Get off the beaten track in LA with these top 15 tips.
If you have already visited the Chinese Theatre, Universal Studies, The Hollywood Walk of Fame and perhaps already (after one too many cocktails) mastered the mechanical bull at the Saddle Ranch like a pro and are looking for something off the beaten track in LA, look to some of these for a more unique Los Angeles experience.
1.THE STAHL HOUSE
If 1950/60s architecture is your thing, book a private tour of the Stahl house in the Hollywood Hills.
Built in 1959 by architect Pierre Koenig, the Stahl house is a modernist-styled privately owned home which has been used in numerous fashion shoots, films, and advertising campaigns. In 1999 the house was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. There are two tours a day but check the website for current updates for tour dates and times.
2. SWEET!
6801 Hollywood BLVD Ste 201 LA 90028
Willy Wonka eat your heart out. Like the name suggests, this is a massive store full of everything sweet. The best thing about this place is the Make-Your-Own Chocolate Bar. You can choose the type of chocolate, type of filling and three types of toppings for $6.99. Located near the Hollywood wax museum, I know which I would prefer visiting!.
3. THE COMEDY STORE
Address:8433 W Sunset Blvd West Hollywood
Opened in 1972, this long standing comedy club has featured some of the biggest names in standup comedy, from Robin Williams to Richard Pryor. The club is also a large platform in helping TV networks source their latest talents for upcoming sitcoms.
4. VENICE CANALS
You could easily walk past this location and not realise what is around the corner. Located right off 25th Street in Venice Beach the canals offer a beautiful little neighbourhood of homes with landscaped gardens that line five canals. The perfect place to take a quiet leisurely stroll away from the chaos of Venice Beach.
5. FAIR OAKS PHARMACY & SODA FOUNTAIN
1526 Mission St – South Pasadena
Hours: food 11:00-18:00. Soda fountain & store 09:00-21:00 Mon-Sat, 10:00-19:00 Sun
Located on the famed Route 66, this is an original 1915 soda fountain offering old fashioned sodas accompanied by an all American hamburger or sundae/banana split and a great photo op for retro lovers.
There is also a classic candy gift shop
6. LA ART WALK TOUR
Founded in 2004 this free, self-guided walking tour was started by a group of galleries located in Gallery Row to encourage those from all over the city to visit Downtown LA by inviting galleries to stay open late once a month. The tour is held every second Thursday of the month and is located mainly in the Historic Core between 4th and 7th and Spring and Main Streets with galleries, restaurants and bars in several surrounding blocks of Downtown Los Angeles.
7. THE GETTY CENTRE
The Getty Centre houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, decorative arts, and European and American photographs. To access the entrance take the tram ride up the hill where you will be rewarded with beautiful city views stretching all the way to the ocean, gardens and stunning architecture
8. DISNEY HALL & DOWNTOWN LA
111 South Grand Avenue, Downtown LA
Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of the many exciting attractions in downtown Los Angeles. It serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Downtown LA is a live metropolis that includes the Staples Center where the LA Lakers play as well as restaurants and the Grammy Museum and much more. You will also find lots of great restaurants and fun bars.
9. RUNYON CANON
People in Los Angeles love to stay fit. Take an early morning hike up Runyon Canyon to witness spectacular views of Los Angeles. Frequented by visitors and locals alike. Don’t be surprised if you run into a celebrity or two.
10. HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY
On Saturday evenings in the summer, The Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts outdoor movie screenings; Pack a picnic and watch a movie amidst the headstones of legendary movie stars of old.
11. MELROSE TRADING POST MARKETS
Fairfax High. Date/time: Every Sunday from 9am to 5pm. Admission: $3.
The Melrose Trading Post is an eclectic outdoor marketplace with nearly 200 stalls selling antique furniture and tons of vintage goods like clothes, footwear and accessories. There is a large assortment of jewellery (cheap and expensive), as well as succulents.
12. ARTISTS AND FLEAS
Date/time: Third Saturday and Sunday of the month from 11am to 6pm. Admission: Free.
This market is a New York import which offers apparel, home goods, furniture and interior decor crafted by designers locally and afar. If you need a break to re energise there are also food trucks on site.
13. PINK’S
709 N La Brea Ave West Hollywood
Hours:9:30am-2am Sun-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat Lunch, dinner, late night.
It’s safe to say after 75 years located in the same spot, Pink’s is not going anywhere. Named 1 in the top ten hot dog stands in America there is always a line at this famous hot-dog stand. Offering creative crazy hot dogs, some named after celebrities. Order the Martha Stewart Dog or the Brando Dog and marvel at the walls lined with all the autographed celebrity photographs.
14. GRIFFITH PARK ZOO
Perhaps more for photographers looking for a unique, graffiti filled area, the abandoned site of the Griffith Park Zoo, which was closed in 1966, offers the ruins of animal enclosures. It is also now a picnic area and hiking trail in Griffith Park
15. BERGAMOT STATION
Minutes from Third Street Promenade and previously a rail station from 1875 to 1953 the Bergamot Arts Station now houses over twenty art galleries in Santa Monica. Free to visit, enjoy a cultural day out followed by lunch at the Bergamot Cafe nearby.
For more information on Santa Monica see my post here
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