Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Elf Cafe is my favorite restaurant in LA, it is a Mediterranean restaurant that happens to be vegetarian and it's been around for over a decade. The food is great, the wine is fantastic and ambience is perfection. The space is cavernous and exotic, and the servers are really nice. My favorite is sitting at the bar and watching the handsome chef in action. Reservations are highly recommended but not required.
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Elf Cafe
2135 Sunset BlvdElf Cafe is my favorite restaurant in LA, it is a Mediterranean restaurant that happens to be vegetarian and it's been around for over a decade. The food is great, the wine is fantastic and ambience is perfection. The space is cavernous and exotic, and the servers are really nice. My favorite is sitting at the bar and watching the handsome chef in action. Reservations are highly recommended but not required.
A big pink house on the prettiest stretch of Hyperion Avenue is a Mexican restaurant called Casita del Campo. Casita is located in Silver Lake, it was founded in 1962 by Rudy del Campo, a dancer who played a Shark in the movie version of West Side Story. It is the kind of restaurant that makes everyone feel welcome; while it is not necessarily a gay-owned restaurant, Casita has a fiercely loyal LGBT following. Locals come here for their enchiladas, margaritas, and a healthy serving of high camp.
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Casita Del Campo
1920 Hyperion AveA big pink house on the prettiest stretch of Hyperion Avenue is a Mexican restaurant called Casita del Campo. Casita is located in Silver Lake, it was founded in 1962 by Rudy del Campo, a dancer who played a Shark in the movie version of West Side Story. It is the kind of restaurant that makes everyone feel welcome; while it is not necessarily a gay-owned restaurant, Casita has a fiercely loyal LGBT following. Locals come here for their enchiladas, margaritas, and a healthy serving of high camp.
Cafe Stella is located in Silver Lake's iconic Sunset Junction, their menu features approachable French cuisine, they serve wine, beer and cocktails. The decor is very nice, it is a perfect representation of the neighborhood. The service is hit or miss, especially at the bar but I enjoy coming here. There is a small bar in the back with a few tables, that is my favorite spot. I would not recommend coming here without a reservation.
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Cafe Stella
3932 Sunset BlvdCafe Stella is located in Silver Lake's iconic Sunset Junction, their menu features approachable French cuisine, they serve wine, beer and cocktails. The decor is very nice, it is a perfect representation of the neighborhood. The service is hit or miss, especially at the bar but I enjoy coming here. There is a small bar in the back with a few tables, that is my favorite spot. I would not recommend coming here without a reservation.
Chango Coffee is tucked deep in residential Echo Park, you will only ever find locals here, all of which are regulars. This is the most solid and humble coffee shop in the neighborhood, I nice contracts to Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia. Aside from good coffee, I highly recommend their breakfast burritos. If you are looking for a great place setup mobile office, this is a great choice. Free wifi, nice restroom, nice staff, and the best people-watching.
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Chango Coffee
1559 Echo Park AvenueChango Coffee is tucked deep in residential Echo Park, you will only ever find locals here, all of which are regulars. This is the most solid and humble coffee shop in the neighborhood, I nice contracts to Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia. Aside from good coffee, I highly recommend their breakfast burritos. If you are looking for a great place setup mobile office, this is a great choice. Free wifi, nice restroom, nice staff, and the best people-watching.
Drinks & Nightlife
El Prado is a cozy local bar in Echo Park, they serve wine, craft beer and small plates like charcuterie and cheese. Bartenders use a record player behind the bar to keep music playing; Tuesdays is record club night, after 8 PM guests can bring their own records and the bartenders choose from the communal stack. Sundays is piano night, a pianist covers familiar songs.
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el prado
1805 Sunset BlvdEl Prado is a cozy local bar in Echo Park, they serve wine, craft beer and small plates like charcuterie and cheese. Bartenders use a record player behind the bar to keep music playing; Tuesdays is record club night, after 8 PM guests can bring their own records and the bartenders choose from the communal stack. Sundays is piano night, a pianist covers familiar songs.
Covell is a cute wine bar on the first floor of a tiny boutique hotel. Rather than ordering from a menu, you tell the bartender what you're in the mood for; maybe you're in the mood for a full-bodied red wine from Spain or a dry white wine from California, the bartenders will pour you a couple of options to taste and if they hit the mark, you choose one, if they missed, they'll narrow it down and get you what you're looking for.
139 personas locales recomiendan
Bar Covell
4628 Hollywood BlvdCovell is a cute wine bar on the first floor of a tiny boutique hotel. Rather than ordering from a menu, you tell the bartender what you're in the mood for; maybe you're in the mood for a full-bodied red wine from Spain or a dry white wine from California, the bartenders will pour you a couple of options to taste and if they hit the mark, you choose one, if they missed, they'll narrow it down and get you what you're looking for.
