Definitive LA
/Los Angeles is having a renaissance: In new and hip hotels, in one-of-a-kind trendy eateries, or fashionable boutiques that now line many well-known streets of the city. Los Angeles has quietly redefined itself. And a groundswell of cool has taken over—this side by side the old-school: Over-the-top hotels, world-famous restaurants, and ultra-luxury boutiques. With such a crop of new contenders, newcomers to the city still need some hand holding in helping them maneuver among the old and the new. Make no mistake: The Los Angeles you knew (or wished you knew) is still there. It’s just cooler and tastier. But for a refresher—or if your group is heading to the City of Angels for the first time—here’s a quick get reacquainted guide.
What’s New
Los Angeles: It’s mountainside hikes along urban cityscapes, Ramen noodle bars, Korean tea houses and taco trucks serving every regional Latin specialty. It’s all these and much more. These days Los Angeles is getting attention for a whole range of new attractions.
An array of new Los Angeles museums and attractions are coming on the scene: The Broad Museum opened its multimillion dollar downtown building in September, featuring more than 2,000 works by renowned contemporary artists. The space shuttle Endeavour has now become one of the city's top attractions since arriving at the California Science Museum in 2012. Not to be missed is the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. And now the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art by film creator and director George Lucas is under construction in Exposition Park. Once open, it will hold paintings, photography, illustration, cinematic art and digital art from Lucas's personal collection, and a Star Wars exhibit.
That renaissance is nowhere more evident than in downtown LA that is undergoing a resurgence. Once there, a must see is the Grand Central Market, where you can enjoy cheese shops, oysters and flower vendors. Nearby Chinatown is home to buildings with upturned eaves—reminiscent of pagodas—alongside hip noodle bars.
The Tried & True
Must-sees for the first-timers in search of the stars include photos in front of the famous Hollywood sign, a stroll through the picturesque Chinese Theatre and the Walk of Fame, and a drive by the Sunset Strip—this all in addition to the ritzy Rodeo Drive and what Beverley Hills has to offer.
For the morbidly curious, the graves of Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and other departed celebrities can be visited at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Memorial Park, a small, quaint cemetery near the UCLA. Or try a movie screening at the larger Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
For wholesome entertainment, there is always the Universal Studios theme park at Disneyland—a short drive from the center of the city. Griffith Observatory offers a planetarium, telescopes and a bird's-eye view of the city. Music lovers in you will enjoy shows at the Greek Theatre or Hollywood Bowl.
Los Angeles is a haven for shoppers looking for luxury brands and one-of-a-kind boutiques. In addition to the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills, the trendier shops now line the Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. There's also The Grove, which has shops, restaurants, a cinema and, next door, an historic farmer's market.
No visit to Los Angles is complete without venturing a little west to take in the sun and sand at always-entertaining Venice Beach, the trendy Santa Monica, or the elitish Malibu.
Eat Your Heart Out
Thailand? Vietnam? Mexico? Exploring the LA food scene can feel like a trip around the globe. The city is filled with top-of-the-line, four-star restaurants, but food trucks sell some of the best—and cheapest—eats. The Mariscos Jalisco food truck, serving shrimp tacos, is a must. Mexican culture is so strongly rooted in Los Angeles. Near downtown in Boyle Heights stands Mariachi Plaza—where musicians in charro suits have gathered since the 1930s.
And of course, there are more amazing eats: Koreatown, Chinatown and Little Tokyo are close to downtown. In Little Tokyo, you can wander through the James Irvine Japanese Garden and try the ramen at Daikokuya. Koreatown is also chock-full of great eats: For a more relaxed evening fair, go to Gwang Yang Korean BBQ and order the "Gangnam Style" bulgogi. For an after-dinner tea and shaved ice dessert, let’s try Hwa Sun Ji. No trip to the LA’s Asian corner is complete without some pampering at Wi Spa's salt sauna.
If you are into hip and edgy eateries, then there is a crop of new and not-so-new trend-setting restaurants at every corner—among them, Employees Only and Apotheke—that are standing cheek by jowl next to true Los Angeles institutions such as Botanica, Mh Zh, and not-to-be-missed Bavel.
After the night’s binge eating, you’ll be craving for a hearty cup of Joe to get your morning started. Los Angeles is now home to a small trove of artisanal roasters. Local favorites include Handsome Coffee Roasters in downtown's Arts District, and Intelligentsia in Silver Lake, alongside a string of boutiques.
Get That Heart Pumping
No trip to LA would be complete without a hike. Oxymoronic as it may sound, the city that drives everywhere is so passionate about its morning hikes. Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon are near the city's center but feel a world away. Or try Fryman Canyon Park—a smaller, urban forested area featuring shaded hiking paths and dramatic city views—for a chance to see a celebrity on your path.
For a custom-tailored program in this always-captivating city, let the experts at Destination Los Angeles craft a memorable itinerary for your group’s next visit to the City of Angels.