If you’re anything like us, when you hear “Los Angeles”, you think of a few things. Hollywood, The L Word (not Generation Q…unless we’re talking about Dani IYKYK), Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, and the ultimate straight girl honeytrap: HAIM. But if you think that’s all there is to the City of Angels, you’d be wrong. Here are our top 10 best offbeat things to do in LA.
1. Smoke a Spliff on Venice Beach
Don’t do drugs, kids, and stay in school. But if you’re done with school and want to get a bit spaced, then there’s no better place than Venice Beach.
Head that way late afternoon to miss the mad daytime rush. Roll yourself a joint and watch the waves crashing as Barbie and Ken rollerblade past. If you like to stay active, even when you’re stoned, then walk along the boardwalk to check out the world-famous skatepark.
2. Smashburgers at Burgers Never Say Die
After all that, you’ll definitely be in the mood for some munchies. If you’re in the good ol’ US of A, there’s only one option: a filthy burger. Located in Silverlake, Burgers Never Say Die is the OG creator of smashburger in LA (didn’t quite invent them, but definitely made them super popular in LA – or so we’ve heard). Lines can get long but don’t be too British about it, call ahead and get your order in so you can be that smug as fuck person who walks straight in the door.
3. Head to Malibu and eat at Malibu Pier
If the idea of crisp ground beef patties and melted American cheese turns your stomach, then get yourself to Malibu Pier. Here you’ll find not one but two sick places to eat in a beaut spot overlooking the water. Dig into oysters, tacos, lobster mac and cheese at Malibu Farm Restaurant, or stop at the Malibu Farm Café for a life-changing shrimp burger. The Malibu Pier is open – While parts of Malibu recover from this year’s wildfires, the rest of Malibu is open for business.
4. Shop till you drop at Aviator Nation
If you’re going to be in Malibu anyway, it would be stupid not to check out Aviator Nation. After all, how can you relax on holiday without the right athleisure wear? Aviator Nation specialises in high-quality, 70s-inspired, California chic. Whether you want to go full Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza or just channel your sexiest self on the beach with some high-waisted bikini bottoms, you can’t go wrong.
5. Watch a basketball game
Where are you most likely to see Beyoncé in a Gucci kimono? No, it’s not on Rodeo Drive, that’s right…it’s courtside baby. You can’t go to LA without hitting up a sports game, and if you’re going to go full jock then you may as well get some celeb spotting in whilst you’re at it. In LA you’re spoilt for choice with two basketball teams at your disposal, so it’s your pick: Clippers or Lakers?
6. Drink cocktails next to an Ice Cream parlour shaped like a British Bulldog
No, we promise we didn’t just have a mini nervous breakdown. Established in 1941, Idle Hour Bar pays homage to some peak moments of LA culture. One prime example is their pipe-smoking bulldog, a reproduction of the Bulldog Café that ran from 1928 until the mid-1960s. Though it’s not serving up any delicious eats anymore, it’s still living its best life, standing guard over a leafy beer garden, complete with a fire pit.
Scared of dogs? Don’t worry, you can head inside to the main bar, which is legit inside a massive whiskey barrel. You’re welcome.
7. Hike to Griffith Observatory
Guys, if you’re not a fan of La La Land, then we can’t help you. But, even if you hate one of the GOATs of the movie musical genre, you can’t hate on its epic locations. Outside of the Hollywood sign and the Beverly Hills Hotel, nothing screams LA more than the Griffith Observatory. Just look at it!
Perched in the hills overlooking the city, you come for the space shit and you stay for that view. You can easily get here via car or public transport, but if you want a real LA experience then grab a green juice, pack some kale snacks and hike that bitch.
8. Play pinball at Walt’s Bar
On Eagle Rock Boulevard, you’ll find Walt’s Bar – a chilled-out spot full of beer, pinball machines and pretzels. What more could you want? Think classic American bar but with added sick merch and a Vans store in the back. Screw exploring the city, just spend all day here with a group of mates or your SO, day drinking, eating hotdogs and buying bucket hats.
9. Live music at The Moon Room
The only thing better than a good cocktail is a good cocktail and a good DJ. On Melrose Avenue, just next door to the Fratelli Café, you’ll find The Moon Room. If you strolled down Melrose in the day, you’d be forgiven for missing it, but when the sun goes down, the neon lights come on and the party begins. Leave your expectations at the door, cause on any given day you could be greeted with crooners at the piano, classic indie rock or a filthy DJ set.
The Moon Room describes itself as “Chic as fuck” and we tend to agree.
10. Be a culture vulture at Commonwealth and Council
Founded in 2010, Commonwealth and Council is a gallery in Koreatown with a positive worldview and an amazing mission. The artists they show celebrate our varying identities and experiences. They champion work by women, queer people, people of colour, and ally artists to try to build counter-histories that reflect both our individual and collective realities.
There’s art and culture for days in LA, but if you want to check out something truly unique, then head to Koreatown.
Where to Stay
Not far from Commonwealth and Council, you’ll find The Line Hotel, a gorgeous boutique hotel in the heart of Koreatown. Whether it’s serving up some insane eats at the greenhouse restaurant Openaire, or hitting up the karaoke booths at Break Room 86, The Line is so much more than just somewhere to rest your head at the end of the day – it’s a destination in itself.
Hotel Amarano
For those of you who are after some behind-the-scenes, movie-making action, the Hotel Amarano in Burbank is a safe bet. Just around the corner from some of the biggest movie studios in Hollywood, the Hotel Amarano offers a little bit of convenient luxury for people who want a peek behind the curtain. At just one mile away from the famous Universal Studios theme park, this spot couldn’t be better for anyone looking to indulge their inner movie nerd.
Beverley Hills Hotel
Okay, yes, you may have to take out a small loan to stay at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel, but it’ll be worth it for the bragging rights alone. There’s nowhere better for a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour. Tread in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe, who called the hotel home in the 1950s, and Elizabeth Taylor, who spent six of her eight honeymoons here. Or head to the infamous Polo Lounge, order a martini and wait to be discovered.
If you’re thinking, “This is great, but where’s the scene at?” then check out our Sapphics Guide to Visiting LA.
Big love and say hey to Beyoncé from us,
Nonchalant x
By day Maz lives in London and works in marketing, by night she’s writing for Nonchalant Magazine, and by early morning she’s in a bar making questionable life choices
