Guidebook for Los Angeles

Nancy
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Food Scene

Very tasty Indian food only a few minutes from our house, and reasonably priced. We have them make a low-carb option on a bed of veggies instead of rice, and it is wonderful!
Shalimar Cuisine of India
10708 Jefferson Blvd
Very tasty Indian food only a few minutes from our house, and reasonably priced. We have them make a low-carb option on a bed of veggies instead of rice, and it is wonderful!
There are several Thai restaurants on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. This one is slightly farther away and a little more expensive, but worth it. The food is some of the best Thai I have had, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the service is great.
7 locals raden deze aan
Jasmine Thai Cuisine
20156 Roscoe Blvd
7 locals raden deze aan
There are several Thai restaurants on Ventura Blvd in Woodland Hills. This one is slightly farther away and a little more expensive, but worth it. The food is some of the best Thai I have had, the atmosphere is wonderful, and the service is great.
Tasty fresh fish dishes for a good price. Many wild-caught fish options and great sides to choose from. The line is often out the door, but it moves quickly.
47 locals raden deze aan
California Fish Grill
6150 Slauson Ave
47 locals raden deze aan
Tasty fresh fish dishes for a good price. Many wild-caught fish options and great sides to choose from. The line is often out the door, but it moves quickly.
I love that you can choose any number of toppings for the same price, and it is a very quick brick-oven baked pizza that is delicious, and very thin crust, which I love. They also have vegan cheese and gluten-free crust for people who need those options. Great salads too.
17 locals raden deze aan
MOD Pizza
5300 Lankershim Blvd
17 locals raden deze aan
I love that you can choose any number of toppings for the same price, and it is a very quick brick-oven baked pizza that is delicious, and very thin crust, which I love. They also have vegan cheese and gluten-free crust for people who need those options. Great salads too.
I love the quick cafeteria style service, and all the great options they have. Many things are organic, free-range, wild-caught, etc. Just more healthy than many other places, but still great value. My husband loves the kombucha on tap too.
35 locals raden deze aan
Urban Plates
12746-3 W Jefferson Blvd
35 locals raden deze aan
I love the quick cafeteria style service, and all the great options they have. Many things are organic, free-range, wild-caught, etc. Just more healthy than many other places, but still great value. My husband loves the kombucha on tap too.
I love self-serve frozen yogurt, and Menchie's is close and the flavors are great! They almost always have 1-2 dairy-free options, and 1-2 sugar-free options too, if you need those choices.
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
20968 Ventura Blvd
I love self-serve frozen yogurt, and Menchie's is close and the flavors are great! They almost always have 1-2 dairy-free options, and 1-2 sugar-free options too, if you need those choices.

Shopping

Huge indoor mall (Westfield) + The Village outdoor mall right across the street. I love The Village the best, because there is more than just shopping. They have a large calendar with events (many free) all month, playground for kids, and a variety of seating to just people watch or have an ice cream or coffee.
302 locals raden deze aan
Westfield Topanga
6600 CA-27
302 locals raden deze aan
Huge indoor mall (Westfield) + The Village outdoor mall right across the street. I love The Village the best, because there is more than just shopping. They have a large calendar with events (many free) all month, playground for kids, and a variety of seating to just people watch or have an ice cream or coffee.
Calabasas is just 5 min from our house, and is well known as being the place where many Hollywood A-listers live, to "get away from it all." It has a small town vibe, but The Commons is a fantastic shopping center. And Old Town Calabasas is right on the way, and a very cute slice of history.
114 locals raden deze aan
The Commons at Calabasas
4799 Commons Way
114 locals raden deze aan
Calabasas is just 5 min from our house, and is well known as being the place where many Hollywood A-listers live, to "get away from it all." It has a small town vibe, but The Commons is a fantastic shopping center. And Old Town Calabasas is right on the way, and a very cute slice of history.

Entertainment & Activities

Universal Studios and Universal City are two favorite places in LA, and not far from our house by car (about 25 min unless it is rush hour). Even if you don't go to Universal Studios, Universal City is a fun place to go out at night. Lots of restaurants to choose from and fun crowds.
111 locals raden deze aan
Universal City
111 locals raden deze aan
Universal Studios and Universal City are two favorite places in LA, and not far from our house by car (about 25 min unless it is rush hour). Even if you don't go to Universal Studios, Universal City is a fun place to go out at night. Lots of restaurants to choose from and fun crowds.
Much to do in downtown SM. The Promenade has restaurants, clubs, movies, and big brand name shopping. And many of the streets around the Promenade have all the same entertainment, but more local retailers and interesting, funky shops.
168 locals raden deze aan
Downtown Santa Monica Station
402 Colorado Ave
168 locals raden deze aan
Much to do in downtown SM. The Promenade has restaurants, clubs, movies, and big brand name shopping. And many of the streets around the Promenade have all the same entertainment, but more local retailers and interesting, funky shops.

