Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Blu Jam serves breakfast and lunch only (breakfast all day) and has delicious, healthy food. They have some not-so-healthy options also but it's all organic and fresh. You can walk there from my house if you're up for it. It's 1.3 miles downhill to get there. So that means it's 1.3 miles uphill to get back. A nice morning walk if the weather is nice. They have outdoor seating also. The inside can get pretty loud.
268 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Blu Jam Cafe
7371 Melrose AveBlu Jam serves breakfast and lunch only (breakfast all day) and has delicious, healthy food. They have some not-so-healthy options also but it's all organic and fresh. You can walk there from my house if you're up for it. It's 1.3 miles downhill to get there. So that means it's 1.3 miles uphill to get back. A nice morning walk if the weather is nice. They have outdoor seating also. The inside can get pretty loud.
Cici's is always crowded because the food is great. But--it's painfully loud so if you're bothered by that it's not the place for you. They're known for their pancakes and breakfast items. There's usually a line but I always say, if there's a line there's a reason. You can walk from my house. It's about 1.5 miles with the return walk up the hill.
35 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Cici's Cafe
18912 Ventura BlvdCici's is always crowded because the food is great. But--it's painfully loud so if you're bothered by that it's not the place for you. They're known for their pancakes and breakfast items. There's usually a line but I always say, if there's a line there's a reason. You can walk from my house. It's about 1.5 miles with the return walk up the hill.
This is my favorite place for breakfast in the area. It's small and open only for breakfast and lunch. The menu isn't as extensive as Cici's but it's quaint and the prices are better. It's 1.5 miles from my house so you can walk if you don't mind the uphill walk home.
Little Cafe
19204 Ventura BlvdThis is my favorite place for breakfast in the area. It's small and open only for breakfast and lunch. The menu isn't as extensive as Cici's but it's quaint and the prices are better. It's 1.5 miles from my house so you can walk if you don't mind the uphill walk home.
I love a dive with great food and this is one of my favorites. Bronco Burrito is a shack where you order the food at the counter. It's inexpensive and the food is outstanding. If you like carnitas, you will love it here.
Bronco Burrito
19511 Ventura BlvdI love a dive with great food and this is one of my favorites. Bronco Burrito is a shack where you order the food at the counter. It's inexpensive and the food is outstanding. If you like carnitas, you will love it here.
If you like Mexican food and want a full-service restaurant with a scene, Sol Y Luna is close by and the food is very good. The bar is fun and you can eat dinner there if you can grab a table. There can be a long wait here but it's worth it.
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Sol Y Luna
19601 Ventura BlvdIf you like Mexican food and want a full-service restaurant with a scene, Sol Y Luna is close by and the food is very good. The bar is fun and you can eat dinner there if you can grab a table. There can be a long wait here but it's worth it.
This is the only sushi restaurant in the area with any sort of ambience. The food is outstanding every time, but the service is consistently inconsistent. I can't figure out why they don't hire more people because it's busy every time I'm there. The service is better at the sushi bar. UPDATE: They are closed for remodeling due to a fire.
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Kushiyu
18713-15 Ventura BlvdThis is the only sushi restaurant in the area with any sort of ambience. The food is outstanding every time, but the service is consistently inconsistent. I can't figure out why they don't hire more people because it's busy every time I'm there. The service is better at the sushi bar. UPDATE: They are closed for remodeling due to a fire.
I love Sushi Spot for the food. It's in a weird strip mall (as are most restaurants in the valley, but this one is kind of gross). The chefs are very friendly and the food is absolutely delicious. The place itself is no-frills, but the food is great and you may see some celebrities there. It's one of my favorite sushi places in the area. Warning: It can be expensive depending on what you order but everything is super fresh and delicious.
Sushi Spot Restaurant
19658 Ventura BlvdI love Sushi Spot for the food. It's in a weird strip mall (as are most restaurants in the valley, but this one is kind of gross). The chefs are very friendly and the food is absolutely delicious. The place itself is no-frills, but the food is great and you may see some celebrities there. It's one of my favorite sushi places in the area. Warning: It can be expensive depending on what you order but everything is super fresh and delicious.
If you're not from California and you've heard about In-N-Out and never tried it, go for it. It really is as good as everyone says. They don't show the "animal style" burger on the menu but ask for it. It's the secret menu item that everyone raves about. There will probably be a big line (it's a drive through but you can also park and walk up to the window) but it moves very quickly.
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In-N-Out Burger
7220 Balboa BlvdIf you're not from California and you've heard about In-N-Out and never tried it, go for it. It really is as good as everyone says. They don't show the "animal style" burger on the menu but ask for it. It's the secret menu item that everyone raves about. There will probably be a big line (it's a drive through but you can also park and walk up to the window) but it moves very quickly.
It's another no-frills restaurant with amazing food. This Lebanese restaurant has delicious sandwiches, hummus, kebabs and more. They deliver or you can pick it up.
