Jefferson Park and LA
Food Scene
Places to eat close by and also a litte further away
Really great hip coffee shop. Run by the same people as Cafe Gratitude, the food is very good. The large airy room inside has lots of tables and plenty of outlets for your laptop. Outdoor seating, great coffee.
65 locals recommend
Highly Likely Café
4310 W Jefferson BlvdReally great hip coffee shop. Run by the same people as Cafe Gratitude, the food is very good. The large airy room inside has lots of tables and plenty of outlets for your laptop. Outdoor seating, great coffee.
not really a restaurant, but a wonderful place to pick up ready made, tasty, made fresh every morning, healthy meal bowls. For about $6 (!!!). they also have a delivery service.
10 locals recommend
Everytable
1101 W 23rd Stnot really a restaurant, but a wonderful place to pick up ready made, tasty, made fresh every morning, healthy meal bowls. For about $6 (!!!). they also have a delivery service.
really wonderful noodles, and sushi , and japanese food. Inexpensive, really great decor, and the womens bathrooms have a great surprise!
25 locals recommend
Ebaes
2314 S Union Avereally wonderful noodles, and sushi , and japanese food. Inexpensive, really great decor, and the womens bathrooms have a great surprise!
Great wine bar and restuarant, wonderful food, small, tapas like plates. Ive never had anything bad here. Medium priced, gets busy on the weekends
39 locals recommend
Bacari W. Adams
2308 S Union AveGreat wine bar and restuarant, wonderful food, small, tapas like plates. Ive never had anything bad here. Medium priced, gets busy on the weekends
A gourmet food supply place, with a lunch counter and coffee bar. Good sandwiches, pastries and salads. They sell frozen and fresh gourmet foods like fancy ice-cream, fresh chicken and beef stock, many fancy kinds of pasta from italy, olive oils, and also cheeses and imported deli items.
The best thing is the fresh hot baguettes baked all morning. Crispy on the outside, and fluffy and soft on the inside!
24 locals recommend
Surfas Culinary District
3225 W Washington BlvdA gourmet food supply place, with a lunch counter and coffee bar. Good sandwiches, pastries and salads. They sell frozen and fresh gourmet foods like fancy ice-cream, fresh chicken and beef stock, many fancy kinds of pasta from italy, olive oils, and also cheeses and imported deli items.
The best thing is the fresh hot baguettes baked all morning. Crispy on the outside, and fluffy and soft on the inside!
The largest importers of truffles from Italy Theres a small cafe with sublime sandwiches made to order, with fresh baked bread and truffles.
They also sell truffles and various wonderful but pricey hams and cheeses and pastas. The truffle honey is especially great
8 locals recommend
Spaccio Salumeria by Truffle Brothers
4073 W Washington BlvdThe largest importers of truffles from Italy Theres a small cafe with sublime sandwiches made to order, with fresh baked bread and truffles.
They also sell truffles and various wonderful but pricey hams and cheeses and pastas. The truffle honey is especially great
Best Korean BBQ in LA. They don't take reservations if it's less than 4 people, and there can be a wait if you get there at a busy time. There's valet parking in the little secret street that runs through it. There's a bar next door to go and have a drink if you have to wait, as well as a coffee shop tucked away in the opposite corner.
Order the beef ribs, they'll melt in your mouth! This place is always hopping, with K-pop and other fun music, it's not a quiet place, but really fun, and the food is very very good
105 locals recommend
Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong
3465 W 6th StBest Korean BBQ in LA. They don't take reservations if it's less than 4 people, and there can be a wait if you get there at a busy time. There's valet parking in the little secret street that runs through it. There's a bar next door to go and have a drink if you have to wait, as well as a coffee shop tucked away in the opposite corner.
