Arts & Culture
One of my favorite places to hang out in LA, this is a local independent bookstore with an amazing collection of titles and events every night. It is also just down the street from the Griffith Observatory, and surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and other places to visit.
148 locals recommend
Skylight Books
1818 N Vermont AveOne of my favorite places to hang out in LA, this is a local independent bookstore with an amazing collection of titles and events every night. It is also just down the street from the Griffith Observatory, and surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops, and other places to visit.
A former mansion converted to a Public arts library, with a gallery space, Japanese Garden, Museum, outdoor playgrounds for children, & hiking trails.
27 locals recommend
Brand Library & Art Center
1601 W Mountain St A former mansion converted to a Public arts library, with a gallery space, Japanese Garden, Museum, outdoor playgrounds for children, & hiking trails.
Southwest Museum
4600 Marmion WayThe Gamble House
4 Westmoreland PlLos Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdNorton Simon Museum
411 W Colorado BlvdOlvera Street
Olvera StreetNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition BlvdParks & Nature
A local botanical garden free and open to the public in Pasadena near JPL, Old Town Pasadena, & the Norton Simon Museum. Very few people know about this place except locals, & it's a great place to drive to if you want to take a packed lunch and spend some time in the sun.
24 locals recommend
Arlington Garden in Pasadena
275 Arlington DrA local botanical garden free and open to the public in Pasadena near JPL, Old Town Pasadena, & the Norton Simon Museum. Very few people know about this place except locals, & it's a great place to drive to if you want to take a packed lunch and spend some time in the sun.
Griffith Park is the largest public park within a city in the US, & LA's version of Central Park. Just west of Highland Park, & north of Hollywood, it is conveniently located near the center of the city, and there are extensive trails, a train for children, and even a vintage merry go round within its borders.
99 locals recommend
Griffith Park Boulevard
1519 Griffith Park BlvdGriffith Park is the largest public park within a city in the US, & LA's version of Central Park. Just west of Highland Park, & north of Hollywood, it is conveniently located near the center of the city, and there are extensive trails, a train for children, and even a vintage merry go round within its borders.
If you're looking for a trail that immerses you in californian landscape while still remaining close to the city, this trail takes you through a canyon to a waterfall, and along the way you can find Oak forest, grassland, willow trees, and many types of sage and aromatic native herbs.
167 locals recommend
Eaton Canyon
1801-1945 Veranada AveIf you're looking for a trail that immerses you in californian landscape while still remaining close to the city, this trail takes you through a canyon to a waterfall, and along the way you can find Oak forest, grassland, willow trees, and many types of sage and aromatic native herbs.
If you're a fan of botanical gardens, this place is an enormous estate with classical Japanese and Chinese gardens, a huge rose garden, a crystal palace style greenhouse, a mini tropical forest, a bamboo forest, an australian savannah, and many lakes and Classical Greek style mansions with paintings and sculptures.
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Rd If you're a fan of botanical gardens, this place is an enormous estate with classical Japanese and Chinese gardens, a huge rose garden, a crystal palace style greenhouse, a mini tropical forest, a bamboo forest, an australian savannah, and many lakes and Classical Greek style mansions with paintings and sculptures.
A botanical garden and estate in nearby La Canada, a quick drive up the 2 freeway will take you here.
238 locals recommend
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr A botanical garden and estate in nearby La Canada, a quick drive up the 2 freeway will take you here.
The mountains directly behind the Brand Library and Glendale, if you are looking for a more secluded hiking spot that is still close by, it is roughly 15 minutes away from the rental. The trails here lead through sage brush and the mountains overlook all of LA.
Verdugo Mountains
The mountains directly behind the Brand Library and Glendale, if you are looking for a more secluded hiking spot that is still close by, it is roughly 15 minutes away from the rental. The trails here lead through sage brush and the mountains overlook all of LA.
Malibu Beach
Getting Around
Rail Station with subway traveling south to Downtown LA/Union Station (the main transportation hub in Los Angeles) as well as north to Pasadena.
101 locals recommend
Highland Park Station
203 N Ave 58Rail Station with subway traveling south to Downtown LA/Union Station (the main transportation hub in Los Angeles) as well as north to Pasadena.
Sightseeing
A classic destination in Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory has been featured in many movies and TV Shows, most famously in Rebel without a Cause. It is free to visit and also a fully functioning Observatory that has been in use since its founding. There are trails surrounding the Observatory and you can see the entire city from the hilltop where it's located.