Cafe Du Liban
19223 Ventura BlvdIt's another no-frills restaurant with amazing food. This Lebanese restaurant has delicious sandwiches, hummus, kebabs and more. They deliver or you can pick it up.
I searched for years for good Thai food in the area and finally found Coconut Thai. They deliver and the food is great.
Coconut Thai Cuisine
18594 Ventura BlvdI searched for years for good Thai food in the area and finally found Coconut Thai. They deliver and the food is great.
Grand Central Market is a conglomeration of food stalls and restaurants with every sort of ethnic food you can imagine. You can tie this in with a trip to The Broad and it'll be a fun day in DTLA (our code for Downtown LA).
968 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Гранд-Сентрал-Маркет
317 S BroadwayGrand Central Market is a conglomeration of food stalls and restaurants with every sort of ethnic food you can imagine. You can tie this in with a trip to The Broad and it'll be a fun day in DTLA (our code for Downtown LA).
The Village is one of my favorite restaurants in the valley. If you like shared plates, check this place out. There's a fun bar with indoor and outdoor seating, the food is consistently good, and I love that you can try lots of different things.
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The Village
12345 Ventura BlvdThe Village is one of my favorite restaurants in the valley. If you like shared plates, check this place out. There's a fun bar with indoor and outdoor seating, the food is consistently good, and I love that you can try lots of different things.
Firefly is a mix of beautiful restaurant and comfortable bar. The food is great with a menu that changes with the seasons so everything is always super fresh. The bar has a great lounge area with sofas and cushy chairs. It's expensive.
151 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Firefly
11720 Ventura BlvdFirefly is a mix of beautiful restaurant and comfortable bar. The food is great with a menu that changes with the seasons so everything is always super fresh. The bar has a great lounge area with sofas and cushy chairs. It's expensive.
Great Italian food is hard to find in Los Angeles (I've lived in New York so I'm sort of spoiled). But...I love La Loggia. The service is always great and the chef is very accommodating. It's a quiet place and perfect for a relaxing dinner. Moderate to expensive.
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La Loggia Restaurant
11814 Ventura BlvdGreat Italian food is hard to find in Los Angeles (I've lived in New York so I'm sort of spoiled). But...I love La Loggia. The service is always great and the chef is very accommodating. It's a quiet place and perfect for a relaxing dinner. Moderate to expensive.
This might be my favorite restaurant in LA. It's literally on the beach. The food is excellent and the people watching is fantastic. The service is slow but it doesn't matter. You'll be sitting in front of the bike path watching people ride, walk and roller blade by. It gets crowded in the summer. If there's a long wait you can give your name and go for a walk. Casual and moderately priced. Wear sunscreen.
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Back on the Beach Cafe
445 CA-1This might be my favorite restaurant in LA. It's literally on the beach. The food is excellent and the people watching is fantastic. The service is slow but it doesn't matter. You'll be sitting in front of the bike path watching people ride, walk and roller blade by. It gets crowded in the summer. If there's a long wait you can give your name and go for a walk. Casual and moderately priced. Wear sunscreen.
A quiet spot just a mile from my house, Unwind is an elegant yet casual spot for wine and fresh gourmet food. I like sitting at the bar and sharing different plates. It's in a weird spot, literally under a stairwell behind the iHop, but once you walk in you'll feel like you're in a New York neighborhood joint. They just changed ownership and last time I was there the service was a little slow, but the ambiance is great and the food is really good.
Unwind
19100 Ventura BlvdA quiet spot just a mile from my house, Unwind is an elegant yet casual spot for wine and fresh gourmet food. I like sitting at the bar and sharing different plates. It's in a weird spot, literally under a stairwell behind the iHop, but once you walk in you'll feel like you're in a New York neighborhood joint. They just changed ownership and last time I was there the service was a little slow, but the ambiance is great and the food is really good.
Parks & Nature
If you enjoy hiking, this is a great spot about a 1.5 miles from my house. You can hike to the top for an ocean view. Watch the signs for parking--they give tickets if you park in the wrong spot.
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Парк Марвин Брауд Малхолланд Гейтвей
3600 Reseda BlvdIf you enjoy hiking, this is a great spot about a 1.5 miles from my house. You can hike to the top for an ocean view. Watch the signs for parking--they give tickets if you park in the wrong spot.
Another hiking trail close by that people love. It gets very hot in the summer so if you go be sure to bring plenty of water.
Caballero Canyon - Santa Monica Mountains Trail
Another hiking trail close by that people love. It gets very hot in the summer so if you go be sure to bring plenty of water.
In my opinion this is the most beautiful beach in the area. It's about a 40 minute drive from my house but worth it. In the summer, the temperature could be as much as 20 degrees cooler than here in the valley.