The Semi Tropic is quintessentially Echo Park, they serve a combo of craft beers and mainstream beers, wine, and food. The interior are exotic and the staff is friendly. Audiophiles love this spot, music comes from a record player behind the bar or a DJ spinning vinyl. Don't expect house music though, several genres are highlighted on different nights but don't expect Calvin Harris or Avicii.
92 personas locales recomiendan
The Semi-Tropic
1412 Glendale BlvdThe Semi Tropic is quintessentially Echo Park, they serve a combo of craft beers and mainstream beers, wine, and food. The interior are exotic and the staff is friendly. Audiophiles love this spot, music comes from a record player behind the bar or a DJ spinning vinyl. Don't expect house music though, several genres are highlighted on different nights but don't expect Calvin Harris or Avicii.
Silverlake Wine is a hip wine and spirits shop near the reservoir, but more importantly they have a tasting bar in the store where weekly tastings take place. These are really popular and a total scene (in a good way). Tastings take place Monday and Thursday evenings, Thursdays are busier but Mondays they put out cheese, hummus and bread. This is where you will find the locals and the occasional celebrity. Tastings cost about $15 per flight and $5 for each additional glass. Here's a tip, take an Uber/Lyft there, you will be drunk after and you don't want a DUI.
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Silverlake Wine
2395 Glendale BlvdSilverlake Wine is a hip wine and spirits shop near the reservoir, but more importantly they have a tasting bar in the store where weekly tastings take place. These are really popular and a total scene (in a good way). Tastings take place Monday and Thursday evenings, Thursdays are busier but Mondays they put out cheese, hummus and bread. This is where you will find the locals and the occasional celebrity. Tastings cost about $15 per flight and $5 for each additional glass. Here's a tip, take an Uber/Lyft there, you will be drunk after and you don't want a DUI.
Silver Lake's Akbar is technically a gay bar, but this is where cool people with good vibrations come to enjoy each others company regardless of sexuality. If the term "pansexual" applied to a bar, Akbar would be it. Fridays and Saturdays are the best nights here. There are two rooms, the front room has a juke box and long bar. The side room is where weekly and monthly parties take place, it has a DJ booth, dance floor, and its own bar. Parties in this room range from an electronic dance party called The Sharper Image; a hedonistic disco party called Full Frontal Disco; a queer performance art show called Planet Queer; a standup comedy night called Drunk on Stage, etc.
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Akbar
4356 Sunset BlvdSilver Lake's Akbar is technically a gay bar, but this is where cool people with good vibrations come to enjoy each others company regardless of sexuality. If the term "pansexual" applied to a bar, Akbar would be it. Fridays and Saturdays are the best nights here. There are two rooms, the front room has a juke box and long bar. The side room is where weekly and monthly parties take place, it has a DJ booth, dance floor, and its own bar. Parties in this room range from an electronic dance party called The Sharper Image; a hedonistic disco party called Full Frontal Disco; a queer performance art show called Planet Queer; a standup comedy night called Drunk on Stage, etc.
The Eagle LA is a gay leather bar where the harrier, more kink-forward alterna-gays hang out. It's cash only and there may be a small cover if you go during a promoted party, however that is when you should go. Cub Scout, Meat Rack and Sunday Beer Bust are great nights, as well as the RuPaul's Drag Race viewing party (I've actually seen RuPaul there during a viewing party, it wasn't an "appearance," he was just there on his own time out of drag).
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Eagle LA
4219 Santa Monica BlvdThe Eagle LA is a gay leather bar where the harrier, more kink-forward alterna-gays hang out. It's cash only and there may be a small cover if you go during a promoted party, however that is when you should go. Cub Scout, Meat Rack and Sunday Beer Bust are great nights, as well as the RuPaul's Drag Race viewing party (I've actually seen RuPaul there during a viewing party, it wasn't an "appearance," he was just there on his own time out of drag).
Craft cocktails set this downtown Los Angeles gay bar apart from the herd, it's great to finally have a good drink at a gay bar because while its counterparts may serve stiff drinks, let's be honest, the drinks aren't in any way sophisticated. Saturdays are a great night, it's promoted as Salad Saturdays with fierce drag queen, Ambrosia Salad behind the turntables, she lets the children have it with her refreshing beats that do not consist of old Rhianna, Britney and Calvin Harris remixes. Can I get an Amen?
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Bar Mattachine
221 West 7th StreetCraft cocktails set this downtown Los Angeles gay bar apart from the herd, it's great to finally have a good drink at a gay bar because while its counterparts may serve stiff drinks, let's be honest, the drinks aren't in any way sophisticated. Saturdays are a great night, it's promoted as Salad Saturdays with fierce drag queen, Ambrosia Salad behind the turntables, she lets the children have it with her refreshing beats that do not consist of old Rhianna, Britney and Calvin Harris remixes. Can I get an Amen?
