Welcome to El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula! Well, better just stick with LA. We love LA! And what’s not to love? So-Cal’s Mediterranean climate offers year-round sunshine and mild weather. While getting around the entertainment capital’s sprawl can be vexing, there is an endless number of places to explore. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, you can surf and ski in the same day if you like. The Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, and other sports teams are perennially in the running for championships. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse places in the world with people from 140 countries and 224 languages. Differences are celebrated and that is reflected in its spectacular food scene. What adventures you choose here are only limited by your imagination.

Adventures | Must Sees | Must Sees: Exclusive | Food | Transportation

ADVENTURES

Beaches

With an endless summer, surfers can wait for the perfect break. Along a backdrop of glassy waves, you can sail, paddleboard, or run.

Mountains

Ski and surf on the same day! The extensive network of trails in the San Gabriels offer hiking as high as 10,064′ on Mt. Baldy.

CicLAvia

CicLAvia temporarily closes its streets to car traffic. For a brief moment, Angelenos cycle and bask in this whimsical public space.

MUST SEES

Griffith Park

This giant urban wilderness has coastal sage, oak trees, and miles of trails. On Mt. Hollywood, the observatory offers iconic views of LA and the Hollywood Sign. Inside, a giant pendulum marks time and a Tesla coil sends sparks of electricity through the air.

El Matador Beach

Witness the rugged splendor of El Matador’s secluded pocket cove. Erosion of the coastal cliff has sculpted jagged rock formations jutting out of the Pacific. Explore the beach’s craggy sea caves, arches, and tidepools.

Hollywood Bowl

The natural amphitheater is carved in the hills, making it the ultimate concert spot under the stars. Have a picnic on a warm summer evening. Enjoy a lively performance in a venue with natural acoustics and an advanced sound system.

Disney Concert Hall

Frank Gehry designed the shimmering curvy structure with stainless steel panels. The surfaces emulate ship sails billowing in the wind. With outstanding acoustics, the LA Philharmonic soars to symphonic heights.

San Gabriel Mountains

After a winter storm, the snowcapped San Gabriels clearly frame LA’s skyline. These extremely rugged and wild mountains are just 30 minutes away. You can spend an entire lifetime hiking its trails.

Silver Lake Stairs

Over 60 secret staircases connect hipsters in this hilly neighborhood with restaurants on Sunset. Some stairs are steep, hidden, and painted in bright colors and designs. Laurel and Hardy moved a piano up the Music Box Steps to hilarious effect.

Getty Center

From a hilltop perch above Brentwood, the Getty Center’s travertine and aluminum tiles gleam white in the sunshine. Its collection showcases European art with van Gogh’s “Irises” at the forefront.

Olvera Street

A group of 44 Mexican settlers of indigenous, African, and European heritage founded the pueblo. The plaza by Olvera Street is the oldest part of LA. Today, you can wander through the vibrant marketplace and historic adobe buildings.

Watts Towers

Over 34 years, Italian-born Simon Rodia built a monument to dreams and creativity. He constructed the 17 towers by wrapping concrete around steel rebar. Colorful mosaics decorate the towers with glass, tiles, porcelain, and shells.

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

Climb the 282 steps of the Culver City Stairs. If you need an escape from the daily grind, consider running up that hill! Enjoy panoramic views from the Pacific to DTLA.

Wayfarers Chapel

Lloyd Wright designed a sacred space that is perfectly in harmony with its natural surroundings. Its redwood timbers, glass, and local stone blend seamlessly with the redwood grove framing the site. (9/24: The chapel was dismantled due shifting land.)

The Last Bookstore

As bookstores are becoming rare, come here to unlock core memories related to the smell of old books. Explore this whimsical store’s book tunnel, reading nook, and zany window made of books.

Hollywood Sign

The former Hollywoodland Sign is a world-famous landmark and symbol of LA. Did you know you can hike 1.5 miles to the top of Mt. Lee and peer down at its letters?

Bradbury Building

Its nondescript exterior hides an interior atrium illuminated by a giant glass skylight. The inner courtyard contains five floors decorated with black iron railings and pink tiles. The light from the setting sun evokes film noir moods like in “Blade Runner.”

