Guide for your first visit to Los Angeles.

By Neighborhood:
​
Malibu
Santa Monica
Venice
Central LA -Hollywood area
Beverly Hills
​& More...
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Malibu

See full Malibu Guide here.

Santa Monica

Activities: 
Bike path - 22 miles stretching from Pacific Palisades through Santa Monica/Venice down through Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey, Dockweiler State Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa and Redondo Beach, ending at Torrance County Beach. 
Pacific Park - make sure to take a ride on the Pacific Wheel Ferris wheel for breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean & the city!
Palisades Park/Santa Monica Bluffs Trail - Stunning walking path with views of the Santa Monica Mountains, PCH & the beach.
3rd Street Promenade - Outdoor shopping mall 3 blocks from the beach.
Main Street - Diverse shops & restaurants 2 blocks parallel to the beach.
Montana Avenue - 10 blocks of upscale shops & restaurants in a beautiful neighborhood.

Restaurants:
BREAKFAST:
Breakfast by Salt's Cure - Montana Ave -Best pancakes in LA!
La La Land Kind Cafe - Montana Ave -Creative lattes, pastries & toasts.
Bardonna - Montana Ave -Vibey coffeehouse with large brunch menu.
Bluey's - Mid City -Aussie inspired beachy vibes café with full brunch menu.
Cora's Coffee Shoppe -Ocean Ave -Rustic patio vibes with delicious food.
​Shoop's Delicatessen -Main St -European deli.
Tartine -Mid-City -Fresh California bakery.
​Holey Grail Donuts -Main St -Taro donuts made fresh to order!
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee -Wilshire -Popular So-Cal donut shop & for good reason!
Dogtown Coffee -Main St -Coffee, smoothies, açaí bowls, sandwiches & more!
Buena Vida Tea -Montana Ave -Amazing boba!

LUNCH:
Perry's Cafe & Beach Rentals -Bike path -Delicious food made fresh on the beach!
Heavy Handed -Main St -Amazing smash burgers, fries & soft serve.
Ghisallo -Ocean Park -Favorite pizza in LA with adorable dog-friendly patio.
Lunetta All Day -Mid-City -Upscale Diner.
Alfalfa -Main St -Healthy and delicious salads, sandwiches & donuts.
Benny's Tacos & Rotisserie Chicken -Wilshire -Counter serve Mexican food.
The Courtyard Kitchen -Montana Ave -Charming neighborhood courtyard restaurant.
Art's Table -Montana Ave -American restaurant with sidewalk seating.
Wally's -Wilshire -Wine and cheese shop.
Sogno Toscano - Montana Ave -Beautiful wine shop with great Italian menu & food.

DINNER:
Cobis - Main St -Michelen rated Indian & Thai fusion. 
Meat on Ocean -Ocean Ave -Modern steakhouse with ocean views.
Water Grill -Ocean Ave -Seafood destination overlooking the Santa Monica Pier.
Orla -Ocean Ave -Michael Mina Mediterranean restaurant in the new Regent Hotel.
The Golden Bull -Channel Rd -Old-Fashioned American Steakhouse.
Jinya -Main St -My favorite ramen spot with fire pit seating.
Vamos Vamos -Main St -Fun & delicious nachos, margaritas & more!
R+D Kitchen -Montana Ave -Busy no-reservation hip Hillstone restaurant with a dress code.
Forma -Montana Ave -Delicious homemade pastas & other Italian dishes. Fantastic happy hour menu!
Sugarfish -2nd St -Popular sushi restaurant.
Uovo -2nd St -Homemade pasta from Bologna, Italy served in Santa Monica & other Los Angeles locations!
North Italia -2nd St -Handcrafted Italian food chain that always pleases!

Venice

Activities:
​Venice Canals -Vibrant neighborhood with walking paths along the canal.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard -Mile-long boho chic street lined with shops & restaurants.
Venice Boardwalk & Skatepark -Iconic strip of vendors, restaurants & So-Cal vibes.
Mosaic Tile House -A unique art experience to visit a house covered entirely in colorful tiles & glass. Tours are Saturdays 12-3, reservations required.

