One of the founding principals at OMFGstyle.com is that all the cool people we know have great things to share. And we know cool people all over the place. So we got to thinking, and put out a call to all the cool kids we know all over the world asking them to tell us about their city, as if we were coming for a visit (i.e. “give us the real scoop, not the Fodor’s Guide version”). We’re collecting all the tips and recommendations and sharing them with you, one city at a time…
City: Los Angeles, CA
Why it rocks: Easy access to great food, museums, beaches, and mountains
Interesting factoid: Locals love to brag about the fact that you can surf and ski in the same day, although few actually do.
Best time to visit: July – November
Why: the beaches have a high chance of fog in may and june and the rains start in winter. DineLA does restaurant week twice a year – check their website if you plan to eat your way across town.
Insider: Tara DeMarco
Profession: visual effects artist
Age: 32
Hometown: Andover, MA
Tell us a bit more about yourself: I am both an urban and outdoor girl. I love dive bars, rock shows, and great shopping. I also love snowboarding, cycling, and beach days.
How long have you been living in LA?: 3.5 years
Best beach: Zuma, Malibu
Why: avoid the crowds of Venice and go bodysurfing at the cleanest beach in the area. Stop off for some seafood at one of the roadside shacks on your way back down the coast, or stop at Duke’s barefoot bar for fish tacos and a hinano beer.
Where to stay, cheap: Downtown – Millennium Biltmore, Hotel Figureoa, The Standard, Westin Bonaventure, do a search on Travelocity or Kayak and find a downtown hotel with a good rate.
Why they rock: You’ll be close to several cool neighborhoods without paying for Hollywood or the Beach
Where to stay, bigger budget: Huntley, Santa Monica
Why it rocks: Gorgeous, comfortable and modern. There is a lovely bar/restaurant on the top floor with views up and down the coast. Walking distance to the promenade and Santa Monica pier.
Where to eat, breakfast: Huckleberry, Santa Monica
Why it rocks: Amazing fresh ingredients in a mouth-watering bakery. Get there early and beat the crowd.
Where to eat, brunch: Dusty’s, Silver Lake
Why it rocks: Great French breakfast with good coffee. Good place for a low-key star spotting.
Where to eat, lunch: Bay Cities Italian Deli, Santa Monica
Why it rocks: fresh bread and authentic sandwich ingredients. Go for the godmother if you love Italian deli meats.
Where to eat, dinner: Yamashiro (splurge)
Why it rocks: Located on a Hollywood hilltop in an ornate former embassy building, this location provides an amazing view of the city as well as delicious Japanese food.
Favorite bar, cheap: Cha Cha Lounge
Why it rocks: eclectic décor, cheap drinks, and decent music. Get there early-ish to secure a booth for your group and enjoy the people watching.
Favorite bar, splurge: Edison, downtown
Why it rocks: The Edison is one of the only LA bars with a serious dress code, but it’s totally work trading your chucks for heels. Located in a former power building, sip original cocktails in a posh-meets-industrial-antique setting.
Shopping, clothing and jewelry: American Rag Cie
Why it rocks: One whole room devoted to denim. Need I say more?
Shopping, music: Amoeba
Why it rocks: massive collection of vinyl, new and used CDs. Also check out vacation vinyl on sunset for a great selection of metal records.
Shopping, other: Fred Segal
Why it rocks: Classic LA shopping. Even if you can’t afford the boutique clothes, you can always afford kicks at their conveyor mini-store.
Music venue: Troubadour, West Hollywood
Why it rocks: small enough to see your favorite band before they’re huge. Also check out Spaceland and the Echo.
Museum/Cultural Institution: Getty/Getty Villa
Why it rocks: both are free to the public with amazing exhibitions and gardens. The only cost is $8 for parking at either museum.
Sights/Walks/Neighborhoods not to be missed (and why):
- Vermont north of Sunset in Los Feliz is a great strip for vintage shopping
- Culver City has tons of great galleries and an annual art walk
- Venice Beach boardwalk on the weekend is the place to see the original LA freakshow.
- Main St. Santa Monica on a Sunday has a very popular farmer’s market and good people watching
California dreamin’? Don’t forget to check out the OMFGstyle.com Bicoastal: LA playlist and our guide to San Francisco.
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