LA Guide

Los Angeles City Guide: What to do in Los Angeles

Having lived in Los Angeles for a decade now, I wanted to put together some of my recommendations on things to do in LA, places to eat, how to get around, etc.

There’s a lot to do in this city - and really something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in sitting on a beach during the day and having spending your night bouncing from club to club. Or putting on your running shoes to exploring the many hiking options LA has to offer. Whether your interested in eating BBQ, Vegan, Southeast Asian, Ramen, Ethiopian or Acai Bowls - there’s a restaurant for you. And it’s probably open late. All the major artists and comedians come thru LA, so you always have a long list of options in terms of music or comedy shows.

Getting Around LA

First off, you should know that LA is very spread out. Everyone drives and there isn't much public transportation (although there are some new developments coming in the future). The good news is that Uber is very cheap. It may be smart to rent a car if you plan on going far distances, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay to park pretty much everywhere and parking in some places can be tough (although I rarely can’t find a spot AT ALL - it’s more just annoying). Make sure you have cash if you plan to drive as you’ll want to be able to pay to park/valet if you get in a bind (parking can often be like $8-20 dollars…expect to pay really high rates to park near the beach). Most restaurants have valet.

Things To Do In LA

Here are some of my favorite things to do in LA. These are things I often take visitors to do as well.

  • Hiking - I’ve listed some of my favorite hikes to take out-of-towners on, but this is a short list - there are many more options!

    • Griffith Park - This is where you can find the the famous “Hike to the Hollywood Sign”, but there are many other trails as well - an option for everyone / every fitness level

    • Runyon Canyon - Very trendy hike where you will see lots of beautiful people (and dogs!)

    • Pacific Palisades - Fantastic hike with beautiful views.

    • Malibu - There are some really beautiful hikes throughout here as well.

  • Museums - a few sampling of my favorites….

    • Museum of Jurassic Technology - This is museum of oddities. It’s kind of hard to explain but definitely entertaining!

    • The Getty Villa - Beautiful art gallery in Malibu. Worth visiting for the architecture of the building alone and gorgeous location. There’s a restaurant on site too.

    • The Getty Center - Art museum that is the sister to Getty Villa. At Christmas time, the museum stays open late and there are lights everywhere which is a fun experience.

    • LACMA - Art museum that often has cool exhibits. This is also where you’ll find that very instagrammable “lights” installation.

    • Science Museum & Natural History Museum - these museums are side by side and often have good temporary exhibits. There is also an IMAX here.

  • Beaches

    • Santa Monica Beach - pretty crowded and the pier is touristy. But still nice. LOTS to do around here.

    • Venice Beach - quirky, eccentric beach. Busy but fun.

    • Malibu Beach - calmer beach generally (more shallow sandy area too).

    • Hermosa Beach - another calmer, further out beach.

    • Dockweiler Beach - little further out, but this is where you can do bonfires.

  • Rooftop Bars - LA has a ton of great rooftop bars. A few of my favorites are below!

    • Mama Shelter (Hollywood)

    • Perch (Downtown)

    • EP & LP (West Hollywood)

    • Erwin Hotel (Venice)

    • The Roof at Wilshire Hotel (Mid City)

    • The Standard Hotel (Downtown)

  • Bike from Santa Monica to Venice - There are tons of places to rent bikes in Santa Monica and Venice and then you can take a scenic ride along the coast.

  • Venice Canals - Quirky little replica of Italy’s Venice canals….beautiful houses throughout and it’s very picturesque.

  • Griffith Observatory - Beautiful observation point in LA. Recommend coming for sunset. They also have an exhibit and a planetarium show that is cool.

  • Malibu Wine Safaris - A zoo/winery where you can drive around in a safari vehicle visiting animals and sampling wines. BOOK AHEAD (this one fills up months in advance, especially if trying to snag weekend times).

  • Walk around Abbott Kinney - trendy stretch of shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, etc. Just a block or so up from the beach.

  • First Friday in Venice - first Friday of every month, all the shops along Abbott Kinney stay open late (they often have snacks and wine) and food trucks line the streets. So you can hop from bar to bar, check out art galleries, shop, grab dinner, etc. Gets very busy!

