Things to do in Los Angeles
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561 Restaurant
For a preview of what'll be cooking in tomorrow's kitchens, pop by this popular bistro run by Cordon Bleu–level students of the California School of Culinary Arts. Dishes are inspired (grilled ono with black thai coconut rice) and the service is impeccable. The adjacent café serves more informal fare.
reviewed
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Silent Movie Theatre
'Silents are golden' at this 1942 vintage theatre, which is the only one in the US devoted to the early films of Charlie Chaplin, Lillian Gish, Valentino and other stars of the silent age. Screenings are accompanied by live music and often preceded by cartoons or shorts. Check the website or listings magazines for upcoming shows.
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HD Buttercup
A home decorator's nirvana, this airy, super-sized showroom in the former art deco Helms Bakery unites innovative and top-quality items from dozens of manufacturers. Silky bed linens to vintage steel desks, Turkish rugs to postmodern coffee tables, you'll find them here, along with bath and body products, gift items and jewelry.
reviewed
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Art Center College of Design
Overlooking the Arroyo Seco from its ridge-top perch is this world-renowned arts campus . Free tours are offered during the school year at 14:00 Monday to Friday; reservations are required. To see what students and alumni have been up to, check out the latest exhibit at the Williamson Gallery .
reviewed
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City Hall
Until 1966 no LA building stood taller than City Hall. The 1928 building, with its ziggurat-shaped top, has cameoed in the Superman and Dragnet TV series and the 1953 sci-fi thriller War of the Worlds. There are some cool views of Downtown and the mountains from the observation deck. Tours are available by reservation, seven days in advance.
reviewed
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El Rey
This is one gorgeous venue, an old deco dance hall decked out in red velvet and chandeliers and flaunting an awesome sound system and excellent sightlines. Although it can hold 800 people, it feels quite small. Performance-wise, it's popular with indie bands plus one-off headliners like Lucinda Williams and Billy Bob Thornton.
reviewed
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Leaf Cuisine
OK, the idea of veggie-seed croquettes, kale salad or kelp-noodle pad thai may not get you salivating, but trust us, the folks at Leaf are geniuses when it comes to coaxing flavor out of the vegetable kingdom. Everything's organic, raw, vegan and healthy, just like the yoga mammas, Sony grips and health nuts like it.
reviewed
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Comedy & Magic Club
Carlin, Foxworthy, Seinfeld – his puffy shirt is on display – have all paced the boards at Hermosa’s Comedy & Magic Club. For big names, get here before 6pm to nab a good table and be ready to share your job or hometown with the ever-inquisitive opening acts. Always hot is Jay Leno, who tests out jokes most Sunday nights.
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Il Cielo
Candles, Chianti and a table for two in an enchanted garden are the hallmarks of a romantic night out. If your date doesn't make you swoon, then the rustic Northern Italian food should still ensure an unforgettable evening. That scene in Legally Blonde where Reese Witherspoon is dumped by her boyfriend was shot here.
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Zimmer Children's Museum
In the Jewish Federation Center, this charming museum brims with interactive exhibits that gently teach kids – Jewish or not – about tolerance, generosity, community spirit and other good values. Kids can 'fly' to exotic lands, fancy themselves an ambulance driver, work in a newsroom and take other fun journeys.
reviewed
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Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
Two blocks south, the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum is the only surviving Civil War–era US Army structure in Southern California. It's filled with artifacts from the years 1861–6 when this was a training center and supply depot for battlegrounds in Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico.
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Yuca’s
They may have paved paradise and put up a taco hut but who’s complaining? At Yuca’s tiny taco shack, tucked between a liquor store and nail salon, they’ve served fast, hot, authentic tacos for years. Some say they’re the best in town. Place your order at the counter and see for yourself – won’t cost ya more than four bucks.
reviewed
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Kirk Douglas Theatre
An old-timey movie house has been recast as a 300-seat theater, thanks to a major cash infusion from the Douglas family. Since its opening in 2004, it's become an integral part of Culver City's growing arts scene. The Center Theatre Group uses it primarily as a showcase of new LA plays, and for theatre by and for children.
