The Anderson School's
Guide to Life in LA

This is it- your introduction to LA.  This is a work in progress- begun back in 1998.  By no means comprehensive- but hopefully enough to get you settled, see some stars, experience the LA scene and encourage exploration of Southern California.  Enjoy!

Here's what you'll find
    Getting Acclimated
    Restaurants
    Nightlife
    Culture
    Outdoor Activities
 
 

GETTING ACCLIMATED
Neighborhoods

WestwoodBrentwoodSanta MonicaWest Los Angeles
Venice/Marina Del Rey/Culver City
Pacific Palisades/Malibu South BayDowntown
San Gabriel ValleyEast Hollywood/Loz Feliz/Silverlake Hollywood
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile
Beverly HillsSan Fernando Valley Resources MoviesGuidesShopping(malls, specialty stores, etc)
  
 
 
 

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RESTAURANTS

AmericanAsian Burgers  Cafes 
Californian Cuisine  Cheap Eats  Diners 
Ethnic Eats  Italian  Japanese  Mexican
 
 

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NIGHTLIFE

BarsCLubs CocktailsMusicJazz
Gay and Lesbian
Taxis 
 
 
 
 

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CULTURE

MoviesMuseumsRadio StationsOnly in LA
 
 
 
 

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OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Hiking   LA Trips  CA Trips
 
 

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GETTING ACCLIMATED

NEIGHBORHOODS

Westwood
    Students may find rooms to rent in the fashionable area east of campus, or in the apartments along Hilgard Avenue. However, the area west of campus is dense with apartments. The campus evening vans and security escort program operate in this area. Expect high rents, though sharing helps keep costs down. Street parking is hard to find.
    Aside from campus, the nearest services are in Westwood Village, just south of campus. There are lots of restaurants and movies, clothing, drug and convenience stores (only Breadstiks has a deli and produce section). No laundromats. The nearest supermarket is at Westwood and Ohio; a laundromat  is on Westwood just south of Santa Monica
Boulevard.
     Apartments south of Wilshire are close to campus and the Lot 32 campus bus. Many students  find rooms to rent east of Westwood Boulevard, but they may not be close to buses that run to campus.

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Brentwood
Brentwood is two miles west of campus, separated from it by the Brentwood VA complex and the 405 Freeway. You might  find rooms or guest houses in the countrylike roads in the northern section of Brentwood, but most apartments are in the triangle bordered by Wilshire, San Vicente Boulevard and Bundy. This area has been hard hit by condo conversions, but there are still many apartments to rent or share. The main street in Brentwood  is San Vicente Boulevard. Buses to campus are on Wilshire, Montana and Sunset Boulevard. Many students bike to campus.

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Santa Monica
Not only is this incorporated beach city near campus (four to seven miles), but it has the beach, great parks, good libraries and schools, buses to campus, clean air and rent control - the ideal life, it would seem. But low turnover, long waiting lists, condo conversions, stiff competition, and recent proposed changes in the rent control law make finding a place here difficult. Still, there are opportunities to share houses or apartments, or to rent guest houses or rooms. Rental turnover  is greater on the south side (Ocean Park) and  the inland area off Santa Monica Boulevard  than in the exclusive northern part of Santa Monica.

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West Los Angeles
West LA extends south of Westwood and west of the 405 Freeway (one and a half to five miles from campus). Much of this area is within walking or biking distance from campus. East of the 405, students may find rooms to rent. Apartments are clustered near Santa Monica and Olympic Boulevards.
The area west of the 405 is popular with  students. It has many small apartments, slightly less expensive than those in Westwood, and good bus  access to campus along Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard.
  Supermarkets, laundromats and restaurants line these streets as well. The Nuart Theater and The Royal - both on Santa Monica Boulevard - show foreign, classic, new, and cult films.

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Venice/Marina Del Rey/Culver City
Venice is a beach community six to seven  miles southwest of campus. Modeled after the Italian original (complete with canals), it has always attracted artists and social activists. In the  80's, parts of Venice were gentrified, and the community reflects a mixture of trendy and neglected, pricey and rundown. You've probably  heard about the Venice Boardwalk: bargains, rollerskaters, jugglers, and "Muscle Beach." (If you haven't, pay it a visit some Sunday afternoon.)
Venice has some bargain housing left, but you need to look for it. Be careful not to settle for something that should be condemned just because the rent sounds cheap. High density, weekend tourists and almost impossible parking are tradeoffs for having sand and waves just footstepsfrom your door.
As in all the beach communities, the weather in Venice can be cool; morning and evening fog is common. While much of Venice is peaceful, stay away from the beachfront after dark.

Culver City is an incorporated city five to seven miles south of UCLA and just south of Palms and Mar Vista. Rental prices tend to be affordable and the neighborhood pleasant, but travel to campus can consume about half an hour at rush hour.  There are apartments between Venice and Washington Boulevards, and in the area off Culver Boulevard, south of MGM Studios. Further south, toward Jefferson Boulevard, luxury apartments and condos are common.
If you don't have a car, you'll probably want to live near the Culver City #6 bus (Sepulveda) or one of the lines that connect with it, such as the #1 bus (Washington Blvd.) or #5 bus (Braddock). Culver City is freeway friendly and has shopping, services and good recreation  facilities.

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Pacific Palisades/Malibu
      West of Brentwood and north of Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades is an upscale community five to six miles from campus. Centered along Sunset Boulevard as it winds its way to the Pacific, most of this neighborhood is in the hills and canyons overlooking the ocean. There are apartment shares and rooms in homes here, as well as bus  service to UCLA. This area might be considered hard to get to and isolated by some students, but it is beautiful and near the beach.

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South Bay
Only 15 miles from campus, but a completely different world.  Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beaches are what is considered "South Bay". These are beach towns with the expected  laid-back atmosphere.  Many second years move down when they're not spending every day on campus.  And those who do come into campus every day swear that the commute is not that bad.  Manhattan is the most expensive area to live, followed by Hermosa and Redondo.

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Downtown
Downtown?  Has anyone ever been there?  Seriously, few people live there, but there are many great restaurants and the Staples Center-home to the LA Lakers, Clippers and Kings.
 
 

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Loz Feliz
Three of the most eclectic neighborhoods in LA.  Home to many artists.  About 15 miles East of campus, these communities were made famous by the movie Swingers.

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Hollywood
Do we need to say more?

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West Hollywood/Beverly Adjacent
West Hollywood is a densely populated city at the foot of the Hollywood Hills between Beverly Hills and Hollywood. A center of design, fashion, music and theater, it is known for its Melrose Avenue boutiques and theaters, famous restaurants, and the Pacific Design Center.  It is also a popular area for the alternative lifestyle scene.
Look for housing north of Beverly Boulevard to Sunset, between Doheny and Crescent Heights. North of Sunset between Fairfax and La Brea is also popular. Be aware that "greater West Hollywood" extends beyond the official city limits, so West Hollywood rent control may not apply to every apartment.
Parts of West Hollywood are close enough for a bike ride to campus. The bus commute is easier if you live near the Wilshire or Sunset bus to UCLA. If you need to get around LA a lot, this neighborhood is  not freeway friendly. It is well served by grocery stores, laundromats, parks, libraries, etc.

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Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Koreatown
This is the area around Wilshire Boulevard between Beverly Hills and downtown.  Also known for its museums where you can get ancient art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and automobiles at Petersen's Automobile Museum.

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Beverly Hills
Two miles east of UCLA is the famous incorporated city of Beverly Hills. Sometimes there are guest houses or rooms for rent in the area, especially south of Wilshire, and sharing an apartment is feasible. Most students, though, use Beverly Hills for fantastic window shopping, people watching, occasional famous-name dining, and magnificent public parks and gardens (along Santa Monica Boulevard north of Wilshire). North of Santa Monica Boulevard, services and public transportation are very limited; they are more plentiful along Beverly Boulevard, Wilshire and Olympic.

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San Fernando Valley
UCLA's location near the 405 Freeway makes parts of the San Fernando Valley a viable alternative to more expensive and densely crowded neighborhoods near campus. About ten percent of UCLA students live in the Valley. The freeway can be a nightmare during rush hour, but at other times it is surprisingly efficient. Furthermore, there are alternative routes to the 405-Sepulveda and Beverly Glen Boulevards and Roscomare Road.
 Despite its reputation as unending suburbia (see Clueless), parts of the Valley are surprisingly countrylike. Lacking the coastal breezes found south of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Valley tends to get warmer and smoggier than the westside.
 
