Guide to Los Angeles

Winter is coming, and I am trying to remember why I left sunny L.A. for a state that boasts about cloudy skies and freezing temperatures. Whether you live in L.A. or just go there to visit, The City of Angeles has something for everyone - movie stars, beaches, shopping, smog...

Shopping

• The Grove – Shopping, dining, the best place for people watching, The Grove is where you go to scope out Angelenos and perhaps catch a movie filming.
• The Americana - Like The Grove but located in Glendale.
• The Original Farmer’s Market – If you're not careful, you might mistake this market as part of The Grove, but The Original Farmer’s Market has its own unique vibe. Tourist shops, Pinkberry, and as much produce and candy you can eat, The Market is, also, home to The Gumbo Pot (Stall #312), the best Cajun cooking in town.
• Chinatown - I must confess that I still haven't seen the movie, Chinatown, but at night the area does get a little... sketchy. However, Chinatown is definitely worth a day trip and offers plenty of souvenirs.
• El Pueblo de Los Angeles - I stumbled on this treasure trove on my way to Union Station and promised myself I'd go back for another look. It's a town within a town and the birthplace of Los Angeles.
• Universal City Walk – Bowling, dancing, eating, shopping, City Walk offers it all. Favorite stops are: The Los Angeles Sock Market, Hard Rock Café, Lush Cosmetics, and Jillian’s Hi Life Lanes.

Eats

• Pink’s Hot Dogs – Advertised as “The Hot Dog to the Stars”, Pink’s has been around since 1939. I highly recommend the Guadalajara Dog and the Lord of the “Rings” Dog. While the hot dogs are very filling, be prepared for a long wait; Pink’s is always busy.
• In-n-Out Burger – Ordering is easy with your choice of hamburger, fries, and milk shake. Worth every calorie.
• Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles – Chicken and waffles you ask? Yes, it really is amazing.

Entertainment

• Hollywood Boulevard – Start at Hollywood & Hilghland, home of the Kodak Theatre and gift shops galore - it’s across the street from El Capitan Theatre and next door to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Then make your way down the Walk of Fame. I highly recommend taking a bus tour of Hollywood.
• Warner Bros. Studio - Warner Bros. Studio is the best studio in my mind. While there is talk about closing the studio and moving it out of state, I really hope that doesn’t happen because it still has some of that Old Hollywood feel to it. Check out the water tower – just like in the cartoons!
• LA Connection Comedy Theatre – Improv and sketch comedy inside an incredibly small theatre. I studied here for a few months and it was amazing.
• Crunch - A gym as entertainment? I have three words for you: ANTIGRAVITY® YOGA ‘WINGS’.
• Santa Monica Pier – The water, the Ferris wheel, the little shops, yes it’s touristy but I love it.