4366 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdA classic destination in Los Angeles, the Griffith Observatory has been featured in many movies and TV Shows, most famously in Rebel without a Cause. It is free to visit and also a fully functioning Observatory that has been in use since its founding. There are trails surrounding the Observatory and you can see the entire city from the hilltop where it's located.
Not only is Union Station the main public transportation hub in LA, its also a gorgeous historic building with restaurants and bars, probably one of the most beautiful train stations in the US, and it's just a short walk away from Olvera Street and Chinatown.
341 locals recommend
Union Station
800 N Alameda St Not only is Union Station the main public transportation hub in LA, its also a gorgeous historic building with restaurants and bars, probably one of the most beautiful train stations in the US, and it's just a short walk away from Olvera Street and Chinatown.
This tower is the 2nd tallest building in Downtown LA, & it has a glass skywalk at the top that you can walk on and -it has a glass slide to a lower floor, that is also just made out of glass and suspended over the building-.
19 locals recommend
U.S. Bank Tower
This tower is the 2nd tallest building in Downtown LA, & it has a glass skywalk at the top that you can walk on and -it has a glass slide to a lower floor, that is also just made out of glass and suspended over the building-.
Its not widely known that the observation deck at the top of City Hall is open to the public. Check in with your ID and city employees will guide you through the corridors and into vintage elevators to reach the top where you can look out at the Skyline. Immediately surrounding City Hall is Grand Park, Little Tokyo, & Downtown LA are just a short walk away.
99 locals recommend
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring St Its not widely known that the observation deck at the top of City Hall is open to the public. Check in with your ID and city employees will guide you through the corridors and into vintage elevators to reach the top where you can look out at the Skyline. Immediately surrounding City Hall is Grand Park, Little Tokyo, & Downtown LA are just a short walk away.
A world famous building, this concert hall also has a park on the rooftop that is open to the public, as well as various trippy winding outdoor corridors that follow the metallic waves of the architecture. Right next door is the Broad Museum and the MOCA, both museums have an extensive collection, and the rest of Downtown LA is just a ten minute walk away.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand Ave A world famous building, this concert hall also has a park on the rooftop that is open to the public, as well as various trippy winding outdoor corridors that follow the metallic waves of the architecture. Right next door is the Broad Museum and the MOCA, both museums have an extensive collection, and the rest of Downtown LA is just a ten minute walk away.
Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood BoulevardIf you are traveling through LA there is a ton of genuinely fun things to do in Downtown! I've tried to include all the highlights in this guide so no matter what your area of interest happens to be you can find something to do that you'll enjoy but if you don't find what you're looking for don't hesitate to text me and I can recommend other spots as well.
737 locals recommend
Downtown Los Angeles
If you are traveling through LA there is a ton of genuinely fun things to do in Downtown! I've tried to include all the highlights in this guide so no matter what your area of interest happens to be you can find something to do that you'll enjoy but if you don't find what you're looking for don't hesitate to text me and I can recommend other spots as well.
Definitely an iconic LA Neighborhood and highly walkable, there are a ton of unique places to explore and delicious restaurants. A short drive or bus ride away from Echo Park, (the buses on Cesar Chavez continue west and Cesar Chavez becomes Sunset Blvd)and walking distance from Union Station. You can also take the Gold Line from Highland Park directly to Chinatown
399 locals recommend
Chinatown
Definitely an iconic LA Neighborhood and highly walkable, there are a ton of unique places to explore and delicious restaurants. A short drive or bus ride away from Echo Park, (the buses on Cesar Chavez continue west and Cesar Chavez becomes Sunset Blvd)and walking distance from Union Station. You can also take the Gold Line from Highland Park directly to Chinatown
One of the most beautiful places in LA. Coming here in the afternoon, and taking a walk around the lake with some fresh mango from the street vendors, or renting out a boat and pedal out onto the lake is a classic LA experience.
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
One of the most beautiful places in LA. Coming here in the afternoon, and taking a walk around the lake with some fresh mango from the street vendors, or renting out a boat and pedal out onto the lake is a classic LA experience.
Drinks & Nightlife
Rooftop bar with a pool, DJ's, cocktails, and occasionally live music as well. If you're in Downtown it's definitely a spot worth checking out.
64 locals recommend
Upstairs at Ace Hotel
929 S Broadway Rooftop bar with a pool, DJ's, cocktails, and occasionally live music as well. If you're in Downtown it's definitely a spot worth checking out.
If you're looking for a more low key spot to spend your evening and want to listen to music this jazz club hosts some incredible concerts in a creatively designed and dimly lit, yet very comfortable space.
