Things To Do
Little Tokyo Market Place
Located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Central hub for Japanese restaurants, shops and market goods. Very walkable and lively. Great place for dining, shopping and entertainment.
Japanese American National Museum
Located in Little Tokyo, JANM is dedicated to showcasing art exhibitions and stories of ethnic and cultural diversity in sharing the Japanese American experience.
Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market provides LA with a national-caliber eating experience highlighting California's best ingredients, chefs and entrepreneurs. Wide variety of food vendors and market goods all in one space!
Smorgasburg (Los Angeles)
Located at The Row in DTLA. Open on Sundays, one of our favorite places to try a variety of amazing food stalls, market goods and a beer garden.
Mercado La Paloma
A vibrant treasure of South LA that focuses on the creative and hard working entrepreneurs, community spirit, artists, musicians and cultural traditions of the neighborhood. This unique market is a community gathering space with several restaurants, shops, and nonprofits. Our usual order is the Aguachile de Camaron and Kanpachi & Uni Tostada at Holbox with a couple Chicharron tacos at Chichen Itza.
The Park's Finest
Located in Historic Filipinotown (HiFi), Park's Finest is the ultimate backyard BBQ. They offer smoked meats with their own unique Filipino flavors. The cornbread bibingka is a must!
Dollar Hits
Filipino street-food providing a unique dining experience. Go inside, pick your skewers, take them outside and grill them yourself! Delicious, homey, friendly and gives off backyard boogie vibes. Make sure to get extra vinegar.
Lasita
Located in Chinatown, Lasita features Filipino rotisserie, elevated dishes and natural wine. We’ve celebrated birthdays, family meals and get togethers over the years. Julius even helped paint the walls (ask for a tour). Their Chicken Inasal was awarded 3 Michelin stars by the sharp food critic, Jose Pahati. Lasita holds a special place in our heart and we think you’ll love it too! Also, the owners aren’t too shabby themselves 😉.
Kuya Lord
A taste of Southern Tagalog! Chef Maynard guides us through his childhood food memories in this elevated, fast casual establishment. Incorporating Filipino flavors from back home in Lucena City, executed with classic techniques he learned in the states. These are not traditional recipes (sorry Lola), but, as Chef Maynard likes to emphasize, “Filipino food done my way.” Can't go wrong with the slow braised, then deep fried Lechon Kawali or the Pancit Chami topped with blue prawns.
Avenue 26 Tacos
Our favorite taco stand in LA. We recommend the suadero and al pastor. Don't forget to ask for a potato (or two) and grilled onions. They're essential!
Sonoratown
The only time a flour tortilla reigns supreme over a corn tortilla. This LA taqueria serves tacos in the style of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora—a part of Northern Mexico known for carne asada—cooked over mesquite wood fire—with exceptional handmade flour tortillas. Ashley's go-to is the shredded chicken chivichanga with extra grilled scallions.
Melody Lounge
One of our frequented date night spots. Great place for drinks, rotating DJ’s, live music and good energy.
Homage Brewing
Microbrewery featuring a variety of beers, wine and snacks. We enjoy their saisons, hi-fi speaker system, disco ball and dancefloor!
Brewyard Beer Company
Microbrewery located in Glendale, CA that pays homage to both the 19th century California lager and the owners' respective Filipino and Japanese roots. Their beers are light and crisp which is the perfect compliment for the Los Angeles weather. They were kind enough to open their doors to us and our kababayans to get together and watch our Pilipinas WNT make history at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Laban Pilipinas! Highlight pours include Kalinga (Unfiltered Pilsner w/ Calamansi), Jewel City (California Common), Calamansi Hard Seltzer, Ube Wan (Ube India Pale Ale), and Jeepney 3000 (West Coast Double IPA).
The Bradbury Building
The Bradbury Building is an arcitectural landmark located in DTLA. Built in 1893, the five story office building is best known for it’s extraordinary skylit atrium of access walkways, stairs and elevators, and their ornate iron work. Featured in films such as Blade Runner and 500 Days of Summer.
The Last Bookstore
Beloved destination for new and used book lovers, artists and anyone seeking a mini maze made out of books.
Griffith Observatory
One of the most visited observatories in the world and Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos! Visitors may look through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Located in Pasadena, lovely place to spend the day exploring the library, art galleries and botantical gardens. Be sure to check out the recently restored home and agricultural compound, the Japanese Heritage Shoya House.
The Getty
The Getty is well known for showcasing artchitecure, art exhibits and gardens. Stunning views of West Los Angeles. We went here for Julius’s birthday and enjoyed the amazing scenery.
Ferris Bueller House
Fun Fact: Did you know Ferris Bueller's house is not actually located in Chicago, IL? It's a short walk from Ashley and Julius' home in Long Beach, CA. Feel free to swing by and take photos of this house from the classic movie (Julius' favorite). We ask that you please be respectful of the owners. PS - a block away is the filming location of Principal Rooney's "walk of shame."
Aquarium of the Pacific
Visit Long Beach’s very own Aquarium of the Pacific! Highlights include the sea otter habitat, shark lagoon and floating sea jellies. Great place for interactive exhibits while enjoying a day in Long Beach.