Most likely, your Los Angeles itinerary will include all the usual headline attractions like Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, Universal Studios, Griffith Observatory, etc. These are the sights that instantly tell you where you've been in a single photo and will be the most crowded with tour groups. For your trip, if you simply want to speed through the city, tick off the most common tourist traps, and follow a typical itinerary, that is totally doable. But if you want a more unique experience, one that feels somewhat reflective of everyday American life, here is how Angelenos spend their weekend:
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\ - Start with breakfast at a restaurant the locals actually like
\ - Go to a museum as most Americans do
\ - See a show at a small theater with an actual movie history
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\ Where you stay is as important as where you eat. Beverly Hills is one of Los Angeles's most desirable neighborhoods. With its charming polished storefronts and intricate details along the streets, it makes it easy to picture the relaxed luxury of its wealthy residents. It's easy to picture living here. Miracle Mile is also home to a unique artistic and cultural spirit. While Los Angeles is powered by the fashion and the endless movement, this neighborhood has a more calm and elegant flow. Its proximity to Beverly Hills makes it feel like an upscale American residential area, with lovely little independent shops sprinkled throughout.
If you want to really feel and experience the local life in the city, you have found one of the best locations.
Have you heard of these off the radar museums?
On this day the focus is on the museums, but the day can really get started with a local breakfast first.
Republique is an American-French restaurant and, with service as warm and welcoming as California, it also serves food that is designed to look good. It is located in a building built in 1928, and the rustic and bright decor of the space offers a nice contrast to the classical facade. With tall ceilings and large windows, you can finally relax in a room that offers an oasis away from the typical fast pace of Los Angeles.
Republique has built a loyal customer base thanks to the combination of great design and food, so expect a wait if you're arriving after lunch. Each morning, Chef Walter Manzke and his wife Margarita, along with a large number of local food enthusiasts, create a wide variety of baked goods. The brunch menu features a reasonable number of options and is mostly French, so trust your instincts and order without overthinking. The menu also includes kimchi fried rice topped with beef short rib and a poached egg, as well as Belgian waffles with Harry's Berries, making it a great breakfast option.
What else would you expect from an arts district if not museums?
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Craft and Folk Art Museum, the Page Museum and the Petersen Automotive Museum are all located within a short five minute drive from the apartments.
Every tourist spot has a different purpose.
\n1. Los Angeles County Museum of Art \nThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art has a collection full of relevant works. Masterpieces from all over the world can be viewed here. Art enthusiasts can easily spend the day. Also, experience the museum in a more Los Angeles fashion, come at night when the Urban Light installation lights are on for a photo at one of the most iconic places in the city.\nOfficial website:
\nAddress: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-4597 \n2. Petersen Automotive Museum \nPetersen Automotive Museum is a must-visit for car lovers. The 3-story museum has each level dedicated to a different aspect of car culture. The top floor has classic and collectible cars over 60 years old showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of older cars. The 2nd level focuses on the industry of racing, with customized vehicles and newer electric cars. The bottom level branches off and focuses on artistic cars with body design and constructed features.\nAlso, Special exhibitions for Ferrari and Bugatti are often available along with some famous movie cars like the one from Back to the Future.\nThe exhibition design is very good, as visitors can enjoy all of their favorite cars without any glass barriers up to respectful behavior. If you are willing to try the 90-minute Vault Tour, then your English will have to be strong.
Although it costs a little more, the guide provides stories beyond just the car details.
Official website: Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-3605
Good museums can easily take up hours, and a satisfying meal helps with the fatigue. The LACMA Cafe located near the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-4504) and the restaurant at Petersen Automotive Museum are both handy options.
If the schedule permits, an easy stroll back can be combined with a performance at the El Rey Theatre. This small venue has hosted more than 30 years of operations, and many regulars have celebrated important moments of their lives in the small hall. It was also a filming location for La La Land, a movie considered a love letter to Los Angeles: since one performance takes place at the El Rey Theatre, it was after Sebastian joined Keith’s band.
Tickets purchased from the official website do not come with assigned seating.
The El Rey Theatre has a first-come, first-served policy, and seating varies based on the performance.
Official website: ***
Address: 5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036-3801
Great neighborhoods can offer wonderful sights, amazing food, and enough to do to fill a day on foot. Travel should not feel like an exercise in box ticking, but it’s better to take time to explore the more enjoyable, lived-in side of America.