32 locals recommend
Blue Whale
123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka St If you're looking for a more low key spot to spend your evening and want to listen to music this jazz club hosts some incredible concerts in a creatively designed and dimly lit, yet very comfortable space.
This venue is gorgeous. The Ace Hotel is built in a building that used to be an Art Deco Movie theatre, and when they converted the interior, they kept 99% of the original interior intact and refurbished it. In addition to the Theater itself, there's an upscale restaurant on the ground floor, and a bar on the rooftop.
42 locals recommend
The Theatre at Ace Hotel
929 S Broadway This venue is gorgeous. The Ace Hotel is built in a building that used to be an Art Deco Movie theatre, and when they converted the interior, they kept 99% of the original interior intact and refurbished it. In addition to the Theater itself, there's an upscale restaurant on the ground floor, and a bar on the rooftop.
Classic neighborhood spot that was recently remodeled just this year; Some excellent local DJs spin here, the vibe is always right and the clientele is a great mix of people.
36 locals recommend
Club Tee Gee
3210 Glendale Blvd Classic neighborhood spot that was recently remodeled just this year; Some excellent local DJs spin here, the vibe is always right and the clientele is a great mix of people.
Really cool bar that doubles as a music venue, and books some really great local musicians. My favorite bar in the Arts District.
36 locals recommend
Resident
428 S Hewitt St Really cool bar that doubles as a music venue, and books some really great local musicians. My favorite bar in the Arts District.
Out of clubs in the Silver Lake area, I've had the most fun at this one.
43 locals recommend
The Friend
2611 Hyperion AvenueOut of clubs in the Silver Lake area, I've had the most fun at this one.
Bowling Alley, Dive Bar, & Ocasional music venue. If you're looking for a more divey and local vibe this is a nearby Eagle Rock mainstay.
16 locals recommend
All Star Lanes
4459 Eagle Rock BlvdBowling Alley, Dive Bar, & Ocasional music venue. If you're looking for a more divey and local vibe this is a nearby Eagle Rock mainstay.
Just 5 minutes away from the rental, this is one of the busiest streets in the city as far as Nightlife goes. Because it's a highly walkable street I haven't included any specific recommendations, there are spots to hang out at all up and down this street.
9 locals recommend
York Boulevard
York BoulevardJust 5 minutes away from the rental, this is one of the busiest streets in the city as far as Nightlife goes. Because it's a highly walkable street I haven't included any specific recommendations, there are spots to hang out at all up and down this street.
Short Stop
1455 Sunset BlvdThe Echo
1822 Sunset BlvdMaybe one of the most intact vintage bars in Los Angeles, almost the entire place looks exactly as it did in the 1960s, and the staff dresses in full tuxedos. A lowkey and inexpensive place but one with a lot of history and character.
210 locals recommend
The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge
1760 N Vermont AveMaybe one of the most intact vintage bars in Los Angeles, almost the entire place looks exactly as it did in the 1960s, and the staff dresses in full tuxedos. A lowkey and inexpensive place but one with a lot of history and character.
A historic art deco bowling alley that was just recently renovated. Really really cool room & the block is located on is another busy nightlife strip, although the bars here tend to be more upscale
253 locals recommend
Highland Park Bowl
5621 N Figueroa StA historic art deco bowling alley that was just recently renovated. Really really cool room & the block is located on is another busy nightlife strip, although the bars here tend to be more upscale
Shopping
A huge bookstore in a building that formerly housed a bank, this place features among other things, a giant record section, bank vaults that have been converted into rooms full of antique books, a side room devoted to rare books, and a 2nd floor where everything is 1 dollar with sculptures and archways made out of books.
323 locals recommend
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring Street A huge bookstore in a building that formerly housed a bank, this place features among other things, a giant record section, bank vaults that have been converted into rooms full of antique books, a side room devoted to rare books, and a 2nd floor where everything is 1 dollar with sculptures and archways made out of books.
A very lowkey used bookstore that has an unconventional collection of books, they also sells records and occasionally host live concerts.
The Battery Books & Music
26 S Los Robles Ave A very lowkey used bookstore that has an unconventional collection of books, they also sells records and occasionally host live concerts.
An outdoor mall just across the street from the Galleria with a huge bellagio style fountain, a tram that circles the mall, a movie theater, restaurants and various upscale shops.
642 locals recommend
The Americana at Brand
889 Americana Way An outdoor mall just across the street from the Galleria with a huge bellagio style fountain, a tram that circles the mall, a movie theater, restaurants and various upscale shops.
