Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Fresh baked bread, pastries and pizza with artisanal coffee and local beer? Yes please!
50 locals recommend
Lodge Bread Company
11918 Washington BoulevardFresh baked bread, pastries and pizza with artisanal coffee and local beer? Yes please!
Great breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Unlike your average casual breakfast joint, the coffee is roasted by Groundwork (a celebrated LA roastery)! So bring on the iced coffee and Americanos! It can get crowded on weekends past 10am, so if you're hungry, get there early to avoid a wait! Parking is available in the Travel Lodge parking lot, or on the street in front. Best of all, you'll hear lots of accents! This restaurant has plenty of regulars and also draws an international crowd!
28 locals recommend
Metro Cafe
11188 Washington PlGreat breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Unlike your average casual breakfast joint, the coffee is roasted by Groundwork (a celebrated LA roastery)! So bring on the iced coffee and Americanos! It can get crowded on weekends past 10am, so if you're hungry, get there early to avoid a wait! Parking is available in the Travel Lodge parking lot, or on the street in front. Best of all, you'll hear lots of accents! This restaurant has plenty of regulars and also draws an international crowd!
Vegan or not, this place is fantastic! It features a full bar and a beautiful outdoor dining experience. Try the Molly's Margarita made with Mezcal (a smokey spirit in the "tequila family").
86 locals recommend
Sage Plant Based Bistro West
5668 Sepulveda BlvdVegan or not, this place is fantastic! It features a full bar and a beautiful outdoor dining experience. Try the Molly's Margarita made with Mezcal (a smokey spirit in the "tequila family").
Holy Cow BBQ
4130 Sepulveda BlvdBBQ with full bar and Happy Hour
If you're a fan of ramen, you've got to try this casual joint (that's within walking distance!). A favorite of LA food critic Jonathan Gold, it does not disappoint!
31 locals recommend
Ramen Yamadaya
3118 W 182nd StIf you're a fan of ramen, you've got to try this casual joint (that's within walking distance!). A favorite of LA food critic Jonathan Gold, it does not disappoint!
Samosa House
11510 Washington BlvdSome of the best Indian food (vegan) around.
A-Frame
12565 W Washington BlvdGreat brunch spot!
From drinks to an incredible menu, this 5 star, chef-driven restaurant is a magical journey. The setting itself is filled with whimsical architecture and enchanting artifacts. Great for a truly memorable night out with friends.
57 locals recommend
The Bazaar by José Andrés
465 La Cienega BlvdFrom drinks to an incredible menu, this 5 star, chef-driven restaurant is a magical journey. The setting itself is filled with whimsical architecture and enchanting artifacts. Great for a truly memorable night out with friends.
This sprawling joint is the best. Next to Dockweiler beach, this place is a local's favorite, featuring all from a bar, to a separate restaurant, to a killer bakery and cafe. They offer a Saturday & Sunday brunch from 10a-3p at their Dockside restaurant (located at the same address).
126 locals recommend
Playa Provisions
119 Culver BlvdThis sprawling joint is the best. Next to Dockweiler beach, this place is a local's favorite, featuring all from a bar, to a separate restaurant, to a killer bakery and cafe. They offer a Saturday & Sunday brunch from 10a-3p at their Dockside restaurant (located at the same address).
Duke's is the ultimate oceanside dinner. Located in Malibu, the joint was founded by surfer and actor Duke Kahanamoku. The fare is Hawaiian-inspired and the tiki drinks deliciously sweet.
161 locals recommend
Duke's Malibu
21150 Pacific Coast HwyDuke's is the ultimate oceanside dinner. Located in Malibu, the joint was founded by surfer and actor Duke Kahanamoku. The fare is Hawaiian-inspired and the tiki drinks deliciously sweet.
Drinks & Nightlife
Craft beer, wine, and famous LA cocktails. Not to mention tasty bites...
75 locals recommend
The Corner Door
12477 Washington BlvdCraft beer, wine, and famous LA cocktails. Not to mention tasty bites...
Locals bar owned and operated by a Swede, great for happy hour, trivia night, and hanging out
30 locals recommend
Gravlax
12400 Washington BlvdLocals bar owned and operated by a Swede, great for happy hour, trivia night, and hanging out
Iconic and upscale Westside cocktail bar and eatery featuring Koji Korean BBQ.
116 locals recommend
Alibi Room
12236 Washington BlvdIconic and upscale Westside cocktail bar and eatery featuring Koji Korean BBQ.
Great food at this California brewery!
55 locals recommend
Firestone Walker Brewing Company - The Propagator
3205 Washington BlvdGreat food at this California brewery!
This bar/restaurant is truly worth visiting. With happy hour from 2-7 every day, it's already a special place! Not only is the location in Santa Monica perfect (just off of 3rd St. Promenade), but the building is fascinating - a former bank with beautiful interior design. Not only are they known for their great food but also killer cocktails and sangria!
