In Los Angeles you have different things to do and places to visit. In the guide WEST COAST #8 LOS ANGELES COMPLETE you can see everything that this great city has to offer. It is ideal for those who have several days to explore it well.
If you only have a couple of days and you want to know what the MUST DO things are to experience it like a true local, here is everything you cannot miss:
NEIGHBORHOODS
Beverly Hills: Walking not only downtown but through the residential area and if you can get to Calabasas. There are tours that take you to visit the celebrities' houses.
Fairfax: You have Melrose Av. of a few blocks with very good and original clothing stores.
Westwood: It is the university neighborhood. A must for the night. There is a very cool sports bar: Barney's Beanery.
Hollywood: The neighborhood itself is not pretty, but if it's your first time, it's good to take a quick tour as it's a classic in this city.
Los Feliz: If you can at least drive by with the car, it is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in L.A. It's residential and calm.
SHOPPING
Americana at Glendale and The Grove in La Brea are the 2 most beautiful open-air malls. It never rains, but if it does happen, in front of Americana you have Glendale Galleria, which indoor.
ROOFTOPS
Mama Shelter! The best. And even more if you can stay to watch the sunset.
Standard rooftop bar.
Freehand hotel.
ACE hotel.
BARS
At night, it is best to take a walk around the Sunset Strip, it is full of bars and restaurants.
The Den on Sunset Blvd.
Nics in Beverly Hills. It closes late and they play fun music.
For motorcycle lovers: Clutch inside The House Of Machines.
RESTAURANTS
There is everything for different tastes, read all the recommendations on bars, restaurants and rooftops and our favorite #GuestBites: HERE.
PARTIES
NO VACANCY: In a speakeasy bar. It is a house hidden by the city and they throw amazing parties.
FARMER'S MARKET: Nothing more local than this. Behind the parking lot you will find a mini market with food and beer stalls around a place that has common tables and a band that makes it a real party. If you want a local, different and fun experience, this is the place.
COACHELLA: If you go around mid-April, find out about one of the biggest music festivals in the world!
There is an app where people offer their house to have parties, you get the ticket without knowing what house it is, or who is playing. All the parties are fun and they take place in different parts of the city.
ACTIVITIES
If you have a free day, escape to one of the closest deserts: JOSHUA TREE. It is a very beautiful national park. If you have time, you can visit the Yucca Valley neighborhood, a very local western type where they usually do yard sales on weekends. If you can stay late, A MUST DO is to stop by the WILLIE BOYS SALOON bar. Country music, bikers, the people are dressed in Texan boots and they dance live while you eat and drink something in the middle of the desert.
Something very common is to do HIKINS, the most recommended and closest to the city is the Griffith Observatory and see the city from above.
If you like roller coasters, be sure to go to the SIX FLAGS AMUSEMENT PARK.
Or else...
DISNEYLAND! The first park created by Walt Disney. It is much smaller than the one in Orlando but it is good to know it because of its history.
A very famous museum that also works as an observatory is the GETTY MUSEUM (you also have the GETTY VILLA, near Malibu).
Car lovers: Stop by the Petersen Automotive Museum. The owner had many cars in his collection and chose to display them here.
If you like movies and TV, don't miss the WARNER BROTHERS studios tour. You can meet the set of Friends, among others.
Another fun program of this style: In advance you can sign up to go as a spectator to the ELLEN DE GENERES show.
Two sports that you have to go see live to live a very local experience are: BASKETBALL (at the Staples Center) and BASEBALL.
Also, you have some GOLF BARs where you can have a drink and throw some balls. A well-known one is closer to Huntington Beach and is called Hole 19 MiniGolf bar.
BEACHES
Be sure to go to these beaches that are very very close to L.A:
SANTA MONICA. Tour the Pier, the pedestrian 3rd Promenade Street and if you are at night, stop by the ELEPHANTE rooftop.
VENICE BEACH. Close to Sta. Monica. Walk along the beach where the skatepark is, then go up to Abott Kinney (eat at Gjelina!). A cool rooftop: Erwin Hotel.
HERMOSA BEACH. Where the LaLa Land bar (The Lighthouse Café) is located. They usually do surf championships.
MARINA DEL REY. The best sunset is here! Get into the neighborhood, it's very nice.
MANHATTAN BEACH
Read everything about these beaches, HERE.
MALIBU. Point Dume is beautiful and also has very beautiful sunsets. For sushi: Nobu!
Another well-known beach in Malibu is Zuma Beach.
OTHER USEFUL GUIDES