By Hetvi Doshi
I went to UCLA for my undergraduate, and it was one of the best time periods of my life. My best friends and I explored every nook and corner of the city and while they devoured meats and fishes, I hunted for hidden vegetarian gems.
Below are my recommendations for bars, foods, and places to see with reference to its location, since LA is spread out and has shitty public transportation. Plan accordingly!
P.S. There are bound to be things missing from this list, but these are the ones I vouch for :)
Things to do (by area)
Venice (close to Santa Monica)
1. Venice Canals - go in evening for one hour (it's a replica of Venice)
First Friday of every month, there is a food truck festival on Abbott Kinney Blvd (one of my fav things to do)
Santa Monica
Pier
Beach (too crowded and touristy though)
Third street promenade - amazing for shopping!
Santa Monica is great for biking around too
Melrose
Famous Los Angeles Grafitti
One of the most picturesque areas
Also has great brunch spots - just walk around on a weekend
Museums
1. LACMA (known for La La Land and the pretty lamp posts outside)
2. The Broad
3. The Getty villa
I recommend The Broad the most - get tickets in advance
Downtown
Smorgasburg food festival (usually on the weekends)
The Last Bookstore (iconic store if you are a book nerd like me)
Elysian Park - Secret Swing (overlooks the entire city, is a walk to get to)
Little Japan (great food, vibes, and old Nintendo cartridges)
Hollywood
Hollywood walk of fame
Ripley’s believe it or not
Get the triple pass if you also wanna do Madame Tussaud’s
Other things to do
Griffith Observatory/Hike
The Hollywood Sign Hike
Brunch Drag Show at Rocco's WeHo
Mullholland Drive - "city of lights, are you shining just for me"
Universal Studios
Six flags - if you love roller coasters
Best Beaches
Malibu - beautiful beach and the drive to get here through the pacific coast highway is straight outta GTA
Dockweiler beach - for a bonfire by the beach
Restaurants
All my recommendations are based on the vegetarian/vegan foods I've had there
Sawtelle area - amazing Asian food including:
Killer noodle
Millet crepe - amazing crepe
Somi somi - ice cream in fish waffle
Volcano boba tea house
Tatsu Ramen (fire veg ramen)
Venice (close to Santa monica)
Salt and Straw - amazing ice cream
Guisados - spiciest tacos in the world
Gracias madre - vegan/veg Mexican foo
Santa monica
Find a bottomless brunch place - 1212 is a good staple one
Other amazing vegan food
Crossroads
Shojin - expensive out-of-this-world sushi
Monty’s burger
The last two in this list are must-haves
Westwood area
Bella pita - best falafel I’ve had outside of the Middle East
Fat sal’s - juicy, filling sandwiches with a great veggie patty (get the Fat Buffalo or Nashville)
Markets and Festivals
Grand Central Market, Downtown: the place to be for all kinds of foods
Night + Market - LA Thai Street Food
Smorgasburg food festival (mentioned above)
First Fridays (mentioned above)
Fancy Restaurants
Perch (Downtown) - French Rooftop Restaurant
Catch LA - Seafood lover's
Other amazing vegan food
Crossroads
Shojin - expensive out-of-this-world sushi
Monty’s burger
The last two in this list are must-haves
Chains with great veg food
Veggie grill
Native foods
Cava (Mediterranean food in a bowl)
Blaze Pizza
Nightlife
These have been divided by the type of bar they have and the crowds that frequent them
Bars with great dancing
Mom’s
The Victorian in Santa Monica - always massive line so go early
Busby's (has an arcade)
Shorebar
Clubs
If you are women, it's easier to get in here (sorry boys). Try to find a promoter so you can get free drinks
One Oak
Argyle
Hide
Rooftop bars
Mama’s shelter
EP and LP
Perch - great rooftop restaurant downtown
The West Hollywood area (has awesome LGBTQ+ clubs):
Flaming cowboys
Rocco’s Hollywood
The abbey
If you go to RAGE, check your belongings at all times. My passport and so many other people's belongings have been pickpocketed there.
Westwood
Rocco’s Westwood (I spent half my life there)
I hope you enjoy this list! Welcome to LA