We Can’t Wait To Show You
Los Angeles
Things to Know
written by Emily […edited by David]
As a New Yorker, I feel it is my responsibility to introduce my fellow New Yorkers (and all out-of-towners) to Los Angeles as I know and understand it. Much of this, of course, has been informed by life out here with the best fiancé a gal could dream of.
Los Angeles is not New York! Do not spin yourself silly thinking about Los Angeles as if it were New York. For example, there is no “West Village of LA,” just as there is no “Culver City of New York.” Two totally different cities—both fantastic.
Please do not stay in Downtown LA because you think it will be walkable. While there are select things to do in DTLA, walking is not any of them.
LA is easy to navigate if you think of it as a west-to-east city (the opposite of New York)! Get to know the major boulevards that go all the way from the ocean to the east side, and you'll be navigating Los Angeles in no time.
To that end, you'll only sit in traffic all day if you try to bounce between neighborhoods that are very far apart. We recommend planning your days with this in mind. For example, a visit to the Hollywood sign followed by brunch in Santa Monica, then some shopping in Silver Lake and dinner in Venice will be very inconvenient. Somewhat like visiting Times Square, then going to a meal in TriBeCa, followed by a quick visit to The Met, then a walk on the Highline.
Do everyone a favor... you're in LA. Skip the bagels. They're absolutely not worth it. Even at "Courage." We promise.
So much to do
Activities Around Los Angeles
-
LA Classics
Go see the Hollywood Sign! You’re here; you have to! You can hike to it, but if you’re feeling like an Angelino… drive.
Go to Griffith Observatory! We like going at night when you can look through the telescopes and see the real Hollywood stars, but going by day is pretty fantastic, too. AND, you can see the Hollywood Sign from here!
Go to Abbott Kinney! Walk up and down this well-known strip in Venice, where you can pop into most of the stores you’ve seen in other cities, but in a much cooler setting.
Go to the Venice Canals! While you’re in Venice, pop by the few remaining canals that give this area of the city its name.
Go to a beach! Walk along the piers, ride a rollercoaster in Santa Monica, or play some beach volleyball in Venice! Both beaches can be somewhat crowded, but the Venice Beach Protected Sand Dunes (over by Lighthouse Street) are beautiful, and usually empty.
Go to a museum, or a gallery! LA is home to fantastic art. Check out The Getty, LACMA, The Hammer, The Broad, or head to Gallery Row in the Arts District.
Go to the Hollywood Bowl! We know we will be occupying your evenings, but in case you have another to spare, see a live performance at one of the country’s most celebrated theaters!
Go up to Malibu! If you have the time, drive up to Malibu. It’s a gorgeous journey along PCH, and the beaches are quintessentially California.
-
Our Favorites
Walk the Silver Lake Reservoir! We do this almost every Saturday. Grab a coffee at LAMILL, and come see the hillsides of Silver Lake.
Roam the Huntington Gardens! This is one of the most spectacular places in all of California. It is out in Pasadena, but let us know if you want to go, and we will arrange tickets for your visit.
Spend hours at the Academy Museum! We love the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. It opened in 2021, and is filled with brilliant exhibits about film and performance art history that could keep you there all day, and then some.
Get a photoshoot at Tom's One Hour Photo Lab! Extraordinary nostalgia photos that will send you into side-splitting laughter. Reservations by phone, only. Worth every pose.
Take a hike! Some of our favorites include Tree People, Will Rogers State Park, Topanga Canyon, Franklin Canyon.
Relax in Holmby Park! The most beautiful little park in Los Angeles! Great for picnics.
Dance all night at La Descarga! If Thursday or Sunday time allows, go salsa or bachata at one of David’s favorite Latin nightclubs. Advanced reservations required.
Come visit the East Side! We live near Highland Park, which is filled with cute boutiques, stationery stores, restaurants, and shoppy shops.
Eat at an Erewhon! For a uniquely Los Angeles culinary experience, you must check out Erewhon. Everything is overpriced. Don’t worry, you can find them all over.
Everything we like to eat!
Everything we like to eat!
Photoed here at one of our favorite LA spots, Sushi Yuzu!
Los Angeles has one of the best and most creative food scenes in the world! (Even the NYTimes thinks so)! Many of our friends have asked where we like to eat (besides Erewhon). So without further ado, our recommendations…
-
Friendly reminder: don't eat the bagels.
Elephante (Santa Monica) - Italian-ish with vibes (and great views). Also wonderful for dinner and drinks.
Superba (Venice and Hollywood) - superb American food in a lovely Venice setting. Very LA!
Great White (We like the Larchmont location) - Aussie food with surprisingly great pizzas. Make a reservation! Otherwise it can be a long wait.
Zinque (Venice) - there are a few locations, but we think Venice is the best! Perfect little market in the front, with fantastic food and seating in the back. Great for breakfast, lunch, coffee, or a treat!
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure (West Hollywood) - We know they just opened a location in the West Village (boo), but trust us... the original here is better.
Ggiata (West Hollywood) - fantastic sandwiches if you want something delicious and quick!
Joan’s on Third (West Hollywood) - the Citarella of LA.
Croft Alley (Beverly Hills) - if you find yourself in Beverly Hills in want of an unpretentious avocado toast, this is the spot!
Vicky’s All Day (West Adams) - delicious benedicts, garlicky potatoes, herby salads. A small journey from the west side, but great if you're en route to-or-from the more central neighborhoods in the city.
All Time (Los Feliz) - our favorite breakfast in Los Angeles. Very close to Griffith Park. PERFECT for a Sunday morning. (You'll probably find us here with our family after the wedding. Shh!)