Restaurants:
Great White -Worth the hype! Very vibey California style cafe.
​​Market -My favorite Italian food in LA.
Ospi -Delicious modern Italian by the beach.
Companion -New popping' neighborhood cafe + restaurant. 
The Waterfront -Great food & vibes with beach views along the boardwalk. Bottomless brunch on Sundays!
Gjusta -Iconic artisanal bakery.
The Win-Dow -Perfect burgers & fried chicken sandwiches.
The Rose Venice -Hip California eatery with vibrant patio.
Superba Food + Bread -California cafe & bakery.
Ggiata Delicatessen -East Coast inspired Italian-style deli.

A few other restaurants on my list to try include Dudley Market, Felix & Barrique.

Central LA - Hollywood & Surrounding Neighborhoods

Activities:
Lake Hollywood Park -As close as you can drive to Hollywood sign.
Hike to Hollywood Sign -Start at Lake Hollywood Park and follow Cahuenga Peak Trail.
Griffith Observatory & Park -Plenty of trails to choose from or shuttle for free to the Observatory.
The Grove -Shops, restaurants & famous Farmer's Market.
LACMA -Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Sunset Strip, Melrose Ave. and Robertson Blvd -Stylish shopping areas with galleries & restaurants.
​Santa Monica Blvd -Prideful street with gay clubs & restaurants.
Echo Park -Swan boats on the lake is a popular activity here.


Restaurants:
BREAKFAST: 
République -La Brea -Best breakfast in LA.
Dialog Cafe -West Hollywood -Coffee shop & cafe.
The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker -West Hollywood -Modern brunch cafe.
Breakfast by Salt's Cure -West Hollywood -If you don't go in Santa Monica, here is another location because these pancakes are a must!

LUNCH:
Home Restaurant -Los Feliz -Homestyle comfort food on beautiful heated patio.
Mamie - West Hollywood - best Italian sandwiches in Los Angeles. 
Oui Bakery -Melrose -Incredible dishes & pastries!
Chill Since '93 -The Grove -Delicous focaccia pizza & sandwiches.
Starbird Chicken -Fairfax -Amazing crispy chicken fast-food chain.
Uncle Paulie's Deli -Third Street -Delicious sandwiches.
Levain Bakery -Larchmont -Favorite cookies in the world.

DINNER:
Jon & Vinny's -Fairfax -Popular Italian, don't skip the Ricotta Toast!
Pijja Palace -Silver Lake -Italian-Indian fusion sports bar. Expect a wait but it's worth it!
Katsuya -Hollywood -Favorite sushi in LA.
Jinpachi -West Hollywood -Hole in the wall, hidden gem sushi spot where the food is as good, if not better, than Katsuya!
​Quarters -Koreatown -Amazing Korean BBQ. Make a reservation or get there early & expect a wait.

A handful more restaurants on my own list to try: 
Donna's
​Lonely Oyster
Antico Nuovo
Ysabel
Angelini Osteria
Apollonias

Beverly Hills

Activities:
Rodeo Drive -Upscale shops & restaurants.
Beverly Hills Hotel -Walk the grounds, eat by the pool.
Greystone Mansion -Explore the gardens & reminisce on the long list of films shot here.
Beverly Garden -Rose gardens, fountains, iconic Beverly Hills park.
Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation -Advance reservations required!

Restaurants:
The Cheese Shop of Beverly Hills -High quality sandwiches.
Crustacean -Delicious Vietnamese restaurant, reservations required.
Lorenzo -Known for their Italian sandwiches.
Lawry's Prime Rib -Classic, old-school, huge portions & delicious food. Don't miss out on the crispy onions!
The Honor Bar -A Hillstone Restaurant.

If you have time for more...

Pacific Palisades -Palisades Village for shops/restaurants. -The Point at the Bluffs for ocean views.
Manhattan Beach -Family friendly beach city with hilly streets lined with shops & restaurants.
Palos Verdes -Point Vicente Lighthouse & Beach Walk -Terranea Discovery Trail -Silver Spur Park
San Pedro -Visit the site of a natural landslide from 1929 now called Sunken City. Look for a hole in the fence at the corner of Point Fermin Park. -Korean Bell of Friendship
Topanga -Topanga Lookout Trail -Tuna Canyon -Cafe on 27 -Endless Color Pizza
Culver City -Eat at Tangaroa Fish Market & then walk over to Ginger's Divine Ice Cream. -Visit Helms Bakery.
Downtown LA -The Broad Museum 
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Click here for a full list of my favorite hikes.