Order the beef ribs, they'll melt in your mouth! This place is always hopping, with K-pop and other fun music, it's not a quiet place, but really fun, and the food is very very good
Literally a window in a brightly painted mural. Great for inexpnesive tacos, very fresh, very good. they have a couple of tables to sit at on the sidewalk. Highly recommended
9 locals recommend
Taco Window
2622 W Jefferson BlvdLiterally a window in a brightly painted mural. Great for inexpnesive tacos, very fresh, very good. they have a couple of tables to sit at on the sidewalk. Highly recommended
Ice cream, paletas (south american gourmet popsicles), smoothies and other snacks.
The icecream flavors change every week, and are delicious. they'll let you try every one of them before you buy.
La Michoacana Premier
2715 S Western AveIce cream, paletas (south american gourmet popsicles), smoothies and other snacks.
The icecream flavors change every week, and are delicious. they'll let you try every one of them before you buy.
Starbucks
359 S La Brea AveFrindly, bustling beer bar, featuring locally made beers, stout, cider, IPA's. they also have really great food. the grilled cheese sandwich will cause cravings. Ask for it with an egg on top!
gets busy on the weekend nmights
104 locals recommend
Beer Belly
532 S Western AveFrindly, bustling beer bar, featuring locally made beers, stout, cider, IPA's. they also have really great food. the grilled cheese sandwich will cause cravings. Ask for it with an egg on top!
gets busy on the weekend nmights
Wonderful South Indian food. The lunch buffet is very good, and includes a mango lassi. Butter Dosa is wonderful, and the hard to find Lace Dosas as well
18 locals recommend
Mayura Indian Restaurant
10406 Venice Blvd.Wonderful South Indian food. The lunch buffet is very good, and includes a mango lassi. Butter Dosa is wonderful, and the hard to find Lace Dosas as well
Very highly rated soul food restaurant, out door seating, and also a bar where you can watch the chefs work, as you eat.
45 locals recommend
Alta
5359 W Adams BlvdVery highly rated soul food restaurant, out door seating, and also a bar where you can watch the chefs work, as you eat.
Wonderful pizzas and sandwiches, wine and beer in outdoor patio, truffle from Italy a specialty. My favorite is the risotto!
8 locals recommend
Spaccio Salumeria by Truffle Brothers
4073 W Washington BlvdWonderful pizzas and sandwiches, wine and beer in outdoor patio, truffle from Italy a specialty. My favorite is the risotto!
CAFE5
2025 West Jefferson BoulevardCute coffee shop with good coffee. Pastries are ok. A block and a half west
Good Indian food, they deliver, reasonable prices.
The all you can eat lunch buffet is a great deal!
10 locals recommend
Manas Indian Cuisine
2823 S Vermont AveGood Indian food, they deliver, reasonable prices.
The all you can eat lunch buffet is a great deal!
Highly rated. Great middle eastern food. Best falafel I've ever had anywhere, and a sweet little outdoor patio.
46 locals recommend
Mizlala West Adams
5400 W Adams BlvdHighly rated. Great middle eastern food. Best falafel I've ever had anywhere, and a sweet little outdoor patio.
Tiny scandinavian open face sandwich place, open for lunch. Very fresh, very delicious!
12 locals recommend
Open Face Food Shop
5577 W Adams BlvdTiny scandinavian open face sandwich place, open for lunch. Very fresh, very delicious!
Cento Pasta Bar
4921 E 6th StFancy and wonderful. Not cheap but worth it!
Wonderful authentic Szechuan noodles, and other dishes, but the noodles are my favorite. Clean bright place. You can order varying degrees of heat or numbness.
9 locals recommend
MIAN West Adams
5263 West Adams BoulevardWonderful authentic Szechuan noodles, and other dishes, but the noodles are my favorite. Clean bright place. You can order varying degrees of heat or numbness.
Holbox
3655 S Grand AveFabulous affordable mexican seafood, one Michelin star!
Arts & Culture
Weird and wonderful secret museum. This is a seriously strange museum, unlike any other you'll ever be in. Many stairs. Make sure you go all the way to the top to the roof garden!
191 locals recommend
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.Weird and wonderful secret museum. This is a seriously strange museum, unlike any other you'll ever be in. Many stairs. Make sure you go all the way to the top to the roof garden!
you'll need a reservation, but its free to get in. An amazing collection of modwern art. They have some of the best coolest exhibits in LA. The building looks like a giant white cheese grater.