Glendale Galleria
100 W Broadway Old School shopping mall in Glendale
A really cool shop in the Arts District that sells unique gifts, home appliances, books, and clothing.
30 locals recommend
Poketo
374 E 2nd St A really cool shop in the Arts District that sells unique gifts, home appliances, books, and clothing.
Lots of shops that sell different products from Japanese Culture
58 locals recommend
Little Tokyo Market Place
333 S Alameda St Lots of shops that sell different products from Japanese Culture
Chinatown Central Plaza
943 N BroadwayTheir collection of sunglasses is super affordable and they have a huge variety of styles, as well as all kinds of vintage clothing.
Replay Vintage Clothing
1766 N Vermont Ave Their collection of sunglasses is super affordable and they have a huge variety of styles, as well as all kinds of vintage clothing.
Really unique shop down the street from the Observatory that sells clothes you wouldn't find anywhere else.
32 locals recommend
Squaresville
1800 N Vermont Ave Really unique shop down the street from the Observatory that sells clothes you wouldn't find anywhere else.
A bookstore that serves food, coffee, tea, and alcohol, and doubles as a music venue, with a wide variety of both new and vintage books, magazines, and crafts made by local artists.
149 locals recommend
Stories
1716 Sunset BlvdA bookstore that serves food, coffee, tea, and alcohol, and doubles as a music venue, with a wide variety of both new and vintage books, magazines, and crafts made by local artists.
Great vintage shop across the street from Stories and Echo Park Lake. If you enjoy thrifting for that special find this is a good spot.
13 locals recommend
American Vintage
1707 W Historic Rte 66 Great vintage shop across the street from Stories and Echo Park Lake. If you enjoy thrifting for that special find this is a good spot.
Food Scene
A comfortable and beautifully designed coffee shop with space for getting work done and a park across the street. Just 4 minute drive away from the rental.
9 locals recommend
Kafn Coffee
1019 E Palmer Ave A comfortable and beautifully designed coffee shop with space for getting work done and a park across the street. Just 4 minute drive away from the rental.
Delicious coffee, with many unique speciality drinks on the menu, and a fresh and beautiful interior to study and do work in.
Highlight Coffee
701 E BroadwayDelicious coffee, with many unique speciality drinks on the menu, and a fresh and beautiful interior to study and do work in.
This coffee shop is walking distance from the rental and serves excellent coffee and Australian style Appetizers as well. Good if you're looking for a spot just a short walk away.
20 locals recommend
Little Ripper Coffee
4155 Verdugo Rd This coffee shop is walking distance from the rental and serves excellent coffee and Australian style Appetizers as well. Good if you're looking for a spot just a short walk away.
Beautiful modern Filipino restaurant in Chinatown with a delicious and creative menu. Great ambiance and interior, and delicious food.
12 locals recommend
LASA
727 N Broadway Beautiful modern Filipino restaurant in Chinatown with a delicious and creative menu. Great ambiance and interior, and delicious food.
Hole in the wall just a block down from the Americana and Gallery with some of the best Kabob you'll find anywhere. Cash only, but a great spot if you're hungry after you visit the mall.
6 locals recommend
Mini Kabob
313 1/2 Vine St Hole in the wall just a block down from the Americana and Gallery with some of the best Kabob you'll find anywhere. Cash only, but a great spot if you're hungry after you visit the mall.
A classic family restaurant with a fresh contemporary interior design in Silverlake on Sunset Blvd. In a neighborhood with restaurants that have a lot of hype but sometimes fail to deliver on flavor, this restaurant is always welcoming, delicious and stylish.
16 locals recommend
El Cochinito
3508 Sunset BlvdA classic family restaurant with a fresh contemporary interior design in Silverlake on Sunset Blvd. In a neighborhood with restaurants that have a lot of hype but sometimes fail to deliver on flavor, this restaurant is always welcoming, delicious and stylish.
Everyone born in LA has eaten here. Unbelievably delicious Cuban food, pastries, and desserts on par with the most expensive restaurants in the city, all at incredibly affordable price points. This sounds like I'm exaggerating, but it is absolutely the kind of place where there is always a line out of the door, and any LA native can confirm this. If you visit the shopping malls in Glendale, or have access to a vehicle and are looking for food near you this is an essential spot.
