Andy’s guidebook
Coffee
Lovely local coffee shop selling delicious coffee drinks and handmade pastries to go. Our local fave!
lil’East Coffee
Lovely local coffee shop selling delicious coffee drinks and handmade pastries to go. Our local fave!
Coffee shop walking distance from the Hillside Studio!
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Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea
5371 Alhambra AveCoffee shop walking distance from the Hillside Studio!
Third wave coffee roaster in a beautiful modern space.
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Verve Coffee Roasters
833 S Spring StThird wave coffee roaster in a beautiful modern space.
Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar
3922 Sunset BlvdHistoric third wave coffee shop
Civil Coffee
5629 N Figueroa StNice neighborhood coffee shop in highland park
Great neighborhood coffee shop walking distance from the Hillside Studio
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Tierra Mia Coffee
1416 W Beverly BlvdGreat neighborhood coffee shop walking distance from the Hillside Studio
La Terraza Cafe
4017 City Terrace DrGreat neighborhood coffee spot with breakfast!
Food scene
Beautiful farm to table restaurant with lots of veggie options surrounded by art galleries
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Manuela
907 E 3rd StBeautiful farm to table restaurant with lots of veggie options surrounded by art galleries
Lovely fine dining restaurant focused on fresh produce and unique culinary concepts. Amazing wine program too! Definitely need a reservation.
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Redbird
114 E 2nd StLovely fine dining restaurant focused on fresh produce and unique culinary concepts. Amazing wine program too! Definitely need a reservation.
Vegan restaurant that will impress the most hardcore carnivores. Great happy hour!
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Cafe Gratitude
639 N Larchmont BlvdVegan restaurant that will impress the most hardcore carnivores. Great happy hour!
Amazing fresh produce along with some of the best new food spots in the city.
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I-Marikhi yaseGrand Central
317 S BroadwayAmazing fresh produce along with some of the best new food spots in the city.
Tiny Thai restaurant with a hidden bar that hosts live music.
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Sticky Rice Echo Park
1801 Sunset BlvdTiny Thai restaurant with a hidden bar that hosts live music.
HomeState
4624 Hollywood BlvdFantastic Tex-mex! One of our favorite breakfast spots.
If you’re on the west side, it’s hard to beat their happy hour, and even the staunchest carnivores will have to admit this all-vegan restaurant is one of the best in town
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Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose AveIf you’re on the west side, it’s hard to beat their happy hour, and even the staunchest carnivores will have to admit this all-vegan restaurant is one of the best in town
By far one of the best restaurants in Venice and likewise all of Los Angeles
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Gjelina
1429 Abbot Kinney BlvdBy far one of the best restaurants in Venice and likewise all of Los Angeles
A.O.C.
8700 W 3rd StGo for the Oysters. One of the best wine lists in the city
Home to world-renowned chef Nancy Silverton and the best Italian restaurant in LA. Reservations are a must and you’ll likely see a celebrity seated next to you. If you can’t get into Osteria try the Pizzeria Mozza next door, a more casual, pizza-focused restaurant with the same ownership
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Osteria Mozza
6602 Melrose AveHome to world-renowned chef Nancy Silverton and the best Italian restaurant in LA. Reservations are a must and you’ll likely see a celebrity seated next to you. If you can’t get into Osteria try the Pizzeria Mozza next door, a more casual, pizza-focused restaurant with the same ownership
Fishing With Dynamite
1148 Manhattan AvePossibly the best oysters in the city
Tamale Man
3320 N Eastern AveGreat tamales and Mexican food in El Sereno!
One of the hidden local favorites in El Sereno, I highly recommend it as a lunch spot
Pisces Poke & Ramen
5587 Huntington Dr NOne of the hidden local favorites in El Sereno, I highly recommend it as a lunch spot
Beautiful space at the line hotel, we love it for breakfast!
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Openaire at The LINE LA
3515 Wilshire BlvdBeautiful space at the line hotel, we love it for breakfast!
Their vegetarian tacos are their best! The butternut squash tacos + potato taquitos are epic!