The Tower Bar inside the Sunset Tower hotel is an institution, at the risk of sounding douchey: you will likely see a famous person here. It's a quintessential Hollywood bar that many people don't realize is there (by design). Please keep in mind, no pictures are allowed her, that is a policy that is adamantly enforced, and this is the last place you should fan girl out on anyone, the staff will escort you out immediately. If you follow those simple rules and maintain composure you will have a great time.
53 personas locales recomiendan
The Tower Bar
8358 Sunset BoulevardThe Tower Bar inside the Sunset Tower hotel is an institution, at the risk of sounding douchey: you will likely see a famous person here. It's a quintessential Hollywood bar that many people don't realize is there (by design). Please keep in mind, no pictures are allowed her, that is a policy that is adamantly enforced, and this is the last place you should fan girl out on anyone, the staff will escort you out immediately. If you follow those simple rules and maintain composure you will have a great time.
Shopping
Mohawk General is a well-curated boutique, it's pricey but they have beautiful items. There are two shops, one in Silver Lake at Sunset Junction, and the other in Old Pasadena.
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Mohawk General Store
4011 Sunset BlvdMohawk General is a well-curated boutique, it's pricey but they have beautiful items. There are two shops, one in Silver Lake at Sunset Junction, and the other in Old Pasadena.
Hemingway & Sons is a handsome little shop in Silver Lake that specializes in Men's clothing and accessories. It's located on a beautiful stretch of Silver Lake Boulevard, just before you get to the reservoir. My style game has definitely improved since I found this place.
Hemingway and Sons
1615 Silver Lake BlvdHemingway & Sons is a handsome little shop in Silver Lake that specializes in Men's clothing and accessories. It's located on a beautiful stretch of Silver Lake Boulevard, just before you get to the reservoir. My style game has definitely improved since I found this place.
The staff at Permanent Records in Echo Park does a really good job at curating a great record selection. I pop by all the time and I usually get something from their staff picks. The staff is very knowledgeable, I ask for the most obscure stuff and they are always spot on with their recommendations.
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Permanent Records
1906 Cypress AvenueThe staff at Permanent Records in Echo Park does a really good job at curating a great record selection. I pop by all the time and I usually get something from their staff picks. The staff is very knowledgeable, I ask for the most obscure stuff and they are always spot on with their recommendations.
I really like this record store because they have the best prices and a large selection. This store is best for digging, roll up your sleeved and spend hours searching. Most of my collection is from this store. The staff here is friendly but if you need advice or guidance, go to Permanent Records down the street; Cosmic has more inventory and better prices but you will have to do the work here to find what you need. It's a great spot.
Cosmic Vinyl
2149 Sunset BlvdI really like this record store because they have the best prices and a large selection. This store is best for digging, roll up your sleeved and spend hours searching. Most of my collection is from this store. The staff here is friendly but if you need advice or guidance, go to Permanent Records down the street; Cosmic has more inventory and better prices but you will have to do the work here to find what you need. It's a great spot.
Arts & Culture
The Huntington is a cultural center near Pasadena, it is the former home of Henry Huntington who was responsible for LA's famous Red Cars, he also developed Huntington Beach and had a big hand in shaping Southern California as we know it. There are acres and acres of botanical gardens, my personal favorite is the Desert Garden. There are a few art galleries on site and a tea room in the Rose Garden (reservations required). Plan to spend at least 3 hours here, keep in mind you will not see everything in one day. When you arrive, ask the information desk to tell you what is in bloom.
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Colecciones de Arte y Jardines Botánicos de la Biblioteca Huntington
1151 Oxford RdThe Huntington is a cultural center near Pasadena, it is the former home of Henry Huntington who was responsible for LA's famous Red Cars, he also developed Huntington Beach and had a big hand in shaping Southern California as we know it. There are acres and acres of botanical gardens, my personal favorite is the Desert Garden. There are a few art galleries on site and a tea room in the Rose Garden (reservations required). Plan to spend at least 3 hours here, keep in mind you will not see everything in one day. When you arrive, ask the information desk to tell you what is in bloom.
Parks & Nature
A great way to experience the Hollywood sign is to hike there, it is located in Griffith Park. The trail that gets you closest to the sign actually drops you behind the sign, but most trails in Griffith Park will get you a decent view. You can also take a guided hiking tour through Bikes & Hikes LA. You can drive to the Griffith Observatory and get a distant view of the sign, visit the James Dean monument, and go inside the observatory to view the exhibitions.