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand Aveyou'll need a reservation, but its free to get in. An amazing collection of modwern art. They have some of the best coolest exhibits in LA. The building looks like a giant white cheese grater.
This is a really wonderful bookstore. The great part is upstairs, airtis ateliers, a great gift shop, and many other treats!
324 locals recommend
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring StreetThis is a really wonderful bookstore. The great part is upstairs, airtis ateliers, a great gift shop, and many other treats!
La's biggest museum. right next to the LaBrea Tarpits. they have outdoor music in the summers on certain nights. good cafe. Can get busy if there's a partuclarly poplar exhibition
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdLa's biggest museum. right next to the LaBrea Tarpits. they have outdoor music in the summers on certain nights. good cafe. Can get busy if there's a partuclarly poplar exhibition
Essentials
Huge Grocery Store - lots of fresh vegetables, meat fish, chicken, some organic
63 locals recommend
Food 4 Less
1748 W Jefferson BlvdHuge Grocery Store - lots of fresh vegetables, meat fish, chicken, some organic
large grocery store, good for deli and prepared food, cheeses, bread. full of USC students
947 locals recommend
Ralphs
7257 Sunset Blvdlarge grocery store, good for deli and prepared food, cheeses, bread. full of USC students
A fun grocery store with great wine and beer, and really good prices on cheeses and deli tiems. the produce is ok, the frozen food is great, especially stuff that can be reheated easily. Also good prices for coffee
1699 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
2738 Hyperion AveA fun grocery store with great wine and beer, and really good prices on cheeses and deli tiems. the produce is ok, the frozen food is great, especially stuff that can be reheated easily. Also good prices for coffee
this is a small/medium sized target, in the Universtity Village, next to Trader Joes
they have a pharmacy if you need prescriptions filled
726 locals recommend
Target
735 S Figueroa Stthis is a small/medium sized target, in the Universtity Village, next to Trader Joes
they have a pharmacy if you need prescriptions filled
Large Korean grocery store. Lots of other asian items as well. Fresh fish selection, all kinds of prepared korean bbq meats, great fresh produce, prepared foods like seaweed salad, best selection of frozen dumplings and fresh noodles.
58 locals recommend
Galleria Market
3250 W Olympic BlvdLarge Korean grocery store. Lots of other asian items as well. Fresh fish selection, all kinds of prepared korean bbq meats, great fresh produce, prepared foods like seaweed salad, best selection of frozen dumplings and fresh noodles.
Whole Foods Market
3377 South La Cienega BoulevardExpensive and extensive.
Parks & Nature
About 15 miles away - lots of trails, some fairly steep, some with trees, a small waterfall in the rainy season, some with great views of the coast. park on Temescal Canyon road, or pay $8 to park in the parking lot.
223 locals recommend
Temescal Canyon Park
15900 Pacific Coast HwyAbout 15 miles away - lots of trails, some fairly steep, some with trees, a small waterfall in the rainy season, some with great views of the coast. park on Temescal Canyon road, or pay $8 to park in the parking lot.
Huge park, with trails and views. Good place for Hollywood sign photo op. check out their website.
898 locals recommend
Griffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs DriveHuge park, with trails and views. Good place for Hollywood sign photo op. check out their website.
Closest park, lots of different areas, including a duck pond, Japanese garden and walking circuit, lots of grassy areas for picnics, very clean bathrooms. You can walk from here to the beach if you follow the trail west!
289 locals recommend
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4100 S La Cienega BlvdClosest park, lots of different areas, including a duck pond, Japanese garden and walking circuit, lots of grassy areas for picnics, very clean bathrooms. You can walk from here to the beach if you follow the trail west!
Wonderful nature center, walk across the bridge from Kenneth Hahn Park. Lots of interesting stuff here, very nicely done!
