A kitschy Hollywood cemetery. Cinespia's outdoor summer movie screenings and bands at the Masonic Lodge are a unique experience. Bring a picnic & wine for the movies and buy tickets well in advance!
Best hot dogs in the West since 1939! Try one of their exotic and unique specialty dogs like the Huell Howser Dog or the Planet Hollywood Dog, but leave time - the line can last an hour even at 2 A.M.
An icon from the era of mid-century "programmatic" architecture and one of L.A.'s landmarks - featured in many shows and films. Enjoy a fried doughnut and appreciate the kitsch value.
A black-tie, invitation-only clubhouse where magic shows and an invisible piano player accompany steak dinners. You can get the required invitation from a member through someone taking magic classes!
Chicken & Waffles is an urban spin on southern Soul Food, originating in Harlem. However, Roscoe's in LA is the most famous place for C&W, referenced in movies & songs. Use both syrup and hot sauce!
See a unique natural history museum for fossils excavated from the La Brea Tar Pits, which trapped animals here for the past 50,000 years (the period before the Ice Age), right in the middle of LA!
The original street that made up Cuidad de Los Angeles. Celebrate colorful Mexican-American holidays like Dia De Los Muertos on Nov. 1 and the Blessing of the Animals on the Saturday before Easter.
"Naïve art" towers decorated with found shards built by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia between 1921-54 BY HAND. Take the Metro Blue Line to 104th to see it and DO NOT WANDER! Watts is still the ghetto.
Features an surprising fusion of two widely separated food cultures, Mexican and Korean, in a format that is 'typical LA': a food truck. Track it at http://kogibbq.com/ and try a kimchi-quesadilla!
The world's largest independent record store (even though the original of the 3 Amoebas is in Berkeley)! Shop their huge selection of used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, which is half the 43,000 sq. ft. store!
At this offbeat museum, see bizarre relics "evoking the more obscure and poetic aspects of natural history, the history of technology and science, and their entwined realizations in human artistry."
Check out the most prominent building owned by everyone's favorite religious cult. Come for Sunday brunch, explore the grounds, watch a Scientology promotional video, and get an e-meter reading.
It puts the "fun" back in "funicular railway." Ride this relic from 1901 built to ease access to the then-residential Bunker Hill from core downtown below. It's now across from Grand Central Market.
See over 150 rare and classic cars in one of the world's largest automotive museums located in a city associated with driving, highways, and the ascension of 20th century car culture and suburbs.
Only museum in the world dedicated to neon, electric and kinetic art, with several famous instances signs from LA's past in their collection. They also give bus tours of current neon in LA.
Cross your fingers and hope they are open when you come. This place has some of the choicest old swag, but the owners open and close whenever they feel like, rather than having posted hours.
Pick a "carver" behind the counter and queue up in front of her until you get your french dip. Cole's also claims invention of french dip sandwiches in 1908, so compare their vastly different styles.
Sit in the red car room and order a Guinness float with your french dip and go easy on the mustard. Contrast this moody restaurant style to the deli style at Philippe's, french dip's other "inventor."
Buy tickets online and see a movie or get a tour of the most famous movie theater in the world. Or, go the cheap route and just admire the building and footprints out front.
Check http://www.cinefamily.org/ to see when the silent movies are playing. It used to be exclusively those and the only one of its kind, but now hosts a number of fun & odd thematic movie screenings.
The 300 seat Oschin Planetarium is one of the finest and most technologically sophisticated in the world. Once a month, Los Angeles astronomy clubs host a free Public Star Party on the lawn. Leer más.
As if the fact that Frank Gehry designed this architectural wonder wasn’t enough, Disney Hall also enjoys musical direction by one of the most compelling conductors in the world: Gustavo Dudamel.
Take the 704 bus so you can drink AND stay for all of encores at one of LA's famous venues that still does alternative. Buy tickets at the box office to save money and check the sign for secret shows.
Don't bother showing up early... Artists go on late and there's not a bad location in the house.
Not the most glamorous, but the divey vibes & iconic status give a kind of cbgb feel to an LA venue. Order Two Boots at the bar, & catch Monday night residencies to see bands on the verge of success
Ask for the free coat check. Also get to shows early so you can get one of a limited number of pit access wristbands!
Call to book your own show here! The Whiskey is one of LA's famous 1960s venues, but mostly hosts metal bands now due to its pay-to-play policy, where anyone who can rent it and book their own show.
One of the few historic Broadway theaters that have been restored is the Orpheum. The theater’s Wurlitzer pipe organ is still operational, but you’re more apt to find film screenings or pop concerts. Leer más.
Theatre has cool iPhone app that gives you show schedule, links to buy tix, restaurant info, special discounts and more! www.BroadwayLA.org/iPhone
One of the best burgers and beer selections in LA, with each beer served in its correct glass. But save your pennies! A burger and beer will be at least $30. Also, food can't be customized.
