Jeffrey & Chris
Things To Do
Los Angeles International Airport
Depending on traffic, LAX is about 45-60 minutes from West Hollywood.
Hummingbird Nest Ranch
Wedding venue. Depending on traffic, Hummingbird Nest Ranch is about 45-60 minutes from West Hollywood.
Malibu Wine Safaris
Optional group activity on Thursday. Join us as we go wine tasting in the Malibu hills in an open-air safari vehicle. We'll get to taste local wines and get up close and personal with animals from zebras to Stanley the giraffe. Located about 1hr from West Hollywood. $95pp. Guests must be 21+. Limited tickets. Purchase your tickets directly on their website (www.lasafaris.com) before they sell out. Select the Giraffe Tour for 3:30pm on July 4. Let us know directly if you plan to join this optional group activity! jeffchen0@yahoo.com and chrislok@mac.com.
Ultimate Hollywood Tours
Be a tourist and take a celebrity home tour! It's so fun. Now we know where Orlando Bloom lives and visit him all the time, except when his security team asks us to leave.
Dreamscape - Century City Mall
From Steven Spielberg and Hans Zimmer, check out this immersive virtual reality experience. One of the best VR's we've experienced. We recommend the Magic Projector adventure. Reservations suggested. Located in the Westfield Century City Mall.
Fox in a Box Escape Room
We love escape rooms. This is a fun one in our neighborhood. They even have two rooms of the same challenge if two teams want to compete against each other (6 max per room).
Greystone Mansion
Edward Doheny was a successful LA oil tycoon in the late 1800's. In the 1920’s, he built Greystone Mansion as a WEDDING GIFT FOR HIS SON. We hope Mom and Dad see this. Four months after moving in, his son died in a mysterious murder-suicide involving his male secretary (rumors are they were having an affair! Gasp and clutch your pearls!)... but that's besides the point we're trying to make. The point is we will list a house on our wedding registry, so don't be surprised when you see it, MOM AND DAD. Greystone Mansion is now a public park. Where else but in Beverly Hills will a park be a 44,000sf estate? The interiors aren't usually open, but you can walk around the grounds. It's a popular filming location (X-Men, Ghostbusters).
Descanso Gardens
A great place to wander the meandering paths and explore the botanical gardens. This was one of the finalists for our wedding venue.
Lake Hollywood Park and the Hollywood Sign
Checkout the Hollywood sign from Lake Hollywood Park. We love taking Lucy here. There is also the Innsdale Trail behind the park for closer views of the Hollywood sign.
Griffith Observatory
Located in Griffith Park and overlooking LA. They bring out telescopes at night for visitors to see distant planets. If you don't see any celebs on your vist to LA, you will definitely see stars here! haha. Get it?
Horseback Riding through Griffith Park
Take a leisurely ride on one of these gentle giants past the famous Hollywood sign, along some of the best hiking trails LA has to offer.
Los Angeles Zoo
Why wait for the wedding (where you can see Chris dancing around like a wild gorilla) when you can see the real thing up close and personal here. Any animal lover will not be disappointed. This zoo is highly underrated and one of our favorite places!
Frederick R Weisman Art Foundation
This is a really cool way to see art in a different setting. Frederick Weisman was a successful businessman and art collector. He left this beautiful Holmby Hills estate to his foundation for the public to tour his modern and contemporary art collection and to share his experience of living with art in his home instead of seeing it in a gallery or museum. We plan to do the same when we leave this earth and share our vast art collection to the public at our apartment, unless Mom and Dad come through with that wedding gift (see Greystone Mansion). Advance reservations required: tours@weismanartfoundation.org
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
The largest museum in the western US. Checkout their Urban Light installation of 200+ antique street lamps at the entrance, walk under a 340-ton boulder called Levitated Mass and have fun watching 1,100 matchbox toy cars zip around in Metropolis II. LACMA is also right next to the famous La Brea Tar Pits.
The Broad
Free contemporary museum in downtown LA. Reservations might be required through their website.
The Getty
Free museum with a huge collection and panoramic views from downtown LA to the sea.