13 locals recommend
Stoneview Nature Center
5950 Stoneview DrWonderful nature center, walk across the bridge from Kenneth Hahn Park. Lots of interesting stuff here, very nicely done!
Sightseeing
Things to do and see
A gorgeous poured concrete building, amazing views of LA, and very interesting exhibits. Be sure to go to one of the shows in the planetarium. my favorite is Our Place in the Universe. can get crowded at popular times on the weekends
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdA gorgeous poured concrete building, amazing views of LA, and very interesting exhibits. Be sure to go to one of the shows in the planetarium. my favorite is Our Place in the Universe. can get crowded at popular times on the weekends
This is a large restored mansion that used to belong to Busby Berkely, now a spiritual center. They give tours for free, if you call ahead. There's a lovely walking labyrinth, and contemplation garden. Decent cafe with an affordable buffet as well
16 locals recommend
Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens
3500 W Adams BlvdThis is a large restored mansion that used to belong to Busby Berkely, now a spiritual center. They give tours for free, if you call ahead. There's a lovely walking labyrinth, and contemplation garden. Decent cafe with an affordable buffet as well
Famous landmark silver swervy building, designed by frank Gehry.
Many photo ops here, and be sure to ask how to get to the flower on the roof!
If you like classical music, make sure you go to a perfomance in the all wood hall, where there is no bad seat, and amazing acoustics
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveFamous landmark silver swervy building, designed by frank Gehry.
Many photo ops here, and be sure to ask how to get to the flower on the roof!
If you like classical music, make sure you go to a perfomance in the all wood hall, where there is no bad seat, and amazing acoustics
Recently reopened and refurbished, take a ride on the cable car after visiting the Grand Central market
91 locals recommend
Angels Flight Railway
351 S Grand AveRecently reopened and refurbished, take a ride on the cable car after visiting the Grand Central market
Iconic destination in LA. Lots of cafes and restaurants, and bike rentals.Many shops and art stall on the weekends especially. Great to spend a day strolling and sitting, and buying inexpensive gifts and souvenirs
815 locals recommend
Venice Beach Boardwalk
517 Ocean Front WalkIconic destination in LA. Lots of cafes and restaurants, and bike rentals.Many shops and art stall on the weekends especially. Great to spend a day strolling and sitting, and buying inexpensive gifts and souvenirs
wonderful car museum. good cafe, must see if youre interested in cars!
538 locals recommend
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvdwonderful car museum. good cafe, must see if youre interested in cars!
Worth a stroll to see the quirky boutiques and shops. Great people watching, many retaurants and cafes also.
427 locals recommend
Melrose Avenue
7763 Melrose AveWorth a stroll to see the quirky boutiques and shops. Great people watching, many retaurants and cafes also.
Check out their webiste for self guided walking tours of historic places. Their guided tours of Downtown LA are a really great way to see some of the history of LA, and places that are not usually open to the public. Tours are around $10, and lef by knowledgeable docents.
15 locals recommend
Los Angeles Conservancy
523 W 6th StCheck out their webiste for self guided walking tours of historic places. Their guided tours of Downtown LA are a really great way to see some of the history of LA, and places that are not usually open to the public. Tours are around $10, and lef by knowledgeable docents.
Drinks & Nightlife
rooftop bar with great views of downtown LA
make sure you go to the top bar. the food downstairs is ok, but nothing amazing.
786 locals recommend
Perch
448 S Hill Strooftop bar with great views of downtown LA
make sure you go to the top bar. the food downstairs is ok, but nothing amazing.
There are some great bars, and a very fancy restaurant in this extremely luxurious and expensive hotel. Beautifully decorated, you feel as though you've been taken back to the thirties. Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire would approve!
27 locals recommend
The NoMad Hotel
649 S Olive StThere are some great bars, and a very fancy restaurant in this extremely luxurious and expensive hotel. Beautifully decorated, you feel as though you've been taken back to the thirties. Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire would approve!