128 locals recommend
Porto's Bakery and Cafe
315 N Brand Blvd Everyone born in LA has eaten here. Unbelievably delicious Cuban food, pastries, and desserts on par with the most expensive restaurants in the city, all at incredibly affordable price points. This sounds like I'm exaggerating, but it is absolutely the kind of place where there is always a line out of the door, and any LA native can confirm this. If you visit the shopping malls in Glendale, or have access to a vehicle and are looking for food near you this is an essential spot.
A classic local spot that serves freshly baked armenian flatbreads-incredibly affordable and delicious bakery just a few minutes away from the rental.
Lahmajune Factory
1139 E Broadway A classic local spot that serves freshly baked armenian flatbreads-incredibly affordable and delicious bakery just a few minutes away from the rental.
A very comfortable coffee shop with delicious coffee on the same street as the Griffith Observatory, and many other shops on this list.
58 locals recommend
Bru Coffeebar
1866 N Vermont Ave A very comfortable coffee shop with delicious coffee on the same street as the Griffith Observatory, and many other shops on this list.
Hands down my favorite ice cream in LA, although the Ice Cream at Grand Central Market takes a very close second. If you visit this part of LA, I definitely recommend a visit.
59 locals recommend
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
1954 Hillhurst AveHands down my favorite ice cream in LA, although the Ice Cream at Grand Central Market takes a very close second. If you visit this part of LA, I definitely recommend a visit.
A huge street market filled with all kinds of food vendors, restaurants, and produce vendors. Thai Food, an Oyster Bar, Tamales, Tacos, Kabob, Hamburgers with local grass fed beef, you can find pretty much any kind of food here and it is all incredibly delicious and just a short walk away from many DTLA landmarks.
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S Broadway A huge street market filled with all kinds of food vendors, restaurants, and produce vendors. Thai Food, an Oyster Bar, Tamales, Tacos, Kabob, Hamburgers with local grass fed beef, you can find pretty much any kind of food here and it is all incredibly delicious and just a short walk away from many DTLA landmarks.
My favorite coffee shop in the little tokyo area and possibly all of LA-The lavender hot chocolate is incredibly delicious and the espresso drinks are some of the best I've had. Super comfortable interior and really friendly staff as well.
17 locals recommend
Cafe Demitasse
135 San Pedro St My favorite coffee shop in the little tokyo area and possibly all of LA-The lavender hot chocolate is incredibly delicious and the espresso drinks are some of the best I've had. Super comfortable interior and really friendly staff as well.
Very unique and incredibly delicious Ethiopian restaurant. If you visit LACMA and opt not to eat at the food trucks or museum restaurant, and want a novel experience this is a great place.
Rosalind's
1044 S Fairfax Ave Very unique and incredibly delicious Ethiopian restaurant. If you visit LACMA and opt not to eat at the food trucks or museum restaurant, and want a novel experience this is a great place.
An elegant gourmet Persian restaurant that serves some of the most delicious Middle Eastern food that I've had. The service and ambience here is always special.
60 locals recommend
Raffi's Place
211 E BroadwayAn elegant gourmet Persian restaurant that serves some of the most delicious Middle Eastern food that I've had. The service and ambience here is always special.
Somewhat out of the way unless you decide to visit Pasadena, but if you do this is one of my favorite Restaurants in LA. This place somehow manages to be stylish, welcoming, delicious, and incredibly affordable all at once.
La Caravana Salvadorian Restaurant
1306 N Lake Ave Somewhat out of the way unless you decide to visit Pasadena, but if you do this is one of my favorite Restaurants in LA. This place somehow manages to be stylish, welcoming, delicious, and incredibly affordable all at once.
If you travel to Pasadena, (particularly to hike in Eaton Canyon), or have a craving for authentic Indian food, this place is hands down one of the best places to get Indian food in North East LA. It also doubles as a specialty grocery store.
Namaste Spiceland
270 N Hill Ave If you travel to Pasadena, (particularly to hike in Eaton Canyon), or have a craving for authentic Indian food, this place is hands down one of the best places to get Indian food in North East LA. It also doubles as a specialty grocery store.
Night + Market Song
3322 Sunset BlvdInexpensive Hole in the wall restaurant open late night in Hollywood. Homely interior but open till 3am and consistently delicious food. Short drive away from the walk of fame, or the Griffith Observatory.
65 locals recommend
Ruen Pair
5257 Hollywood BlvdInexpensive Hole in the wall restaurant open late night in Hollywood. Homely interior but open till 3am and consistently delicious food. Short drive away from the walk of fame, or the Griffith Observatory.
Thai Touch
1355 E Colorado StA small but very delicious family owned restaurant a short distance away from the rental