Guidebook for Los Angeles

Betty
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Food Scene

This take-out place has a build-it-yourself vibe so you can choose components of burritos and tacos such as the meat and type of salsa yourself. There are also gluten-free and vegan options. The salsas are tasty. It's more of a stand than a restaurant--service is friendly and fast. I recommend the horchata and other "aquas" as well as the churros, each of which is freshly made when you order. And there is a small patio and a counter for dining there.
46 locals raden deze aan
Hugo's Tacos
3300 Glendale Blvd
46 locals raden deze aan
This take-out place has a build-it-yourself vibe so you can choose components of burritos and tacos such as the meat and type of salsa yourself. There are also gluten-free and vegan options. The salsas are tasty. It's more of a stand than a restaurant--service is friendly and fast. I recommend the horchata and other "aquas" as well as the churros, each of which is freshly made when you order. And there is a small patio and a counter for dining there.
This is authentic Cuban food in a cozy atmosphere. They serve fish and shrimp dishes, medianoches, ropa vieja, and my personal favorite, rabo (tender oxtail stew). It isn't overpriced or really touristy but it is small so a reservation might be a good idea. Sidewalk seating as well.
18 locals raden deze aan
Baracoa Cuban Cafe
3175 Glendale Blvd
18 locals raden deze aan
This is authentic Cuban food in a cozy atmosphere. They serve fish and shrimp dishes, medianoches, ropa vieja, and my personal favorite, rabo (tender oxtail stew). It isn't overpriced or really touristy but it is small so a reservation might be a good idea. Sidewalk seating as well.
This is a very popular outdoor restaurant located where a car repair shop used to exist at Fletcher and Ripple. It serves delicious food, although the menu is somewhat small, in a park-like setting under the trees with twinkling lights at night. It was listed recently in Jonathan Gold's Top 100 Restaurants. The hosts are very agreeable about getting people in at the last minute so don't be discouraged if it appears crowded. The oyster bar array is lovely.
155 locals raden deze aan
Salazar
2490 Fletcher Dr
155 locals raden deze aan
This is a very popular outdoor restaurant located where a car repair shop used to exist at Fletcher and Ripple. It serves delicious food, although the menu is somewhat small, in a park-like setting under the trees with twinkling lights at night. It was listed recently in Jonathan Gold's Top 100 Restaurants. The hosts are very agreeable about getting people in at the last minute so don't be discouraged if it appears crowded. The oyster bar array is lovely.
This Thai Restaurant is my favorite delivery option. They have a huge menu, good prices and speedy, free delivery. (Although I always tip.) (213) 483-1844. They deliver to Atwater Village even though they are located downtown.
9 locals raden deze aan
T.G. Express
2020 W 3rd St
9 locals raden deze aan
This Thai Restaurant is my favorite delivery option. They have a huge menu, good prices and speedy, free delivery. (Although I always tip.) (213) 483-1844. They deliver to Atwater Village even though they are located downtown.
It has a lovely patio with large booths for al fresco brunches as well as valet parking. The menu is large and includes comfort food as well as more trendy items and creative cocktails.
72 locals raden deze aan
HOME Restaurant Silverlake
1760 Hillhurst Avenue
72 locals raden deze aan
It has a lovely patio with large booths for al fresco brunches as well as valet parking. The menu is large and includes comfort food as well as more trendy items and creative cocktails.
It is close and has a variety of tasty choices, especially for breakfast/brunch and lunch. I especially like the eggs Benedict with a lemon or orange mimosa.
31 locals raden deze aan
Modern Eats
2590 Glendale Blvd
31 locals raden deze aan
It is close and has a variety of tasty choices, especially for breakfast/brunch and lunch. I especially like the eggs Benedict with a lemon or orange mimosa.

