The masterminds behind TryOurLA are Lana and Peter Kimmich, a young couple living in the thick of Hollywood, CA. They make a point of exploring new places to go, play and eat, and they write down what they think of those places here. You should definitely listen to their advice. (George Clooney does.)

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This section is where you will find the best areas to visit in Los Angeles and Hollywood. These are the places to go for good shopping, fun restaurants and eateries, interesting people-watching, and great outdoor and indoor distraction. You’ll even see some of these attractions if you take one of the many sightseeing tours of Los Angeles. For others you’ll need to go further away from the main tourist areas.

We pointed out some of our favorite shops and businesses in each place, and included any key parking or travel information you might need to get around. So pick your destination and get going. (Note: this section is still growing, more attractions to be added soon!)

The Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr (map) Los Angeles, California 90049 (310) 440-7330 www.getty.edu
A modern palace Designed by visionaries With a lot of cash Read full review >

Hollywood & Highland Center 6801 Hollywood Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 817-0220 www.hollywoodandhighland.com
Observe Spider-Man Crouching on a garbage can Welcome to L.A. Read full review >

The Melrose District Melrose Ave. Between La Brea and Fairfax (map) West Hollywood, CA
‘80s glam hipsters Rub elbows with club scene bros. Both are hungover Read full review >

Third Street Promenade 3rd St. and Broadway (map) Downtown Santa Monica (310) 393-8355 www.thirdstreetpromenade.com
Beachside shopping zone With a host of street talent And lots of small dogs Read full review >

Universal CityWalk Universal Center Dr (map) Universal City, CA 91608 (818) 622-9841 www.citywalkhollywood.com
Within you will find A barrage of light and sound Try not to go deaf Read full review >

Los Angeles is a material city, and the shopping areas, malls, shops and boutiques in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and other areas do their part to uphold the image. Clothing and women’s shoes are by far the most common items Los Angelenos shop for, though accessories and jewelry aren’t far behind. Of course, there will always be a thriving market for books, music, interesting knick knacks and tourist souvenirs.

Here is a small selection of shops and stores you might find to your liking. Happy spending.

Buffalo Exchange 131 N La Brea Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90036 (323) 938-8604 Westwood: (310) 208-7403 Sherman Oaks: (818) 783-3420‎ www.buffaloexchange.com
You can find a dress Or maybe a pair of shoes And not lose your shirt Read full review >

Crossroads Trading Co. 7409 Melrose Avenue (map) Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 782-8100 Santa Monica (310) 255-0500 Silverlake (323) 644-0060 Studio City (818) 761-6200 West Hollywood (323) 654-0505 www.crossroadstrading.com
See what you can find After Will Smith from Fresh Prince Drops off all his clothes Read full review >

H&M 8500 Beverly Boulevard (map) Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 855-9683 Hollywood (323) 466-7633 Pasadena (626) 793-8974 Santa Monica (310) 451-1371 West Hollywood (310) 855-9683 West LA (310) 446-6158 www.hm.com
Fashions from Paris New York, London and Europe Chillin’ in the Mall

Wasteland 7428 Melrose Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90046 (323) 653-3028 Santa Monica: (310) 395-2620 Studio City: (818) 980-8800 www.shopwasteland.com
A typhoon of style Blew in from the seventies And brought lots of jeans Read full review >

Zara 10250 Santa Monica Blvd # 152 (map) Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 201-9700 Farmers Market (323) 935-5041 Hollywood (323) 469-1002 Santa Monica (310) 458-0892 Pasadena (626) 535-0905 www.zara.com
Zpanish ztyle with Zing, zap, and a zesty zide. Wait ’til they’re on Zale… Read full review >

The Los Angeles music scene is home to some of the best bands in the nation, and the city is a virtual hive of live comedy and theatre. You can catch a local or touring band, a standup or improv comedy show, or a play or musical any night of the week. Watch the big-name venues for major acts, and keep an eye on the smaller establishments to catch the local talent. Be sure to check out our Los Angeles Entertainment Deals page for some sweet discounts on entertainment in the LA area.