  • Comedy Shows

    • UCB - Long-standing spot for standup/sketch/improv

    • Groundlings - Another long-standing spot for standup/sketch/improv

    • Brew Haha - Comedy show that takes place at someone’s home and after the performance turns into a house party. Check out Facebook for any upcoming shows.

    • Sunday Night Sex Talks - Monthly storytelling show with all female performer & an all female audience. Topics revolve around sex and relationships and will make you laugh out loud (as well as sometimes cry!). Check out Facebook for details and upcoming shows. There is now a brother show that is co-ed too.

  • Outdoor Movies

    • Cinespia - Movies in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Everyone brings picnic blankets and games to hang out until it gets dark and the movie starts. Recommend getting their early to claim a prime spot for movie viewing. They are mostly in the summer, but there are some sprinkled throughout the year. Check out their website for the schedule.

    • Melrose Rooftop Theater - Super cute, trendy outdoor movie theater with cozy chairs on the top of EP & LP. Check online for schedule!

    • Street Food Cinema - Outdoor movie with tons of food trucks. There are a couple location options with different movie schedules. Check online!

  • Dinner Theater at the Rockwell - They do a fun series called the Unauthorized Musical Parody of [insert popular movie here]. It’s an intimate venue so the actors are running all around you, singing & dancing. I’ve seen a number of them and they are usually pretty funny.

  • TMZ Tour - It’s extremely over-the-top and corny - but actually pretty fun. Recommend doing it with a few drinks in you for added entertainment.

    Where To Go Out at Night in LA

    • Bungalow (Santa Monica) - Lounge on the westside, very trendy

    • Perch (Downtown) - Rooftop bar downtown, nice vibes

    • Main Street Bars (Santa Monica) - Another strip with many good options for nightlife

    • Abbott Kinney Bars (Venice) - Chill bars right next to the beach

    • Townhouse (Venice) - Fun dance spot on the westside

    • Santa Monica Blvd Bars (West Hollywood) - lots of fun options here

    • The Abbey (West Hollywood) - Gay dance club (think naked men swinging from rafters dancing and a fog machine)

    • Angel City Brewery (Downtown) - Indoor/outdoor brewery with games and very nice vibes

    • Two Bit Circus (Downtown) - Barcade

    • Elephante (Santa Monica) - Lounge

    • Bootie LA at the Echoplex (East Side) - Massive dance party

    • Exchange LA (Downtown) - Club for electronic music

    • Academy LA (Hollywood) - Club for electronic music

    • The Avalon (Hollywood) - Club for electronic music

    • Sound (Hollywood) - Club for electronic music

    Places to Eat In LA

    • Grand Central Market (Downtown) - Downtown market with stalls for every type of food imaginable. It gets very packed on weekends but is totally worth a visit. They have something for everyone (plenty of vegan/vegetarian options).

    • Rosaline (West Hollywood) - Peruvian place with the best paella I’ve ever tasted. It costs $50 but I don’t even blink an eye it’s SO GOOD. It’s newer so probably need a reservation.

    • Cassia (Santa Monica) - upscale Southeast Asian, one of my favorite restaurants.

    • Margot (West Hollywood) - California cuisine with very nice vibes. Terrific brunch & breakfast cocktails.

    • Petty Cash (West Hollywood) - Amazing taco joint.

    • Night + Market (West Hollywood) - Thai Street Food (feels like real Thailand but pricier).

    • Trejo’s Tacos (Multiple locations - La Brea or Hollywood) - Danny Trejo’s taco chain, very good tacos. Margs are pretty average though haha. Very good vegan options!

    • Eveleigh (West Hollywood) - Trendy, pretty spot. Also good for drinks.

    • Republique (La Brea / Mid City) - Pricey, but very popular brunch/dinner spot. They don't take reservations for brunch so come early or be prepared to wait in a long line!

    • Mercado (Multiple Locations - 3rd & La Brea or Santa Monica) - Mexican food with the best guacamole!

    • Stella Barra (Hollywood) - Delicious pizza place in Hollywood. Also have the BEST chocolate chip cookies with Rice Krispies baked in. Also have an amazing vegan chocolate chip cookie.

    • Pizzeria Mozza (Hollywood) - Very popular and delicious pizza spot. Definitely need a reservation ahead of time. They also do take-out/delivery.

    • Jon & Vinny’s (West Hollywood) - Small Italian joint along Fairfax. They do a great brunch as well.

