Photo by Flickr/porcupiny
The easy picks are Los Angeles concert venues that visitors across the globe know about: Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall for its groundbreaking design, Hollywood Bowl for summertime bliss and Spaceland, the venerable indie venue that launched Beck and the Foo Fighters to international stardom. The Hollywood Palladium is another legendary LA music venue where top names in the music industry are known to be on the marquee. If you’re looking for a place to see a show that’s historic and expertly restored, the Wiltern is one of those venues that’s so easy on the eyes, it can almost steal the show. The shiniest and newest venue in LA is definitely the NOKIA Theater at L.A. LIVE. It opened in late 2007 to rave reviews for its intimate seating arrangement (7,100 people never looked so cozy and comfortable) and incredibly tight acoustics.
Yes, a lot of people do look like movie stars in Los Angeles, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend your entire paycheck looking like Jennifer Aniston. LA’s thrift shops, vintage stores and outlets make it easy to save your dough and turn heads at the same time. Spend a day at Citadel Outlets for brand-name paradise, or drop into Rufcut for the best selection of vintage jeans around. But the jackpot is definitely the Lisa Kline Outlet, where you can find quintessential LA fashion from one of LA’s most famous boutiques – at bargain basement prices.
Laurel Canyon Dog Park is the crown jewel of Los Angeles’s pet kingdom because of 24-hour access and a big singles scene, but if you want to hit the trails and get into nature, Runyon Canyon Park is the way to go. Celebs tend to take their pooches here, so keep your eyes open for sightings. To pamper your pets with even more love and attention, check out LA’s collection of pet-friendly hotels for some special treatment. Sheraton Universal, for example, features special pet beds and treats, and the Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows provides top-notch spa services for pets.
We know this topic always causes quite a stir, but somebody has to do the dirty work. The best place for beer is Father’s Office, with some 36 microbrew beers and the much-coveted “Office Burger.” For atmosphere, visitors need to stop by the Figueroa Hotel with its Moroccan-themed Veranda Bar sporting exotic flair and delicious cocktails. Lounge lovers head to The Edison, which features a modern industrial style that hipsters gush over.
With so many gorgeous beaches and such great year-round weather, LA’s coastal setting provides some of the best date spots in the country. If you’re looking for a setting that says romance loud and clear, choose any one of our Eight Great Beaches. Go for a late-afternoon stroll along the sandy shore and then head to a beachside restaurant for drinks and dinner. Other romantic spots in LA include Griffith Observatory where you can get swept away in a universe of stars and enjoy some of the best views of the city or head to LACMA after five o’clock for pay-what-you-wish admission and priceless art.
The major players such as Universal Studios Hollywood, Skirball Cultural Center or Pacific Park are all must-visits for a reason. They’re packed with fun and the kids love it. Still, we have a special place in our hearts for Storyopolis, a local Studio city bookstore that is simple, down-to-earth and helpful. Besides having a vast array of books and a loving staff, Storyopolis offers storytelling sessions and kid-friendly events for bonding experiences with your children.