Sightseeing

Who doesn't want to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu? It is about 30 min away, and the drive is beautiful getting there too! Tons of restaurants, places to stop and watch surfers or kite surfers, find secret beaches and sites used in films. Many hiking locations too. It's a fun and easy day trip.
224 locals raden deze aan
Malibu Beach
224 locals raden deze aan
Who doesn't want to drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu? It is about 30 min away, and the drive is beautiful getting there too! Tons of restaurants, places to stop and watch surfers or kite surfers, find secret beaches and sites used in films. Many hiking locations too. It's a fun and easy day trip.
You can drive down to the beach in just 15-20 min, and then catch Sunset Blvd, following it all the way into Hollywood; through Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, past the iconic gates of Bel Air, take a little side tour of the UCLA campus, into Beverly Hills and the famous Beverly Hills Hotel, through West Hollywood, and then Hollywood. There are many side tours, stops and photo ops along the way.
24 locals raden deze aan
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard
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You can drive down to the beach in just 15-20 min, and then catch Sunset Blvd, following it all the way into Hollywood; through Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, past the iconic gates of Bel Air, take a little side tour of the UCLA campus, into Beverly Hills and the famous Beverly Hills Hotel, through West Hollywood, and then Hollywood. There are many side tours, stops and photo ops along the way.
Santa Monica Pier, the bike path and boardwalk, Palisades Park, downtown Santa Monica, and the 3rd Street Promenade are all right there together, just off the coast highway, about 30 min from our house. Very big tourist area, lots to see and do, a small amusement park on the pier, rental of all kinds of vehicles (bikes, Segways, skates, etc). Free entertainment on the pier and often on the promenade as well. Great night life in downtown SM.
114 locals raden deze aan
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier
114 locals raden deze aan
Santa Monica Pier, the bike path and boardwalk, Palisades Park, downtown Santa Monica, and the 3rd Street Promenade are all right there together, just off the coast highway, about 30 min from our house. Very big tourist area, lots to see and do, a small amusement park on the pier, rental of all kinds of vehicles (bikes, Segways, skates, etc). Free entertainment on the pier and often on the promenade as well. Great night life in downtown SM.

Arts & Culture

The Getty is one of the most fabulous museums of art in the world. The architecture itself is a work of art, and the views from there are incredible.
2309 locals raden deze aan
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
2309 locals raden deze aan
The Getty is one of the most fabulous museums of art in the world. The architecture itself is a work of art, and the views from there are incredible.
The Getty Villa houses all the antiquities in the Getty collection. It is less than 30 min drive through the gorgeous canyon and then just a few min on the coast highway. The grounds are absolutely stunning, as are the views of the Pacific Ocean. Need reservations in advance though, so plan ahead!
166 locals raden deze aan
Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast Hwy
166 locals raden deze aan
The Getty Villa houses all the antiquities in the Getty collection. It is less than 30 min drive through the gorgeous canyon and then just a few min on the coast highway. The grounds are absolutely stunning, as are the views of the Pacific Ocean. Need reservations in advance though, so plan ahead!
Olvera Street is one of the oldest streets in LA, and it highlights the original Mexican establishment that started the City of Angels. Shopping, food booths, often some cultural events like dances, etc happening as well. This is right across the street from Union Station (transportation hub for trains and buses) and very close to Chinatown as well. Get two cultures in one day!
412 locals raden deze aan
Olvera Street
Olvera Street
412 locals raden deze aan
Olvera Street is one of the oldest streets in LA, and it highlights the original Mexican establishment that started the City of Angels. Shopping, food booths, often some cultural events like dances, etc happening as well. This is right across the street from Union Station (transportation hub for trains and buses) and very close to Chinatown as well. Get two cultures in one day!

Parks & Nature

Maybe 15 min from our home is this wonderful state park, with oodles of hiking trails. You can do your own research on which trails are best for your fitness level. But the town of Topanga itself is a groovy place to be, shop the local retailers, eat, and check out the Great Wall of Topanga art installation!
277 locals raden deze aan
Topanga State Park
20828 Entrada Rd
277 locals raden deze aan
Maybe 15 min from our home is this wonderful state park, with oodles of hiking trails. You can do your own research on which trails are best for your fitness level. But the town of Topanga itself is a groovy place to be, shop the local retailers, eat, and check out the Great Wall of Topanga art installation!
Topanga is the closest beach, and it is easy access with a large parking lot. There are also regular buses from Woodland Hills right down to the beach, if you don't want to drive.
14 locals raden deze aan
Topanga Beach station
14 locals raden deze aan
Topanga is the closest beach, and it is easy access with a large parking lot. There are also regular buses from Woodland Hills right down to the beach, if you don't want to drive.

Essentials

Trader Joe's is my go-to grocery store. Started as a local wine, cheese and imported foods shop. Now has grown into a nationwide iconic chain known for its quality, humorous in-house brands, and many health foods. Still has great wines, cheeses and unique imports too, for good prices. About 6 minutes from our house by car.
60 locals raden deze aan
Trader Joe's
21055 Ventura Blvd
60 locals raden deze aan
Trader Joe's is my go-to grocery store. Started as a local wine, cheese and imported foods shop. Now has grown into a nationwide iconic chain known for its quality, humorous in-house brands, and many health foods. Still has great wines, cheeses and unique imports too, for good prices. About 6 minutes from our house by car.
A health food store offering just about everything you would ever want. We like the hot and cold buffet, especially on Wednesdays, when it is discounted $2 per pound. About 5 min from our house by car.
122 locals raden deze aan
Whole Foods Market
21347 Ventura Blvd
122 locals raden deze aan
A health food store offering just about everything you would ever want. We like the hot and cold buffet, especially on Wednesdays, when it is discounted $2 per pound. About 5 min from our house by car.
Sprouts is another health food store, just slightly different than Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. At only about 1 mile from our house, we often walk down there for a few groceries, and then get a good cardio workout in walking back up the hill!
53 locals raden deze aan
Sprouts Farmers Market
21821 Ventura Blvd
53 locals raden deze aan
Sprouts is another health food store, just slightly different than Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. At only about 1 mile from our house, we often walk down there for a few groceries, and then get a good cardio workout in walking back up the hill!