 

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REQUIRED MOVIES

• Swingers
• LA Story
• Earthquake
• The Player
• Sunset Boulevard
• Escape from LA
• Bugsy
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High

  Back to "Getting Acclimated"

INVALUABLE GUIDES

Thomas Guide: a comprehensive street guide to Los Angeles
Los Angeles Magazine: monthly magazine all about the City
Zagat Survey: a complete guide to all eateries in the Los Angeles area
LA Weekly: free alternative weekly featuring a comprehensive calendar (published every Wednesday)

O N L I N E  R E S O U R C E S
Papers

• LA Weekly, www.laweekly.com
• LA Times, www.latimes.com

Travel

• Microsoft Expedia, expedia.msn.com
• Travelocity, www.travelocity.com
• Lowest Fare, www.lowestfare.com

Miscellaneous

• California Voter Information, www.ss.ca.gov/election/elections.htm
• DMV, www.dmv.ca.gov
• Mapquest (turn by turn driving directions anywhere), www.mapquest.com
• Road conditions, www.ceres.ca.gov/geo_area/counties/Los_Angeles/conditions.htm
• Traffic report, www.scubed.com/caltrans/la/index.html
• City Guides

               @ LA Guide, www.at-la.com
                CityScape: Los Angeles, www.virtualvoyages.com/usa/ca/l_a/l_a_guid.htm?
 
 

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SHOPPING

P R A C T I C A L  S H O P P I N G
You’ve just arrived, and you left all of your belongings behind…

Costco

• Hawthorne - 5175 W. Marine Ave., (310) 643-7338
• Van Nuys - 6100 Sepulveda Blvd., (818) 989-5256
• Burbank - 10950 Sherman Way, (818) 840-8115

    Looking for a Costco? Look no further - not close, but quite possibly worth the trip.
    Your source for a life time supply of toilet paper or hot dog buns.

IKEA

• Burbank - 600 N. San Fernando Blvd., (818) 842-4532
• Carson - 20700 S. Avalon Blvd., (310) 527-4532
• Industry - 17621 E. Gale Blvd., (818) 912-4532

        We are IKEA poster-children… need some cheap, functional furniture?

Cost Plus
    · 10860 Santa Monica Blvd. (at Westwood Blvd.), (310) 441-5115
    All you need for your home, food and wine included. Great place to pick up some glassware and coffee.
Westwood

Sofa U Love
    ·5823 W. Pico Blvd., (323) 936-1050
    Down-filled couches made to your specification, slip-covered and all for cheap.  There is a location in Brentwood too, but they charge you less if you go to this one.
West Los Angeles

A R E A S  &  M A L L S
3rd Street Promenade ( 3rd Street b/w Arizona and Broadway
Pedestrian strip in the center of Santa Monica, convenient to the Pier. Has a wide assortment of shops, restaurants, bars, etc. Slathered with both tourists and homeless.
Santa Monica

Beverly Center Shopping Center (Beverly Blvd. and La Cienega, (310) 854-0070
Mall to the Stars. Insiders say this is your best bet to spot stars live in the flesh. Massive indoor shopping center with movie theater.
Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills   (  Wilshire, Rodeo, Little Santa Monica, etc.
You’ve got Rodeo Drive, which is everything you imagined it would be. But, you’ve also got Saks, Barney’s, Prada, and Loehman’s. Make sure you have your plastic.
Beverly Hills

Century City Shopping Center  ( 10250 Little Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 277-3898
Convenient, open mall can take care of all your shopping needs. Very close to school. Also has a movie theater.
West Los Angeles/Century City

Melrose Avenue    ( Melrose between Fairfax and LaBrea
Small, but interesting strip between Fairfax and LaBrea. The place to go to find vintage shops, cheap shoes, with good people-watching to boot. No shortage of tattoos or piercing.
West Hollywood

Robertson Corridor  (Robertson b/w 3rd and Beverly
West Hollywood’s known for its heavy focus on design. This cute strip has some upscale, hip boutiques, including Kate Spade and Cynthia Rowley among others. Conveniently close to the Beverly Center as well.
Beverly Adjacent

Westside Pavillion Shopping Center ( 10800 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 474-6255
Close to school, somewhat limited, this mall’s got Barnes & Noble, Nordstrom’s, Banana Republic, etc.
West Los Angeles

C L OT H I N G
Two LA favorites… but worlds apart. Popular vintage vs. LA’s response to Barney’s.
American Rag  (150 S. La Brea Avenue, (323) 935-3154
Good for hip designer clothes.  May spot some celebs who are also regular shoppers.
Hollywood
Fred Segal  ( 8100 Melrose Avenue (at Crescent Heights)   ( 500 Broadway, Santa Monica
The ultimate L.A. shopping experience. Many say better than Barney’s. Imagine shopping in an endless series of hip, cool, expensive boutiques.

F L E A M A R K E T S
Looking for that perfect something for your home, and willing to pay a few bucks? Or, looking for a fun, outdoor, weekend activity? Give one of these a try.
Pasadena City College Flea Market (1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 585-7906
First Sunday of every month, 6 am - 3 pm, Admission is free.
Rose Bowl Flea Market   (1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, (626) 560-7469
The place to go for big investments, but over 1,500 vendors sell everything from 60’s rock memorabilia to antique bookcases. Second Sunday of every month, 6 am - 4:30 pm, Admission is $5 - 10.

Santa Monica Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market  (Santa Monica Airport,Airport Ave. and Bundy Dr., Santa Monica, (310) 933-2511
Offers the best selections of high-end stuff, including everything you could want after you land that big money job. Fourth Sunday of every month, 8 am - 3 pm.
Santa Monica

M A R K E T S
About to throw your first dinner party and need a few things? Here are some good places to get you started.
Bay Cities Importing   1517 Lincoln Blvd., (310) 395-8279
Small Italian market with great deli.
Santa Monica
 Farmer’s Market   Northeast corner of Fairfax & 3rd
Open all the time, also has a Starbucks, post office, and numerous food stands.
West Hollywood
 La Brea Bakery  624 S. La Brea Avenue, (323) 939-6813
The best bread you can get in L.A.
Hollywood
 Trader Joe’s   10840 National Blvd., (310) 470-1917
Discount market offering cheap gourmet delectables, and rock-bottom priced microbrews, wine, and spirits. Citywide, check phonebook for additional listings.
West Los Angeles
 Wholefoods Market 11737 San Vicente Blvd., (310) 826-4433 & Santa Monica Blvd at Fairfax  In addition to the organic and veggie fare, you will find quality produce, cheeses, and breads, all at a premium price.
Brentwood and West Hollywood
 Wild Oats  8611 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 854-6927
Poor man’s Wholefoods. Citywide.
Santa Monica

M U S I C
LA may be the entertainment capital of the world, but that’s not limited to movies.
Here are some places to pick up your tunes.
Aron’s Records   1150 N. Highland Avenue, (323) 469-4700
Best used CD selection in the city.
Hollywood
 Pennylane   (1080 Gayley Avenue, (310) 208-5611
Used and new indie favorites. Citywide locations.
Westwood
Rhino Records  (1720 Westwood Blvd., (310) 474-8685
The predecessor to the Rhino label, the store is a westside favorite carrying both new and used, including wax.
Westwood

W I N E & S P I R I T S
Need to pick up some wine for a special dinner for two, or for a casual get-to-gether?
2020 Wine Company  2020 Cotner Avenue, (310) 447-2020
Features higher quality wines at discounted prices, huge offering of old and rare, aged wines in the backroom.
West Los Angeles
 Beverage Warehouse  4935 McConnell Avenue, (310) 306-2822
Convenient, one-stop shopping in Marina warehouse. Liquor, beer, wine, cigarettes, cigars, mixers, etc.
Venice/Marina Del Rey
The Winehouse  2311 Cotner Avenue, (310) 479-3731
16,000 sqaure feet of wines at the best prices on the Westside.
West Los Angeles
Wally’s  2107 Westwood Blvd., (310) 475-0606
Full wine and cheese stop in Westwood. A bit pretentious.
West Los Angeles
 Wine Expo   2933 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 828-4428
Small store specializing in more eclectic wines, strong Italian and Champagne selection.
West Los Angeles
 
 

  Back to "Getting Acclimated"
 
 
 
 
 

RESTAURANTS

Cynthia’s  ($$$)    8370 W. 3rd St., (323) 658-7851
Funky home-cookin’ by none other than Cynthia. Famous cobbler for dessert.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Georgia  ($$$)     7250 Melrose Ave., (323) 933-8420
Good Southern cookin’ on Melrose Avenue, can get pricey.  Southern food.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Gladstone’s  ($$)   17300 Pacific Coast Highway, (310) 454-3474
Touristy place located right on the beach. The food (seafood primarily) is mediocre but the view is great.
Malibu/Pacific Palisades