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Guerrilla Tacos
2000 E 7th StTheir vegetarian tacos are their best! The butternut squash tacos + potato taquitos are epic!
Lovely local cafe close to the hillside studio that specializes in coffee and pastries.
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La Terraza Cafe
4017 City Terrace DrLovely local cafe close to the hillside studio that specializes in coffee and pastries.
Amazing homemade italian food with a nice outdoor space and impeccable service. Tip: get the rolls!
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Hippo
5916 1/2 N Figueroa StAmazing homemade italian food with a nice outdoor space and impeccable service. Tip: get the rolls!
Has consistently ranked as one of, if not the best restaurant in LA. Epic space, beautiful interior, fantastic service and epic wine list.
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Republique
624 S La Brea AveHas consistently ranked as one of, if not the best restaurant in LA. Epic space, beautiful interior, fantastic service and epic wine list.
Takeout only, but one of the best deep-dish pizzas around! Call ahead or email during the day to reserve your spot, and the pizzas take about 45min - 1 hr to cook, but definitely worth it!
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Dough Box Los Angeles
5567 N Eastern AveTakeout only, but one of the best deep-dish pizzas around! Call ahead or email during the day to reserve your spot, and the pizzas take about 45min - 1 hr to cook, but definitely worth it!
AMAZING authentic Taiwanese food! The dining room is small and parking is sometimes tough, but we love getting it to go!
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Pine and Crane
1521 Griffith Park BlvdAMAZING authentic Taiwanese food! The dining room is small and parking is sometimes tough, but we love getting it to go!
Awesome casual Indian food, loud music and an awesome wine list!
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BADMAASH Downtown LA
108 W 2nd StAwesome casual Indian food, loud music and an awesome wine list!
Tasty, neighborhood Italian restaurant walking distance from the hillside studio! Offers amazing value and daily fresh specials. We like the cacio e Pepe
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Barrio
4011 City Terrace DriveTasty, neighborhood Italian restaurant walking distance from the hillside studio! Offers amazing value and daily fresh specials. We like the cacio e Pepe
Homey, hidden gem in Lincoln Heights, 10 min from the hillside studio. All vegetarian Israeli menu and many items can be made vegan. Great wine program too!
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Mazal
110 North San Fernando RoadHomey, hidden gem in Lincoln Heights, 10 min from the hillside studio. All vegetarian Israeli menu and many items can be made vegan. Great wine program too!
3 minutes from the hillside studio, great views & really affordable. A hidden gem!
Luminarias Restaurant
3500 W Ramona Blvd3 minutes from the hillside studio, great views & really affordable. A hidden gem!
Nice local Italian spot in the arts district downtown, nice happy hour and great wine list.
Propaganda Wine Bar
Nice local Italian spot in the arts district downtown, nice happy hour and great wine list.
Highland Park Brewery
1220 N Spring StCute neighborhood brewery serving food near DTLA
Neighborhoods
Downtown LA is one of the most exciting parts of the city, with tons of great restaurants and nightlife, along with beautiful museums and art installations.
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Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown LA is one of the most exciting parts of the city, with tons of great restaurants and nightlife, along with beautiful museums and art installations.
Along with having some of the best authentic Japanese street food, little Tokyo also features the Japanese-American museum and some fun public art exhibits
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Little Tokyo
Along with having some of the best authentic Japanese street food, little Tokyo also features the Japanese-American museum and some fun public art exhibits
South Pasadena
Cute downtown area that’s easy to walk
Silver Lake
Great restaurants, coffee, and shopping, very walkable
A beautiful, private beach community with gorgeous beaches and barely any people around. If you want to visit the beach, visit manhattan beach, park on the street and walk down to the serene coast. Make dinner reservations at Beach Post or sit at the bar at Simsy’s for the full experience.
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Manhattan Beach
A beautiful, private beach community with gorgeous beaches and barely any people around. If you want to visit the beach, visit manhattan beach, park on the street and walk down to the serene coast. Make dinner reservations at Beach Post or sit at the bar at Simsy’s for the full experience.
