Los Angeles

Los Angeles Notes

Osteria Mamma 5732 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038 As European as you get in Southern California, this bistro serves some of best Northern Italian (think squid ink pasta) cuisine you'll find. The wine list is impressive too.
POT 3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 Do you like spicy asian food in a communal environment? This trendy eatery sits off a hotel lobby (a worthy bar scene unto itself).
Faith & Flower 705 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Laurel Tavern 11938 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 The standard for a gourmet burger joint / gastropub. Order at the counter (there's a fine selection of wine and beer too), and find a seat in this casual yet well designed space.
Stella Barra Pizza 2000 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405 Gourmet pizza, wine, and a great bar scene a block from the beach.
Church & State 1850 Industrial St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Baroo 5706 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038
Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Portos Bakery & Cafe 3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505 This massive, bustling Cuban bakery doesn't disappoint. Don't miss the Steak Torta and potato balls, but really you can't go wrong.
Fresh In The Box 13354 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066 A personal favorite of mine for workday lunch - whether you like sushi or not (the proprietress also serves a delicious spicy chicken and cucumber salad), it's reliable and a refreshingly low key / zen atmosphere.
République 624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 This is the place to breakfast/brunch in LA nowadays - food and atmosphere are top notch; it's also comfortable while still trendy...order at the counter (don't miss the impressive baked goods selection) and then find a seat in the spacious indoor courtyard.
Aroma Coffee & Tea 4360 Tujunga ave. Studio City, California 91604 This is a coffee shop on steroids. The food (full menu) is delicious, it's fast, and comfortable with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Aroma fits the bill whether you're Sunday brunching with friends or working away from the office on a sunny Friday morning.
Melrose Umbrella Co. / Barbara Jean> 7465 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Cassia 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Superba Food + Bread 1900 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
LACMA 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 This is Los Angeles county's public museum (although ironically it's gotten kind of expensive to visit as it lacks the endowment of several of LA's other notable art destinations). Many traveling exhibitions make their way through, and it's also a central venue for events including outdoor concerts and uniquely LA scenes like the Young Directors Night.
The J. Paul Getty Museum 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA A must visit on any trip to LA, this is one of the world's premier art museums - on par with MOMA, Louvre, Hermitage, etc. - and it's free (other than parking if you drive). Aside from the collection, the hilltop architecture is truly spectacular, looking towards downtown LA on one side and the sea on the other.
The Getty Villa 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 A classic; while smaller than the newer Getty Museum, it's still an impressive collection in a special location; Getty's onetime home.
The Broad 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 A newer addition to the vast LA museum scene, The Broad is a modern art collection in a spectacularly designed modern building. Admission is free and it can get busy.
Norton Simon Museum 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105 Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior. Mr. Simon - of publishing fame - was a hardcore art collector, and his private collection is amazing with most of the Renaissance masters well represented.
Hammer Museum (UCLA) 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 This is UCLA's art museum. It's free, and has a small yet impressive permanent collection, in addition to rotating exhibits.
Maurice and Paul Marciano Art Foundation 4357 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Eames Foundation 203 Chautauqua Boulevard, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 A fine collection of classic automobiles, plus exhibits on racing and the industry in general. Recently redone, it's well worth the visit in the city that arguably defined American car culture.
Huntington Library 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108 The gardens are the highlight, but multiple interesting exhibits can be found across this sprawling property, indoors and outdoors. If you can spare a whole day - it's a little far and not inexpensive - worth the trip.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library 40 Presidential Dr, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Paley Center LA 465 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Mount Wilson Observatory While the Griffith Observatory has been made famous by Hollywood, The Mt. Wilson Observatory was for much of the 20th century the cutting edge of astronomy, with its 100" telescope high above Los Angeles. Take the tour, it's a fascinating place rich with scientific history.
USS Iowa 250 S Harbor Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90731 Visit this Battleship in the San Pedro area - it's one of the better executed ship tours; a significant amount above and below deck is accessible.
Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049 Educational institution devoted to sustaining Jewish heritage and American democratic ideals. Beautiful building and location.
ArcLight Hollywood 6360 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hollywood Bowl 2301 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
UCB Theater 5919 Franklin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Pacific Resident Theater 703 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach, CA
Malibu Creek State Park 1925 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302
Eaton Canyon Natural Area 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107
Mulholland Mulholland Dr. & Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles, CA N Beverly Dr. & N Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA Coldwater Canyon Ave. & Moonridge Terrace Pl., Beverly Hills, CA Follows the ridge between Los Angeles proper and the San Fernando "Valley", and in fact you can drive West far in to the Santa Monica mountains; for practical purposes I have routed the 2nd half of the drive through the residential part of Beverly Hills back towards the city (a nice drive in itself). Spectacular views abound from Mulholland and there are numerous public viewing pullouts - just park legally.
Sepulveda Pass Ventura Blvd. & Sepulveda Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA Sepulveda Blvd. & Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA I would never advocate driving at an above-legal speed, but at off peak times this is a scenic pass you can blast through - 2 lanes of traffic in each direction and high-quality paving. Tempting.
Sunset Boulevard Sunset Blvd. & Fairfax Ave., Hollywood, CA Pacific Palisades, CA I will argue this is the best urban drive in the United States; in under 20 miles you cover the heart of hollywood, Beverly Hills, UCLA, and finally end up at the sea in Pacific Palisades - all while undulating through a series of beautiful hills. Don't even think about doing this weekday mornings or evenings (rush hour) - midday or weekend only.
VNY Observation Area 16398 Waterman Dr, Van Nuys, CA 91406 If you like airplanes, you want to come here. VNY claims to be the busiest general aviation airport in the world, and I haven't seen any evidence to refute that. Come to this observation area and you'll see constant activity, from newbie pilots in Cessna 172s to 30MM+ Gulfstreams, turbine-powered helicopters, and classic warbirds. It's amazing how close you can still get to the runway.
Apollo XI Model Airplane Airport 6201 Woodley Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91316 Long before every kid had a quadcopter and the US military was remotely piloting drones across the globe, folks bought kits at their local hobby shop and flew radio controlled airplanes. This place is a glimpse of Southern California's rich aviation history and great if you need space for a significant size fixed-wing model...just be forwarned it attracts an eclectic cast of characters.
Aventura Hotel 1020 Fedora Street, Los Angeles CA 90006 This is a bargain, boutique hotel in Koreatown, probably the most up-and-coming neighborhood in LA. It's clean, no-frills, and has free parking on-site. Did I mention it's cheap?
Westin Bonaventure 404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071 This place feels a little dated, but it's still a classic, designed by John Portman - same architect as GM's Renaissance Center in Detroit and the similarities are obvious.
Ritz-Carlton 900 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Not much to say here; it's a very modern Ritz, conveniently located next to LA Live. Hang at the WP24 bar, located - you guessed it - on the 24th floor.
Millennium Biltmore Hotel 506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071 My favorite choice for an economical hotel downtown, plus lots of history to boot (photos of famous guests including US Presidents off one of the lobby hallways). There's a small pool and hot tob in the basement, and you can park across the street under Pershing Square for fairly reasonable rates.
Le Parc Suite Hotel 733 N W Knoll Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069 A pricier boutique hotel in a fantastic location (walk to Sunset Blvd as well as other West Hollywood mainstays); self-parking available onsite, as well as a pool, hot tub, tennis, and kitchenette in every room. Family friendly.
The Standard Downtown LA 550 S Flower St CA 90071 Folks come for the rooftop pool party scene, but don't miss the ping pong scene ("spins") just up the escalator from the lobby.