Abbot Kinney Blvd

Abbot Kinney is a vibe – at once trendy and laid back. It has been labeled “the coolest block in America.” It is immensely walkable and crammed with hip and eclectic shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Venice Canals

This neighborhood has four canals lined with residential homes. Leisurely stroll past the beautiful homes and their boat docks. Look at the immaculate yards and quirky decorations.

LA Live

LA Live is a sports and entertainment complex featuring sports and music venues, restaurants, and extremely bright screens. At the court in front of the “House that Kobe Built,” there are statues of Kobe, Shaq, Magic, and Kareem.

Walk of Fame

Hollywood is the city of dreams. While the sidewalks are gritty, the biggest stars have left their mark at the Chinese Theatre. There are handprints and footprints in the cement belonging to Marilyn Monroe, Darth Vader, and Harry Potter.

Point Dume Beach

See the vertical rock wall of Point Dume. Go east on the sandy trail up its northern flank. There are nice views of secluded Pirates Cove Beach. This crescent beach was the burial spot of the Statue of Liberty in the “Planet of the Apes.”

Space Shuttle

Endeavour was built from the shuttle fleet’s spare parts after Challenger’s tragic disaster. It flew the first servicing mission for the Hubble Telescope and first assembly mission for the International Space Station. 

LACMA

The streetlights of “Urban Light” are a magnet for LACMA. As is the hulking “Levitated Mass” megalith. “Metropolis II” is a Lego builder’s dream with moving toy cars and trains. And, yes there’s world class art, like Magritte’s “The Treachery of Images.”

La Brea Tar Pits

Thick tar has seeped up for eons trapping animals in its murky depths. If you like P-22, then you will love the big kitty at the tar pits. In the sticky goo, paleontologists have found fossils of mammoths, dire wolves, bears, ground sloths, and a saber-toothed cat.

Huntington Library

The museum’s treasures include the Declaration of Independence and “The Blue Boy” by Gainsborough. The Chinese Garden features a waterfall and a hillside terrace above a stunning lake. The space also includes desert landscapes and a Japanese moon bridge.

Lower Grand

Beneath the glitzy music and art corridor on Upper Grand lurks a futuristic substructure of concrete on Lower Grand. It’s a dark, moody, and empty space that attracts insomniacs and photographers like moths to a flame.

 

MUST SEES: EXCLUSIVE

Magic Castle

What mysteries lurk in this clubhouse for practitioners of the magical arts? Whisper secret words to an owl to enter. Wander through five bars, multiple levels, and three venues. Marvel at daring feats of legerdemain and prestidigitation!

JPL Open House

Occasionally, JPL offers a behind the scenes look of its campus. View full-size models of Mars rovers and mission control. Learn how they assemble and test the spacecraft components.

SpaceX

You need an invitation to visit the Hawthorne facility, where the future awaits. See where they manufacture the Falcon and Dragon spacecraft. A Starlink high-speed Internet satellite hangs from the ceiling. An Iron Man suit in the elevator memorializes the Iron Man 2 film set.

FOOD

What does LA taste like? In So-Cal, let your stomach lead you on a culinary journey around the world. Like everything else in this city, there is so much innovation and cultural intermingling of the next big thing. The food truck craze, night markets, pop-ups, and street vendors all originated in LA. For yesterday’s traditions, look elsewhere. There are so many talented chefs expanding culinary horizons and creating amazing new dishes. Here are some shining stars.

Grand Central Market

Navigate the food hall filled with global fare and neon lights. Visit booths offering carnitas tacos, pupusas, Korean dosirak rice bowls, and stalls serving strawberry donuts and coffee.

Tacos

Every Mexican regional style of taco is expressed in LA, as well as new creative varieties – from carne asada to birria. Start by trying the crispy shrimp tacos at Mariscos Jalisco, grilled steak at Sonoratown, or carnitas at Carnitas El Momo.  

Chinese

For the best Chinese regional cuisines, visit the San Gabriel Valley with a group so you can try many dishes. Go to Corner Beef Noodle House for beef noodles. For elegant Cantonese dishes, try Henry’s Cuisine. To celebrate, go to Bistro Na’s.

