Greetings from sunny El Lay. I decided to do my FIRST travel blog on the glamorous Los Angeles. However, I’m going to show you my town through the eyes of a local. Forget tours of stars homes, double decker buses, and large, touristy crowds all over Hollywood blvd. I’m going to show you MY favorite places that are unique, economical (my fancy word for cheap!) and you can mix and mingle with some interesting locals!
First and foremost: rent a car! One cab ride in LA is the probably same amount as the daily rate for a car rental. Done and done!
Breakfast/brunch: Swingers on Beverly Blvd. It is the perfect diner with an amazing menu. Very retro. The waitresses don tattoos and hipster attire. If you saw the film “Knocked Up” the morning after scene was filmed there. This spot has become a weekly hangout for me and my roommates.
Work it off: hike runyon canyon. Why: the views, it’s free, and you’re almost guaranteed to spot someone in the entertainment industry.
Next: stroll Larchmont blvd. There are amazing shops, restaurants, dessert places, people watching, and it’s just plain pretty! Again, a very local place where you won’t be surrounded by tourists. It’s the new Melrose Place for locals.
It’s time to get your laugh on! Visit a comedy club! The Laugh factory is just one of many places in Los Angeles where comedians perform before they become (and even when they currently are) successful comedic actors. These places aren’t very large, so plan ahead and visit their websites to purchase tickets and see the line up. You won’t be disappointed. Catch a light dinner here as well! This spot happens to be on Sunset blvd so I will allow you to do one “touristy” thing and cruise the famous Sunset Strip.
Watering hole: now that you’re in a good mood, you might want to have a cocktail. Do not, I repeat DO NOT go to a Hollywood club. You will stand in a long line outside beforehand and the drinks are severely over priced. Instead, head over to The Parlor on Melrose. It’s a cozy bar/lounge where you get a trendy vibe minus the pretentious-ness. (A word I made up for this post and the ridiculousness of the club scene out here) You can dress as casual or as fancy as you like because the crowd here is a variety of people from entertainment folks to hipsters.
Now that’s a great day in Los Angeles. Do these things, and you’re guaranteed to bring home some unforgettable stories to tell your friends.
