Heading to LA this weekend for a wedding for the first time. I have during the day time on Saturday and Sunday available and was curious what would you do if you were in a similar situation?
Going with just the wife, no kids.
Any amazing food spots you would recommend?
Also, the wedding is in Anaheim, is it better to Uber from LA or to rent a car?
You can see where they will be during your trip on the following link
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Griffith Park is great if you wanna get outside and stretch your legs. Near Hollywood, lots of hills, trails, you can hike up to the observatory for a great view.
I second Santa Monica Pier for a casual stroll and chatting w/ your significant other.
And Getty Museum -- the location and view surpass the artwork inside.
(Wish I'd know about the Ivy or other good spots for star catching. As it was, I saw Goldblum and John Waters w/o even trying.)
Only a nobody walks in L.A.
Since I don't know where you're staying I would suggest going to Venice Beach to walk around and people watch. YOu can grab lunch or drinks at a rooftop spot on top of the Hotel Erwin. If yoo want to get away from VB another option would be to either head to a street called Abbot Kinney for lunch. Gjelina, Felix, MGN are all popular spots. If you're vegetarian The Butcher's Daughter is a nice option. Or head over to the 3rd street promenade/Santa Monica Pier. That should be a nice time with the wife.
Unfortunately, looks like it actually might rain on Saturday, in which case I wouldn't do anything I suggested :). Enjoy...
But the observatory is definitely worth it.
If you have the time, the tour of Beverly Hills (the rich and famous) was really good, if you like that sorta stuff.
And we did a tour called "The Dearly Departed" that took you to all the sites of famous deaths in Hollywood. Not sure if it's even still around.
In-and-Out Burger of course. Order off the secret menu.
Best French dip sandwich ever.
You can see where they will be during your trip on the following link link - ( New Window )
Kogi is the bomb! They are constantly in my neighborhood.
A lot of good recommendations here. You probably aren't coming to LA to eat Italian but for us transplants Dan Tana's tastes pretty close to home. And you can usually spot a celebrity or two there. Last time we had to wait for Al Pacino to finish so we could get his table.
For a daytrip the Downtown Arts District is really cool. The streets are filled with old garages and warehouses rehabbed into breweries, art galleries, and shops. Parking is different from the rest of LA, you just have to avoid garage doors for the most part. It's one of my favorite getaways.
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You have to try Kogi's BBQ Taco food truck. It is somewhat a mesh of Korean and Mexican that is out of this world.
You can see where they will be during your trip on the following link link - ( New Window )
Kogi is the bomb! They are constantly in my neighborhood.
A lot of good recommendations here. You probably aren't coming to LA to eat Italian but for us transplants Dan Tana's tastes pretty close to home. And you can usually spot a celebrity or two there. Last time we had to wait for Al Pacino to finish so we could get his table.
For a daytrip the Downtown Arts District is really cool. The streets are filled with old garages and warehouses rehabbed into breweries, art galleries, and shops. Parking is different from the rest of LA, you just have to avoid garage doors for the most part. It's one of my favorite getaways.
Their Short Rib Burrito is sensational
Most of LA sucks, so don't get your hopes up. If you want a nice day, head up to Malibu or down to Newport Beach.
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I am contemplating spending up for the Chateau Mormont though. Is it worth it for those that have stayed?
I’ll check all your responses soon.
Thanks again.
The coast from Seal Beach to Laguna Beach is convenient, also from Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. There's surfing, beach volleyball, etc. on that part of the coast. Basically use Google and Yelp to find things you might like. It's not hot this time of year, sweater weather -- plan accordingly.
If you are looking for ethnic food, the L.A. area is incredibly diverse. For example, there's a Cambodian community in Long Beach, with Cambodian restaurants. (Sort of like Thai. I have to confess it's not really my thing.) Farther away, east of Los Angeles, Monterey Park and the San Gabriel Valley have some of the best and most authentic Chinese restaurants in North America. It's not a particularly scenic area, but it's interesting anyway -- it's like a vast suburban Chinatown.
If you do come up to L.A., I recommend Jitlada in Hollywood for Thai food. Google that place -- it was sort of a neighborhood place, I used to go there with my friends for my birthday, then they changed chefs and the place became famous for its unique regional Thai menu. It's pricey by Thai restaurant standards but delicious.
There are great day hikes all around the area if you have time for that.
I find a lot of the regular L.A. touristy things kind of meh -- Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios. If you like that kind of thing, well, you'll probably like that kind of thing.
The cultural scene is on the upswing, especially in L.A. proper. Museums, live music, etc. If there's something you're interested in at Disney Hall in downtown L.A., that might be worth a trip. But if you have a wedding you are likely to be busy.
I like Tommy's too but you might always get a dud. In-N-Out is more consistent. The Habit and Fatburger are both worth a trip too. Everyone thinks of LA residents as pencil thin, but burgers are literally the best and most available food here.
I am contemplating spending up for the Chateau Mormont though. Is it worth it for those that have stayed?
I’ll check all your responses soon.
Thanks again.
Sushi Park is like across the street i think. some people feel they have best omakase in LA. i think it is pretty good and they have some interesting pieces.
felix as someone mentions above is quite good. a lot of votes for best fresh pasta in america. you'll need to do walk-in since rez's are hard.
i'd recommend strongly jitlada for thai. best i've had not in thailand.
i was super disappointed by phillipe's when i went, the french dip place mentioned above. i took a large crew and we all felt the same.
there's supposed to be a new taco place called something like tacos 1986 that i haven't hit yet but will when there next month - getting crazy pub.
crank up the Beachboys and
go cruise Santa Monica Blvd.
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the sausage stuffed peppers w/buttermilk dressing i had there were awesome, amongst other items, but isn't that a trek from where he is?
Disney Hall is a must see even if only you do it from the outside. Then walk across the street and see the the Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away at the Broad. Unforgettable.
If you have time the Getty is spectacular, but that's a half day thing in itself. In W. Hollywood Barney's Beanery kinky place for lunch and the lines at Pinks are not so bad now-a-days
Stay away from most of the high priced sushi places if you like sushi and go to a hole in the wall Hiko Sushi which simply has the best sushi in town. Sit at the counter and eat until you are done.
Walking Melrose at night is also super cool if you have the time. Stay away from 3rd St. Promenade as it's gone corporate. Sad.
For dinner, if money is no object, for a unique dining experience Vespertine will knock your socks. Just click on the link to see what I mean.
Chateau Marmont is very nice, but unless you're going to spend a lot of time there it's kinna a waste of money.
I mean, I could go on and on having lived here so long. Just depends on your mood and your likes and dislikes. Anaheim is a hellhole and for sure stay in LA/W.Hollywood if possible.
Dora H., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Feb. 13, wrote, "Mo's House of Axe is literally every hipster's paradise. Everyone wears flannels, the interior looks like a forest, you throw axes for fun and craft beers flow abundantly from the bar's spout. On top of the cool ambiance and nice vibes, you have board games upstairs and delicious ribs by Baby Blues BBQ from Echo Park."
The one and only Langer's For the best Pastrami sandwich in the world(sorry NY'ers).
We also chose to Uber around everywhere which was a great decision in hindsight.
Again, thanks for everyone's input. LA is an interesting city. Not sure I'll feel a need to go back anytime soon but wouldn't hate it if I had to.
We also chose to Uber around everywhere which was a great decision in hindsight.
Again, thanks for everyone's input. LA is an interesting city. Not sure I'll feel a need to go back anytime soon but wouldn't hate it if I had to.
Glad you had a good time, but missing out at Langer's prior to the Clipper game was a big mistake!