Petersen Automotive Museum
Cars! Try to visit The Vault, an underground garage with over 250 vehicles.
The Annenberg Space for Photography
Free photo exhibit with shows from world renown photographers. The current show is an exhibition about the history of hip-hop. (Don't be disappointed that DJ Jazzy Jeffrey's photo is not hanging, he didn't submit it in time.)
The Grove
Popular outdoor mall with dancing water fountains and a trolley that travels through its Anytown, USA atmosphere. It's located next to the popular LA Farmers Market, a collection of permanent food stalls and shops.
Hollywood & Highland
Checkout the Walk of Fame, the historic Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars.
Downtown Los Angeles
So many things to see in Downtown LA! Museum of Contemporary Art (aka MOCA; across from The Broad and one of our first dates ), The Walt Disney Concert Hall (find the stairs that leads to the gardens in the back and then from there find the stairs that take you to the rooftop, where you can walk along the perimeter of the hall), Hauser & Wirth Museum, OUE Skyspace (California's tallest observation deck. Try the slide where you slide down 2 floors on the side of the building!) and San Francisco's famous Tartine just opened The Manufactory (their bakery, restaurant, ice cream and marketplace).
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Spend an afternoon in Venice exploring the boutiques and restaurants on Abbot Kinney. A short drive from the beach.
Bike along Venice Beach & see the canals
Venice Beach is amazingly entertaining and great for people watching. Shop along the strip's street vendors, check out the meatheads at Muscle Beach or skaters in the skate park. The canals are definitely a highlight!
Santa Monica Pier
Rent a bike and ride up and down the beaches of Santa Monica or visit the world famous PACIFIC PARK right on the pier, for those of you that are true carnies at heart! (Like Chris!) If you haven't been, this is a must on your checklist!
El Matador State Beach
One of our favorite beaches. It's known for its beach caves. When you're done here, check out Neptune's Net for some fish and chips or dine on the beach at Paradise Cove Beach Cafe.
Lite Flight Helicopter Tours
For all you adrenaline junkies out there. Zip around high above the coastline of Santa Monica, past the Hollywood sign and downtown LA in a helicopter. The best way to avoid street traffic and get your sightseeing done lickety split!
Universal Studios Hollywood
Visit Hogwarts, hang with Minions and run from prehistoric Velociraptors, as the movies you've seen and love come to life before your eyes! Take the backlot tour for some real behind the scenes magic of Hollywood filmmaking. ***Let us know if you're interested in going. Jeff might be able to get discounted tickets through work.
Disneyland Park
Star Wars Land will be (partially) open! Depending on traffic, Disneyland is about 45-60 minutes from West Hollywood. Give Goofy a GIANT HUG from Chris!
Dodger Stadium
Catch a baseball game with the world famous LA Dodgers. (Hey, we were in the World Series 2 years in a row!) They have home games all week long and there are fireworks on the 4th of July after they play the Padres (6:10pm game start). Ok, enough about sports, lets get back to the food options at the stadium!
Eataly L.A. - Century City Mall
Italian food hall and market with everything from a rooftop grill to pasta, pizza, seafood, pastries and gelato. Chris can never leave without bringing something home. In the Westfield Century City Mall.
Din Tai Fung - Century City Mall
Our favorite place for authentic Taiwanese dumplings. Chris can live on dumplings alone for the rest of his life. Located in the Westfield Century City Mall. No reservations, so be prepared for a wait, but it's well worth it!
The Crack Shack - Century City Mall
Fast casual dining from Top Chef Richard Blaise. Specializing in all things chicken, especially their delicious fried chicken. In the Westfield Century City Mall.
Grom Gelateria - Century City Mall
Popular Italian gelato chain. Jeff can’t leave the mall without having one. Doesn’t help with the wedding diet.
The Rooftop by JG
Rooftop dining overlooking Beverly Hills at the new-ish Waldorf Astoria. Great place to grab a bite or drinks.
Gracias Madre
Organic Mexican dining. We love their patio! Great place to grab a bite and everyone loves their drinks. Everything is vegan! (You'd never know otherwise, it's all SO GOOD!)
