LA Guidebook
Groceries
Ralphs
10901 Ventura BlvdPopular grocery chain, open 5am - 1am.
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdLarge selection of natural foods.
Shopping
Macys, Bloomingdales, Apple Store, Z-Gallery, and lots of food and fashion.
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Westfield Fashion Square
14006 Riverside DrMacys, Bloomingdales, Apple Store, Z-Gallery, and lots of food and fashion.
Newly renovated with a fantastic selection of shops, great AMC movie theaters, and a killer food court. Also Apple, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, the Italian mega-store Eataly, and home to Dreamscape.
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Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica BlvdNewly renovated with a fantastic selection of shops, great AMC movie theaters, and a killer food court. Also Apple, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, the Italian mega-store Eataly, and home to Dreamscape.
All indoor, higher end mall In Beverly Hills (Bloomingdale’s, Macy's, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret and Forever 21, as well as high-end boutiques such as Calvin Klein, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and Prada). The Grove and Westfield Century City are more compelling and popular.
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Beverly Center
8500 Beverly BlvdAll indoor, higher end mall In Beverly Hills (Bloomingdale’s, Macy's, Banana Republic, Victoria's Secret and Forever 21, as well as high-end boutiques such as Calvin Klein, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton and Prada). The Grove and Westfield Century City are more compelling and popular.
Over 130 brand name stores like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, TUMI, Hugo Boss, NIKE, UGG Australia, Tommy HIlfiger, etc. They also have foreign currency exchange, free baggage check, and a luggage repacking room.
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Outlets Cittadella
100 Citadel DrOver 130 brand name stores like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, TUMI, Hugo Boss, NIKE, UGG Australia, Tommy HIlfiger, etc. They also have foreign currency exchange, free baggage check, and a luggage repacking room.
A large discount/outlet shopping mall with 120 stores like Aldo, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Forever 21, Guess, H&M, Lucky, Nike, Nordstrom, Perry Ellis, Saks, Sunglass Hat, Sports Authority, Victoria’s Secret, and Wet Seal. Open 10a - 9p.
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The Outlets at Orange
20 City Blvd WA large discount/outlet shopping mall with 120 stores like Aldo, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Forever 21, Guess, H&M, Lucky, Nike, Nordstrom, Perry Ellis, Saks, Sunglass Hat, Sports Authority, Victoria’s Secret, and Wet Seal. Open 10a - 9p.
Located at Fairfax and 3rd, it’s a beautifully done outdoor mall with fountains, movies, restaurants, Apple, Gap, Nordstroms, Sur La Table, etc. plus the original LA Farmer's Market full of international food stands. Great place to spend a day or evening and people-watch. Garage can be a madhouse on weekends so if you have a car, splurge on the $10 valet.
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The Grove
189 The Grove DrLocated at Fairfax and 3rd, it’s a beautifully done outdoor mall with fountains, movies, restaurants, Apple, Gap, Nordstroms, Sur La Table, etc. plus the original LA Farmer's Market full of international food stands. Great place to spend a day or evening and people-watch. Garage can be a madhouse on weekends so if you have a car, splurge on the $10 valet.
Theme Parks
Popular theme park with shows and rides, and also a behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, just a 15-minute drive from the house. Be sure to download their app for live wait times. (see additional tips in printed guidebook)
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Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaPopular theme park with shows and rides, and also a behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, just a 15-minute drive from the house. Be sure to download their app for live wait times. (see additional tips in printed guidebook)
Disneyland and California Adventures are 2 mega-theme parks located next door to each other, about an hour’s drive from the house. Download their apps for helpful maps and live wait times.
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Parco Disneyland
1313 Disneyland DrDisneyland and California Adventures are 2 mega-theme parks located next door to each other, about an hour’s drive from the house. Download their apps for helpful maps and live wait times.
The park most known for having the best rides - a must for roller-coaster fans.
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Magic Mountain
The park most known for having the best rides - a must for roller-coaster fans.
Sightseeing
You can't actually get to the Hollywood sign, as it is situated on a tightly guarded and fenced in property, however you can hike around and above it for a close view. There are miles of hiking trails in the hills around the sign. Bring water and hike when it’s cool — early in the morning or when overcast. You can great pictures of the sign from Hollywood & Highland, the top of Runyon Canyon, the Griffith Observatory, and many spots all over Hollywood. (hollywoodsign.com). It can be confusing to get up there, so I highly recommend joining one of the Airbnb Experiences for an inexpensive and personalized hike to the sign.
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Scritta Hollywood
You can't actually get to the Hollywood sign, as it is situated on a tightly guarded and fenced in property, however you can hike around and above it for a close view. There are miles of hiking trails in the hills around the sign. Bring water and hike when it’s cool — early in the morning or when overcast. You can great pictures of the sign from Hollywood & Highland, the top of Runyon Canyon, the Griffith Observatory, and many spots all over Hollywood. (hollywoodsign.com). It can be confusing to get up there, so I highly recommend joining one of the Airbnb Experiences for an inexpensive and personalized hike to the sign.