French Dip

While Philippe is probably the original, Cole’s has elevated ingredients. They expertly roast the beef to deliver top flavor and tenderness. The bread is crackly with a soft interior. Dipping the sandwich softens the inside of the bread while staying crispy.

Burgers

Father’s Office has the best with dry-aged beef, bacon, caramelized onions, blue cheese, gruyere, and arugula. Gear up for peak smash burger at For the Win. Go to Apple Pan for a classic hickory burger.

Korean

K-town doesn’t sleep, so come here for a wild night and banchan. For KBBQ, go to Park’s and grill up premium meats. Or try galbi jimm at Sun Nong Dan. They braise beef short ribs and vegetables, top it with cheese, and set it ablaze.

Japanese

With its proximity to the ocean, seafood at Sawtelle or Little Tokyo is as fresh as it gets. For solid sashimi, check out Sushi Gen. I’m still saving up to snag one of Hayato’s seven seats for the ultimate, two Michelin star, omakase experience.

Thai

In Thai Town, hop by Luv2Eat or Jitlada for electric flavors and “Thai Spicy” heat. For Thai Taco Tuesday and other innovations, hurry to Anajak Thai. Savor the weekend at Wat Thai temple night market and sample a variety of delicious items.

Armenian

Start with a flatbread of greens at Zhengyalov Hatz. Grab a basturma brisket sandwich at III Mas. For skewered meats and lule grilled with izakaya precision, go to Mini Kabob. At Carousel, enjoy an assortment of mezes and shawarma.

Vietnamese

For some standout pho and spring rolls, Golden Deli is the place. The soulful broth draws deep flavors from the slowly simmered bones, oxtails, charred onions, ginger, and spices. Beef lovers rejoice with thinly sliced ribeye, brisket, tendon, and tripe.

Bestia

In a dimly lit Arts District warehouse, Bestia is the spot to impress with exceptional Italian food. The creamy pork sausage and black truffles of the Cavatelli alla Norcina is a winner. Save room for the legendary desserts.

Howlin’ Rays

The line used to take hours. In a sando or as a thigh with pickles, the Nashville hot chicken is fire. The twice-fried meat is plump and juicy. The exterior is light and crispy – crystallized by the amazing cayenne spice mix and peppery heat.

Soul Food

Now that the NFL has returned to LA, go to SoFi and Dulan’s in Inglewood for African-American down-home cooking. Enjoy delicious plates of fried chicken, smothered pork chops, oxtails, and sweet potato pie.

Din Tai Fung

DTF’s XLB dumplings have a thin delicate wrapper with 18 folds. These little purses contain luxurious minced pork fillings and flavorful silky broth. Eat carefully, slurp up the juice before dunking in vinegar and chili oil.

Holbox

Holbox offers unbelievable seafood inspired by Yucatecan cuisine. Scallop Aguachile is a magical elixir of lime, cilantro, peppers, and scallops. Try a Kanpachi Taco, filled with smoked amberjack and queso, then topped with salsa macha.

Pizza

LA’s pizza scene is in a golden age. Pizzeria Sei pizzas have flavorful, crispy, and chewy crusts. Before Pijja Palace, who knew we needed chile chutney on pizza? At Quarter Sheets, the offbeat pan pizzas and slab cakes will have you crowding the sidewalk.

Porto’s

Porto’s is a wildly popular Cuban bakery, known for flaky guava pastries and fried potato balls. Get one of their extraordinary cakes for a celebration. The Milk’N Berries is a rich and creamy tres leches and the mango mousse is smooth and flavorful.

TRANSPORTATION

Angels Flight

The world’s shortest funicular climbs Bunker Hill from Hill Street and Grand Avenue. This was an elegant solution in a city of hills and ravines.

Dodger Stadium Express

The free buses link Union Station with the stadium and run every 10 minutes, starting 90 minutes before game time.

Arroyo Seco Parkway

The first freeway connects the four-level interchange in downtown with Pasadena. Like PCH, it’s a thrilling drive with shocking curves and short on-ramps.

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