino
3400 CA-246DAY TRIP: Right by Solvang, this casino has grown into a proper destination. Loose slots.
Food Scene
The Shack
185 Culver BlvdQuintessential LA hamburger stand for you carnivores.
LA Vegan
4507 S Centinela AveVegan Thai, good food and they DELIVER!
Good to eat in. They do vegan options but the crust is so delicate and thin that it doesn't travel so well. That said they do deliver.
168 locals recommend
Pitfire Artisan Pizza
12924 W Washington BlvdGood to eat in. They do vegan options but the crust is so delicate and thin that it doesn't travel so well. That said they do deliver.
It's in the Valley, but this family-owned restaurant is hands down the best vegan Chinese restaurant in LA. They make everything in house, bring your own beer or wine. Ask for Ting!
Garden Wok
6117 Reseda BlvdIt's in the Valley, but this family-owned restaurant is hands down the best vegan Chinese restaurant in LA. They make everything in house, bring your own beer or wine. Ask for Ting!
Good, cheap Cuban eats, powerful sangria. Do vegan plates with rice, beans, plantains and salad. meat eaters LOVE the garlic chicken, plus it's super close.
62 locals recommend
Versailles Cuban Restaurant
10319 Venice Blvd.Good, cheap Cuban eats, powerful sangria. Do vegan plates with rice, beans, plantains and salad. meat eaters LOVE the garlic chicken, plus it's super close.
Our fave Mexican restaurant, LA institution for over 80 years. Good, cheap margaritas, vegans order the taco salad minus the taco, the guac has may so get chopped avo instead. Ask for Isabel.
72 locals recommend
El Coyote
7312 Beverly BlvdOur fave Mexican restaurant, LA institution for over 80 years. Good, cheap margaritas, vegans order the taco salad minus the taco, the guac has may so get chopped avo instead. Ask for Isabel.
Great natural foods store, small and independently run, great vibes, and even better sammiches.
139 locals recommend
Rainbow Acres Natural Foods
13208 Washington BlvdGreat natural foods store, small and independently run, great vibes, and even better sammiches.
Japanese grocery store with an amazing food court selling everything from Japanese dvds, manga and ramen.
130 locals recommend
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Santa Monica
3760 S Centinela AveJapanese grocery store with an amazing food court selling everything from Japanese dvds, manga and ramen.
Good, cheap, family-run. They make all of the seitan and substitutes in-house.
9 locals recommend
Alpine Village Restaurant
833 W Torrance BlvdGood, cheap, family-run. They make all of the seitan and substitutes in-house.
If you're in uber-hip and sexy Silverlake give this tiny postage stamp of a restaurant a try. You can eat outside.
93 locals recommend
Flore Vegan
2943 Sunset BlvdIf you're in uber-hip and sexy Silverlake give this tiny postage stamp of a restaurant a try. You can eat outside.
This is old Hollywood unchanged. Ignore the outdoor mall (The Grove) and go grab a bite and eat in the food court. This is the way things used to be.
819 locals recommend
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd StThis is old Hollywood unchanged. Ignore the outdoor mall (The Grove) and go grab a bite and eat in the food court. This is the way things used to be.
Excellent vegan Thai, a finer dining experience than normal vegan places and very close to the Beverly Center, LA's finest indoor mall (if you're into that kind of thing).
21 locals recommend
Vegan Glory
8393 Beverly BlvdExcellent vegan Thai, a finer dining experience than normal vegan places and very close to the Beverly Center, LA's finest indoor mall (if you're into that kind of thing).
OK this is a hike but they have an amazing vegan-friendly brunch and the outdoor setting is tranquil and superb. Pretty spendy but you won't find a more romantic place to eat in LA.
220 locals recommend
Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon RdOK this is a hike but they have an amazing vegan-friendly brunch and the outdoor setting is tranquil and superb. Pretty spendy but you won't find a more romantic place to eat in LA.
The Reef's Sunday brunch isn't too vegan-friendly but our friend Auggie rocks. Your champagne glass will be filled the whole time. Super fun. Tell him we sent you, ask for "The Auggie Experience."
12 locals recommend
The Reef Lounge
880 S Harbor Scenic DrThe Reef's Sunday brunch isn't too vegan-friendly but our friend Auggie rocks. Your champagne glass will be filled the whole time. Super fun. Tell him we sent you, ask for "The Auggie Experience."
They have a massive brunch and there are a few vegan options. They have a nice prix fixe lunch and a great bar as well. Go there for the view. You won't be disappointed (in the view).
Shanghai Red's
They have a massive brunch and there are a few vegan options. They have a nice prix fixe lunch and a great bar as well. Go there for the view. You won't be disappointed (in the view).
The neighbors love it. You can skateboard or bike there as it's our neighborhood sushi place. Always packed.
61 locals recommend
Sakura
4545 S Centinela AveThe neighbors love it. You can skateboard or bike there as it's our neighborhood sushi place. Always packed.
Classic Googie American diner, famous for its fried chicken nights and German pancake. Good for a non-vegan breakkie.
23 locals recommend
Dinah's Family Restaurant
6521 South Sepulveda BoulevardClassic Googie American diner, famous for its fried chicken nights and German pancake. Good for a non-vegan breakkie.
Fun american contemporary restaurant and bar in Venice. Egalitarian bar and good music. Can get spendy but totally worth it.
63 locals recommend
Joe's Restaurant
1023 Abbot Kinney BoulevardFun american contemporary restaurant and bar in Venice. Egalitarian bar and good music. Can get spendy but totally worth it.
You can eat at our Westside version of the Wolfgang Puck franchise without all the beverly Hills nonsense. Can be spendy but this restaurant helped spearhead Asian/Californian fusion.