Cecconi's
Classic Italian dining. Great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. Reservations recommended.
Catch LA
Are you looking for a trendy place to grab a bite? This rooftop is a favorite of celebs. Reservations recommended.
SUR Restaurant & Lounge
If you're a fan of the show Vanderpump Rules (our guilty pleasure... don’t judge!), you might want to drop by SUR, PUMP and TomTom. Lisa, Ken and Jiggy are a common sighting. All within walking distance of each other. Bonus points if you know what S.U.R. stands for...
PUMP Restaurant Lounge
Lisa Vanderpump's second West Hollywood restaurant. Stop by for "Pump-tini", brunch or dinner but remember "It's not about the pasta!!" SUR, PUMP and TomTom are all within walking distance of each other, if you want to do a BRAVO TV crawl. Beautiful patio for outdoor dining is recommended at Pump (where many a castmate have been fired).
TomTom Bar
TomTom is the latest watering hole / luxury dining "experience" from Real Housewife of Beverly Hills star, Lisa Vanderpump. Named after (her 5% 'business partners') Tom Schwartz & Tom Sandoval from Vanderpump Rules. You don't need to be a fan of the show but definitely have a backup plan as this is THE HOT SPOT in Weho right now. Pump & SUR are all within walking distance, as is Cecconi's, The Abbey and the pulse of West Hollywood's nightlife scene all along Santa Monica Boulevard.
The Abbey
Voted best gay bar to bring your straight friends to! Also where Jeff's best man Mike threw him a surprise 30th birthday with his friends and family.
Sunset Plaza
Cute area with shopping and dining. We love grabbing a bite at the fast casual Tocaya (organic Mexican), the 24hr Mel's Diner and The Butcher, The Baker and the Cappuccino Maker Cafe.
Eggslut
Fast casual dining. One of our favorite places for breakfast. Make sure to get the Slut - poached egg on top of a potato puree in a glass jar. Limited quantities and they always sell out! Located street level at the Beverly Center Mall at the corner of 3rd Street and San Vicente Blvd.
Marugame Udon
Fast casual dining. We love going here for their quick udon and fresh tempura. Located street level at the Beverly Center Mall at the corner of 3rd Street and San Vicente Blvd.
Bossa Nova - Brazilian Cuisine
Casual and delicious Brazilian dining directly across from The Abbey. (In other words come to Robertson if you're looking for some meat!)
Salt & Straw
Ice cream! Jeff needs to stop going here and blames Chris for getting him a gift card.
Conservatory
Really cute bar-restaurant. New to the scene and a hot spot for celebs!
Connie and Ted's
Casual New England seafood dining. One of our favorite restaurants. Brunch is amazing (the biscuits and gravy is delicious, the crab and lobster omelette is Jeff's favorite and you have to get their crispy mashed potato cake). Lunch and dinner are amazing as well (have you had Rhode Island chowder? Try it here!).
Shake Shack
It took a while for this New York City gem to makes it's way to the "Best Coast" but Chris (& Chrissy) have no complaints there! (They only wish they had room for seconds!)
In-N-Out Burger
Ah, the age old debate of In-N-Out vs. Shake Shack. Looks like this is where Chrissy & Padma disagree. Try both and decide for yourself!
Jon & Vinny's Fairfax
So good. We love their pizzas and their breakfast! (Chrissy & John are regulars here apparently but we haven't spotted them yet...will you?!)
Pink's Hot Dogs
A Hollywood institution since 1939 known for their delicious hot dogs! Every celebrity you can name has been here (well, except Ellen & Portia, they're vegan). Bring your appetite & make Betty White proud!
Sugarfish Sushi
There are MULTIPLE LOCATIONS for our favorite sushi place! They don't take reservations, so get there early! Chef Nozawa is considered the soup nazi of sushi. My mouth is watering just thinking about it...
Grand Central Market
Popular food hall not too far from The Broad museum.
Bottega Louie
Downtown's most delicious desserts (and real food, if you're into that sort of thing.)
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
We love coming here after spending the afternoon in Malibu. Dine right on the beach with your feet in the sand! It can get busy, but you have the beach as your waiting room.