A Native's List of Top Things to Do in Los Angeles
Have you ever sat at home in boredom because you were unsure of what to do, where to go, or what to eat? Whether you're a native Californian or tourist looking to catch some undercover must stop places, you've come to the right place. I've curated a running list of some of the hidden gems I have found and enjoy visiting around L.A. that are must see spots on my "staycation" this summer. You can even save or pin this page for later and come back to it if you find yourself stumped on ideas. I love many of these places because they are so photogenic, personable and unique, be it the views they offer or the delicious food they present. L.A. is an incredible melting pot that allows for authentic cultural experiences that these places certainly offer their guests. Whether you're looking for specific recommendations on food, adventure or museums, you can find it here.
Food
There's a saying that goes, "the way to one's heart, is through their stomach," can certainly apply when you stop at some of these places to grab a meal. By stopping at at least one, you'll surely be able to genuinely indulge in the unique and trending culture of what L.A. has to offer.
Alfred {Coffee & Kitchen}Home of the famous, "But first, coffee" wall.
Mr. Holmes BakehouseLocated in San Fran, so it might be a bit out of the way if you're only in LA.
Abbot's HabitGreat club sandwiches.
In-n-OutA local fast food staple.
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In-n-Out...A California staple.
Mickey's Italian DeliLocated right off the Hermosa Beach strand, a little family owned and operated Italian kitchen and supermarket.
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Mickey's Deli
Roscoe's Chicken and WafflesStrange, but delicious combination of Chicken and Waffles.
Malibu FarmLocated at the end of the Malibu pier. Fresh food and conscientiously made.
Amigos TacosRecommend a breakfast burrito.
El Burrito Jr.Regulars typically grab a "Special C"- 2 bean and cheese burritos.
Alejo'sLocal Italian restaurant with LARGE portions.
Honey BobaGreat place for Thai milk tea, regular tea, or smoothies.
N'Ice Cream Homemade Gelato & SorbetRolled ice cream.
Little DamageThey have black soft served ice cream, along with a photo op spot inside the shop.
Cauldron Ice CreamThey offer a unique "puffle" cone.
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Cute little froyo place. Almost like a Golden Spoon or Pinkberry. Flavor options are a bit limited but still worth a shot. Plus, the neon sign makes for a cool pic.
California DoughnutsMight be a bit overrated, but they have fun and unique creations.
The Dirty CookieKnown for their cups made out of cookies.
Eiswelt GelatoGelato shaped in the form of animals such as teddy bears and pigs.
MILKOffering macaroon ice cream sandwiches.
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I prefer the chocolate marshmallow. Not to mention they have a cupcake ATM at the Beverly Hills location!
Handel's Homemade Ice CreamCreamy and delicious ice cream made on the spot. Tuesday's they have a promotion called "2 buck Tuesday", but be sure to get their early due to the huge line that forms after dark.
Chocolate ChairKnown for their "Dragon's Breath".
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Super cheap and delicious cookies and ice cream sandwiches!
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Flavored cream, instantly frozen in the presence of nitrogen...right before your eyes!
Sage Plant BistroWith so many delicious options, it's hard to believe everything on the menu is Vegan and Vegetarian friendly.
Adventure
Hollywood ForeverSome nights, especially in the summer, they project free movies for the community.
Los Angeles Flower DistrictWhile some warehouses might require an entry fee, there is so much you can see for free.
Paramount Drive in moviePay per person and catch double features, but you can't move from lot to lot. They also have a concession stand that you can round out your movie-going experience with.
Temescal Canyon State ParkAround a moderate 3 mile hike, round trip, with views and some incline.
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Beautiful view of L.A. at all times of the day.
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Hidden off the beaten path, but if you reach the circle of rocks, you've gone too far.
Abandoned LA ZooRecommend you park before the trail and hike to the trail head due to rough ground conditions and avoiding getting your car stuck.
Malibu Pier
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Be sure to walk up and down Pier Ave.
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The view has so many quaint shops.
The Last Book StoreA tunnel of books adorns the inside.
Hollywood SignThis link gets you right up next to the sign. But if you don't want to go all the way up, when you get to the paved road, you can take a left turn and follow that to a place in front of the sign.
Paul Smith Los AngelesFamous pink wall many people take pictures against.
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Rocks/Platforms/Cliffs that have been spray painted/tagged.
Malaga Cove LibraryGreat views and various small trails start around this area.
Wayfarers chapelStained glass chapel on the cliff side overlooking the ocean.
Venice BeachHome of "Muscle Beach".
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The Malibu spot^
Museums
There are so many museums in L.A. and so many of them are free to go to and don't necessarily require a reservation. Though they may make you wait in line to get in. For that reason, I highly recommend getting to the museum early and spend however much time you want to, inside. This also reduces the amount of other people you would get photo bombing your pictures.
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The BROAD is my personal favorite local museum....and it's free!
While there are so many more places that make L.A. so diverse and unique, this is just a small list of places that I have personally found to be enjoyable. You simply can't go wrong even going to one new place there. It's hard to avoid getting into a rut of familiarity, but you never know what you can discover if you only step outside of your comfort zone. Also be sure to be mindful when you do visit these places, as you are a guest in these places. You should help preserve them for those to come so that they too can also enjoy the experiences.
If you've been to a place already or have any more suggestions for places that are not included on this list, feel free to comment!