Louise’s Guidebook
Shopping
Grocery and Pharmacy stores
CVS
14735 Ventura BlvdThe nearest Pharmacy
Ralphs
7221 Woodman AveThe nearest grocery store
Amazon Fresh
5101 Lankershim BlvdNew grocery store 5 miles away
Another new huge grocery store with an amazing bakery and seafood, meat section.
28 locals recommend
Pavilions
14845 Ventura BoulevardAnother new huge grocery store with an amazing bakery and seafood, meat section.
One of my favorite places to buy food. If you have never heard of this place, check it out. A favorite for many grocery shoppers
1811 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura BlvdOne of my favorite places to buy food. If you have never heard of this place, check it out. A favorite for many grocery shoppers
A new large and modern WF store with a large selection of organic foods for a little extra money.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdA new large and modern WF store with a large selection of organic foods for a little extra money.
International food market and seafood, leaning toward Asian grocery supply
13 locals recommend
99 Ranch Market
6450 Sepulveda BlvdInternational food market and seafood, leaning toward Asian grocery supply
International food market leaning towards Hispanic grocery supply
60 locals recommend
Vallarta Supermarkets
13051 Victory BlvdInternational food market leaning towards Hispanic grocery supply
Sightseeing
There is so much to see here and it can take days! Welcome to Los Angeles! But there is so much more to see outside the city as well! Take a road trip to Palm Springs, Santa Barbra, drive along the coast on hwy 1. Take a ferry and spend the day on Catalina Island! I am here to help with any questions or suggestions as I love this city and state! 💖
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaSix Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain PkwyDisneyland Park
1313 Disneyland Dr
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdTCL Chinese Theatres
6925 Hollywood BlvdGriffith Park
4730 Crystal Springs DriveUniversal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaA really cool place to see and eat. Beautiful Buddhist Temple and there is a vendor area outside in the back. Lots of cheap good food. There is a stage area with benches, where I have seen the most bizarre and entertaining karaoke while I eating.
8 locals recommend
Wat Thai of Los Angeles
8225 Coldwater Canyon AveA really cool place to see and eat. Beautiful Buddhist Temple and there is a vendor area outside in the back. Lots of cheap good food. There is a stage area with benches, where I have seen the most bizarre and entertaining karaoke while I eating.
I would say it is now one of those places on the must see list when visiting LA. It is like no other museum you have visited. This new, well done museum showcases different departments in film and you see the original items like the Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz and so much more. Make it a day and across the parking lot is the Auto museum. Across the road is the LACMA . A lot to see!
35 locals recommend
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
6067 Wilshire BlvdI would say it is now one of those places on the must see list when visiting LA. It is like no other museum you have visited. This new, well done museum showcases different departments in film and you see the original items like the Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz and so much more. Make it a day and across the parking lot is the Auto museum. Across the road is the LACMA . A lot to see!
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire BlvdRight across from the Academy Museum and Lacma Museum
Lacma is one of the cities biggest Museum. The Museum triangle. Next door is the Academy Museum and across the street the Peterson Auto Museum
Urban Light -- LACMA
5905 Wilshire BlvdLacma is one of the cities biggest Museum. The Museum triangle. Next door is the Academy Museum and across the street the Peterson Auto Museum
The original Getty Museum. I think you have to reserve parking a head of time. Smaller but beautiful.
883 locals recommend
The Getty Villa
17985 Pacific Coast HwyThe original Getty Museum. I think you have to reserve parking a head of time. Smaller but beautiful.
The Broad
221 S Grand AveA really cool modern art museum downtown near Disney Hall
For a classical concert or just to see the famous architecture and then continue walking near by to the famous Broad Museum and MOCA Museum. Modern art lovers triangle.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand AveFor a classical concert or just to see the famous architecture and then continue walking near by to the famous Broad Museum and MOCA Museum. Modern art lovers triangle.
We call it MOCA for short. Modern art and across the street from The Broad Museum and Disney Hall
695 locals recommend
The Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S Grand AveWe call it MOCA for short. Modern art and across the street from The Broad Museum and Disney Hall
Hollywood Sign
THE most famous sighting
Many animals here! Located in Griffith Park and near the Griffith Observatory.