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Green Temple
Sit in the flowery courtyard or amid funky Asian artwork at this sanctuary where meat is a no-no and organic, local produce is plentiful. Salads, including the tasty Sproutada, come with a slice of delicious homemade bread and there's also an entire page of Mexican dishes. Waist-watchers can ask for the 'junior' portions.
reviewed
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Hannah Carter Japanese Garden
It's only open by reservation, but the lovely Hannah Carter Japanese Garden is well worth the trouble. Strolling through this spiritual gem inspired by the terraced gardens of Kyoto is an instant escape from city life. Sorry, no picnics. Call at least 10 days in advance. It's about one mile north of UCLA.
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It's a Wrap
Dress like a movie star - in their actual clothes! Packed-to-the-rafters It's a Wrap sells wardrobe castoffs - tank tops to tuxedos - worn by actors and extras working on TV or movie shoots. Tags are coded (there's a list at the check-out counter), so you'll know whose clothing you can brag about wearing.
reviewed
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Trashy Lingerie
Those who worship at the altar of hedonism should check into this cluttered store, stocked with burlesque-inspired corsets, cat masks, school-girl outfits and whatever else girls and boys with imagination might need for a night of naughtiness. To keep out lookyloos, you must pay $5 for an 'annual membership' at the door.
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Natural History Museum
Dinos to diamonds, bears to beetles, hissing roaches to an ultra-rare megamouth shark – the old-school museum will take you around the world and back millions of years in time. Kids love digging for fossils in the Discovery Center and making friends with creepy crawlies in the Insect Zoo.
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Sawtelle Kitchen
This contempo dining room gives standard Western dishes an eccentric Japanese twist, mostly with success. Pasta is paired with Pollock caviar and daikon sprouts, the pork chops are drizzled with olive-ginger sauce and the yams deep-fried and served with plum-mayo. They don't have a liquor license but you're free to BYOB.
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Santa Barbara, Solvang and Hearst Castle Day Trip from Los Angeles
12 hours (Departs Los Angeles, California)
by Viator
Experience spectacular views and awe-inspiring sights along the California coast! You can enjoy one of the world's most scenic coastal drives on this day trip…Not LP reviewed
from USD$149.00 Advertisement
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Christine
This top pick in the South Bay is more about substance on the plate than chichi decor and clientele. Chef Christine finds inspiration in the feisty flavors of Provence, Tuscany and the Pacific Rim, all expertly woven together in such dishes as warm mushroom salad with gorgonzola or char sui glazed filet mignon.
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La Abeja
The booths are torn, the decor silly and the air-con absent, but the food, oh, the food, is truly some of the best Mexican in town. Brave the drive and inevitable wait to taste their enchilada verde swimming in a tangy green sauce, the juicy machaca (shredded beef) and the spicy carne adobada.
reviewed
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Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
LA's top chamber ensemble specializes in a wide repertory of music from the 17th century to the present. Performances take place at UCLA's Royce Hall , the Alex Theater in Glendale, west of Pasadena, and the Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School of Performing Arts.
reviewed
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Mike & Anne's
Right on darling Mission St in South Pasadena, Mike & Anne's is a sweet and unhurried jewel with mostly local patrons clamoring for the clever but unfussy food à la chorizo-stuffed calamari or boneless shortribs with potato mousseline. Sit inside below exposed wood beams or on the patio overlooking a miniature park.
reviewed
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Allegria
This convivial trattoria near the Malibu Pier is often filled with patrons lusting after the pizzas tickled by wood fire just long enough to produce perfectly crispy thin crusts. Other dishes beckon too, including pretty pastas, tender osso buco and crispy fried calamari paired with a tomato sauce that's got some kick.
reviewed