Guidebook for Los Angeles
Drinks & Nightlife
Beautiful decor. Great cocktails. Like... really good cocktails.
88 locals recommend
Melrose Umbrella Co.
7465 Melrose AveBeautiful decor. Great cocktails. Like... really good cocktails.
Snake Pit Alehouse Whiskey Bar & Kitchen
7529 Melrose AveJust your solid local bar.
No surprise- the sound system here is fabulous. Here, you get the benefit of well-known DJs in a smaller, classy venue. Crowd can be mixed.
68 locals recommend
Sound Nightclub
1642 N Las Palmas AveNo surprise- the sound system here is fabulous. Here, you get the benefit of well-known DJs in a smaller, classy venue. Crowd can be mixed.
Fun, small bar playing hip hop and classic R&B. Gets crowded but is the most action you'll see on Fairfax.
42 locals recommend
Dime
442 N Fairfax AveFun, small bar playing hip hop and classic R&B. Gets crowded but is the most action you'll see on Fairfax.
A fabulous place to see a concert or LA Phil performance in the summer. Outdoor amphitheater where you can bring your OWN FOOD AND DRINK. Yes, this includes alcohol. Awesomeness.
1407 locals recommend
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdA fabulous place to see a concert or LA Phil performance in the summer. Outdoor amphitheater where you can bring your OWN FOOD AND DRINK. Yes, this includes alcohol. Awesomeness.
Getting Around
I rent bikes here because it is cheaper than I. Martin. I also do small bike fixes... but would trust I. Martin with bigger ones.
12 locals recommend
Spokes N Stuff
7777 Melrose AveI rent bikes here because it is cheaper than I. Martin. I also do small bike fixes... but would trust I. Martin with bigger ones.
Essentials
I go here to get waxed and my nails done. Also good for those in need for a quick massage. Staff is super friendly. Can be busy on Sundays.
Leann Nails Spa
7466 Beverly BlvdI go here to get waxed and my nails done. Also good for those in need for a quick massage. Staff is super friendly. Can be busy on Sundays.
Expensive natural foods store. When you are in a pinch for something and want to walk to a nearby store.
215 locals recommend
Erewhon Market
7660 Beverly BlvdExpensive natural foods store. When you are in a pinch for something and want to walk to a nearby store.
For your organic-y, hard to find veggies and awesome food bar.
1202 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
7871 Santa Monica BlvdFor your organic-y, hard to find veggies and awesome food bar.
This is an American icon of a grocery brand. If you've never been, go. Quality and cheap. Always crowded like all TJ's. In CA, our TJ's sell alcohol and beer. Great prices.
1811 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura BlvdThis is an American icon of a grocery brand. If you've never been, go. Quality and cheap. Always crowded like all TJ's. In CA, our TJ's sell alcohol and beer. Great prices.
More affordable big brand grocery store. This location specializes in Kosher foods.
28 locals recommend
Ralphs Pharmacy
10772 Jefferson BlvdMore affordable big brand grocery store. This location specializes in Kosher foods.
This is the pharmacy I go to. Convenient for running errands with Whole Foods right next to it.
514 locals recommend
CVS
1747 N Cahuenga BlvdThis is the pharmacy I go to. Convenient for running errands with Whole Foods right next to it.
Entertainment & Activities
The Wednesday night long-form improv is one of the longest running shows in LA. Fun times.
87 locals recommend
The Groundlings Theatre
7307 Melrose AveThe Wednesday night long-form improv is one of the longest running shows in LA. Fun times.
I love the daytime rooftop parties here. If you can find one, RSVP and arrive early- they are usually free. AND-- you can use their pool. Perfect way to cool off in the summer. Offers a great view of downtown and may be a romantic nighttime spot during the midweek.
330 locals recommend
Standard Downtown
550 Flower StI love the daytime rooftop parties here. If you can find one, RSVP and arrive early- they are usually free. AND-- you can use their pool. Perfect way to cool off in the summer. Offers a great view of downtown and may be a romantic nighttime spot during the midweek.
Parks & Nature
Scenic views of downtown LA and as far west as the ocean on clear days. Hike to the Hollywood sign from here!
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs DriveScenic views of downtown LA and as far west as the ocean on clear days. Hike to the Hollywood sign from here!
Major workout scene with people watching galore, up a fairly steep hill. Good, quick workout if you feel like being around people who care more about how they look when they work out. :)
2445 locals recommend
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveMajor workout scene with people watching galore, up a fairly steep hill. Good, quick workout if you feel like being around people who care more about how they look when they work out. :)
Even as a local I go to the beach here. Take Washington Blvd or Place all the way down and walk a little north.
1387 locals recommend
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front WalkEven as a local I go to the beach here. Take Washington Blvd or Place all the way down and walk a little north.
Shopping
Iconic central market downtown used to be THE gathering place for all your grocery shopping needs. Now it is mostly hip eateries flanked by a few fruit and veggie stands.
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S BroadwayIconic central market downtown used to be THE gathering place for all your grocery shopping needs. Now it is mostly hip eateries flanked by a few fruit and veggie stands.
Classic LA. A must-visit iconic farmer's market with food from every cuisine. Great donuts too.
819 locals recommend
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd StClassic LA. A must-visit iconic farmer's market with food from every cuisine. Great donuts too.
Well- typical but splashy SoCal outdoor mall. I have to admit, I do love I can walk there and avoid all the traffic. Some good store brands!!
2581 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrWell- typical but splashy SoCal outdoor mall. I have to admit, I do love I can walk there and avoid all the traffic. Some good store brands!!
Arts & Culture
Super close and excellent museum renown for contemporary art. Free jazz and music both on Fridays and Saturdays in summer.
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdSuper close and excellent museum renown for contemporary art. Free jazz and music both on Fridays and Saturdays in summer.
Cool to see the bubbling tar and imagine LA as a lowland where dinosaurs roam. I have actually never been in the museum.
890 locals recommend
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire BlvdCool to see the bubbling tar and imagine LA as a lowland where dinosaurs roam. I have actually never been in the museum.
I really like the rotating exhibits here. Feels a little fresher than its big sister.
401 locals recommend
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N Central AveI really like the rotating exhibits here. Feels a little fresher than its big sister.
I had a subscription to the dance season here. Love seeing dance performances and I've caught an opera or two here as well. The music center will show theater as well.
70 locals recommend
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand AveI had a subscription to the dance season here. Love seeing dance performances and I've caught an opera or two here as well. The music center will show theater as well.
What's better than a free, huge museum that overlooks most of LA? Nothing. Beat that, NYC and SF, with your expensive admission fees. It's worth just going for the view and a walk in the precious gardens. I also dig the rotating exhibitions.
2309 locals recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrWhat's better than a free, huge museum that overlooks most of LA? Nothing. Beat that, NYC and SF, with your expensive admission fees. It's worth just going for the view and a walk in the precious gardens. I also dig the rotating exhibitions.