House of Blues  ($$)   8439 Sunset Blvd., (323) 848-2583
The only reason to go to this overpriced place is for its excellent Sunday Gospel brunch. Make reservations weeks ahead!
Hollywood

Lawry’s Prime Rib   ($$$)    100 N. La Cienega, (310) 652-2827
If you dare to tolerate the geriatrics here on restaurant row, you can’t beat the rare cut of prime rib.
Beverly Hills

Original Pantry Café ($)  877 S. Figueroa St. (at 9th), (213) 972-9279
Owned my LA Mayor Richard Riordan - offers HUGE portions at pauper prices. Open since 1924.  Diner style.
Downtown

The Grill  ($$$)    9560 Dayton Way (between Camden and Rodeo), (310) 276-0615
Its proximity to CAA, ICM, William Morris, UTA and Endeavor make this the perfect place to eavesdrop while moguls coddle stars. The Caesar salad and the crab are both pretty good too.
Beverly Hills
 
 

Chin Chin    ($)     11740 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, (310) 826-2525
                                            8618 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 652-1818
Decent Chinese food but the must-have is the Chinese Chicken Salad.
Citywide

Clay Pit   ($$) 145 S. Barrington, (310) 476-4700
Tasty Indian food so close to campus.  Quaint neighborhood feel.
Brentwood

Corner Place  ($$) 2819 W 9th St., (323) 487-0968
Cheap Korean BBQ in a K-Town strip mall. Minimal English spoken.
Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Koreatown

Indo Café ($$)    10428 1/2 National (at Motor), (310) 815-1290
Affordable and tasty Indonesian. BYO to boot.
West Los Angeles

JR Seafood  ($$)11901 Santa Monica, (310) 268-2463
Seafood-Chinese style. Great whole prawns.
West Los Angeles

Little Hong Kong     ($)     2129 Sawtelle, (310) 478-7329
Cheap westside Chinese in Japanese stripmall.
West Los Angeles

Royal Star Seafood  ($)   3001 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 828-8812
If you’re looking for dim sum but don’t want to make the trek to Chinatown, this is the closest substitute.
Brentwood

Thai Pepper    ($)       6219 Franklin Ave., (323) 467-2699
Cheap thai food in a Hollywood strip mall. If you go in more than once, the owner will remember what you ordered last time.
Hollywood

Toi  ($) 1120 Wilshire, (310) 394-7804
Thai food at 3 am!  This funky Thai restaurant decorated with pop culture paraphenalia offers decent food until late into the night. Also at 7505 W. Sunset.
Santa Monica

Tommy Tang’s  ($$$)   7313 Melrose Ave., (323) 937-5733
Eponymous Chinese restaurant of the chef most famous for his supermarket sauces.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
 
 

Barney’s Beanery   ($)  8447 Santa Monica Blvd., (323) 654-2287
Cool hamburger joint, famous for its chili and laid back atmosphere. One of the largest menus in the city.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Big Tomy’s   ($)      11289 Pico Blvd., (310) 479-0601
Chili-cheeseburger, chili-cheese fries at any hour. Absorb some of that beer on your way home.
Citywide

Howard’s Famous Bacon & Avocado Burgers ($)    11127 Venice Blvd., (310) 838-9111
The name speaks for itself.
West Los Angeles

In-N-Out  ($)       Gayley @ LeConte
The best fast food burger in LA. Will become your best friend during exam time.
Citywide

Mo Better Meatty Meat Burgers ($)     5855 W. Pico Blvd., (323) 938-6558
A burger lover’s dream.
Hollywood

Tommy’s  ($)       2575 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-9060
The original LA tradition of grease.
Citywide
 
 

Caffé Luna  ($)    7463  Melrose Ave., (323) 655-8647
Open late, this café is the place on Melrose for a relaxing meal. Backyard patio for outdoor dining.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Insomnia Café   ($)  7286 Beverly Blvd., (323) 931-4943
Great mellow coffee shop, always with art on the walls. Open late, offers limited menu (sandwiches, salads, pizzas). Great place to hang, chat or study.
Hollywood

King’s Road Café ($)    8361 Beverly Blvd., (323) 655-9044
Hipster hangout for coffee and brunch.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Lulu’s Alibi  ($)   1638 Sawtelle, (310) 479-6007
Brazilian westside café is open late and has breakfast all day.
West Los Angeles

Rose Café  ($$)      220 Rose Ave., (310) 399-0711
Quintessential yuppy café with great pastries, salad samplers, and gourmet meals. Has outdoor garden area.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City
 
 

72 Market Street    ($$$)        72 Market Street, (310) 392-8720
Large contemporary room, featuring American comfort food with French Bistro flair. Great meats, fantastic mashed potatoes, great desserts and wine list. Known for its fresh oyster bar.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Authentic Café  ($$)   7605 Beverly Blvd., (323) 939-4626
Large portions of Tex-Mex fusion in a cool atmosphere. The desserts are worth the long preparation times.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Boxer    ($$$)   7615 Beverly Blvd., (323) 932-6178
Small, hip neighborhood restaurant serving nouvelle, French-accented, cuisine.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Café Des Artistes   ($$$)    1638 Las Palmas, (323) 461-6889
In the middle of Hollywood but with a secluded feel.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

California Chicken Cafe   ($)  2005 Westwood Blvd., (310) 446-1933
All about rotisserie chicken.
West Los Angeles

Campanile  ($$$$)     624 S. La Brea, (323) 938-1447
In the building that Charlie Chaplin originally built as a studio for one of his wives, you will find some of the best food in LA. Must try Gourmet Grilled Cheese night on Thursdays at the bar. Or, try Family Night on Mondays, $30 fixed theme menu.
Hollywood

Chaya Brasserie  ($$$$)    8741 Alden Dr., (310) 859-8833
Franco Japanese serving the young and beautiful.fs
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Chaya Venice   ($$$$)   110 Navy (Main), (310) 396-1179
Sister restaurant to Chaya Brasserie, with more of a Japanese flavor. Focus is seafood.    Happening bar area, especially during their Sushi Happy Hour.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Chinois on Main    ($$$$)    2709 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 392-9025
Reservations are tough, but worth it. Required eating - the Catfish, tempura-fried tuna, and the Mongolian lamb chops.
Santa Monica

Geoffrey’s Malibu    ($$$)         27400 PCH (North of Malibu Canyon), (310) 457-1519
High on a cliff overlooking the Pacific is the most romantic restaurant in these    parts. To dine here at night, however, is to miss the point (although the sound of crashing waves isn’t bad).
Malibu/Pacific Palisades

Jiraffe ($$$$)    502 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 917-6671
New cozy French located in Santa Monica. Great food, beautifully presented, though service can be a little inconsistent.
Santa Monica

Joe's   ($$$$) 1023 Abbot Kinney Blve. (310) 399-5811
Incredible California/Pacific cuisine.  Pricey, but definitely one of the better restaurants in Los Angeles.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Jozu   ($$$$)  8330 Melrose Ave, (323) 655-5600
Incredible California/Pacific cuisine.  Pricey, but definitely one of the better restaurants in Los Angeles.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Kate Mantilini    ($$$)      9101 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 278-3699
Hip Beverly Hills upscale diner. Good salads and sandwiches. There’s some story  behind their famous boxer mural.
Beverly Hills

L’Orangerie  ($$$$)       903 N. La Cienega Blvd (between Melrose and Santa Monica), (310) 652-9770
The food and ambience are haute French, but the attitude isn’t. Great food without the stuffy atmosphere. Be prepared to pay for it, however.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Patina   ($$$$)       5955 Melrose, (323) 467-1108
Looking to splurge? This is your place. Just don’t look at the check. Known for its vegetarian menu and long wine list.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Pinot Hollywood    ($$$)      1448 Gower Street, (323) 461-8800
Part of Joachim Splichal’s empire (along with Patina), Pinot features French food with a touch of Provence. Also has a Martini Bar.
Hollywood

Spago   ($$$$)   176 N. Canon Drive, BH (310)385-0880,   1114 Horn Avenue, (310) 652-4025
The venerable favorite of the Wolfgang Puck empire. Great food if you can get a reservation.
Beverly Hills & West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

The Little Door   ($$$)      8164 W. 3rd St., (323) 951-1210
No sign, just a bamboo thatched fence fronts this garden restaurant. A true scene as a lerpy foreign boy-toy greats you to ask if you have a reservation, which you will  probably need. Long wine list by the glass.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
 
 

