My favorite Things to do in Los Angeles
Trip Index (what we have published so far):
My favorite Things to do in Seattle
My favorite Things to do in San Francisco
Things to do in Los Angeles - Understand
L.A. can be confusing at first. The city's downtown isn't a real city core, the traffic is manic and the sights are seemingly ultra touristy.
However, L.A. is easily the most creative big city in the world; it never runs out of entertainment options. But this is a town that makes you work hard for your money - you need to invest into location research here more than most other cities. Here is my guide to one of my favorite cities!
What else is in this post?
- Things to do in Los Angeles - Understand
- Things to do in Los Angeles - Logistics
- Things to do in Los Angeles - Sights
- Beverly Hills
- Things to do in Los Angeles - Food and Drink
- The Verve (DownTown)
- Two Guns Espresso (Manhattan Beach)
- Rose Park Roasters Coffee Bar (Long Beach)
- GTA (Gjelina Take Away)
- Guisados
Things to do in Los Angeles - Logistics
Get a rental car in L.A. as anything else will just cause a headache. Secondly, get a data connection and use Google Maps - L.A. has many parallel freeways and knowing which one is jammed up and which one isn't can be the difference between being stuck in traffic for half a day or cruising through the city.
Things to do in Los Angeles - Sights
J. Paul Getty Museum
When you enter L.A. from the north, you'll findthe landmark J. Paul Getty Museum hovering over the city like a European castle.It's in a spectacular location and has incredible views, but the art collection here is just meh in my book.
Getty Villa
The Getty Villa visit is included when you buy a Getty Museum ticket, but you need to make a reservation before coming here. Ideally you should buy both online and make a reservation as early as possible.
I really loved this place; it's like a Southern European mini-castle with lots of quirks. The cafeteria makes delicious burgers and is one of the only lunch options for miles.
Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is the best place for an L.A. sunset, with magnificent views all over the L.A. basin. Unfortunately the secret is out, though, and during the summer months it gets very crowded. There is a very worthwhile show in the planetarium, if you arrive too early like I did the last time I was there.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Honestly, that part of Hollywood is just a bit too dirty and touristy for me. Skip it.
Hollywood Sign
Many people go there to hike, run or walk their dogs. Not a must-do in my opinion,but it's still worth mentioning.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
It's a cool building in a great area (and they actually have oil coming out of the ground there!) However, the art collection isn't very memorable.
MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art is on my list for my next L.A. visit, as I've heard good things about it!
Petersen Automotive Museum
I'm not a big car aficionado, but the Petersen is an impressive museum. There are tons of cool cars presented in a beautiful way, withplentyof interesting car stories shared alongside them.This could be a great thing to do on a rainy day.
Santa Monica State Beach
Santa Monica Beach is probably the best beach around. It's huge, sandy and close to anumber of great food and drink options.
Venice Beach
Nothing to add here asit is famous enough, but therefore it is also really touristy.
Beverly Hills
We all have those images of Rodeo Drive in our heads so that should not be something to miss out on on your trip to Los Angeles. It's a fancy and pretty area that isn't has dirty as many other touristy places in L.A. - so its worth going.
If you have your own transport drive through the palm lined streets and admire the mansions. After that head into the foothills and go out n a trail. You won't believe you are still in L.A. after just 10 minutes drive.
City of Huntington Beach
This is a bit outside the city proper, but gets an honorable mention on my list.
Things to do in Los Angeles - Food and Drink
L.A.'s creativity can be seen in its mind-boggling diversity of food options and places to spend the night.
Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea
Intelligentsia is the champion of the third wave coffee generation, with several outlets across the city. It is an experience that you should try!
My personal favorite Intelligentsia outlet is right behind the beach in Venice. The coffee shop is just beautiful!
The Verve (DownTown)
Verve Coffee is another L.A. based mini chain that build comfortable spaces that will make your coffee experience a hard to forget moment. I really liked the outlet Downtown.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Portland-based Stumptown also has a place in L.A. that won't keep you longing for your caffeine fix.
Joan's on Third
Joan's on Third is a high-end grocery store/eatery, withgood and healthy food. Don't be surprised if your favorite TV or movie star is just grabbing a sandwich here while you munch down your salad.
Bäco Mercat (Downtown)
This cool downtown Spanish-inspired restaurant serves delicious and creative fareto the hungry hordes.
Perch
This speakeasy-themedFrench bistrooccupies two floors; the lower floor is a lounge, bar and restaurant, while upstairs there aresweeping views all over the city from the rooftop lounge.
Rooftop at The Standard
The Rooftop at The Standard is more 'Art Nouveau'. Itfeatures loud music, but it's still a great place to grab a drink and lounge by the pool.
The Spare Room at Roosevelt Hotel
I really like the Roosevelt Hotel. It's one of L.A.'s oldest hotels, but the bars have very little to do with the hotel operations. The Spare Room cocktail lounge comes complete with a vintage bowling area and after a drink or two you might start to think the current year is 1925 instead of 2015.
If the upstairs getstoo crowded, you can check out the even smallerLibrary Bar downstairs.
Two Guns Espresso (Manhattan Beach)
Set back behind the beach along a major thoroughfare is this easy to miss spot. It is the original location of Two Guns Espresso and also has delicious sandwiches besides excellent coffee. Manhattan Beach is close to LAX so it can serve as an easy stopover.
Rose Park Roasters Coffee Bar (Long Beach)
Long Beach had missed out on the third wave coffee boom for too long - now Rose Park Coffee Roasters solves this. This tiny little spot comes with great vibe and delicious coffee and fast WiFi. It's not cheap though!
GTA (Gjelina Take Away)
Come here between 10Am and 11 AM and a fairly sunny day and you will get the L.A. quality of life. GTA churns out tons of inspired, interesting and delicious breakfast items and the small outdoors invite to sit and chat.
Guisados
Guisados is a local chain of Mexican taco restaurants. They come as a fusion, low-key affair that will make your mouth watery before you even arrive. It's also very cheap with around $3 per order. Gourmet without attitude is what Chipotle would say...
