DTLA, short for downtown Los Angeles. It has so much going on all the time, and it also has a lot of good food! People usually focus a lot more on what's going on in the Hollywood and forget about this part of town, which is equally awesome! These are some of my favorite spots in DTLA, and for those of you who are looking for something to do for a day, this might just be the perfect itinerary for you!
*Tips* Street parking is free on Sundays!
Before you start walking around, you definitely need some food first! First stop! The grand central market!!! It opens daily at 8am. The market has different vendors, including Delis, Thai, coffee, pizza, baked goods, cheeses, tacos, etc. I am sure you will be able to find things you want to try! There are a couple places that I like in particular.
1. Eggslut! Besides all the obviously delicious sandwiches with eggs in them, one thing that is highly recommended! The "slut", which is a coddled egg on top of a smooth potato puree, poached in a glass jar and served with toasted baguette. The taste is simple, but so good!
2. G & B Coffee! I like coffee strong but not bitter, and this place is exactly that. The aroma of the coffee goes right through even before you drink it, and the coffee is so smooth and strong, but not bitter! They have another location in Larchment called go get em tiger, which I have been to, and their coffee is equally good there.
3. Wexler's Deli! Their Lox Bagel with cream cheese is to die for!
4. Sticky Rice! Awesome thai food, better than a lot of the proper Thai restaurants out there! Writing this makes me want to go there for an early dinner tonight......
Besides all those places above, all the other places are just as good! There is really no bad food there! This is really one place that anyone who lives or visits LA should not miss!
After you had a nice full meal, right next to the grand central market, there's the Bradbury building, which is the oldest commercial building remaining in the central city and it is absolutely gorgeous. It has this glass ceiling to let the sunlight come in, also an open cage elevator, marble stairs, iron railings, etc. Definitely worth a visit! It is free to go in and wander around, take pictures.
While you are walking around between places. you can see all the artwork, murals all around DTLA.
Next stop! The last bookstore! With bookstores dying out, this is just the most appropriate name for a bookstore. This is an amazing bookstore with a wide collection of used books, records, and artworks. The decor of the bookstore is already worth the visit, and if you like reading, there might be books that you can find here but nowhere else.
Next stop! The LA central library. This is just one of the many beautiful buildings in DTLA. A lot of people actually have weddings there! Other buildings include the Walt Disney Concert Hall are also a must-go. (I would really love to see a concert there some day!)
*Not a weekend activity* The art walk! It is a nonprofit organization that supports local artists.It happens every 2nd Thursday of each month. For those who happen to go on that Thursday, strong recommended! First, go to the art walk lounge to grab the maps for the art walk, and hours vary by gallery, range from Noon-10pm. It is a fun experience to see different artworks from the local community.
There is one more thing that would be awesome to do, which is the angels light railway, but unfortunately, it is closed now :( They are currently trying to raise money so that they can operate again!
After all these walking, time to find a place to sit and chill! Besides all the amazing coffee shops around, there is one other place that will give you a little bit of a view. Echo Park! It has a beautiful lake, with ducks swimming and lotus blooming, it is just an awesome place to chill on a Sunday afternoon.
Very close by the Echo park, there is Carroll Avenue, a street lined with Victorian homes from the late 19th century. This neighborhood has been featured in a lot of the films and TV shows. The boyfriend remembers watching "Charmed" when he was a kid and really wanted to see that "charmed" house. Anyways, it is a beautiful neighborhood.
PS. For those who likes to go out at night (I am too old for that), DTLA does have a very active vivid awesome night life! I am not too much of a drinking, clubbing person. I have tried, and it is just not my thing, but for those who like it, instead of Hollywood, DTLA has some great places to go too! Here is some information on that http://www.lanightlife.com/