222 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Пляж Эль-Матадор
32350 Pacific Coast HwyIn my opinion this is the most beautiful beach in the area. It's about a 40 minute drive from my house but worth it. In the summer, the temperature could be as much as 20 degrees cooler than here in the valley.
Essentials
Walgreens
20505 Sherman WayThis is the closest pharmacy in the area.
Gelson's is a high-end grocery store with a fantastic meats and fish department. They also have a bakery and Wolfgang Puck restaurant inside. Easy parking, always quick to get in and out. It's more expensive that the big grocery stores but it's close and for produce or meats, it's the place to go.
61 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Gelson's Market
5500 Reseda BlvdGelson's is a high-end grocery store with a fantastic meats and fish department. They also have a bakery and Wolfgang Puck restaurant inside. Easy parking, always quick to get in and out. It's more expensive that the big grocery stores but it's close and for produce or meats, it's the place to go.
Easy parking underground and well, it's Whole Foods.
122 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Whole Foods Market
21347 Ventura BlvdEasy parking underground and well, it's Whole Foods.
This is the grocery store where I do most of my shopping--except for meats or fish which I get at either Gelson's or Whole Foods.
Ralphs
20060 Ventura BlvdThis is the grocery store where I do most of my shopping--except for meats or fish which I get at either Gelson's or Whole Foods.
Very typical of this area are the nail salons along Ventura Blvd. I go to Capri Nails because I've known the owner for years and the prices are very good. I get a pedicure in the massage chair and it's $20. It's not what I'd call a relaxing place--the TV is on and there's lots of Vietnamese chatter between the staff, but it's a quick in and out and they do a good job.
Capri Nails
19556 Ventura BlvdVery typical of this area are the nail salons along Ventura Blvd. I go to Capri Nails because I've known the owner for years and the prices are very good. I get a pedicure in the massage chair and it's $20. It's not what I'd call a relaxing place--the TV is on and there's lots of Vietnamese chatter between the staff, but it's a quick in and out and they do a good job.
Shopping
Malibu Country Mart is about a 35 minute drive and is great for cafes, shopping, and beach views. You can spend a day at the beach and then stop here for lunch or shopping afterwards.
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Торговый центр Malibu Country Mart
3835 Cross Creek RdMalibu Country Mart is about a 35 minute drive and is great for cafes, shopping, and beach views. You can spend a day at the beach and then stop here for lunch or shopping afterwards.
This Farmers Market is open on Sundays and has a great variety of prepared foods of all kinds in addition to the typical organic fruits and vegetables you'd expect. I love the empanadas.
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Encino Farmers Market
17400 Victory BlvdThis Farmers Market is open on Sundays and has a great variety of prepared foods of all kinds in addition to the typical organic fruits and vegetables you'd expect. I love the empanadas.
Arts & Culture
This is a newer museum in LA with an incredible collection of modern art. You can get through it in an hour or so. DTLA is a fun area to check out and this can be one stop on the way.
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The Broad
221 S Grand AveThis is a newer museum in LA with an incredible collection of modern art. You can get through it in an hour or so. DTLA is a fun area to check out and this can be one stop on the way.
The Getty Villa is just above the ocean in Pacific Palisades. You need to make a reservation to park. It's not too big so you can work it into a day in Malibu or Santa Monica.
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Вилла Гетти
17985 Pacific Coast HwyThe Getty Villa is just above the ocean in Pacific Palisades. You need to make a reservation to park. It's not too big so you can work it into a day in Malibu or Santa Monica.
Drinks & Nightlife
The bar at the Huntley Hotel is a great spot to watch the sunset and catch some of LA's "scene." It's a beautiful spot with amazing views. I like the lounge area with sofas all around. Expensive.
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The Huntley Hotel Santa Monica Beach
1111 2nd StThe bar at the Huntley Hotel is a great spot to watch the sunset and catch some of LA's "scene." It's a beautiful spot with amazing views. I like the lounge area with sofas all around. Expensive.
This local bar has live music five nights a week with Blues every Monday. It's really fun, the drinks are inexpensive, and the vibe is great.
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Maui Sugar Mill Saloon
18389 Ventura BlvdThis local bar has live music five nights a week with Blues every Monday. It's really fun, the drinks are inexpensive, and the vibe is great.
Sightseeing
This is a shopping area where the street is blocked from traffic. Street performers are all around, there are lots of dining options in every price range, and all sorts of shops, mostly chains though.
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Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeThis is a shopping area where the street is blocked from traffic. Street performers are all around, there are lots of dining options in every price range, and all sorts of shops, mostly chains though.
This is a funky shopping area made up of unique shops and restaurants. They don't allow any chains so you will find interesting places, local designers, art galleries and great restaurants.
1065 (рекомендации местных жителей)
Бульвар Эббот-Кинни
Abbot Kinney BoulevardThis is a funky shopping area made up of unique shops and restaurants. They don't allow any chains so you will find interesting places, local designers, art galleries and great restaurants.