Greenblatt’s   ($)     8017 W. Sunset Blvd., (323) 656-0606
Deli located right next to the Laugh Factory.
Hollywood

Killer Shrimp  ($)       523 Washington Blvd., (310) 587-2293
They only serve one dish, spicy shrimp, but what a dish it is!
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Oki Dog   ($)      860 N. Fairfax Avenue @ Willoughby, (323) 655-4166
What is an Oki dog? It’s a tortilla lined with piles of pastrami, chili, and cheese wrapped around a hot dog. Add fries and a drink and you’ve got a meal for $3.
Hollywood

Papa Jake’s    ($)           9527 Santa Monica Blvd, (310) 276-7823
As close as you’ll get to an authentic Philly cheese steak in L.A. Also in Manhattan Beach.
Beverly Hills

Phillipe, The Orginal   ($)   1001 N. Alameda (N. of Sunset), (213) 628-3781
Bizarre cafeteria just north of downtown. Featuring the best French Dips this side of Paris. Saw dust floors, 9 cent coffee and, for some reason, a tremendous wine list.
Downtown

Pink’s    ($)       709 N. La Brea, (323) 931-4223
Famous hot dog stand in the heart of Hollywood.  Make sure you have a chili dog.
Hollywood

Pizzeria Buona   ($)     2100 Sunset Blvd., (323) 413-0800
You love Chicago-style pizza, but the only pizza you can find in this city is Pizza    Hut. This out of the way place sates those deep dish cravings till you can make it back to Chicago.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles ($)     1514 N. Gower (at Sunset), (323) 466-7453
Chicken and waffles on one plate; sloshed in gravy. Need I say more?
Hollywood

Tang’s Donut    ($)       4341 Sunset Blvd., (323) 662-4085
One of the curious L.A. phenomena - donuts and Chinese food from the same restaurant. Many local musicians (Beck) frequent this place.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake
 
 

Fred 62    ($)    1850 N. Vermont Ave., (323) 667-0062
Great late night place for upscale diner food. Brought to you by Fred Eric, the owner of Vida, one of LA’s notable restaurants.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Johnnie’s French Dip Pastrami  ($)      4017 Sepulveda Blvd., (310) 397-6654
Fatty, greasy, perfect.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Kenny’s Café    ($)     4541 Centinela, (310) 822-7529
Seedy Japanese diner serving up great breakfast. Try any of the Royales.
West Los Angeles

Mel’s Drive-In   ($$)        8585 Sunset Blvd., (310) 854-7201
Prefab drive-in feel but it’s all in good fun at this trendy burger joint.
Hollywood

Millie’s    ($)       3524 Sunset Blvd., (323) 664-0404
To some, the best breakfast place in the city. Try their famous Devil’s Mess.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Patrick’s Roadhouse  ($$)        106 Entrada Dr. (at PCH), (310) 459-4544
A power breakfast spot overlooking the Pacific. Not overly cheap, despite dingy green shacklike appearance. Have the Bauernfruestuck (farmer’s breakfast).
Santa Monica

Pepy’s Galley   ($)      12125 Venice Blvd, (310) 390-0577
The front diner of a bowling alley features weekday breakfast-and-bowl specials.    Also at Action West Lanes on Pico in SM.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Swingers ($$)       8020 Beverly Blvd., (323) 653-5858
Hip set eat their pancakes here after the clubs close.
Hollywood

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House  ($)     1305 Highland Ave. (at 13th), Manhattan Beach, (310)545-5177
Awesome pancakes and waffles.
South Bay
 
 

Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch    ($$)      4325 Glencoe Ave. (at Mindanao), (310) 578-1005
Soul food at its West coast finest.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Cafe Del Rey  ($$$$)      4451 Admiralty Way, (310) 823-6395
Great Pacific New Wave food with a marina view.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Cafe Maurice   ($$$)       747 N. La Cienega Blvd. (310) 652-1609
A parisian cafe in LA.  Have the pommes frites.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Cava   ($$$)       8384 W. 3rd Street, (323) 658-8898
The closest L.A. comes to a tapas restaurant. Always entertaining.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Cha Cha Cha     ($$$)         656 Virgil, (323) 664-7723
Cheery restaurant with zesty Caribbean cuisine. Try any of the jerk dishes.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Cha Cha Chicken   ($)   1906 Ocean Ave., (310) 581-1684
An offshoot of Cha Cha Cha located just off the Santa Monica Pier. Cheaper prices buy still great food.
Santa Monica

El Pollo Inka  ($$)       11701 Wilshire Blvd. (at Barrington), (310) 571-3334
The atmosphere is a bit unusual, with black lights and booths upholstered to lool like giant piano keyboards. However, if you’ve never had Peruvian food - this is the place to try it. A good bet is the pollo saltado.
West Los Angeles

Messob  ($)     1041 S. Fairfax Ave., (323) 938-8827
The best Ethiopian restaurant on Fairfax row. Traditionally decorated with great service.
Hollywood

Mumtaz ($)      7166 Melrose Ave., (323) 933-2945
Pretty good Indian food with a great lunch time deal. Also makes some of the best iced tea in town.
Hollywood

Nyala  ($)         1076 S. Fairfax Ave., (323) 936-5918
The trendiest of the Ethiopian restaurants on the Fairfax row. Features only so-so food but gets energized on the weekend.
Hollywood

Taverna Tony  ($$)        23410 Civic Center Way, (310) 317-9667
Authentic Greek food in a bright, open setting. Greek music and dancing on weekends.
Malibu/Pacific Palisades

Uncle Darrow’s Cajun  ($)     5302 Venice Blvd., (323) 938-4293
Po boys, jambalaya, and catfish flown in fresh from Mississipi. File Gumbo on Friday and Saturday only — worth the wait!
Hollywood

Versailles  ($)        10319 Venice Blvd., (310) 558-3168
Cheap Cuban food with piles of fresh garlic rubbed on everything from the roasted chicken to pork chunks. House specialty is the garlic chicken, served with rice, beans, and plantains.
West Los Angeles/Palms
 
 

Alejo’s   ($$)      4002 Lincoln (Washington), (310) 822-0095
People line up for the affordable and tasty Italian fare at Alejo’s. Great selection of pastas including shrimp diablo, gnocci, and spaghetti & meatballs. The best part is you can bring your own wine.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Alto Palato   ($$$)     755 N. LaCienega Blvd., (310) 657-9271
Hip Italian, known for its good food, good scene. Try Wednesday night when they offer special regional menu dinners.
Beverly Hills

Brunos Ristorante   ($$)            3838 Centinela (at Venice), (310) 397-5703
An odd 1950’s gothic setting is quite cool and romantic. Very affordable wine list.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

C & O Trattoria   ($$)        31 Washington Blvd., (310) 823-9491
Right off the pier in Venice, the patio dining and garlic knots make this a worthwhile stop, especially for groups.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Damiano’s Mr. Pizza ($$)     412 N. Fairfax, (323) 658-7611
This dark, divey pizza joint oozes with atmoshpere. A handful of vinyl booths are lit only with tabletop candles. And they deliver ‘til 6 AM on the eastside.
Hollywood

Fritto Misto    ($$)           601 Colorado (at 6th), (310) 458-2829
Very affordable Italian featuring fresh fish and gourmet pasta dishes. Fantastic desserts, especially the tiramisu and lemon bars.
Santa Monica

Il Cielo  ($$$$)      9018 Burton Way (east of Doheny), Beverly Hills, (310) 276-9990
Set in a former private home, you’ll eat by candlelight to the strains of a roving violin - Viva Italia!
Beverly Hills

Palermo’s   ($)          1858 N. Vermont Ave., (323) 663-1178
Retro-Italian food: big portions, baskets of garlic bread, and carafes of red wine. Be careful not to get drunk on the free wine you get while you wait for a table.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

San Gennaro’s   ($$)     140 S. Barrington, (310) 476-9696
Fantastic pizza, conveniently located near school.
Brentwood

The Stinking Rose    ($$$)       55 N. La Cienega, (310) 652-7673
Everything is made with garlic. Not for first dates!
Beverly Hills

Valentino    ($$$$)         3115 Pico Blvd., (310) 829-4313
Rated the best italian restaurant in Los Angeles by most!
Santa Monica

Crazy Fish    ($$)         9105 W. Olympic Blvd., (310) 550-8547
Worth the wait at this tiny sushi bar that offers huge portions for decent prices.
Beverly Hills

Hama Sushi   ($$)     213 Windward (at Main), (310) 396-8783
An Anderson favorite date place for wild sushi. Buy the chef a beer.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Hide Sushi       ($$)         2040 Sawtelle, (310) 477-7242
Decent cheap sushi, always crowded.
West Los Angeles

