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Thanks to its famous sunny weather, L.A.’s scenic coastline is an ideal destination any time of the year. Los Angeles is home to iconic seaside filming locations like Pirate’s Cove and Paradise Cove, but there are countless other oceanfront spots to discover. Read on for a list of ten coastal locations that have appeared in movies and TV series.
There's a reason why one of Downtown L.A.'s most vibrant districts is called the Historic Core. Located between Hill and Main Streets and 1st and 9th Streets, this eclectic neighborhood showcases many of the things that originally put Los Angeles on the world stage, including lovely parks, ornate movie palaces and other architectural marvels. It's also where visitors can experience places that have helped contribute to L.A.'s more contemporary reputation as a food and arts destination. With no shortage of beautiful buildings, cutting-edge art galleries, trendy bars and gourmet restaurants, the Historic Core is where L.A.'s golden era meets modern times.
Los Angeles is a wonderful place to be if you’re a Japanese food aficionado. There are entire neighborhoods dedicated to cuisine: Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, Sawtelle Japantown on the Westside, and the suburban Japanese culinary destination in the South Bay.
Sushi Row is a stretch of Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley that's named from the area's many raw fish specialists. Often overlooked when it comes to the conversation of sushi in Los Angeles, are the restaurants along Ventura outside of Studio City. While the majority of them are heavy on the rolls and cater to a more Westernized crowd, it’s a good choice for happy hour or if you’re planning an epic food crawl. Read on for the best sushi restaurants on Sushi Row and beyond.
Playa del Rey, which resides at the crossroads of Marina del Rey and the South Bay, has always been convenient to LAX and a great place to bike or run. Now the neighborhood has become a good place to eat, and options are bound to get even better with the influx of tech companies like Google and Yahoo to neighboring Playa Vista. Learn about 10 top Playa del Rey restaurants.
Even the best exercise classes can get stale after a while. But in L.A., it’s swimsuit season nearly year-round, so we have to stick with it. Shake up your workout routine with our guide to alternative workouts. If a kayak trip down the Los Angeles River or a trampoline class isn’t your thing, perhaps you’d like to exercise in a huge sandbox or kick a soccer ball in a giant bubble suit.
The Fast and the Furious tells the story of undercover police officer Brian O’Conner (played by Paul Walker) taking on Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew of hijackers. The 2001 action film was followed by six sequels and has become Universal’s biggest franchise of all time.
The Fast and the Furious movies boast a strong connection to Los Angeles, where the fast furious set took to the real streets of L.A., though not all of the franchise’s installments were shot here. Fans can discover many iconic locations from the films throughout Los Angeles, from Downtown to Malibu. Read on for 20 Fast and Furious locations in L.A. County, including the site of the unforgettable “One Last Ride.”
Note: Spoilers ahead for those who haven’t seen the movies!
One of the best aspects of living in L.A. is outdoor access. The beach, mountains and desert are all within striking distance. Hiking is always an option, whether it’s the Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Park or the mighty San Gabriel Mountains. We previously covered the Top 10 Easy Hikes in L.A. Now you'll learn about eight of the best intermediate hikes in L.A. County that will yield prized views and get your heart pumping, but won’t require a day off from work to recover.
1. Carry your cell phone with you in case of emergency. The signal can be limited in the mountains, but in case you run into trouble, the phone is your best friend.
2. Carry plenty of water because trails often have little shade and it can get hot.
3. Wear sunscreen and a hat. Even if the sky starts out overcast, sun often breaks through clouds.
4. Stay to the center of the trail to limit contact with plants like poison ivy and wildlife like rattlesnakes and tarantulas.
Though Los Angeles boasts sunshine and blue skies practically year-round, there is something extra magical about summer in L.A. What better way to embrace the season than by spending it outside? Read on for movie and TV locations that celebrate L.A.’s great outdoors.
Unless you’re a diehard vegetarian, it’s hard to resist fried chicken. Why would you want to? Luscious deep-fried yardbird has rightly become popular all over the world. Thankfully, Los Angeles has leading examples from a diverse range of cuisines. Fried chicken sandwiches and wings are great too, but those fall into categories for other stories. In the meantime, learn about L.A.’s top fried chicken options, mostly battered and served on the bone.
The speakeasy bar concept is no secret to Los Angeles nightlife, but it can be hard to keep track of all the hidden entrances, secret passwords and changing menu themes. While there are plenty of bars to visit, each space is a worthwhile venue to crack the code - whether it’s to drink, dance and much more. Visit them all to collect each of their unique perspectives on imbibing in L.A., because not only does each place regularly rotate their cocktail menu, they all have their own unexpected twist. Whether it's karaoke, cigars, a glowing dance floor, or simply a hard-to-find entrance, these bars have surprises waiting for you.