A hip hotel, with a great restaurant, not cheap, and a hopping nightlife scene in the lobby on weekend nights
122 locals recommend
The LINE LA
3515 Wilshire BlvdA hip hotel, with a great restaurant, not cheap, and a hopping nightlife scene in the lobby on weekend nights
fabulous secret bar. Go through the nondescript door and then figure out which knob will get you into the large bar, with several rooms and outdoor spaces in the back.
120 locals recommend
Lock & Key
239 S Vermont Avefabulous secret bar. Go through the nondescript door and then figure out which knob will get you into the large bar, with several rooms and outdoor spaces in the back.
Enter through the barbershop, secret bar, great Old Fashioneds. wonderful ambiance
80 locals recommend
Blind Barber
10797 Washington BlvdEnter through the barbershop, secret bar, great Old Fashioneds. wonderful ambiance
another secretish bar. nondescript entrance, has burlesque shows sometimes, great drink, wonderful ambiance.
26 locals recommend
Seventy7 Lounge
3843 Main Stanother secretish bar. nondescript entrance, has burlesque shows sometimes, great drink, wonderful ambiance.
They smoke their own pastrami, and the banana cream pie is wonderful! Upgraded classics, everything on their short menu is very good. Live music, wine and beer, outdoor patio.
28 locals recommend
Johnny's West Adams
4327 W Adams BlvdThey smoke their own pastrami, and the banana cream pie is wonderful! Upgraded classics, everything on their short menu is very good. Live music, wine and beer, outdoor patio.
University village for USC. Lots of eateries, Trader Joe's, Target, and plenty of nice outdoor seating, couches and tables and chairs. Theres an amazon drop off and pickup office, a Nail salon, clothing stores, and bars. Lots of bars!
29 locals recommend
USC Village
929 S Hoover StUniversity village for USC. Lots of eateries, Trader Joe's, Target, and plenty of nice outdoor seating, couches and tables and chairs. Theres an amazon drop off and pickup office, a Nail salon, clothing stores, and bars. Lots of bars!
A very upscale hotel right next to Disney Hall, Dorothy Chandler and the the Broad Museum. great place to go for a drink or bite before or after a performance. Expensive!
Conrad Los Angeles
100 South Grand AvenueA very upscale hotel right next to Disney Hall, Dorothy Chandler and the the Broad Museum. great place to go for a drink or bite before or after a performance. Expensive!
Absolutely wonderful. Entrance is free, you must make a reservation though, as they restrict the numbers.of visitors at any one time. A really must see!
A great gift shop and good restaurant as well!
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyAbsolutely wonderful. Entrance is free, you must make a reservation though, as they restrict the numbers.of visitors at any one time. A really must see!
A great gift shop and good restaurant as well!
Gym/fitness
places to exercise or just stretch your legs in nature
A varied and interesting park with GREAT views of LA.
There's a small lake stocked with fish. There are geese, ducks and turtles. There are BBQ grates, very clean bathroomsl, a vending machine and picnic benches. A perfect place to have a birthday party or family gathering. There's also a stream and walking paths, and a large grassy area perfect for picnics. free during the week, gets crowded on weekends.
you can now walk or bike all the way to the beach from here.
289 locals recommend
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4100 S La Cienega BlvdA varied and interesting park with GREAT views of LA.
There's a small lake stocked with fish. There are geese, ducks and turtles. There are BBQ grates, very clean bathroomsl, a vending machine and picnic benches. A perfect place to have a birthday party or family gathering. There's also a stream and walking paths, and a large grassy area perfect for picnics. free during the week, gets crowded on weekends.
you can now walk or bike all the way to the beach from here.
Small clean yoga studio with good instructors. Have a look at their website for class schedules and class types. I love the classes with African music..
Radha Yoga
2525 W Washington BlvdSmall clean yoga studio with good instructors. Have a look at their website for class schedules and class types. I love the classes with African music..
Spiritual center with classical yoga classes. The outside deck is a wonderful space to do yoga. Parking in the back, go down the driveway.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center Los Angeles
3741 W 27th StSpiritual center with classical yoga classes. The outside deck is a wonderful space to do yoga. Parking in the back, go down the driveway.