Ita Cho     ($$$)      7311 Beverly Blvd., (323) 938-9009
Possibly the best japanese (non-sushi) in LA.
Hollywood

Matsuhisa  ($$$$)      129 N. La Cienega Blvd., (310) 659-9639
Exquisite sushi and seafood brought to you by LA/NYC’s famous Nobu.
Beverly Hills

Mishima   ($$)       11301 Olympic (Sawtelle), (310) 473-5297
Japanese noodles and sushi at reasonable prices.
West Los Angeles

O Omasa   ($$)        100 Japanese Village Plz Mall, (213) 623-9048
Fresh sushi at a reasonable price in the middle of Little Tokyo.
Downtown

R23   ($$$)         923 E. 3rd St., (213) 687-7178
If you can find it, the upscale sushi place is set in a refurbished downtown warehouse.
Downtown

Sawtelle Kitchen  ($)     2024 Sawtelle, (310) 445-9288
Informal Japanese fusion tucked into the Sawtelle corridor. Sit in the front garden with your date. Bring your own wine.
West Los Angeles

Sushi Roku   ($$)      8445 W. Third Street (323) 655-6767
See stars eating incredible sushi!  New location in Santa Monica as well.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Taiko    ($$)     11677 San Vicente, (310) 207-7782
Great all-around Japanese cuisine: very good sushi, good udon, and wide assortment of donburi all in a cool atmosphere.
Brentwood

U-zen Sushi  ($$)     11951 Santa Monica, (310) 477-1390
Very good sushi conventiently located on Santa Monica.
West Los Angeles

Yamashiro   ($$$)        1999 N. Sycamore, (323) 466-5125
The food is decent, but the view…what a view of Hollywood.
Hollywood
 
 

El Cholo  ($$)     1025 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 899-1106 /
                                                                                 1025 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 899-1106
Popular standard LA Mexican. Expect big crowds, big margaritas.
Santa Monica & Downtown

El Coyote   ($)      7312 Beverly Blvd., (323) 939-2255
Hollywood pierced crowd eating mediocre Mexican food and sipping margheritas.
Hollywood

Garden's of Taxco  ($$)   1113 Harper Ave., (323) 654-1746
Great Mexican food.  Be prepared to concentrate- there are no written menus.  All 14 items are recited by the waiter.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Gloria’s   ($)    11750 Mississippi, (310) 478-5259
Mexican/Salvadorian corner stand tucked behind Ralph’s. Great tamales, pupusas, and lemonade.
West Los Angeles

La Serenata de Garibaldi   ($)   1416 4th Street, (310)656-7017
Mexican seafood in a colorful Santa Monica restaurant.  Great sangria.
Santa Monica
 
 

Burgundy Room  1621 1/2 Cahuenga Blvd., (323) 465-7530
Cozy, dark and loud Hollywood bar serving beer and wine.
Hollywood

Cat & Fiddle   6530 Sunset Blvd., (323) 468-3800
German beer garden meets English pub. Great outdoor patio.
Hollywood

Circle Bar  2926 Main Street, (310) 392-4898
Crowded and cool beer and shot bar on Main.
Santa Monica

Cock n’ Bull   2947 Lincoln Blvd., (310) 399-9696
English pub playing most every soccer match around the world en vivo.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Daddy's   1610 N. Vine Street, (323) 463-7777
Dive bar du jour.  Great drinks and lots of room to sit.
Hollywood

Father’s Office   1018 Montana, (310) 451-9330
Grab a pint from the extensive selection of beers on tap on the obnoxious Montana strip.
Santa Monica

Gotham Hall   1431 3rd Street Promenade, (310) 394-8865
Santa Monica pool hall and bar.
Santa Monica

HMS Bounty   3357 Wilshire Blvd., (213) 385-7275
Kitschy, fun bar to hang out with all your hipster bar.  Kit Kats are given to all the cute girls by the ninety year old bartender.
Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Koreatown

Jones  7205 Santa Monica  Blvd., (323) 850-1726
Reliable bar with decent food.
Hollywood

Kings Head    116 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 451-1402
Typical English pub, try the fish and chips.
Santa Monica

Library Ale House   2911 Main Street, (310) 314-4855
Every beer you could want and then some. Good for a beer and a snack.
Santa Monica

Lost & Found Lounge  11700 National Blvd., (310) 397-7772
Bud or Bud Light is the extent of your choice at this blue collar bar.
West Los Angeles

North   8029 Sunset Blvd., (323) 654-1313

Hollywood

Red Lion Tavern   2366 Glendale Blvd., (323) 662-5337
Schnitzel, sauerkraut, and beer in a glass boot in a woody old room straight out of Bavaria.
Valley

Red Rock   8782 Sunset Blvd., (310) 854-0710
Trendy brew pub with a good selection of British beers in an open-air atmosphere.
Hollywood

Renee’s  522 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 451-9341
Great bar with outdoor garden.
Santa Monica

St. Nick’s   8450 W. 3rd Street, (323) 655-6917
Traditonal woodsy beer bar in the heart of West Hollywood.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Smog Cutter   864 North Virgil, (323) 660-4626
Alternative seen in the this true dive bar in Silverlake.
Hollywood
 
 

Mayan Night Club  1038 S. Hill St., (213) 746-4287
Want to try some salsa dancing? This is the place.
Downtown

The Conga Room   5364 Wilshire Blvd., (323) 938-1696
Great place for salsa - energy and sultry beauty combined in a tropical atmosphere. Features live performances, dancing and dance lessons, comedy and more.
Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Koreatown

The Derby    4500 Los Feliz Blvd., (213) 663-8979
Famous Swing club, free lessons on Wednesday and Sunday nights.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

The Gate  643 N. La Cienaga Blvd., (310) 289-8808
True club scene where you will see everything for the $20 cover.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
 
 

Barfly  8730 W. Sunset Blvd., (310) 360-9490
For the young, hip crowd in search of a scene.
Hollywood

El Carmen  8138 W. 3rd Street, (323) 852-1556
West Hollywood tequila bar has become the place to be seen. Check out the velvet paintings of Mexican wrestlers.
Hollywood

Formosa Café  7156 Santa Monica Blvd., (323) 850-9050
As seen in LA Confidential, this small cocktail bar is done in Chinese décor and is smattered with Hollywood pin-ups.
Hollywood

Frolic Room   6245 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 462-5890
Rowdy dive around the corner from Capitol Records.
Hollywood

Good Luck Bar   1514 Hillhurst Ave., (323) 666-3524
Hip Los Feliz cocktail bar done in a Chinese motif.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Hal’s Bar & Grill  1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., (310) 396-3105
Good place to stop in for a cocktail, though a bit pricey for the atmostphere. Live jazz on occasion.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Kane  5574 Melrose Avenue, (323) 466-6263
Hip Hollywood bar features vinyl booths, expensive cocktails, and live go-go dancers.
Hollywood

Lava Lounge  1533 N. LaBrea Ave., (213) 876-6612
Cheesy Hawaiian lounge bar in a Hollywood strip mall. Wednesday is the big night as a live band covers lounge favorites.
Hollywood

Liquid Kitty   11780 Pico Blvd., (310) 473-3707
Dark and smoky cocktail lounge. Most of the westside leather-clad crowd here has a martini in one hand and a Camel in the other.
West Los Angeles

Lola’s   945 N. Fairfax Ave., (323) 736-5652
Big but cozy with three bars and a small restaurant. Large list of Martinis.
Hollywood

Max’s   442 N. Fairfax Ave., (323) 651-4421
Small neigborhood bar, home to the locals of the Beverly-Fairfax area.
Hollywood

Naked Lunch   96671/2 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 858-8153
Sister to the one in NY. New hot spot in Beverly Hills. Loungy, scene-y, cocktail bar.
Beverly Hills

Sky Bar   8440 Sunset Blvd., (323) 848-6025
Open air beds to lounge on, smart cocktails, and tons of beautiful people to admire. Need to call the day of to get on the exclusive list.
Hollywood

The Dresden   1760 N. Vermont, (213) 665-4294
Check out Marty and Elayne nightly at the Place made famous in the movie Swingers.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

The Pearl    609 N. La Brea, (323) 933-9975
Upscale tiki lounge meets Miami Vice. Delicious sushi available at all hours. Just look for Mandalay and enter on the left side, it has no sign of its own.
Hollywood