If you had to name one neighborhood to find where all the 20-somethings go out, this would be the one. Stop by Gold Line and listen to a DJ spin live vinyl, and go across the street to ETA to hear a live band. Play a round of bowling while drinking a craft tequila cocktail at highland park bowl or try a natural wine at Hippo
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Highland Park
If you had to name one neighborhood to find where all the 20-somethings go out, this would be the one. Stop by Gold Line and listen to a DJ spin live vinyl, and go across the street to ETA to hear a live band. Play a round of bowling while drinking a craft tequila cocktail at highland park bowl or try a natural wine at Hippo
If you want to go vintage shopping, los Feliz is your neighborhood!
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Los Feliz
If you want to go vintage shopping, los Feliz is your neighborhood!
Sightseeing
The Broad
221 S Grand AveBeautiful new modern art museum in downtown LA
Beautiful historic museum of contemporary art
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IMuziyamu wezomculo wezokwakha
250 S Grand AveBeautiful historic museum of contemporary art
Griffith Observatory
2800 East Observatory RoadBreathtaking views and nice little space exhibit
Hollywood Sign
Fun, easy hike that takes about 2-3 hrs to complete
Lovely peaceful, hidden neighborhood garden and park.
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Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters
3880 San Rafael AveLovely peaceful, hidden neighborhood garden and park.
Great museum with lots of dinosaurs bones, an insect zoo and a beautiful gem collection. Free the first Tuesday of every month!
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I-Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition BlvdGreat museum with lots of dinosaurs bones, an insect zoo and a beautiful gem collection. Free the first Tuesday of every month!
La Brea Tar Pits neMuzi
5801 Wilshire BlvdFun historic museum!
IGetty
1200 Getty Center DrBeautiful museum and garden space
Giant, breathtaking outdoor garden with different areas modeled after different countries and regions.
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Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdGiant, breathtaking outdoor garden with different areas modeled after different countries and regions.
A very fun alternative to Disneyland with more focus on film.
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Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City PlazaA very fun alternative to Disneyland with more focus on film.
If you want a private, beautiful beach day, visit manhattan beach and eat at the beach post, Manhattan Beach’s best restaurant housed in its old post office.
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Manhattan Beach Parks & Rec
1400 Highland AveIf you want a private, beautiful beach day, visit manhattan beach and eat at the beach post, Manhattan Beach’s best restaurant housed in its old post office.
A beautiful peach just off Pacific Coast Hwy, 30 min from the Hillside Studio. What makes it great is it's never crazy crowded, easily accessible from the fwy and breathtakingly beautiful. Parking is $8-12 in the summer, but you can also park along the hwy if you find a space. If the beach is full, drive north on PCH and you can access the beach all along the coast.
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Will Rogers State Beach
17580 CA-1A beautiful peach just off Pacific Coast Hwy, 30 min from the Hillside Studio. What makes it great is it's never crazy crowded, easily accessible from the fwy and breathtakingly beautiful. Parking is $8-12 in the summer, but you can also park along the hwy if you find a space. If the beach is full, drive north on PCH and you can access the beach all along the coast.
Beautiful park with amazing views of downtown and walking distance to Highland Park Brewery and Oracle wine bar.
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Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N Spring StBeautiful park with amazing views of downtown and walking distance to Highland Park Brewery and Oracle wine bar.
Shopping
Cute outdoor shopping mall right next to the Glendale Galleria
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I-Americana ku-Brand
889 Americana WayCute outdoor shopping mall right next to the Glendale Galleria
Beverly Center
8500 Beverly BlvdGiant shopping mall
Amazingly well curated book store on Vermont in Los Feliz. Great thrift/vintage shopping on this street too!
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Skylight Books
1818 N Vermont AveAmazingly well curated book store on Vermont in Los Feliz. Great thrift/vintage shopping on this street too!
Eclectic vintage clothing. There are vintage shops and boutiques all along this street.
