Jesse & Steven
Things To Do
Griffith Park and Trails Cafe
Did y'all know the biggest urban park in the US in in LA? It is! Get an avocado sandwich and then hike up to the Observatory. You'll recognize it from, like, everything.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Don't skip Metropolis 2!
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
There are literally pools of bubbling tar on Wilshire Blvd in the middle of LA. The museum is fun if you want to know the science and history behind the area, but the grounds are free and you can see some of the excavations up close.
The Broad
Contemporary art museum in the middle of downtown. The Visitors is a video piece that haunts my dreams. Pairs well with Grand Central Market, Angels Flight, and the Disney Concert Hall. Admission is free but you should make reservations in advance.
The Getty
The collection is meh, but the architecture, manicured grounds, and view of the ocean make this space a must-see. Free!
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
Resplendent Chinese and Japanese gardens that transport you to another time and place. A great space for sitting and afternoon tea.
Los Angeles County Arboretum
Take an easy walk (or shuttle ride) around the grounds and behold the many friendly peacocks.
Zuma Beach
A bit of a drive from LA but this is the classic So Cal coast, and a good place to spot dolphins, sea lions, and--if you’re lucky--gray or humpback whales. Take the canyon roads there (Kanan or Las Virgenes) from the 101 for rolling mountain views, and meander back along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Santa Monica Beach
A more accessible urban beach with good landscapes and a pier with rides, restaurants, and bars.
The Prince
Korean bar food with moody Mad Men-era ambience (fun fact: it’s actually a filming location from Mad Men). Get the fried chicken.
Bud Namu
Our standby Korean Barbecue restaurant ‘cause it’s cheap and all you can eat!
Quarters Korean BBQ
For a festive get together with friends. Dip your barbecue in cheese sauce.
Neptune's Net
Always busy seafood and beer place on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Lots of bikers and families. Order the shrimp and scallops, skip the crab cakes.
Mercado La Paloma
Food hall near USC with a couple legit Yucatecan spots--Holbox and Chichen Itza.
Carney's Restaurant
One of our favorite places for casual chili burgers and hot dogs. The restaurant is inside a train car! Fun and perfect for kids.
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
Get the spicy Godmother with the works. One of our favorite sandwiches in LA. Order take-out from this place for a picnic on the beach.
Langer's
The best pastrami sandwich isn’t in NY. It’s at Langer’s! Get the #19 - pastrami, swiss cheese, and cole slaw with Russian dressing.
Little Ethiopia
Merkato restaurant for a casual and easy feast. https://www.yelp.com/biz/merkato-ethiopian-restaurant-and-market-los-angeles Meals by Genet for your romantic side. http://mealsbygenetla.com/ Rahel for vegan cuisine where you don’t miss the meat at all. http://rahelvegancuisine.com/
Huge Tree Pastry
Our favorite spot for a Taiwanese breakfast of salty soy milk, daikon cake with egg, and crullers. Note: They have a killer sweet garlic sauce. Tell the hostess Lillian, you’re with us!
MIAN
Sichuan noodle shop. Everything here is mouth-numbingly spicy and delicious. We always order the cold noodles and the pork dumplings.
Kang Kang Food Court
The best Shanghainese sheng jian bao dumplings in town!
Beijing Pie House
Bejing-style meat pies (Xian bing). Order the fennel and pork pie and the shrimp and pumpkin dumplings.
In-N-Out Burger
LA’s hometown fast food burger. Order a double double animal-style (with grilled onions and secret sauce).
Cactus Taquerias #1
Our go-to taco and burrito stand for a quick meal. Carnitas, chicharron, and cabeza are all 100.
Luv2eat Thai Bistro
Strip mall Thai spot near Jesse’s first apartment with incendiary Southern Thai food. Don't let the stupid name dissuade you. Get the papaya salad, crab curry, and fried chicken.
Porto's Bakery and Cafe
This Cuban bakery is always packed in the best way. Famous for their potato balls and guava cheese danishes. Order all the savory pastries for take-out or dine-in. (multiple locations in LA)
Button Mash
Busy barcade with vintage video games and great Vietnamese fusion food. We spent $20 beating Moonwalker one dreamy night.
India Sweets & Spices
Divey Indian grocery store with a lunch counter serving excellent dosas.
Grand Central Market
The OG food hall in LA, with hip new places side-by-side with old school Mexican, Chinese, Thai, and Salvadorean stands. Great for an easy lunch if you’re downtown.
Runyon Canyon Park
Part of why Jesse fell in love with Hollywood was the ability to get out of the gridlock and into the hills. A good spot to develop an appetite or burn off a hangover.