Now that I’ve gotten some political venting out of the way/my blood pressure has settled, let’s kick things off in Buzzfeed fashion with a list. If there’s one trait I pride myself in, besides single-handedly ordering so much Pad Thai that GrubHub equips me with four sets of utensils, it’s acclimating to a new zip code. You saw it with London (kind of…), and as I officially eclipse 1.5 years in Los Angeles, I’d like to think I’ve pocketed an, um, eclectic range of experiences. Many burritos have been devoured, many bar tables have been danced on (before promptly being escorted out by security), and, against my better judgment, a few actors have been dated.
So here’s a compilation of all my adventures I consider bucket list-worthy, along with suggestions I’ve received from friends and miscellaneous Lyft drivers. Now, next time someone in the squad whines that there’s “nothing to do in LA,” you’ll be ready with evidence to prove they’re full of shit!
The Ultimate LA Bucket List – Part 1
Bolded = still to do
Marina Del Rey & Venice
1. Clear your troubled mind at Float Lab – Still not exactly sure what this is but it sounds legit
2. Successfully score a reservation at Old Lightning, the speakeasy hidden behind an unmarked door in Scopa restaurant – Fun fact: cell phones are collected at the door, so you won’t stumble across any pictures on Yelp. In other words, this place takes ‘secret bar’ to a whole new level.
3. Wander through the Mosaic Tile House, where every square inch is coated with vibrant shards of glass and tile
4. Chow down on fish tacos at James Beach, purely for the scene in “I Love You, Man”
5. Watch the sunset at Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge, bougie cocktail in hand
6. Enjoy a vegan meal (complete with juice shot, obviously) from Cafe Gratitude
7. Appreciate the cute latte art at Intelligentsia Coffee
8. Sip an Old Fashioned at Venice’s oldest watering hole, Townhouse speakeasy, which has been around since the Prohibition
9. Explore the Venice Canal Historic District, featuring man-made canals developed by Abbot Kinney in 1905 – And here you thought this blog wasn’t educational!
10. Nurse your hangover with an unlimited mimosa brunch at Sunny Spot
11. Have someone try to sell you weed on the Venice boardwalk
12. Order the specialty at Barrique: homemade red beet tagliolini pasta in a marsala quail ragù served on a bed of taleggio cheese fondue – Your taste buds are whack if this isn’t your new favorite Italian dish
13. Sail around the cerulean blue waters of Marina Del Rey
14. Watch weight lifters in all their steroid glory at Muscle Beach
15. Chug your beer by the Jim Morrison portrait on the rooftop of The Whaler
16. Window shop on Venice’s famous street, the appropriately named ‘Abbot Kinney’ (and buy something if you feel like spending your entire paycheck!)
17. When you’re feeling adventurous, go for an exotic sausage at Wurstküche
18. Buy some fresh produce from the Marina Del Rey farmer’s market
19. Sing along to “That’s Amore” with the staff at C&O Trattoria
20. Race turtles at Brennan’s Pub – Thursday nights only
21. Eat the signature short rib tacos from Kogi BBQ Truck
22. Eat literally anything at Gjelina
23. Pose by the gigantic ‘Touch of Venice’ mural
24. Consume a minimum of 5,000 calories at First Friday’s, also on Abbot Kinney
25. Sample one of the endless French toast options at 26 Beach – I recommend all of them
Santa Monica
1. Get a sweet view of the city through the Camera Obscura
2. Hike up the ‘hidden’ Santa Monica Stairs
3. Treat yourself to a fancy meal (or preferably, have someone treat you) at the Pacific Dining Car
4. Dine in the dark at Opaque restaurant – Pro tip: useful when your date isn’t very attractive
5. Try ice cream from the kosher-friendly Sweet Rose Creamery
6. Compare it to the unique ice cream flavors from Salt & Straw – Some classics include Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese, Honey Lavender, and Avocado & Strawberry Sorbet
7. Stuff your face with waffles from Bru’s Wiffle
8. Kick back at Front Porch Cinema, where free movies are played on the pier every October
9. Confirm whether the Godmother sandwich at Bay Cities lives up to the hype – It doesn’t
10. Spend way too much money on 3rd street Promenade (damn you, Zara)
11. Ride the Pacific Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier
12. Browse the art galleries of Bergamont Station, because you’re super cultured like that
13. Put on some headphones and boogie along to the Silent Frisco on the pier – Special event only hosted a few times a year, info can be found here
14. Have a picnic on the beach for the Thursday night summer concert series – And if you don’t bring wine and cheese, you’re doing it wrong
15. Contemplate suicide at the Bungalow
Culver City & Westchester
1. Play every arcade game known to man at Dave & Busters
2. Hike the ‘hidden’ Culver City Stairs
3. Partake in a brewing class at Culver City Home Brewing Supply – First Wednesday of every month
4. Eat Tito’s Tacos sober – This feels unlikely for me
5. Learn a thing or two about art and natural history at the Museum of Jurassic Technology
6. Travel through time at the Time Travel Market
7. Bypass the barbershop and wander downstairs to the Blind Barber speakeasy – It saddens me to report that, no, they won’t give you a trim when you’re wasted at 1 in the morning
8. Bless yourself with some chicken and waffles at Roscoe’s
9. Pose in front of the giant donut at Randy’s Donuts; it’s an Instagram rite of passage
9. See a concert, any concert, at The Forum – Sam Smith and Foo Fighters were both religious experiences
10. Kick back and relax for a movie at ArcLight Cinemas – Any location works
11. Attend Tuesday night ‘Sip and Sketch’ at Grand View Market, where alcoholics and artists come together
12. Order the famed Office Burger – no substitutions – from Father’s Office
13. Compete in trivia night at Bigfoot Lodge West – Hosted every Tuesday
Mid City
1. Eat milk and cookies at Milk Jar Cookies, naturally
2. Listen to the jazz show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, or as us hip locals refer to it, LACMA – Events running April through November
3. Sample the signature kimchi fried rice from Republique
4. Admire the fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits
5. Witness some Greek belly dancing on Thursday ‘Family Night’ at Papa Cristo’s
6. Check out Light My Fire, the fully stocked hot sauce shop at The Grove
7. See a show at one of LA’s more cozy concert venues, El Rey Theatre
8. Watch a local rock band play The Mint
9. Grab a drink at Mandrake, only because it’s supposedly Mindy Kaling’s favorite bar and that has to count for something, right?
10. Pose with the Urban Light Installation at LACMA #ILoveLamp
Read part 2 here.
The Art of Being Basic 