The Room   1626 Cahuenga Blvd., (323) 462-7196
Dark Hollywood cocktail lounge that you enter through the back alley.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Three Clubs  1123 Vine, (323) 462-6441
Yet another dark cocktail bar which was briefly featured in Swingers. Only recognizable by the “Clown Mart” sign.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Tiki-Ti   4427 Sunset Blvd., (323) 669-9381
The best exotic drinks this side of the Caribbean. The owners mix killer drinks so be warned!
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake
 
 

Café Fais Do-Do  5257 West Adams Blvd., (323) 954-8080
The neighborhood’s a bit sketchy but this is the place for blues and New Orleans music.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Dragonfly   6510 Santa Monica Blvd., (323) 466-6111

Hollywood

The Gig7302 Melrose Ave, (323) 936-4400 and
11637 W. Pico, (310) 444-9870
Many up-and-coming play in both of these clubs. Could you guess, the Gig in West L.A. is a bit more low-key than the Hollywood version.
Hollywood

House of Blues  8430 W. Sunset. Blvd., (323) 848-5100
Many major acts stop at this famous Vegasesque music venue.
Hollywood

Jack’s Sugar Shack  1701 Vine Street, (323) 466-7005
The best in pop music & alternative country/rockabilly. Mojo Nixon, Albert Lee, Rosie Flores all make regular appearances here.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Largo 432 Fairfax Ave., (323) 852-1073
Intimate club with regular performances from big name musicians going acoustic and a Monday comedy show.
Hollywood

Opium Den   1605 1/2 N. Ivar Ave., (323) 466-7800
Rock club with a Middle Eastern theme, most famous for its Monday night Zeke’s Backyard show featuring some of the biggest local acts like No Doubt and Red Hot Chili Peppers in a rare club setting.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Spaceland   1717 Silverlake Blvd., (323) 833-2843
The very best in local and up-and-coming national bands in a converted disco, “Dreams of LA.” Beck got his start here. Recent sightings include: Leonardo,
Janeane Garafolo, and Noah Wyle.
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

The Mint   6010 Pico Blvd., (323) 954-9630
Great place to see blues and jazz, housed in a refurbished and expanded room.
Hollywood

The Rainbow   9015 Sunset Blvd., (310) 278-4232
Do you remember the hair bands like Poison and Cinderella? Well, the patrons of this club are hoping for a revival. Infamous for its bouncer, Joey Butafucco.
Hollywood

The Troubador   9081 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 276-6168
Most rising stars have played the Troub, an intimate setting for a live show.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Viper Room   8852 Sunset Blvd., (310) 358-1880
Johnny Depp’s club hosts some of the hottest music.
Hollywood

Whisky A Go-Go  8901 Sunset Blvd., (310) 652-4202
A mix of local and national acts play this club that’s been around since the ’60s. Once home to the Doors.
Hollywood

Club Brasserie at the Windham Bel-Age Hotel    1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., (310) 854-1111
The best secret in LA for jazz:  Thursday through Sunday evenings, top names and admission is free!
East Hollywood/Los Feliz/Silverlake

Jazz Bakery    3233 Helms Avenue, Culver City, (310) 271-9039
Nonprofit club attracts major talent. Come for food, beer and wine. Call for details, tickets range from $10 - 20.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Lunaria  10351 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 282-8870
Top jazz and blues Tuesday - Saturday. Dining and full bar. Call for details, cover varies.
Westwood/Century City

The Baked Potato   3787 Cahuenga Blvd. West, North Hollywood, (818) 980-1615
It’s been around since 1975, décor and all. Dining and full bar. Covers vary, call for details.
Valley
 
 

Ultra Suede   657 N. Robertson Blvd., (310) 659-0472
This bar rotates its menu to 5 different clubs during the week. Cover is usually    around $8.
Tuesdays: Dragville - a drag cabaret show (not too hard core like Dragstrip 66 in Silverlake)
Wednesdays: Club 1980s
Thursdays: The Buddah Lounge - turf of the Asian swingers
Fridays: Cherry - locals dancing to Bowie and T Rex
Saturdays: Girl Bar - This is one of the oldest lesbian club nights in LA
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Numbers  8029 Sunset Blvd., (213) 656-6300
Not good for picking up, but great for window shopping.
Hollywood

Rage  8911 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 652-7055
The main bar to drink, dance, and cruise in West Hollywood.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Others to try…
Micky’s  8857 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 657-1176
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Revolver   8851 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 659-8851
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Normandie Room 8737 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 659-6204
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Abbey Coffee House   692 N. Robertson Blvd., (310) 289-8410
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

Little Frida’s Coffee House  8730 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 652-6495
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
 
 

Cineplex Odeon Fairfax  7907 Beverly Blvd., (323) 653-3117
CHEAP! $2.75 all shows, second run theater.
Hollywood

 Cinerama Dome   6360 Sunset Blvd., (323) 466-3401
Great space, great sound.
Hollywood

Laemmle’s Royal   11523 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 477-5581
Single screen featuring independent films.
West Los Angeles

 Laemmle Sunset 5  8000 Sunset Blvd West Hollywood, (323) 848-3500
For foreign films and independent productions.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

 Landmark Nuart   11272 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 478-6379
Independent films and late night cult classics.
West Los Angeles

 Mann’s Chinese   6925 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 464-8111
Great historic theatre, a LA must-see.
Hollywood

 The Crest    1262 Westwood Blvd., (310) 474-7866
Unforgettable interior space.
Westwood/Century City

The Palace  630 & 842 S. Broadway respectively, (323) 239-0959/(323) 239-0939
The Palace, a 1911 vaudeville house, and The Orpheum, built in 1926 to resemble an opulent French opera house, are worth admission even if the movie is not.
Hollywood

Movie Tips
    1. You can get discounted movie tickets for most LA theaters at the Central Ticket
    Office at UCLA. However, you can’t use them for brand new releases.
    2. Another secret - at lunch time many preview passes are given out around
    Ackerman Union. If you’re a buff, you might think about it.
    3. Call (323) or (310) 777-FILM for a complete listing of movies in your area.
 
 

California Museum of Science and Industry   700 State Drive, Exposition Park, (213) 744-7400
“Come touch tomorrow,” as you explore electricity, gravity, computers and the immune system. Also check out some science, nature and travel films at the IMAX    Theater, which has a 50 foot high, 70 foot wide screen.
Downtown

 Geffen Contemporary/Museum of Contemporary Art   152 Central Avenue, (213) 626-6222
Owned by MOCA, this satellite location features blockbuster contemporary exhibitions, we hear Richard Serra is coming this fall.
Downtown

 Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens  1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
(626) 405-2141
The library sits in the middle of Henry Huntington’s (railroad tycoon/robber baron) 207 acre estate. The library houses Sir Thomas Gainsborough’s Blue Boy, and is surrounded by a collection of beautiful gardens. Great for a romantic walk.
San Gabriel Valley

 Los Angeles County Musuem of Art  5905 Wilshire Boulevard, (323) 857-6000
An excellent museum, offering a broad range of art from around the world and excellent contemporary shows/installations. Free jazz on some Fridays in the courtyard.
Koreatown

 Museum of Contemporary Art  California Plaza, 250 S. Grand Avenue, (213) 626-6222
In the heart of downtown, designed by Arata Isozaki, MOCA is devoted exclusively to art from the 40’s to the present. Offers a wide range of styles, but focuses on Californian artists.
Downtown

 Museum of Jurassic Technology  9341 Venice Blvd., (310) 836-6131
This is a museum that tests your willingness to believe. Is it for real? Well, no one knows. You must check this place out, it’s a trip.
Venice/Marina del Rey/Culver City

Museum of Television & Radio  465 N. Beverly Drive, (310) 786-1000
Housed in another Richard Meier design, the museum offers more than 75,000 TV and radio shows and commercials for viewing.
Beverly Hills

 Museum of Tolerance  Simon Wiesenthal Plaza, 9786 Pico Blvd., (310) 553-8403
Comes highly recommended from good sources, includes a video wall about American civil rights and a Holocaust section which features a recreated 1930’s Berlin café scene.
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
Norton Simon Museum   411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 449-6840
Highly recommended by Deb Haas, the Norton Simon boasts a fine collection of  works by Rembrandt, Reubens, Raphael, Goya, Picasso, among others.
San Gabriel Valley

 Petersen Automotive Museum 6060 Wilshire Blvd, (323) 763-3534
A must see for car buffs, this museum displays everything on wheels from vintage to the latest Mustang.
Koreatown

 The Getty Center   1200 Getty Center Drive, (310) 440-7300
Richard Meier’s new home for the Getty (all but Greek and Roman antiquities) offers spectacular views and a spectacular setting for the Getty’s extensive holdings. Take a bus or have someone drive you, since parking reservations are a must (and very hard to come by).
Brentwood