The Getty Center is a popular museum in Westwood designed by Richard Meier, with an equally famous Central Garden created by artist Robert Irwin. Rotating exhibitions with ongoing libraries, galleries, and workshops. Open Tues - Fri and Sun. 10a - 5:30p, and Sat. 10a - 9p. Closed Monday and major holidays - admission is free, parking is $15 per car.
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The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrThe Getty Center is a popular museum in Westwood designed by Richard Meier, with an equally famous Central Garden created by artist Robert Irwin. Rotating exhibitions with ongoing libraries, galleries, and workshops. Open Tues - Fri and Sun. 10a - 5:30p, and Sat. 10a - 9p. Closed Monday and major holidays - admission is free, parking is $15 per car.
Beautiful lake shrine and meditation garden — open to any denomination, great place to get away from the city. 9am - 4:30pm Tues-Sat, and noon - 4:30pm on Sunday. lakeshrine.org
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Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine Temple
17190 Sunset BlvdBeautiful lake shrine and meditation garden — open to any denomination, great place to get away from the city. 9am - 4:30pm Tues-Sat, and noon - 4:30pm on Sunday. lakeshrine.org
Near the top of La Brea Blvd. is a cool city park and LA “scene” with a nice hike on an easy trail. Parking can be a challenge but street parking is easiest on weekdays. Locals (including celebrities) brings their dogs and hike to a rewarding view of the city and Hollywood sign at the top. If you’re in great shape you can even jog the loop, and some people even do 2 loops for a more intense workout. But it's a generally easy and relaxing walk to the top and back if you go at your own pace.
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Parco Runyon Canyon
2000 N Fuller AveNear the top of La Brea Blvd. is a cool city park and LA “scene” with a nice hike on an easy trail. Parking can be a challenge but street parking is easiest on weekdays. Locals (including celebrities) brings their dogs and hike to a rewarding view of the city and Hollywood sign at the top. If you’re in great shape you can even jog the loop, and some people even do 2 loops for a more intense workout. But it's a generally easy and relaxing walk to the top and back if you go at your own pace.
If you love cars (and even if you don’t) this car museum is fun and interesting. From classic to concept cars from every era, memorable cars from TV and film, etc. petersen.org.
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Museo dell'Automobile Petersen
6060 Wilshire BlvdIf you love cars (and even if you don’t) this car museum is fun and interesting. From classic to concept cars from every era, memorable cars from TV and film, etc. petersen.org.
One of the best places to go for a view of LA and the Hollywood sign. The park includes LA Zoo, Travel Town museum, Sunset Horse Ranch, bike rental, Pony Rides, a Merry-Go-Round, and a train ride and railroad museum. Free admission to the astronomy museum and there’s a $7 show in the planetarium (griffithobs.org). Best city view is just before sunset.
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Osservatorio Griffith
2800 E Observatory RdOne of the best places to go for a view of LA and the Hollywood sign. The park includes LA Zoo, Travel Town museum, Sunset Horse Ranch, bike rental, Pony Rides, a Merry-Go-Round, and a train ride and railroad museum. Free admission to the astronomy museum and there’s a $7 show in the planetarium (griffithobs.org). Best city view is just before sunset.
In the center of LA near the Grove is a museum featuring many excavated fossils from what was a massive tar pit 11,000 years ago. It is also within walking distance to the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), which has rotating exhibitions and some cool places to take a selfie.
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La Brea Tar Pits e Museo
5801 Wilshire BlvdIn the center of LA near the Grove is a museum featuring many excavated fossils from what was a massive tar pit 11,000 years ago. It is also within walking distance to the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), which has rotating exhibitions and some cool places to take a selfie.
City/town information
Explore the 3rd Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Beach and Canals, and the beach. You can also rent bikes or roller skates to travel the very long beach boardwalk, from Malibu to Manhattan Beach or further.
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Santa Monica
Explore the 3rd Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Beach and Canals, and the beach. You can also rent bikes or roller skates to travel the very long beach boardwalk, from Malibu to Manhattan Beach or further.
Beautiful beach community and iconic pier, with a long strip full of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Nice drive along the coast for lunch and exploring.
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Santa Barbara
Beautiful beach community and iconic pier, with a long strip full of art galleries, shops, and restaurants. Nice drive along the coast for lunch and exploring.
Popular desert city known for its hot springs, stylish hotels, golf courses, spas, art community and midcentury-modern architecture.
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Palm Springs
57096 Twentynine Palms HighwayPopular desert city known for its hot springs, stylish hotels, golf courses, spas, art community and midcentury-modern architecture.
It’s about a 2-hour drive (without traffic) to San Diego, famous for its zoo and beach communities like La Jolla, and access to the Mexican border and Tijuana.
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San Diego
It’s about a 2-hour drive (without traffic) to San Diego, famous for its zoo and beach communities like La Jolla, and access to the Mexican border and Tijuana.
It’s a 4-5 hour drive depending on traffic to get to the Las Vegas strip. Gamblings, shows, restaurants, and great people-watching.
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Las Vegas
It’s a 4-5 hour drive depending on traffic to get to the Las Vegas strip. Gamblings, shows, restaurants, and great people-watching.