199 locals recommend
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
225 Santa Monica BlvdThis bar/restaurant is truly worth visiting. With happy hour from 2-7 every day, it's already a special place! Not only is the location in Santa Monica perfect (just off of 3rd St. Promenade), but the building is fascinating - a former bank with beautiful interior design. Not only are they known for their great food but also killer cocktails and sangria!
This outdoor/indoor lounge right next to the ocean gives you a perfectly LA experience. Open from day to night, this place is the ultimate for getting to know the typical LA scene.
525 locals recommend
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdThis outdoor/indoor lounge right next to the ocean gives you a perfectly LA experience. Open from day to night, this place is the ultimate for getting to know the typical LA scene.
Parks & Nature
Temescal Canyon Park
15900 Pacific Coast HwyThe most beautiful views of LA, and a great workout! Parking is tricky, so be prepared to find street parking many blocks from the trailhead.
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveThe most beautiful views of LA, and a great workout! Parking is tricky, so be prepared to find street parking many blocks from the trailhead.
This beautiful Malibu beach is a splendid way to spend the day. The drive up Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is incredible, with celebrity homes just beyond extravagant gates. This beach is well-known by surfers and frequented by those traveling from inland, but it has a more classic vibe than that of Santa Monica Beach. You do have to pay for day parking, unless you can snag a spot on PCH. The lifegaurds at Zuma are known to be more uptight, so be cautious and review these LA beach laws: http://beaches.lacounty.gov/la-county-beach-rules/
299 locals recommend
Zuma Beach
This beautiful Malibu beach is a splendid way to spend the day. The drive up Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is incredible, with celebrity homes just beyond extravagant gates. This beach is well-known by surfers and frequented by those traveling from inland, but it has a more classic vibe than that of Santa Monica Beach. You do have to pay for day parking, unless you can snag a spot on PCH. The lifegaurds at Zuma are known to be more uptight, so be cautious and review these LA beach laws: http://beaches.lacounty.gov/la-county-beach-rules/
We consider this the "local's beach". With easy parking, and plenty of personal space on the sands, this beach is just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing summer day!
144 locals recommend
Dockweiler Beach Charging Station
12000 Vista Del MarWe consider this the "local's beach". With easy parking, and plenty of personal space on the sands, this beach is just what the doctor ordered for a relaxing summer day!
Arts & Culture
The Broad
221 S Grand AveThis museum is probably the most notable in LA, featuring incredible architecture, gorgeous gardens and sweeping views of LA. The museum's collection is vast, including "pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs". There are two restaurants on-site, one a cafeteria style, the other a high-end sit-down restaurant. Or, pack a picnic and enjoy it in the garden. Best of all, admission is free! Parking is $15 per vehicle, then a tram will take you up to the museum!
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrThis museum is probably the most notable in LA, featuring incredible architecture, gorgeous gardens and sweeping views of LA. The museum's collection is vast, including "pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs". There are two restaurants on-site, one a cafeteria style, the other a high-end sit-down restaurant. Or, pack a picnic and enjoy it in the garden. Best of all, admission is free! Parking is $15 per vehicle, then a tram will take you up to the museum!
Shopping
This outdoor promenade lining Santa Monica coastline has a plethora of shops and eateries.
1595 locals recommend
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThis outdoor promenade lining Santa Monica coastline has a plethora of shops and eateries.
Beautiful outdoor shopping mall in the heart of West Hollywood. The stores here are world-class, featuring everything from a supreme Nikes store to Dylan's Candy Bar.
2581 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrBeautiful outdoor shopping mall in the heart of West Hollywood. The stores here are world-class, featuring everything from a supreme Nikes store to Dylan's Candy Bar.
This outdoor mall, recently remodeled, offers high-end shopping to it's Beverly Hills clientele. From small french fashion brands to world-renowned brands, this is the shoppers paradise.
232 locals recommend
Century City Mall station
This outdoor mall, recently remodeled, offers high-end shopping to it's Beverly Hills clientele. From small french fashion brands to world-renowned brands, this is the shoppers paradise.
The best of the best in Los Angeles shopping is here! Beware that the parking situation is usually crazy, and in the summer months it can get hot in this neighborhood. Luckily, the stores you'll be popping in and out of are air-conditioned. While window shopping is pleasant, be prepared to bring your pocketbook if you're making special purchases!
1361 locals recommend
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo DriveThe best of the best in Los Angeles shopping is here! Beware that the parking situation is usually crazy, and in the summer months it can get hot in this neighborhood. Luckily, the stores you'll be popping in and out of are air-conditioned. While window shopping is pleasant, be prepared to bring your pocketbook if you're making special purchases!
Essentials
Trader Joe's
6150 Slauson AveSightseeing
Located more inland, the Hollywood Sign is iconic! You can see it while driving in West Hollywood. Did you know you can hike up to the Hollywood Sign? Here's a great resource if you'r interested in that: https://hollywoodsign.org/hiking-to-the-sign/
1173 locals recommend
Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood BoulevardLocated more inland, the Hollywood Sign is iconic! You can see it while driving in West Hollywood. Did you know you can hike up to the Hollywood Sign? Here's a great resource if you'r interested in that: https://hollywoodsign.org/hiking-to-the-sign/