Hotspots
Local hotspots
Food, nightlife, views, shopping and neighbourhoods: places locals recommend, each with an insider tip.
38 places
- Food & drinks
Randy's Donuts
Inglewood
The donut stand with the giant donut on the roof, a movie icon near LAX since 1953.
More infoInsider tip: Get a box of six and pick your own. The apple fritter is a winner.
- Food & drinks
Musso & Frank Grill
Hollywood
Hollywood's oldest restaurant (1919), where Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe were regulars.
More infoInsider tip: Order the prime rib and take your time: this is a classic to savour.
- Food & drinks
- Food & drinks
Norms La Cienega
West Hollywood
An original Googie-style American diner on La Cienega since 1957.
More infoInsider tip: Order the steak & eggs: hearty, affordable and classic.
- Nightlife
- Nightlife
Broken Shaker (Freehand)
Downtown
A colourful rooftop bar with tropical cocktails on top of the Freehand hotel in DTLA.
More infoInsider tip: Try the Bushwacker. Friday nights bring a DJ and the best atmosphere.
The Roxy Theatre
West Hollywood
An iconic live music venue on the Sunset Strip since 1973.
More infoInsider tip: Check the line-up and buy tickets online; popular shows sell out.
- Nightlife
Whisky a Go Go
West Hollywood
The legendary rock club where The Doors were the house band and Guns N' Roses broke through.
More infoInsider tip: Combine it with The Roxy a few hundred metres down: together a slice of music history.
- Nightlife
The Troubadour
West Hollywood
A small, legendary stage where Elton John made his US debut in 1970.
More infoInsider tip: The room is intimate, so almost every spot is good. Arrive early for a place up front.
- Sights
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Downtown
Frank Gehry's wave-like steel concert hall, home of the LA Phil.
More infoInsider tip: Impressive from the outside too: climb the stairs to the rooftop garden. Combine with The Broad across the street.
Angels Flight
Downtown
The world's shortest railway: a historic 1901 funicular in Downtown LA.
More infoInsider tip: A ride takes a minute. Hop off at the bottom by Grand Central Market for lunch.
The Last Bookstore
Downtown
California's largest used bookstore, with a tunnel made of books.
More infoInsider tip: Head upstairs for the book tunnel: a great photo spot.
Getty Villa
Pacific Palisades
A museum in a recreated Roman villa on the coast, with Greek, Roman and Etruscan art.
More infoInsider tip: Entry is free, but reserve a time slot. Parking costs around $20–25.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Miracle Mile
The Oscars academy's film museum, with famous props and interactive exhibits.
More infoInsider tip: It's next to LACMA and the Petersen: plan a museum day on Wilshire.
- Sights
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Exposition Park
George Lucas's new museum of visual storytelling, from paintings to comics and film.
More infoInsider tip: Combine it with the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center in the same park.
- Sights
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood
A remarkable cemetery in the heart of Hollywood where many film stars rest.
More infoInsider tip: In summer there are outdoor film screenings under the stars. Bring a picnic blanket.
Venice Canals
Venice
A peaceful neighbourhood of real canals and footbridges, minutes from the busy boardwalk.
More infoInsider tip: Stroll across the footbridges in the morning or around sunset, when the light is best.
- Nature & views
Mulholland Drive Scenic Overlook
Hollywood Hills
Lookouts along the famous ridge road, with views over the San Fernando Valley and the city.
More infoInsider tip: One of the best places to see LA from above. Park only in the marked spots.
- Nature & views
Ernest E. Debs Regional Park
Montecito Heights
A hidden gem in Northeast LA with quiet trails and a small pond.
More infoInsider tip: You'll meet few tourists here: lovely for a morning walk with Downtown views.
- Nature & views
Eaton Canyon Falls
Pasadena
An accessible canyon hike to a waterfall at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains.
More infoInsider tip: Ideal for half a day out of town. Check first that the trail is open; it sometimes closes after fires or rain.
- Nature & views
Solstice Canyon
Malibu
An easy Malibu hike to a waterfall, past the ruins of an old ranch house.
More infoInsider tip: Great for a quiet morning walk, before it gets hot.
- Nature & views
Angeles National Forest
San Gabriel Mountains
A vast mountain area above LA with dozens of trails, from short loops to tough summits.
More infoInsider tip: Many trailhead lots require an Adventure Pass. You can buy a day pass at Big 5 Sporting Goods, among other places.
- Nature & views
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area
Agua Dulce
Tilted sandstone rocks outside LA, famous from Star Trek and countless westerns.
More infoInsider tip: A different kind of day out, about an hour's drive. Bring water: there's little shade.
- Shopping
- Shopping
Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica
A car-free shopping street near the pier, with street performers, shops and restaurants.
More infoInsider tip: Park in one of the city garages on 2nd or 4th Street and walk the last bit.
Melrose Avenue
Fairfax
A street full of vintage stores, streetwear and graffiti walls.
More infoInsider tip: On Sundays there's the Melrose Trading Post, a flea market at Fairfax High School. The pink wall at 8221 Melrose is a popular photo spot too.
- Shopping
Larchmont Village
Hancock Park
A calm, village-like street with boutiques and cafés, less touristy than other shopping areas.
More infoInsider tip: Grab ice cream at Salt & Straw (240 N Larchmont Blvd): flavours change monthly and you can taste everything first.
- Shopping
Sawtelle Japantown
West LA
A small Japanese enclave, also called 'Little Osaka', full of shops, boba tea and ramen and izakaya spots.
More infoInsider tip: Come hungry: walk the stretch between Olympic and Santa Monica Blvd and graze along the way.
- Shopping
Westfield Century City
Century City
An upscale open-air mall with big brands and good restaurants, popular with locals.
More infoInsider tip: At 85°C Bakery in the mall, get a sea-salt-foam Vietnamese iced coffee and sweet buns like ube bread.
Beverly Center
Beverly Grove
An indoor mall with lots of big brands and a rooftop dining terrace.
More infoInsider tip: Handy when it rains or it's too hot. Head to the top floor for lunch.
- Shopping
Westfield Culver City
Culver City
An indoor mall (formerly Fox Hills) with all the familiar brands.
More infoInsider tip: Handy when it rains or it's too hot. BJ's Restaurant in the mall has good-value weekday lunch deals; finish with a Pizookie.
- Shopping
The Americana at Brand
Glendale
An attractive open-air mall in Glendale with a lawn and a musical fountain.
More infoInsider tip: The fountain regularly puts on a show to music; evenings have the nicest vibe.
- Shopping
Del Amo Fashion Center
Torrance
One of California's largest malls: you really will find everything here.
More infoInsider tip: Pair it with an afternoon on the South Bay beaches, fifteen minutes' drive away.
- Neighbourhoods
- Neighbourhoods
Little Tokyo
Downtown
A Japanese neighbourhood of little shops, boba tea and good ramen and sushi around Japanese Village Plaza.
More infoInsider tip: At OOMasa in Japanese Village Plaza, order a bento box with sushi; the atmosphere is great fun.
- Neighbourhoods
Eagle Rock
Northeast LA
A quiet neighbourhood with a village feel, named after the big eagle-shaped rock.
More infoInsider tip: Eat at one of the local restaurants on Colorado Boulevard.
- Neighbourhoods