Sqirl (Silver Lake) - flavor wow! Iconic LA! All the way in Silver Lake, but worth it!
LAMILL (Silver Lake) - had to put David's favorite spot on the list. We come here almost every Saturday, then walk around the Reservoir! Their coffee is served throughout LA. Soft scrambled eggs are fabulous.
Bodega Park (Silver Lake) - sorry we keep piling on the east side recs! The food is better over here! Korean-inspired bodega breakfast sandwiches. Possibly the best breakfast sandwich in the United States. Also good for lunch sandwiches.
Gloria’s (Highland Park) - the #1 hidden gem for LA breakfast and brunch. It is FAR from the wedding activities, but only a lovely 25 minute walk from our house!
-
Bavel (Arts District) - our favorite restaurant in all of Los Angeles. Possibly Emily's in the country! Very special middle eastern food.
Little Fatty (Mar Vista/Culver City) - Fun, fun, fun! Everything is delicious! Make a reservation before you go!
Rosaline (West Hollywood) - Peruvian food with excellent cocktails. Where we went on one of our first dates.
Lasita (Chinatown) - incredible, v trendy Filipino rotisserie chicken hot spot! We love Lasita!
Saffy’s (Silver Lake) - Bavel's sister restaurant. Amazing Israeli food.
Laurel Hardware (West Hollywood) - a great LA go-to. No notes.
Kismet (Los Feliz, Culver City) - Also Middle Eastern. They have a rotisserie offshoot with great chicken and schmaltzy potatoes, which is a little more causal. Kismet is fantastic!
Kali (Larchmont) - more experimental, high-end cuisine.
Issan Station (KTOWN)- one of our favorite low-key thai spots in LA! Cash only.
Park’s BBQ (KTOWN)- extraordinary KBBQ! Always fun followed up by Karaoke.
Mizlala (West Adams, also Sherman Oaks) - casual Israeli food, but great for a quick lunch, or quick dinner!
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Hollywood) - if you find yourself in Hollywood, this is a wonderful restaurant. Their website also indicates to us they have a place in New York, too!
Pijja Palace (Silver Lake) - possibly LA’s hottest restaurant of 2023-24. An Indian sports bar of sorts, with dishes like dosa batter onion rings, and tikka rigatoni. We love it here.
Alimento (Silver Lake) - Lovely Italian restaurant in Silver Lake. Highly recommend.
Our side of town:
Dunsmoor (Eagle Rock) - Just up the road from us is a restaurant that is hitting all the Michelin maps.
Barra Santos (Cypress Hill) - one of LA's newest hot spots, and truly walking distance from our home. Lovely Portuguese food, with great wines and cocktails.
Hippo (Highland Park) - fantastic, hip homemade pastas.
-
(We emphasized the west side since this is where most of our guests will be)!
Guisado's (West Hollywood) - wildly delicious stewed tacos. Located in the heart of West Hollywood, right near Beverly Hills!
Brothers Cousin’s (West LA) - One of the most famous street taco spots in West LA. They open at 6pm, but people start lining up at 5!
Sonoritas (Sawtelle) - surf and turf is the way to go here!
Hermanito (Sawtelle) - one of our favorites. Japanese-Mexican restaurant with great dishes, and amazing cocktails!
Sol Agave (Santa Monica) - A wonderful sit-down Mexican restaurant with handmade fresh tortillas.
Loqui Tacos (Culver City, and Arts District) - bougie, and in a fun spot in Culver City, but the only place that will make us say, "the chicken taco is worth it."
Sonoratown (Mid-City, and Downtown LA) - These might just be Emily's favorite tacos in all of Los Angeles.
-
Hiko Sushi (West LA) - David’s favorite
Sushi Yuzu (Toluca Lake) - Emily’s favorite. Not near our wedding events, but no frills, and so exceptional
Hamasaku (Westwood) - a hidden gem!
n/soto (Mid-City) - the highest of high. Will be a very memorable and special meal.
Sushi Gen (Little Tokyo, Downtown) - You might face a line, but it will be worth it. Constantly written up as the best sushi in Los Angeles.
Yama Sushi (near Ocean Park) - among the most highly-rated in LA, but closes early. Perfect for a quick grab-and-go lunch.
Daikokuya (Sawtelle) - we know people go nuts over Tsujita, but Emily thinks this is better!
Nobu (Malibu) - If you head up north, it's a classic!
-
Artelice (Sawtelle) - the best pastries on the west coast!
Sidecar Doughnuts (Santa Monica, Culver City, West Hollywood) - incredible, fresh doughnuts with gluten-free options
Blue Star Donuts (Venice) - they’re from Portland, but best flavor profile for doughnuts in LA!
Primo's Doughtnuts (Sawtelle) - best old school, no-frills doughnuts in LA
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams (Mar Vista, West Hollywood) - best ice cream in LA
Saffron and Rose (Westwood) - best Persian ice cream in LA. Get the saffron and pistachio flavor, and don't skip the lemon and cherry sauces!
Des Croissants Paris (Culver City) - fantastic pastries
Ludivine Paris (Century City/Rancho Park) - other fantastic pastries
Cognoscenti Coffee (Culver City) - drinks and pastries
Conservatory for Coffee, Tea and Cocoa (Culver City) - drinks and pastries
Alanna's (Mar Vista) - drinks and pastries
10 Speed Coffee (Santa Monica) - beverages only
Caffe Luxxe (Santa Monica, Brentwood) - drinks and pastries
Go Get Em Tiger (all over) - coffee, tea and light breakfast and lunch foods
Endorffeine (Chinatown) - only pop in here if you find yourself Downtown