 UCLA Armand Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, (310) 443-7000
Right in Westwood, features Hammer’s own $450 million permanent collection.    Also offers major corporate-sponsored exhibits.
Westwood/Century City
 

Opera, Music, Theater, Comedy and Dance

Acme Comedy Theatre   135 N. La Brea Avenue, (323) 525-0202
Want an alternative to the Groundlings Theater? Acme has a solid troupe of sketch comedians. (Comedy)
Hollywood

 The Groundlings Theater  7307 Melrose Avenue, (323) 934-9700
Long-established venue, which has served as the springboard for many sitcom stars. Light food. Ticket prices vary. (Comedy)
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent

 The Shrine Auditorium  649 W. Jefferson, (800) 472-2272
Hosts the American Ballet Theater in March. (Dance)
Downtown

 UCLA Center for the Arts  4405 N. Hilgard, (310) 825-9261
Hosts famous ballet companies, and home to the UCLA Dance Company. (Dance)
Westwood/Century City

 Hollywood Bowl   2301 N. Highland Ave., (213) 850-2000
There’s nothing like sitting here on a warm summer/fall/spring night and pretend-ing you’re back in the 40s. A veritable LA legend. Live concerts, jazz, and the LA Philharmonic’s summer season. You can even bring your own picnic basket and wine.
Hollywood

 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 135 N. Grand Avenue, (213) 972-7211
3,200 seat venue that serves as home to the Los Angeles Philarmonic and the Los Angeles Opera. (Music)
Downtown

 The Music Center   135 N. Grand Avenue, (213) 972-7211
The Music Center is home to dance, music, and theater. West Coast home of the Joffrey bi-coastal balley company (Spring). (Music/Dance/Theater)
Downtown

 Wiltern Theater   Wilshire Boulevard at Western Avenue, (323) 380-5005
This protected Art Deco landmark was build in 1930. The Wiltern hosts the Los Angeles Opera Theater and other musical events. (Theater)
Mid-Wilshire/Miracle Mile/Koreatown
 

Other Theaters
    Shubert Theatre, Century City, (800) 447-7400
West Hollywood/Beverly Hills Adjacent
    Ahmanson Theatre, at The Music Center, (213) 628-2772
Downtown
    Mark Taper Forum, at The Music Center, (213) 628-2772
Downtown
    Geffen Theatre, (310) 208-5454
Westwood
    Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, (323) 468-1770
Hollywood

Ticket Agencies
    Ticketmaster, (323) 480-3232
    Ticket Time, (310) 445-0900
 
 

Sights from beyond the grave?
World Peace Memorial Museum and Shrine 17190 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, 310-454-4114
Some of Gandhi’s ashes (the only ones outside of India) can be found here.
 The Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery   6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
Where you can find the Golden era stars like Douglas Fairbanks and Tyrone Pow-ers, in company with Bugsy Siegel and Cecil B. De Mille.
 Westwood Memorial Cemetery   1218 Glendon Ave.
Next the to Avco Cinema in Westwood lies Natalie Wood, Truman Capote, and Marilyn Monroe.

Walk of Fame
Mann’s Chinese Theater    6925 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood immortalized through their hands and feet along the boulevard.
The Hollywood Wax Museum   6767 Hollywood Blvd.
Exhibits the rest of their bodies - in case you were wondering

Forget the back-lot - here’s the real thing!

    The Happy Days house      565 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood
    The Leave It to Beaver house        1727 Buckingham Rd., Mid-City
  The Dennis the Menace house     803 S. Madison Ave., Pasadena
    The Beverly Hillbillies house         750 Bel Air Rd., Bel Air
  The Brady Bunch house    11222 Dilling St., North Hollywood

Wacked out Surreal estate
    The Spadena House (witch’s house)       516 N. Walden Dr. Beverly Hills
    The O’Neill House(a wacked ode to art nouveau nightmare)       507 N. Rodeo Dr. (in the alley behind), Beverly Hills
    Charlie Chaplin’s French Village         1328-30 Formosa Ave., Hollywood
            a 1922 replica of a street in Lyon - look for Rapunzel’s hair in the upstairs window
    Chemosphere (often mistaken for a UFO)       7776 Torreyson Dr., LA

To balance the good with the bad, don’t forget to check out some real architecture
    (LA’s got plenty), like Frank Lloyd Wright’s work.
    Hollyhock House, at Barnsdall Park            4800 Hollywood Blvd.
    Ennis-Brown House       2655 Glendower Avenue
    Storer House 8161 Hollywood Blvd.
    Freeman House    1962 Glencoe Way, Hollywood

Other buildings of note…
Former Chiat Day Advertising Agency  340 Main Street, Venice
Whimsical design by Frank Gehry with a giant pair of binoculars designed in col-laboration    with Claes Oldenberg and Coosje van Bruggen.
Edgemar Plaza    2435 Main Street, Santa Monica
Development designed by Frank Gehry, houses the Santa Monica Museum (former Edgemar Dairy), Rockenwagner restaurant, and Ben & Jerry’s.
 

Come on down... for free tv show tapings

The Price is Right ticket info - http://marketing.cbs.com/daytime/price/
Audiences Unlimited, Inc. - http://www.tvtickets.com/
Your source for FREE TV TICKETS! Join the fun as a studio audience member at over 40 network shows, airing on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, UPN AND WB!

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
NBC Burbank Studios, 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, (818) 840-3537
Get tickets for Jay by calling or visiting NBC Guest Relations.

Best Whale Watching
Did you know that Gray Whales migrate past So Cal every fall (heading south) and spring (heading north)? Check them out at Point Dume at the south end of Zuma Beach. Take PCH to the entrance to Zuma beach, then follow the street along the beach to its southernmost tip.

Sick of Stairmaster?
    Here are the best stair climbs in LA, GUARANTEED to make your quads burns and your butt numb.
    Beachwood Canyon stairs between 2795 Woodshire Drive and 2872 Belden Drive
    The famous Silverlake stairs (as seen in Laurel & Hardy movies) at the 900 block of Vendome Street
     The Elysian Heights stairs at Baxter Place and Avon Street
    The awesome Santa Monica Canyon stairs at the 300 block of Adelaide Drive
 

Best Bowling in Los Angeles
Shatto 39 Lanes   3255 W. 4 th St., Koreatown, (213) 385-9475
Futuristic in a 60s kind of way.
 

Looking for a skating rink?
Culver City Ice Arena  4545 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, (310) 452-7689
The changing room is heated, there’s lots of hot chocolate, piped-in organ music and counterclockwise skating.

Polo anyone?    1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd. Pacific Palisades (310) 454-8212
On weekends from May to September, Polo matches are played on the grounds of Will Rogers State Park. Don’t forget to take the house tour while you’re there.
 
 

H O L LY WO O D H I L L S
Franklin Canyon
    From Beverly Hills go north on Beverly Dr.; fork left at north end of Beverly Dr. (Coldwater Canyon Dr. continues straight); almost a mile up, bear right onto Franklin Canyon Dr.; 1.2 miles farther to Lake Dr.; turn right, backtracking south slightly, to the parking lot.
    Take the Hastain Trail fire road from the parking lot almost a mile to a hairpin turn and suck in the colossal view of the city. Keep climbing, and you’ll hit Coldwater Canyon Drive. Veer right on a narrow switchback trail that descends to a green lawn and ranch house. From here, you can choose between two trails that run parallel to Lake Drive to get back to your car. Go right for an oak-shaded passage; go left for a more spread out array of oaks and sycamores.

Hollywood Reservoir
    Take 101 to Barham Blvd. (Universal City area); head north to Lake Hollywood Dr.; turn right through a residential area to the reservoir; park near the gate.  Beautiful on its own but all the more beautiful because it’s in the midst of such a massive metropolis, the reservoir will be familiar looking enough to fans of Chinatown and Earthquake. All told, the loop around the lake is four miles. Follow the tree-covered service road; a fence and vegetation obscure views of the lake until you hit Mulholland Dam, where (barring smog) the views - of the lake and city and Hollywood sign - will floor you.