Parks & Nature

There are many hiking trails in Griffith Park and several leading to the observatory. This is where you can see the Hollywood sign and the plaque dedicated to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. The observatory also has a relatively new restaurant and offers shows about the solar system.
4367 locals raden deze aan
Griffith-observatorium
2800 E Observatory Rd
4367 locals raden deze aan
There are many hiking trails in Griffith Park and several leading to the observatory. This is where you can see the Hollywood sign and the plaque dedicated to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. The observatory also has a relatively new restaurant and offers shows about the solar system.
I like to park between Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach in a large lot that costs $8/day. I get there by taking the #10 freeway to Lincoln Blvd., then turning left and continuing to Ocean Vista. Turn right and continue until it dead ends. Then jog to the left and enter the lot. From there you can swim and also take a short walk to arrive at the Venice Beach boardwalk. It's guaranteed to be a great people-watching experience with all kinds of shops, street music, drum circles, body builders and other LA characters you have heard about. You can also rent bikes and skates in order to enjoy the paths that are available especially for their use.
1387 locals raden deze aan
Venice Beach
1900 Ocean Front Walk
1387 locals raden deze aan
I like to park between Venice Beach and Santa Monica Beach in a large lot that costs $8/day. I get there by taking the #10 freeway to Lincoln Blvd., then turning left and continuing to Ocean Vista. Turn right and continue until it dead ends. Then jog to the left and enter the lot. From there you can swim and also take a short walk to arrive at the Venice Beach boardwalk. It's guaranteed to be a great people-watching experience with all kinds of shops, street music, drum circles, body builders and other LA characters you have heard about. You can also rent bikes and skates in order to enjoy the paths that are available especially for their use.

Arts & Culture

It depends how "local" you want to get. There are many exhibits here of the cowboy movies of the 40's and 50's showing how they were made, as well as temporary exhibits dealing with California history, native American culture, etc. The gift shop is a wonderful place to shop and features silver, turquoise, books and all kinds of cowboy memorabilia.
105 locals raden deze aan
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way
105 locals raden deze aan
It depends how "local" you want to get. There are many exhibits here of the cowboy movies of the 40's and 50's showing how they were made, as well as temporary exhibits dealing with California history, native American culture, etc. The gift shop is a wonderful place to shop and features silver, turquoise, books and all kinds of cowboy memorabilia.
This museum may be the most popular among the locals because of its size and the numerous permanent exhibits as well as temporary installations. It also houses an excellent restaurant, a theater and an outdoor area where jazz groups perform on Friday evenings. The Reznik Pavilion houses modern pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons.
3162 locals raden deze aan
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd
3162 locals raden deze aan
This museum may be the most popular among the locals because of its size and the numerous permanent exhibits as well as temporary installations. It also houses an excellent restaurant, a theater and an outdoor area where jazz groups perform on Friday evenings. The Reznik Pavilion houses modern pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons.

Everything Else

This is a family owned business that specializes in sandwiches on fresh bolillos. They don't carry everything but like most small stores, they have the essentials, including beer. The proprietors are friendly and take credit cards. Only a 2-block walk.
12 locals raden deze aan
Vince's Market
3250 Silver Lake Blvd
12 locals raden deze aan
This is a family owned business that specializes in sandwiches on fresh bolillos. They don't carry everything but like most small stores, they have the essentials, including beer. The proprietors are friendly and take credit cards. Only a 2-block walk.

Drinks & Nightlife

It showcases a wide variety of music with some notable surprises. It is a very popular spot and luckily is easy to walk to because parking on the weekends can be a nightmare in that area.
98 locals raden deze aan
Zebulon
2478 Fletcher Dr
98 locals raden deze aan
It showcases a wide variety of music with some notable surprises. It is a very popular spot and luckily is easy to walk to because parking on the weekends can be a nightmare in that area.
A good place to hang out if you like loud 80's music and aren't trying to have an intimate conversation. There is variation in the music but mainly attracts a 20-30s crowd. A fun place!
60 locals raden deze aan
Bigfoot Lodge East
3172 Los Feliz Blvd
60 locals raden deze aan
A good place to hang out if you like loud 80's music and aren't trying to have an intimate conversation. There is variation in the music but mainly attracts a 20-30s crowd. A fun place!

Entertainment & Activities

The rides are the most fun of any amusement park I have ever visited, and they are well padded so they aren't uncomfortable. My favorites are the X2, Scream, the Tidal Wave and Goliath.
716 locals raden deze aan
Magische berg met zes vlaggen
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy
716 locals raden deze aan
The rides are the most fun of any amusement park I have ever visited, and they are well padded so they aren't uncomfortable. My favorites are the X2, Scream, the Tidal Wave and Goliath.
This isn't technically an amusement park - it includes a movie theater, venues for music, restaurants, rides and studio tours. The Harry Potter ride is really popular so you may need to buy tickets online.
516 locals raden deze aan
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
516 locals raden deze aan
This isn't technically an amusement park - it includes a movie theater, venues for music, restaurants, rides and studio tours. The Harry Potter ride is really popular so you may need to buy tickets online.