31 locals recommend
Chinois On Main
2709 Main StYou can eat at our Westside version of the Wolfgang Puck franchise without all the beverly Hills nonsense. Can be spendy but this restaurant helped spearhead Asian/Californian fusion.
There's always a line outside; people go apeshit for these tacos. They're pretty good (I've been told) but they're still just tacos. A good, cheap, local experience. The chips and salsa are amazing.
78 locals recommend
Tito’s Tacos
11222 Washington PlThere's always a line outside; people go apeshit for these tacos. They're pretty good (I've been told) but they're still just tacos. A good, cheap, local experience. The chips and salsa are amazing.
Really good, and they bend over backwards to accomodate vegans. Nice service. Fabulous view. Stiff drinks.
48 locals recommend
Cafe del Rey
4451 Admiralty WayReally good, and they bend over backwards to accomodate vegans. Nice service. Fabulous view. Stiff drinks.
Cool, middle-eastern themed celebrity chef resto, great for vegans and super sexy. Great splurge for a date.
89 locals recommend
AKASHA
9543 Culver BlvdCool, middle-eastern themed celebrity chef resto, great for vegans and super sexy. Great splurge for a date.
Including this resto only because people just LOVE it. Great water location, not suitable for vegans. Great if you love this sort of thing.
494 locals recommend
The Cheesecake Factory
4142 Vía MarinaIncluding this resto only because people just LOVE it. Great water location, not suitable for vegans. Great if you love this sort of thing.
The go-to place for vegan cocktails and grub. If you're gluten-free, veggie or vegan this is the place for you. Meaty folks love it too. Killer veggie burgers.
38 locals recommend
Native Foods Cafe
9343 Culver BoulevardThe go-to place for vegan cocktails and grub. If you're gluten-free, veggie or vegan this is the place for you. Meaty folks love it too. Killer veggie burgers.
Our long-time favorite LA restaurant, Chaya has a great bar and can make dynamite vegan sushi. Be careful, tell them you don't want miso soup with chix broth if you're vegan. Fun local place.
153 locals recommend
Chaya
110 Navy StOur long-time favorite LA restaurant, Chaya has a great bar and can make dynamite vegan sushi. Be careful, tell them you don't want miso soup with chix broth if you're vegan. Fun local place.
Tanner's Coffee Co. - Playa Del Rey
200 Culver BlvdBest coffee in Playa. Nuff said.
Best juice and smoothies in Playa. NOT like a chain place, this G's has personality in spades. People love the Mexican food served by Senor G's next door.
34 locals recommend
Señor G's Fresh & Healthy Mexican Food
343 Culver BlvdBest juice and smoothies in Playa. NOT like a chain place, this G's has personality in spades. People love the Mexican food served by Senor G's next door.
Entertainment & Activities
Hey, it's Disneyland. Don't bother staying at the super-expensive resort. LA people just drive there.
3085 locals recommend
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrHey, it's Disneyland. Don't bother staying at the super-expensive resort. LA people just drive there.
Arts & Culture
Music and a picnic under the stars, what could be better? Eclectic and varied program all summer long. Tip: 1/2 price tix are available on Goldstar.
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyMusic and a picnic under the stars, what could be better? Eclectic and varied program all summer long. Tip: 1/2 price tix are available on Goldstar.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology put the "q" in "quirky." It must be seen to believe. A weird little museum and they keep even weirder hours.
191 locals recommend
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.The Museum of Jurassic Technology put the "q" in "quirky." It must be seen to believe. A weird little museum and they keep even weirder hours.
Drinks & Nightlife
OK, it's a steakhouse. We're vegan. We get the irony. But they have the best martinis (outside of our house). Old guard, oold waiters, the oldest restaurant in LA is new again. But not. Ironic? YES!
198 locals recommend
Musso & Frank Grill
6667 Hollywood BlvdOK, it's a steakhouse. We're vegan. We get the irony. But they have the best martinis (outside of our house). Old guard, oold waiters, the oldest restaurant in LA is new again. But not. Ironic? YES!
Do if you crave exotic knock-you-on-your ass zombies and other tropical drinks. Tiki Ti is cool, fun and crowded, and is the only bar in LA where you can legally smoke as it's owner-operated.
123 locals recommend
Tiki Ti
4427 Sunset BlvdDo if you crave exotic knock-you-on-your ass zombies and other tropical drinks. Tiki Ti is cool, fun and crowded, and is the only bar in LA where you can legally smoke as it's owner-operated.
This is the hotel the little people stayed at during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz." Fun bar and they have lots of music, including Roaring 20s nights complete with flappers.
211 locals recommend
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdThis is the hotel the little people stayed at during the filming of "The Wizard of Oz." Fun bar and they have lots of music, including Roaring 20s nights complete with flappers.
Down and dirty and fun old-timey sports bar. Fun karaoke and beer pong nights.
34 locals recommend
Prince O' Whales
335 Culver BlvdDown and dirty and fun old-timey sports bar. Fun karaoke and beer pong nights.
Shopping
This the flagship store where studios off-load their wardrobe departments' collections for TV, movies and commercials. You MUST go. This is the smaller one (but you could still spend hours there).
15 locals recommend
It's A Wrap
3315 Magnolia BlvdThis the flagship store where studios off-load their wardrobe departments' collections for TV, movies and commercials. You MUST go. This is the smaller one (but you could still spend hours there).
Cardtronics ATM
13480 Maxella AveOur local Costco, members only.
We call it simply "The Alley" and if you crave a knockoff Kate Spade bag this is the place for you! Lots of other cheap stuff too. Super fun.
101 locals recommend
The Santee Alley
210 E Olympic BlvdWe call it simply "The Alley" and if you crave a knockoff Kate Spade bag this is the place for you! Lots of other cheap stuff too. Super fun.