Hollywood Sign
    Turn north off Franklin Ave. onto Beachwood Dr.; almost 2 miles up on your right    is Hollyridge Dr.; park along Beachwood and head for the unmarked trail, about 50 yards up Hollyridge.    Mounted on the 1,640 foot high Mount Lee, the sign itself isn’t open to the public (the area is fenced off, in part because of a civil defense communication facility located up there), but you can get within spitting - or worshipping or shmoozing -distance thanks to this hike (3 miles round-trip with a 500 ft elevation gain) which puts you above the landmark. Head up the Mt. Lee Trail until you meet the un-marked Mulholland Trail, then turn left onto the fire road until you hit Mt. Lee Drive (paved). Near the summit the path veers sharply left; look for the narrow westward Cahuenga Peak Trail. You’ll get great views of the Valley and the LA basin as well. (Beware - there are cameras mounted on and around the sign and the area is heavily patrolled - I know - I got caught and fined 7 whole dollars)

Runyon Canyon
   Park entrances at the north end of Fuller Ave. or Vista St. (N. of Hollywood Blvd.)
This park is the site of Errol Flynn’s former estate, though all that remains are some foundations and some palms, pines and other greenery. You can either hike right up the old driveway from Fuller Avenue, curving up east of the canyon basin, past and abandoned tennis court to a plateau that affords views of Hollywood and the Wilshire corridor - one mile stroll there and back and about 600 vertical feet - or follow the old asphalt road up the canyon’s western side.

S A N TA M O N I C A
Century Lake/Rock Pool
    Malibu Creek State Park, main day-use parking lot, just past park entrance kiosk on Las Virgenes Rd. (about ½ mile south of Mulholland Hwy.), (818) 880-0350
    An easy hike to a particularly beautiful part of Malibu Creek State Park. From the park’s main parking lot, walk west for about a half mile on unpaved Crages Road. Just beyond the concrete ford, there’s a fork. Bear right to hit the visitor’s center (a cool old building). When you’re done, cross over the Malibu Creek bridge and stay on Crags Road going uphill. At the crest, take the path that descends left, which leads to the east shoreline of Century Lake. On the trip out, follow the same path but take the gorge trail just after you cross Malibu Creek. That’ll take you to the rock pool, another beautiful spot of water amid a series of volcanic cliffs (scenes from South Pacific and Swiss Family Robinson were shot here). Just backtrack toCrags Road and head east for a mile or so to hit the parking lot.

Lower Rustic Canyon
    1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd (Sunset Blvd.), Pacific Palisades, (310) 454-8212
    You start this fairly challenging 4.6 mile hike at Will Rogers State Historic Park. Take the eucalyptus lined east side of the Inspiration Point loop up almost a mile to the marked intersection with Backbone Trail (which lies north of Inspiration Point). After climbing Backbone Trail for about 1.5 miles, you’ll cross a bridge that overlooks the saddle between Rivas and Rustic canyons. A little farther up is another saddle; turn right and descend into Rustic Canyon. Follow the path as it turns down-canyon, stretching past one of Will Rogers’ cabins and various other burned or abandoned structures. About 3.5 miles into the hike, you’ll pass a flood-control dam, at which point the trail turns narrow as it winds through a canyon. A half-mile further the canyon widens; take the wide trail on the right,winding up toward the polo field of Rogers’ former estate.

Santa Ynez Waterfall
    Topanga State Park (Sunset Blvd. To Palisades Dr.; go north about 2 ½ miles to Vereda de la Montura and turn left; park along the curb near the bridge; catch the trail on the east side of the bridge, heading up), Pacific Palisades, (310) 455-2465
    It’s only an 18-foot waterfall, but then again, it’s one of the only ones you’ll find in these parts. The 2 ½ mile hike begins on the east side of the bridge spanning the creek of Santa Ynez Canyon, in Topanga State Park. Heading up about ½ mile, there’s a fork; go right, following the trail to the area below the falls.
 
 

Football game at the Rose Bowl
Ideally the UCLA/USC game to watch the Bruins beat the Trojans for the 8 th con-secutive year!

Venice Beach
All of the weirdness of LA in one place. Take the 405 to Venice Blvd. West.

Santa Barbara Wine Country
Napa and Sonoma are fine and dandy, but we have world class wines in our back-yard. The areas of Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, Paso Robles, and Ojai in Santa Barbara County are churning out some of the best Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Viognier in the world. My favorites include Qupe, Rancho Sisquoc, Foxen, Lane Tanner, and Firestone. Have a great steak at The Hitching post in Buellton and stay the night at a bed & breakfast like the Victorian Annex/Union Hotel in Los Alamos.
Call The Santa Barbara County Vintner’s Association for info at (805) 688-0881.

Magic Mountain
The best pure adrenaline amusement park I’ve ever been to. From the enormous Colossus roller coaster to the over 100 mile an hour/400+ foot high Superman ride to its Hurricane Harbor waterpark - it’s awesome. Take the 405 north to the 5 north to Valencia. Call (805) 255-4111 for info.

UCLA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion
Preferably one against Arizona, Cal, Duke, or Louisville, and watch the most suc-cessful basketball program in college history continue its legacy.

Laguna Beach in Southern Orange County or Zuma Beach north of Malibu
See the natural beauty the California beaches have to offer - mountains meeting the sea, dolphins, whales, seals, and lots of surf.

Griffith Park Observatory
Check out the view on a clear, warm night and see from above the endless light bulb carpet that you now call home. This may be the only place in the world where you can undoubtedly see 5 million people at once. While you’re there, check out the Laserium show.
 
 

San Francisco
A six hour drive or 1 hour plane flight north of LA lies one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Go and you’ll see why a lot of Anderson grads take jobs here. Of course, the city can’t be summarized in a few sentences, but don’t miss these: Coit Tower for the best views of the bay and the city, the Marin Headlands across the Golden Gate bridge and Sausalito (if you can, rent bikes and bike along the waterfront from the foot of the Bay Bridge - most shops rent), the Museums of Golden Gate Park, Beach Blanket Babylon (a review) in North Beach, and a trip out to Alcatraz. Of course, you’ve only scratched the surface, but it’s a start.

Wine Country
Some of the world’s best wines are produced just north of San Francisco. Beyond the popular towns of Sonoma and Napa, there are numerous less touristy areas. Check out the Russian River Valley, Healdsburg, or The Alexander Valley for some quaint smaller wineries. Grab a mud bath in Calistoga, or a great meal at The French Laundry. Go to http://www.winetravel.com for complete wine country in-formation.

San Simeon
William Randolph Hearst was a man of unlimited means who built a castle to prove it. The tours of his estate are tremendous, but possibly the most memorable is to take the evening tour in which locals dress up in attire of the 1930s to create a realistic ambiance. Book your tours in advance. If you go in the Spring, the best sea lion breeding grounds in the state are at San Simeon’s beaches. (800) 444-7275

Highway 1 from San Francisco to Los Angeles
This is the country’s most beautiful coastline. However, unless you are a masochist, this is a two day trip. If you have no fear of heights, I’d recommend taking this drive from north to south to maximize your views. If it bothers you, go south to north. Highlights (besides San Simeon) are the quaint town of Carmel with its white sand beaches, Pfieffer State Beach (the 1 st right south of Pfieffer State Park and about a 3 mile drive down to the coast), the Napenthe Inn (for cocktails with an unparalleled view), and the Monterey Bay aquarium (don’t miss the Jellyfish).
Call (800) 555-WAVE for places to stay in Monterey.

Lake Tahoe
The jewel of the Sierra Nevada, it is North America’s largest alpine lake. It is surrounded by 10,000 foot mountains which in the winter time offer some of the
best skiing in the west.

Las Vegas
OK, it’s not technically California, but it’s the kind of place you have to see to believe. As a further bonus, drive and on this 4 hour drive you will see some of
California’s most beautiful deserts.

San Diego and its Zoos
Not only is San Diego a beautiful place with beautiful beaches, it has the nation’s nicest zoos. If you are limited, be sure to visit the main zoo in Balboa Park. If you have time, visit the Wild Animal Park and see animals roaming free while you view them from an above ground train. Pacific Beach and La Jolla Cove are my two favorite beaches down here, but you really can’t go wrong anywhere. As an added bonus, San Diego is the gateway to Mexico as well. Tiajuana is probably not worth your time, but Ensenada is if you have a day to kill.

Ashland Oregon Shakespeare Festival
OK, it’s not California, but its right across the border. Eleven plays (usually 4 or 5 by the bard himself) are presented throughout its March through November season. Within a few hours drive are magnificent Crater Lake National Park (deepest lake in this hemisphere), the Rogue River Jet Boat excursions through Hellgate Canyon, ever see river wild? (800) 648-4874, and the Oregon Caves National Monument, (541) 592-3400. A 10 hour drive the length of California, but it’s a great way to see the state.

Catalina Island
26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles is a rocky, beautiful island with the clearestocean water in the state, a quaint little town (Avalon), and countless miles of bikingtrails. Catalina Cruises (800) CATALINA ($23) or Catalina Express (800) 842-1057 ($36).
 
 

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