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Hollywood Wigs
6530 Hollywood BoulevardA great way to experience the Hollywood sign is to hike there, it is located in Griffith Park. The trail that gets you closest to the sign actually drops you behind the sign, but most trails in Griffith Park will get you a decent view. You can also take a guided hiking tour through Bikes & Hikes LA. You can drive to the Griffith Observatory and get a distant view of the sign, visit the James Dean monument, and go inside the observatory to view the exhibitions.
Most people have no idea that the nations first National Forest is located in Los Angeles, the Angeles National Forest is a massive mountain range that has the best trails in the area. Personally I like the San Gabriel Peak, Throop Peak, and Switzer Falls. Mount Wilson Observatory is a cool place to see, guided tours are offered here (fun fact: Edwin Hubble used one of the telescope's here to discover that the universe is expanding). A little further east at Mount Baldy (officially "Mt San Antonio") there is a seasonal ski resort, zip-line course, and a small village where locals (yep, people actually live up here) eat and get supplies.
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Bosque Nacional de Angeles
12371 Little Tujunga Canyon RdMost people have no idea that the nations first National Forest is located in Los Angeles, the Angeles National Forest is a massive mountain range that has the best trails in the area. Personally I like the San Gabriel Peak, Throop Peak, and Switzer Falls. Mount Wilson Observatory is a cool place to see, guided tours are offered here (fun fact: Edwin Hubble used one of the telescope's here to discover that the universe is expanding). A little further east at Mount Baldy (officially "Mt San Antonio") there is a seasonal ski resort, zip-line course, and a small village where locals (yep, people actually live up here) eat and get supplies.
Essentials
The Echo Park Farmers Market takes place each Friday from 3 PM to 7:30 PM, in front of Sage Cafe. I get fresh flowers for my place every week from Patty Farms. The best hummus in town is from Brothers Proucts; and Bloom Foods has a delicious spicy salsa, amaranth tortillas and vegan dips. P.S. Tacos Lemus has outstanding fish tacos, but they run out every week so get there early if you can.
59 personas locales recomiendan
Echo Park Farmers' Market
1146 Logan StThe Echo Park Farmers Market takes place each Friday from 3 PM to 7:30 PM, in front of Sage Cafe. I get fresh flowers for my place every week from Patty Farms. The best hummus in town is from Brothers Proucts; and Bloom Foods has a delicious spicy salsa, amaranth tortillas and vegan dips. P.S. Tacos Lemus has outstanding fish tacos, but they run out every week so get there early if you can.
Silver Lake Farmers Market is super scenic and cute. It takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I prefer Saturdays because Marston Company is only there that day and that is where I get soap, essential oils, goats milk lotion and candles. The sandalwood soap is my absolute favorite.
187 personas locales recomiendan
Silver Lake Farmers Market
3700 Sunset BlvdSilver Lake Farmers Market is super scenic and cute. It takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I prefer Saturdays because Marston Company is only there that day and that is where I get soap, essential oils, goats milk lotion and candles. The sandalwood soap is my absolute favorite.
Sightseeing
I don't recommend walking on Hollywood Boulevard because if I'm being candid, it's underwhelming and sketchy at best, but I do recommend taking the Hollywood Tragical History Tour by Dearly Departed Tours. While it is a morbid tour that covers infamous deaths and tragic tales, I find the tour guides share my passion for pop culture and Old Hollywood. The tour covers a lot of ground in 4 hours, it starts in Hollywood but quickly makes its way to the Sunset Strip where so many legendary things happened. From there it makes its way to Beverly Hills and then back to Hollywood. I highly recommend this tour.
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Hollywood
I don't recommend walking on Hollywood Boulevard because if I'm being candid, it's underwhelming and sketchy at best, but I do recommend taking the Hollywood Tragical History Tour by Dearly Departed Tours. While it is a morbid tour that covers infamous deaths and tragic tales, I find the tour guides share my passion for pop culture and Old Hollywood. The tour covers a lot of ground in 4 hours, it starts in Hollywood but quickly makes its way to the Sunset Strip where so many legendary things happened. From there it makes its way to Beverly Hills and then back to Hollywood. I highly recommend this tour.
Most people come to LA and experience the city from their rental car which makes me sad, the LA I know and love cannot be accessed from a car. Bikes & Hikes offers a tour called "LA in a Day," the tour spans 32 miles in 6 hours and covers nearly all of the Westside.
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Bikes And Hikes LA
8500 Santa Monica BlvdMost people come to LA and experience the city from their rental car which makes me sad, the LA I know and love cannot be accessed from a car. Bikes & Hikes offers a tour called "LA in a Day," the tour spans 32 miles in 6 hours and covers nearly all of the Westside.