328 locals recommend
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
5333 Zoo DrMany animals here! Located in Griffith Park and near the Griffith Observatory.
One of my favorites located in old Pasadena. It is a 20 min drive but so well worth it. One of the most beautiful gardens and cactus garden and Japanese garden. I love this place!
999 locals recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdOne of my favorites located in old Pasadena. It is a 20 min drive but so well worth it. One of the most beautiful gardens and cactus garden and Japanese garden. I love this place!
The Getty Center is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and features pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs from the inception of photography through present day from all over the world.
The Getty Museum Store
The Getty Center is located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles and features pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, decorative arts, and photographs from the inception of photography through present day from all over the world.
Neighborhoods
You will find the Santa Monica Pier, beaches, restaurants, and plenty of shopping. 3rd Street Promenade has more shopping and food. More upscale than Venice Beach to the South
127 locals recommend
Santa Monica
You will find the Santa Monica Pier, beaches, restaurants, and plenty of shopping. 3rd Street Promenade has more shopping and food. More upscale than Venice Beach to the South
Known for its bohemian spirit, Venice is a buzzing beach town with upscale commercial and residential pockets. Free-spirited Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. There’s also a skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars. A picturesque enclave of canals is surrounded by modernist homes. Tons of tourists. But always interesting.
351 locals recommend
Venice
Known for its bohemian spirit, Venice is a buzzing beach town with upscale commercial and residential pockets. Free-spirited Venice Boardwalk is the site of funky shops, street performers and colorful murals. There’s also a skate park and Muscle Beach outdoor gym. Abbot Kinney Boulevard features foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques and coffee bars. A picturesque enclave of canals is surrounded by modernist homes. Tons of tourists. But always interesting.
Downtown, comprising diverse smaller areas such as Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District, offers renowned art museums, cutting-edge restaurants & hip bars. Modern high-rises mix with architectural landmarks. Anchoring the Music Center performing arts complex is Walt Disney Concert Hall, with striking steel architecture designed by Frank Gehry. Please be aware of your surroundings on the street.
737 locals recommend
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown, comprising diverse smaller areas such as Chinatown, Little Tokyo and the Arts District, offers renowned art museums, cutting-edge restaurants & hip bars. Modern high-rises mix with architectural landmarks. Anchoring the Music Center performing arts complex is Walt Disney Concert Hall, with striking steel architecture designed by Frank Gehry. Please be aware of your surroundings on the street.
Chinatown is one long street of shops and restaurants. Dim sum, bakery, or just make a wish at the wishing well.
399 locals recommend
Chinatown
Chinatown is one long street of shops and restaurants. Dim sum, bakery, or just make a wish at the wishing well.
Beaches
If you are looking for beaches, there are a number of them all up and down the coast. I personally like to go north were there is cleaner water to swim. El Matador is amazing but be prepared for a steep hike. Most if not all beaches will be busy in the summer. If you are here during other times, pick your spot! Enjoy one of the great pleasures of living in California!
580 locals recommend
Malibu
If you are looking for beaches, there are a number of them all up and down the coast. I personally like to go north were there is cleaner water to swim. El Matador is amazing but be prepared for a steep hike. Most if not all beaches will be busy in the summer. If you are here during other times, pick your spot! Enjoy one of the great pleasures of living in California!
Venice beach is famous. There are hundreds of vendors to shop, and eat, then hang out on the beach! Tons of tourists, but always interesting.
1202 locals recommend
Venice Beach Park
1503 SpeedwayVenice beach is famous. There are hundreds of vendors to shop, and eat, then hang out on the beach! Tons of tourists, but always interesting.
Santa Monica Pier, beaches, restaurants, shopping. 3rd Street Promenade has more shopping and food.
127 locals recommend
Santa Monica
Santa Monica Pier, beaches, restaurants, shopping. 3rd Street Promenade has more shopping and food.