The Echo 1822 W Sunset Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 413-8200 www.attheecho.com
The third tower of Echo Park and Silverlake’s Classic retro scene Read full review >

Fais Do-Do 5257 West Adams Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 931-4636 www.faisdodo.com
Prohibition can’t Kill the party in this or Any century Read full review >

iO West (Formerly Improv Olympic West) 6366 Hollywood Blvd. (map) Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 962-7560 www.west.ioimprov.com
The place to go if You want to get a drink and Squirt it out your nose Read full review >

The Roxy Theatre 9009 Sunset Blvd (map) West Hollywood, CA 90069 (310) 278-9457 www.theroxyonsunset.com
Classic Sunset Strip Keeping rock and roll alive After 30 years Read full review >

The Satellite 1717 Silver Lake Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 661-4380 www.thesatellitela.com
‘80s cult scene Provides the city with new ‘80s cult bands Read full review >

Silverlake Lounge 2906 W Sunset Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 663-9636
Darkened dive lounge where Scenesters skulk against the walls Bobbing to the band Read full review >

Viper Room 8852 W Sunset Blvd (map) West Hollywood, CA 90069 (310) 652-7869 www.viperroom.com
Hollywood rockers, Boots, leather jackets and sneers Drinking Jack Daniel’s Read full review >

The bars and nightlife in Los Angeles range from the exquisite West Hollywood clubs where the glam crowd drops Benjamins, to the dive bars where around-the-clock patrons keep the seventies blaring through the jukebox, and everywhere in between. Find a fun place to take someone on a date, or just someplace for your buddies to blow off steam.

Whether you’ll be going bar hopping on foot, cabbing it, taking the metro or looking for the valet, you’ll find something your style if you take the time to look around. We’ve reviewed some of our favorite bars here, with more coming as we add them. Make sure you carry some extra cash for late-night food.

4100 Bar 1087 Manzanita St (map) Los Angeles, CA 90029 (323) 666-4460
Dark, Eastern Motif And pretty good jukebox, but Try to find a seat Read full review >

The Bar 5851 Sunset Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90028 (323) 468-9154 www.thebarhollywood.com
Packed with punk rock buzz You’d think you were in New York Population-wise Read full review >

Bar Lubitsch 7702 Santa Monica Blvd (map) West Hollywood, CA 90046 (323) 654-1234
If you start to feel Historically out of place It’s the Lubitsch Touch Read full review >

Barney’s Beanery 8447 Santa Monica Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90069 (323) 654-2287 www.barneysbeanery.com
Artists and legends Occupy every surface Drink with Joplin’s ghost Read full review >

Beauty Bar 1638 N Cahuenga Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA (323) 464-7676 www.thebeautybar.com
Hipster party spot Doubles as a chic salon If you’ve got the shoes Read full review >

Birds 5925 Franklin Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA‎ (323) 465-0175‎ www.birdshollywood.com
Here’s a little tip: Half-off drinks two nights a week Food during the day Read full review >

Cha Cha Lounge 2375 Glendale Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 660-7595 www.chachalounge.com
Dark red atmosphere And Mexican relics, yet Somehow rock and roll Read full review >

The Drawing Room 1800 Hillhurst Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 665-0135
It’s the only place Outside a bowling alley Where the shoes fit in Read full review >

The Dresden Room 1760 North Vermont Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 665-4294 www.thedresden.com
With a smoky scotch And a tapping foot, you’re gold Here’s lookin’ at you Read full review >

Good Luck Bar 1514 Hillhurst Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 666-3524
Wine-red velvet walls Dark, lavish Asian decor An emperor’s bar Read full review >

Jones 7205 Santa Monica Blvd (map) West Hollywood, CA 90046 (323) 850-1726
Mellow urban bar And classy Italian place With a bomb jukebox Read full review >

Libertine on Sunset 8210 West Sunset Blvd (map) West Hollywood, CA 90046 (323) 656-3005 www.libertineonsunset.com
Kind of like a house Owned by a really rich guy With lots of TVs Read full review >

Spaceland 1717 Silver Lake Blvd (map) Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 661-4380 www.clubspaceland.com
‘70s cult scene Provides the city with new ‘70s cult bands Read full review >

Ye Rustic Inn 1831 Hillhurst Ave (map) Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 662-5757
“Haba naba wa Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha” Is the native speak Read full review >

What to do in Los Angeles…

The city of Los Angeles has a lot to offer, whether it be to locals, city-hopping tourists, passers-by, or new arrivals.

As you look for new and fun things to do in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica and the surrounding areas, we’ll try to point you in the right direction. Our masterfully crafted reviews, recommendations and advice will help you decide which Los Angeles restaurants to hit up first, which Hollywood bars and entertainment venues have your kind of vibe, what stores and shops to spend your allowance in, and where to catch a good band or comedy show.

Explore the categories above to see what Los Angeles has to offer you.