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Squaresville
1800 N Vermont AveEclectic vintage clothing. There are vintage shops and boutiques all along this street.
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring StreetHistoric & eclectic book store in DTLA
Nightlife
Places of the night
Rooftop bar with amazing views of the city. It gets very crowded at night so order a happy hour drink and take the elevator up to the roof to take in the view
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Perch
448 S Hill StRooftop bar with amazing views of the city. It gets very crowded at night so order a happy hour drink and take the elevator up to the roof to take in the view
Gold Line
5607 N Figueroa StLively cocktail bar with DJs playing live vinyl every night.
Historic whiskey bar in downtown LA with a huge whiskey selection
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Seven Bar Lounge
515 W 7th StHistoric whiskey bar in downtown LA with a huge whiskey selection
Awesome, historic speakeasy. Enter through Coles’s French Dipped restaurant and walk straight to the back and an unmarked door to find the bar
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The Varnish
118 E 6th StAwesome, historic speakeasy. Enter through Coles’s French Dipped restaurant and walk straight to the back and an unmarked door to find the bar
Amazing speakeasy Rum-bar. Live music and salsa dancing on the weekends. Have a cigar while sipping a Mai Thai in the back lounge
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La Descarga
1159 N Western AveAmazing speakeasy Rum-bar. Live music and salsa dancing on the weekends. Have a cigar while sipping a Mai Thai in the back lounge
Rad cocktail bar and beautiful decor makes the bowling alley a great spot for groups or date night.
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Highland Park Bowl
5621 N Figueroa StRad cocktail bar and beautiful decor makes the bowling alley a great spot for groups or date night.
Beautiful cocktail bar in downtown. Large outdoor space in the back for larger groups
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Everson Royce Bar
1936 E 7th StBeautiful cocktail bar in downtown. Large outdoor space in the back for larger groups
The world famous NYC bar just opened a new location in the arts district in downtown. From the beautiful decor to the legendary drinks, this upscale bar screams old school, classy LA. Tip: while there’s almost always a wait, there are 2 bars in the building, and you can put your name for a table while you get a drink at the “standing room” bar, which you can almost always get into right away.
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Death & Co.
818 E 3rd StThe world famous NYC bar just opened a new location in the arts district in downtown. From the beautiful decor to the legendary drinks, this upscale bar screams old school, classy LA. Tip: while there’s almost always a wait, there are 2 bars in the building, and you can put your name for a table while you get a drink at the “standing room” bar, which you can almost always get into right away.
Probably the most underrated wine bar in LA and one of our favorite neighborhood bars.
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Holcomb
5535 York BlvdProbably the most underrated wine bar in LA and one of our favorite neighborhood bars.
Blue Whale
123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka StOne of the premier jazz bars in the city!
Modeled after the Japanese “Kissatens” or hi-fi bars, In Sheep’s Clothing is a speakeasy inside Lupetti pizzeria. The concept is to listen to and enjoy live vinyl while enjoying cocktails or a glass of wine, and people keep conversation down below the volume of the music, providing for a very relaxing and unique experience.
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In Sheep's Clothing
710 E 4th PlModeled after the Japanese “Kissatens” or hi-fi bars, In Sheep’s Clothing is a speakeasy inside Lupetti pizzeria. The concept is to listen to and enjoy live vinyl while enjoying cocktails or a glass of wine, and people keep conversation down below the volume of the music, providing for a very relaxing and unique experience.
Oracle Tavern
1640 North Spring StreetWalking distance from LA historic park and a hidden gem with a great happy hour
Catch a local band play at this fantastic music venue in dtla
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The Moroccan Lounge
901 E 1st StCatch a local band play at this fantastic music venue in dtla
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Getting around LA
LA doesn’t have the best public transit in terms of cost, routes, or times, but it’s quite useable especially when you augment the routes with a ride-share like Uber or Lyft. From Union station (downtown) you can get to almost every neighborhood in LA and trains run every 5-10 min. If bringing or renting a car, know that parking is always terrible, and parking costs average from $15-$20 for valet/paid lots, although apps such as SpotHero or ParkMe can be helpful in reserving a parking spot in advance.