I highly reccommend the Rabbit & Rattlesnake sausage. I've had at least 10. Also, grab a Gouden Carolus & some truffled fries w/ Curry Ketchup.
Get a toasted marshmallow latte and admire the monochrome spread of photos and quotes from Audrey Hepburn that adorn every surface of this cafe.
Come on a weekday when the locals have school. Short lines make it much more enjoyable!
CA (See) One of the best venues to hear music in LA. Pack a dinner and grab a bottle of wine (or two) - sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Remnants of Kinney's 1904 vision for a western Coney Island with canals modeled on Venice, Italy. The beach is now a bastion of LA kitsch and some canals remain. Walk or skate & enjoy the spectacle!
Open til 2 AM, so hit it up on a break from nearby WeHo gay clubs and mix your favorite candies, fruits, and ice cream however you like. It's becoming a chain, but the original started here in 2008.
"The original and largest Guitar Center. It has a huge collection of old guitars in the back. Guitar shops surround it, as I call it: "the Guitar District." WAX's video California filmed next to it."
Capitalizing on the Tutankhamen craze, Sid Grauman opened his 1st movie palace in 1922. The 1st modern premier, for Doug Fairbank’s Robin Hood was held here. It is now home to American Cinematheque.
(CA, See) This awesome indie theatre plays great flicks that often times are difficult to find anywhere else. A must for film buffs!
Get there early for $1 Taco night on Wednesdays because it gets very crowded. If it is hop across the street for the beer and a shot special at the Liquid Kitty!
If waiting in line for the Matterhorn at Disneyland were a bar, The Red Lion would be it. Also, there's this: http://youtu.be/BlLCkGCbvpw
Tuesday nights are record club hosted by origami. Sign up at origami vinyl and bring a record to play!
Enjoy the interior that is both wonderful and tacky in it's extremely themed decor, with the doors in onion shapes and the private rooms having tent interiors. Best Tunisian and Moroccan food in town!
Must-do's: grab some ricotta salata from Monsieur Marcel, warm apple fritter at Bob's Donuts, hot sauce from Light My Fire, and old-fashioned candy from the farm stands. Leer más.
Step 1: get 10+ pack of potato tacos @ Taquerias El Atacor #11 down the street. Step 2: bring them into Footsie's, get a Chimay White, eat/share tacos. Bonus points: Metal Mondays
Order excellent Indian food at Gill's Indian restaurant (in the same building) and they will bring it to the bar for you.
Happy hour 5-8 Tuesday thru Friday with the Xtra-Neato Andi Blair. $3 drafts & well drinx. WHAT!? &Latenite Happy Hour Sunday thru Thursday 11-12 w/ your bartender D'jour same retarded prices! Stoopid
Festivus Cinnamon Bitter-please come back. I don't care if it's not Christmas. Rye on the Palate is sensational.
Enjoyed the burger & the jalapeno coleslaw. One thing to note is the oil used to fry their fish is also used for all their fries. A hint of fishiness on the sweet potato fries turned my friend off.
In the middle of Highland Park’s burgeoning nightlife scene, Johnny’s Bar quickly developed its own following with cheap drinks, 10 beers on tap, friendly bartenders and comfortable furnishings. Leer más.
Enjoy the land that actor Will Rogers purchased for his family in 1922. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the equestrian activities, trail rides and hikes. Leer más.
LA has a river! Kayak it with http://lariverexpeditions.com/ and see the unique sights it offers. It is usually nearly dry because of man-made alterations, but they are partially restoring it.
The Lamb. Anything with Lamb. Must I repeat myself? Get some Lamb. I spoke with the man himself (Papa Cristo) and he explained that you cannot find lamb properly cooked anywhere else! Just try it.
CA (See) - One of LA's best dive bars with the added bonus of talented bikini clad ladies pole dancing to everything from Radiohead to Dr. Dre.
The Salt Peanut Cake with rich butter cream, peanut butter and salty, crunchy potato chips beats the Maple Bacon Doughnut any day.
Get there before noon to claim a fire pit on the weekends. Skip the pay lot, you can usually find street parking.
Lawry's Cut + Creamed Corn = Perfect Combo. Also get your Prime Rib medium rare so the leftovers will still be good when you heat them up again!
The elegant art deco interior is actually so breathtaking you almost don’t care what’s on the menu, though Cicada does feature the finest in Italian fare & one of the classiest lounges in the city. Leer más.
Don't miss the cochinita pibil or the poc chuc (sour-orange-marinated mesquite-grilled pork loin)! Leer más.
Maguey roasted lamb burrito with whole beans, rice, cheese and a generous portion of different cuts of tender lamb.
World-class art on display with no entrance fee to the museum. Have your smartphone ready and take photos of the breathtaking view over Los Angeles!
If you are coming to be a studio audience member bring a jacket and SNACKS. Tapings are usually 4-5 hours.
Soot Bull Jeep = the best Korean BBQ in LA, maybe all of the US! NOTE: Because they/you use real charcoal to cook the food.. your clothes will smell like a campfire for weeks.
