Guidebook for Los Angeles
Everything Else
Ballona Creek Bike Path
Ballona Creek Bike Pathtakes you straight to the beach!
The easiest beach to get to from our house, and much quieter than its more northern siblings. Go here to take an easy evening stroll if you want to avoid other tourists.
70 locals recommend
Playa del Rey
The easiest beach to get to from our house, and much quieter than its more northern siblings. Go here to take an easy evening stroll if you want to avoid other tourists.
Check out Mother's Beach, where you can paddle board and play volleyball along this, one of the biggest man-made marina on the west coast. Arrested Development was filmed here.
277 locals recommend
Marina del Rey
Check out Mother's Beach, where you can paddle board and play volleyball along this, one of the biggest man-made marina on the west coast. Arrested Development was filmed here.
12110 Greene Ave
12110 Greene AvenueOur house
Food Scene
Sakura
4545 S Centinela Avegreat sushi just 5 min walk away!
Great take-out Thai food that is vegan. I recommend the High Protein Salad (the peanut dressing is out of this world), the dumplings and spring rolls, and the pad thai.
17 locals recommend
LA Vegan
4507 S Centinela AveGreat take-out Thai food that is vegan. I recommend the High Protein Salad (the peanut dressing is out of this world), the dumplings and spring rolls, and the pad thai.
Cheap, easy burritos and fajitas. If you want something quick and Mexican.
20 locals recommend
Pepe's Tacos
4582 S Centinela AveCheap, easy burritos and fajitas. If you want something quick and Mexican.
Poke-Poke
2011 Ocean Front WalkGreat tuna rice bowls
Get a drink at a table against the windows looking straight down at the crashing pacific surf. See dolphins and seals swim by if you're lucky. Celeb tie-in: Mel Gibson was arrested drunk-driving here.
247 locals recommend
Moonshadows
20356 Pacific Coast HighwayGet a drink at a table against the windows looking straight down at the crashing pacific surf. See dolphins and seals swim by if you're lucky. Celeb tie-in: Mel Gibson was arrested drunk-driving here.
Perfect private beach just past the most ritzy trailer park in California. Pamela Anderson apparently once lived there. Get guacamole and beers and don't miss strolling under cliffs farther down beach
267 locals recommend
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast HwyPerfect private beach just past the most ritzy trailer park in California. Pamela Anderson apparently once lived there. Get guacamole and beers and don't miss strolling under cliffs farther down beach
Many call it the best burger in LA, or in the world, for that matter. Just don't ask for substitutions.
344 locals recommend
Father's Office
1018 Montana AveMany call it the best burger in LA, or in the world, for that matter. Just don't ask for substitutions.
Famed for its glass-walled elevator up to the top floor of the Huntley Hotel, this is the best place from 4p-7p to get sunset views of Malibu to Palos Verdes and a great happy hour at the same time.
95 locals recommend
The Penthouse
1111 2nd StFamed for its glass-walled elevator up to the top floor of the Huntley Hotel, this is the best place from 4p-7p to get sunset views of Malibu to Palos Verdes and a great happy hour at the same time.
Great coffee and food just steps from Santa Monica beach. Great vibe.
256 locals recommend
Urth Caffe Santa Monica
2327 Main StGreat coffee and food just steps from Santa Monica beach. Great vibe.
Delicious breakfasts. Arnold eats here sometimes after working out at the original Golds Gym or his office around the corner.
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveDelicious breakfasts. Arnold eats here sometimes after working out at the original Golds Gym or his office around the corner.
SUGARFISH
1345 2nd StSome of the best sushi around, even if slightly Americanized.
DELICIOUS bakery. Go here. Go here. Get your breakfast here. You won't regret it.
13 locals recommend
Angel Maid Bakery
4542 S Centinela AveDELICIOUS bakery. Go here. Go here. Get your breakfast here. You won't regret it.
Sightseeing
Friday evening concerts during the summer, amusement park with Ferris wheel and mini roller coaster and games, fishing off the end, historical photo plaques showing area development
2744 locals recommend
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica PierFriday evening concerts during the summer, amusement park with Ferris wheel and mini roller coaster and games, fishing off the end, historical photo plaques showing area development
Beautiful stroll, especially when water is high. Many celebs live in these homes because the offer a rare bit of privacy in the heart of the West Side. Read up on the canals' history on wikipedia.