Food scene
This is THE neighborhood diner. You will probably wait for 15 mins on the weekend but it is worth it.
27 locals recommend
Nat's Early Bite
14115 Burbank BlvdThis is THE neighborhood diner. You will probably wait for 15 mins on the weekend but it is worth it.
This is an odd location but it's walking distance to a local Brewery. Great beer and pizza. Get a Growler to go. Please be aware of your surroundings when walking there.
10 locals recommend
MacLeod Ale Brewing House
14741 Calvert StThis is an odd location but it's walking distance to a local Brewery. Great beer and pizza. Get a Growler to go. Please be aware of your surroundings when walking there.
Yummy crepes but they have other food too. Sit outside and watch the people
61 locals recommend
Crave Cafe
14504 Ventura BlvdYummy crepes but they have other food too. Sit outside and watch the people
The most popular burger chain that people in the know have to go to when they are in town.
96 locals recommend
In-N-Out Burger
7220 Balboa BlvdThe most popular burger chain that people in the know have to go to when they are in town.
Tipsy Cow
15005 Ventura BlvdDelicious American food and bar
Yummy pizza that you can design. It is a modern place and you can sit outside. Pizza and a beer anyone?
38 locals recommend
MidiCi The Neapolitan Pizza Company
14612 Ventura BlvdYummy pizza that you can design. It is a modern place and you can sit outside. Pizza and a beer anyone?
Gastropub with American food. Can be loud but atmospheric.
80 locals recommend
The Local Peasant - Sherman Oaks
14058 Ventura BlvdGastropub with American food. Can be loud but atmospheric.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
14457 Ventura BoulevardI love a Japanese BBQ. Try something different?
Mendocino Farms
175 S Fairfax AveHealthy sandwiches and salads
This place is unique in decor with a courtyard to eat. A place for breakfast and brunch. Cute shopping goodies and pick up some pastries while you're there.
61 locals recommend
Sweet Butter Kitchen
13824 Ventura BlvdThis place is unique in decor with a courtyard to eat. A place for breakfast and brunch. Cute shopping goodies and pick up some pastries while you're there.
You actually feel like you are in Britain here. Old school British pub and food. Play some darts if you want. Outdoor seating in the back. Visit the cute little store to buy all food things British
18 locals recommend
Robin Hood British Pub
13640 Burbank BlvdYou actually feel like you are in Britain here. Old school British pub and food. Play some darts if you want. Outdoor seating in the back. Visit the cute little store to buy all food things British
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
600 W 7th StLove the sushi
Daichan
11288 Ventura BlvdGood food and really unique nice decor. A favorite for Japanese cuisine
Blu Jam Cafe
7371 Melrose AveGreat brunch, breakfast. Lots of outdoor seats.
City advice
Getting around
Fly Away Bus Terminal from LAX to Van Nuys return
Take an alternative and cheaper way to and from LAX other then Uber or Lift. You can take the Fly Away bus ($10) from the airport to the Van Nuys terminal and then a quick Uber/Lyft to the Moon Studio ($10 approx). I do it all the time! https://www.flylax.com
Getting around
Car Rentals
Avis, Hertz, Enterprise car rentals are all about 7 mins walk away. Pick the best deals
Getting around
Orange Line Metro
The Orange Line Metro is 3 mins walk away. It is a fast track bus line that does not use the city streets. Hop on and it will connect you to the North Hollywood Metro. From there, you can get on the Metro to anywhere you want to go.
https://www.metro.net/riding/guide/G-line/
Getting around
Nearest Medical Emergency Care
If you have a medical emergency, the nearest hospital is the Sherman Oaks Hospital a mile away on Van Nuys Blvd. If you are looking for a Urgent Care facility (less expensive) go to
Exer Urgent Care, 13303 Riverside Dr, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. If you need help, please let me know!
Getting around
Nearest Hospital
It is small but it is the nearest hospital. If you can, go to the suggested medical emergency I had suggested. It is way cheaper! The United States medical bills are insane if you don’t have insurance! And I am NOT kidding!