I don’t live in the heart of downtown Los Angeles—parking and traffic really does suck as much as you hear—but I live pretty close by, and I make it a point to head over there at least a couple of times a month. There’s nowhere quite like Los Angeles, and I want to introduce you to some of my favorite things to see, do, and eat in L.A.
I have to admit, my favorite part about Los Angeles is the food! Los Angeles is home to a lot of family-owned restaurants from people of so many different cultures, and has become a hub for international and cultural experiences. From Little Armenia, to Little Tokyo, to Koreatown, L.A. has a multitude of authentic and unique dining experiences, that you know it was hard for me to pick just a couple. Not just the food, but L.A. has an abundance of bars, museums, and activities happening from month to month. So with so much to do, I wanted to create a 24 hour guide for good food, good drinks, and some of my favorite cultural spots.
Morning
Start your day with a coffee from Intelligentsia. They’re a brand that started in Silverlake that has since expanded to Chicago, Boston, and New York, and for good reason too. The coffee is great, and if you can stand dealing with the, sometimes, rude baristas then you have a cute spot to chill for a few minutes while you get caffeinated. Get a pastry to go, then head to your next destination.
If you’re interested in seeing some of the best views in the city, drive up the hill towards Griffith Observatory. Before entering the observatory, locals like to have picnics in the grass as they people-watch, soak up the L.A. weather, and gaze out at the view around them. What’s even better? Admission to the museum is free, and they’re open every day except for Mondays, so plan accordingly. This museum has a planetarium, a theater with regular video screenings, and exhibits. Perfect on a non-hazy day or for seeing the city shine at night.
Once you’ve finished there, you can head over to another favorite local spot, and that’s The Last Bookstore, an ironically named bookstore that has managed to stay afloat in the age of dying bookstores since 2005. The Last Bookstore is also California’s third biggest book and record store, and one of my must-stop spots when I show my friends around L.A. The first floor has rows and rows of bookshelves that range from Young Adult to Fiction to Art, Music, Travel, and even an “Authors from L.A.” section. There’s a stage for authors to host bookish events and couches for you to read your new finds. There’s also an entire section filled with records.
The second floor has a hallway of art installations, a gift shop, and walls covered in paintings. Go up another flight of stairs and you’ve reached what looks like an attic covered in bookshelves with—wait for it—1$ books! I found two interesting books that I hadn’t heard of before from these shelves and one of them ended up being a 5-star book. The other? Oh, I haven’t gotten to it yet.
Mid-day
If you’re getting a little hungry, then stop at Big Man Bakes which is just around the corner from the Last Bookstore. Big Man Bakes is home to some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had. I hate this word, but there’s no other way to describe just how moist and delicious these are. Don’t believe me? It even says moist in the tagline. I usually get the Old School cupcake which is vanilla and almond-flavored with a chocolate buttercream on top, but this time I went for a mini chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream known as the Black and White.
For more arts and culture, head on over to The Broad, pronounced Brode. While Los Angeles has a ton of museums such as LACMA and MOCA, I’d recommend the Broad for its access to the public (its free, and on a weekday it’s no more than a thirty-minute wait). Plus if you’re early enough, you can actually get a few moments in the infinity room, an art installation by Yayaoi Kusama and made world-renowned by Instagram. You’re only able to get in with an appointment, or, if you’re early enough and with a little luck, you can wait in the queue for any openings. The rest of the museum will be a surprise to you, as it’s not featured quite as much on Instagram. But it’s a ton of fun and right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The Broad should take up a couple of hours of your day.
NIGHT
What are your food options? As I mentioned before, there are so many different types of food available in L.A. that it was pretty much impossible for me to pick just one place.
So might I recommend Grand Central Market? A landmark opened in 1917, this hub brings together culture and cuisine like no other. In the multiple times I’ve been there, I’ve gotten vegan ramen that I washed down with aguas frescas, I’ve eaten lavender ice cream then scarfed down Cabeza tacos. There are vendors, grocers, and florists all together in one packed tunnel-like hub that opens on either side to different sides of Downtown L.A. Thursdays are game night from 6pm-10pm. You go get some dumplings or tacos or pizza or all three. Your friend goes and gets the beers. Your other friend gets the games. Then you feast. Bonus: If you have time, please stop by Ballast Point Brewery, which is in Long Beach. This is my all-time favorite brewery for its cold, hoppy beer, its beautiful ocean horizon views and its garlic fries. I’ve had some of the best nights here, but be warned, it gets pretty packed every day of the week.
This guide only begins to scratch the surface of what L.A. has to offer, and I’d recommend keeping a close eye on weekly calendars to make sure you don’t miss your favorite comedian or play while you’re in town. And there’s a very good chance that something exciting is happening when you’re here, regardless of when you come.
Jessica is a freelance writer and traveler who lives near L.A. with her dog and cat. She enjoys reading stories told by different cultural voices and writing about how that intersects with travel. When she’s not writing, she enjoys going to breweries and trying new IPAs, taking photos, and booking more flights. You can follow her at @worldread_ and find her writings at worldread.wordpress.com
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