About a 5-hour drive to the cool beach community of Santa Cruz, known for surfers, the Beach Boardwalk, and a very natural/eco-community. (the 5 is the fast, boring drive — take the 101 for slightly longer but much more scenic drive)
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Santa Cruz
About a 5-hour drive to the cool beach community of Santa Cruz, known for surfers, the Beach Boardwalk, and a very natural/eco-community. (the 5 is the fast, boring drive — take the 101 for slightly longer but much more scenic drive)
One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, North Beach/Little Italy, the Castro, etc. (the 5 is the fast, boring drive — take the 101 for longer but more scenic drive)
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San Francisco
One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Golden Gate Bridge, Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, North Beach/Little Italy, the Castro, etc. (the 5 is the fast, boring drive — take the 101 for longer but more scenic drive)
Entertainment
Huge outdoor amphitheater within walking distance -- great place to see all kinds of performances. Lots of classical, plus pop, comedy, movies, and fireworks. A fun and quintessential LA scene.
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Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdHuge outdoor amphitheater within walking distance -- great place to see all kinds of performances. Lots of classical, plus pop, comedy, movies, and fireworks. A fun and quintessential LA scene.
Famous improv school on Melrose that produced the likes of Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Jon Lovitz, and Edie McClurg. Shows on Fri/Sat/Sun -- book at groundlings.com.
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The Groundlings Theatre
7307 Melrose AveFamous improv school on Melrose that produced the likes of Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Jon Lovitz, and Edie McClurg. Shows on Fri/Sat/Sun -- book at groundlings.com.
An equally famous improv troupe nearby — book at ucbtheatre.com.
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Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre LA
5919 Franklin AveAn equally famous improv troupe nearby — book at ucbtheatre.com.
The best backstage studio tour (wbstudiotour.com). Ellen tickets are almost impossible to get, but there may be tickets to other shows or some of the new pilots which also tape here.
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
3400 Warner BlvdThe best backstage studio tour (wbstudiotour.com). Ellen tickets are almost impossible to get, but there may be tickets to other shows or some of the new pilots which also tape here.
2-hour tours. $58/each - book online at paramountstudiotour.com. Download their studio tour app before your arrive.
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Paramount Pictures Studio Tour
5515 Melrose Ave2-hour tours. $58/each - book online at paramountstudiotour.com. Download their studio tour app before your arrive.
Wellness
A nice full-service spa with separate men’s and women’s facilities including steam, sauna, and jacuzzi. Menu includes several types of massage, facials, mani/pedi, etc. Massages start at $120. Book at 323-822-9007 or burkewilliamsspa.com
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Burke Williams Spa
15301 Ventura BlvdA nice full-service spa with separate men’s and women’s facilities including steam, sauna, and jacuzzi. Menu includes several types of massage, facials, mani/pedi, etc. Massages start at $120. Book at 323-822-9007 or burkewilliamsspa.com
If you want a high-end, luxury spa experience, this is the place. Turkish steam rooms, whirlpools, lounges with fireplace and mineralized wellness pool. Get a massage and facial, then layout at the rooftop pool for lunch. The Maybourne (formerly Montage) is also in the center of the Beverly Hills shopping district, so there’s plenty to explore after your treatment.
The Spa at The Maybourne Beverly Hills
225 N Canon DrIf you want a high-end, luxury spa experience, this is the place. Turkish steam rooms, whirlpools, lounges with fireplace and mineralized wellness pool. Get a massage and facial, then layout at the rooftop pool for lunch. The Maybourne (formerly Montage) is also in the center of the Beverly Hills shopping district, so there’s plenty to explore after your treatment.
Expensive, but the best and most luxurious massage in LA. Highly attentive staff, great for couples, you get your own private lounge with shower and tub (no locker rooms here). Massage starts at $180 for 60 min + 15-minute foot bath and acupressure massage. 5.5 miles away in the heart of downtown Beverly Hills. Book at 310-205-7300
Tomoko Spa
141 S Beverly DrExpensive, but the best and most luxurious massage in LA. Highly attentive staff, great for couples, you get your own private lounge with shower and tub (no locker rooms here). Massage starts at $180 for 60 min + 15-minute foot bath and acupressure massage. 5.5 miles away in the heart of downtown Beverly Hills. Book at 310-205-7300
If you’ve never experienced a Korean spa, it’s a must when you’re in LA. Giant and popular wellness centers with massage, facials, plus steam and sauna, as well as specialized salt rooms, jacuzzi, heated relaxation rooms, Korean food, and juice bars. Often open late or 24 hours, you’d be surprised how many people go there after dinner or after clubbing to relax and detox — it’s a fun, relaxing and surreal experience, even at 11pm or 2am! (see others in printed guidebook)
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Crystal Spa
3500 W 6th StIf you’ve never experienced a Korean spa, it’s a must when you’re in LA. Giant and popular wellness centers with massage, facials, plus steam and sauna, as well as specialized salt rooms, jacuzzi, heated relaxation rooms, Korean food, and juice bars. Often open late or 24 hours, you’d be surprised how many people go there after dinner or after clubbing to relax and detox — it’s a fun, relaxing and surreal experience, even at 11pm or 2am! (see others in printed guidebook)