    • AOC (Beverly Hills) - Tapas spot with nice atmosphere.

    • Baco Mercat (Downtown) - Trendy spot for tapas in Downtown.

    • Gjelina (Venice) - Amazing tapas restaurant in Venice. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time.

    • Lukshon (Culver City) - Southeast Asian.

    • Odys + Penelope (La Brea) - Brazilian Steakhouse.

    Vegetarian / Vegan Places to Eat in LA

    • Gracias Madre (West Hollywood) - Vegan Mexican with trendy atmosphere. Great for vegans and NON VEGANS.

    • Sage (Culver City & East Side Locations) - Wide range of menu items, another one that non vegans will like a lot as well.

    • Shojin (Culver City & Downtown Locations) - BEST vegan sushi place. It’s pricey & super tiny so must make a reservation well in advance.

    • Cafe Gratitude (Larchmont, Beverly Hills Locations) - Very hippie esque vegan restaurant. Menu items are all named things like “I am grateful for” sort of thing lol.

    • Crossroads (West Hollywood) - Upscale, trendy vegan restaurant.

    • Hasiba (Mid City) - Low key, amazing vegetarian middle eastern restaurant.

    • Green Table (Mid City) - Vegan cafe run by a French couple. The best açaí bowls ever. They are kind of slow, but worth the wait.

    • Power Plant (Mid City) - Low key mostly vegan cafe (they may have a meat option or two but it’s at least primarily vegan if not fully).

    • Real Food Daily (Fairfax) - Vegan chain, good bowls.

    • Beaming (West Hollywood) - Cafe that serves vegan smoothies, açaí bowls, porridge bowls, etc. Also have great fridge items to take for lunch on the go as well.

    • Grand Central Market (Downtown) - There is a very wide range of options here so while not vegan entirely, vegans/vegetarians will find options, from vegan ramen, to falafel, to PB&J, etc.

    Top Brunch Picks (ones at the top are already detailed on lists above)

    • Gracias Madre (West Hollywood) - already details above but they serve a fantastic brunch.

    • Margot (Culver City) - also already detailed above but come here for the avocado toast! Also a great chickpea sandwich mmmm.

    • Salt’s Cure (Hollywood) - You cannot come here without getting their pancakes, they are the best I’ve ever tasted (and I am very picky with my pancakes).

    • Norah’s (West Hollywood) - Great brunch place, can often get in without a reservation.

    • Met Her at A Bar (La Brea) - Low key but DELICIOUS spot along La Brea. BEST avocado toast. Often has a wait during key times on weekends (no reservations though).

    • Rose Cafe (Venice) - Popular brunch spot, make a reservation aheah

    • The Butcher’s Daughter (Venice) - Another cute trendy brunch spot, don’t think they take reservations ahead of time. But you can put in your name and shop around Abbott Kinney!

    • Millie’s (East Side) - Low key diner with amazing food!

    • République (La Brea) - Expect to wait when you come here, but a fantastic brunch! Make sure to sample a few bakery items from the counter as well!

    Best Cookies in Los Angeles (because I’m a Cookie Monster)

    • Stella Barra - Get the chocolate chip rice krispie cookie. It will change your life. (They also have a vegan chocolate chip cookie that is bomb!)

    • Milk Jar Cookies - Even the flavors I don’t think I’ll like I end up being obsessed with haha.

    • Sycamore Kitchen - Rice Krispy cookie and toffee cookies are amazing.

    • Milo & Olive - Perfectly delectable chocolate chip cookie

    • Magnolia Bakery - Chocolate sea salt caramel cookie. There is some man who sometimes walks in and will buy EVERY COOKIE OUT OF THEIR COOKIE JAR. SELFISH. But if they are out of cookies, get the banana pudding!

    • Milk - Obsessed with their Molasses cookies.

    • Paper and Plastik - Chocolate Chip Marshmallow cookie that is Gluten Free!

    • Village Bakery - I don’t get to Atwater Village very often, but when I do I’m definitely stopping in here for their Nutty Cookie!

    • Cabbage Patch - Toffee Cookie that is always super soft and delicious.

    • Deluscious Cookies - Don’t let the annoying creatively spelled name fool you - these cookies are amazing. They also do COOKIE CAKES. Which is actually surprisingly hard to find in LA (at least good ones).