947 locals recommend
Venice Canals
Beautiful stroll, especially when water is high. Many celebs live in these homes because the offer a rare bit of privacy in the heart of the West Side. Read up on the canals' history on wikipedia.
People of all ages show their stuff here. Good as you walk along Venice boardwalk. Get a piece of pizza, or Poke Poke tuna bowl as you walk.
162 locals recommend
Venice Skate Park
1800 Ocean Front WalkPeople of all ages show their stuff here. Good as you walk along Venice boardwalk. Get a piece of pizza, or Poke Poke tuna bowl as you walk.
25 minute drive and you're up a canyon cliff. Unbelievable views and 1/10th the crowds of other canyon hikes like Runyon further east. Easy fire road or tougher single track over hills for best views.
14 locals recommend
Mandeville Canyon Park
2660 Westridge Road25 minute drive and you're up a canyon cliff. Unbelievable views and 1/10th the crowds of other canyon hikes like Runyon further east. Easy fire road or tougher single track over hills for best views.
One of the best views of LA can be had from the Observatory's beautiful terraces. If you have the energy, take the stroll up the hillside path and take in the Hollywood Sign.
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdOne of the best views of LA can be had from the Observatory's beautiful terraces. If you have the energy, take the stroll up the hillside path and take in the Hollywood Sign.
Needs no explanation, really. Put your hands in Daffy Duck's hand prints, or Sly Stallone's, or Julia Roberts'.
382 locals recommend
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
6255 Sunset BlvdNeeds no explanation, really. Put your hands in Daffy Duck's hand prints, or Sly Stallone's, or Julia Roberts'.
People-watch along this beautiful green stretch overflowing with ad-hoc exercise classes in the morning, or take in a California sunset after dinner on the 3rd St Promenade in the evening.
130 locals recommend
Palisades Park
Ocean AvenuePeople-watch along this beautiful green stretch overflowing with ad-hoc exercise classes in the morning, or take in a California sunset after dinner on the 3rd St Promenade in the evening.
Take "Discovery Intro Flights" to get bird's eye view of coast and whole city. The ~$150 price tag is well worth it. Call in advance. Justice Aviation, Santa Monica Flyers, etc - google flight lessons
13 locals recommend
Santa Monica Airport
3233 Donald Douglas Loop STake "Discovery Intro Flights" to get bird's eye view of coast and whole city. The ~$150 price tag is well worth it. Call in advance. Justice Aviation, Santa Monica Flyers, etc - google flight lessons
Shopping
Venice has been the epicenter for alternative counterculture in Los Angeles’ west side for years. Unique and avant-garde boutiques, very walkable. http://www.abbotkinneyonline.com/
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardVenice has been the epicenter for alternative counterculture in Los Angeles’ west side for years. Unique and avant-garde boutiques, very walkable. http://www.abbotkinneyonline.com/
Fanciest shopping in LA. And that's saying something. Whether you go to do double-takes at the sticker prices or buy yourself a once-in-a-lifetime piece, it's worth a visit.
1361 locals recommend
Rodeo Drive
Rodeo DriveFanciest shopping in LA. And that's saying something. Whether you go to do double-takes at the sticker prices or buy yourself a once-in-a-lifetime piece, it's worth a visit.
Arts & Culture
Preeminent cultural exhibit in LA. Built by the oil tycoon, now houses enormous collection of rare sculptures and art. Take monorail from parking.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrPreeminent cultural exhibit in LA. Built by the oil tycoon, now houses enormous collection of rare sculptures and art. Take monorail from parking.
Fantastic collection, not terribly pricey, and great especially for film tie-ins.
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdFantastic collection, not terribly pricey, and great especially for film tie-ins.
Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa StSports and concerts galore
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood BlvdBest Broadway shows come here
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveOpera, symphony, and more - high arts shown here.
Take a studio tour at a major production house just down the road from our home.
129 locals recommend
Sony Pictures Entertainment
10202 Washington BlvdTake a studio tour at a major production house just down the road from our home.
Smaller, more accessible shows - but still top notch - are shown here.
69 locals recommend
Kirk Douglas Theatre
9820 Washington BlvdSmaller, more accessible shows - but still top notch - are shown here.
Theme park, studio, rides, shows, etc. - it has it all. A bit pricey but worth it. Spend a whole day.
3326 locals recommend
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaTheme park, studio, rides, shows, etc. - it has it all. A bit pricey but worth it. Spend a whole day.
Disneyland Park
1313 Disneyland DrEveryone in the world knows about Disney, and for good reason.
