CityPass ticket booklets now come with four bonus pages of expert tips from
National Geographic Traveler,
the world's most widely read travel magazine.
No need to print pages or carry a guidebook.
Scroll down now to see Traveler's fast, focused suggestions for
Hollywood city life between CityPass attractions.
Tastes of Los Angeles The dining scene in theCity of Angels often comes with a side of star-spotting.
Spago
In Beverly Hills,
Chef Lee Hefter dreams
up tasty dishes such as
blinis in lemon herb sauce.
Go for Friday lunch to see
tons of stars. 176 N. Canon
Dr.; 310-385-0880.
Nyala
In vest-pocket Little
Ethiopia, the buffet is
excellent. Soak up a choice
of stews with spongy
injera bread. 1076 S. Fairfax
Ave.; 323-936-5918.
Caffe Brass Monkey
This
Koreatown club looks like
a pub, with a state-of-the-art
karaoke machine that
attracts a mix of Koreans,
Anglos, and other ethnicities.
3440 Wilshire Blvd.;
213-381-7047.
Philippe’s
This downtown
dining spot evokes
an aura of L.A.’s golden
years with signature items
like their French Dip sandwich.
1001 N. Alameda St.;
213-628-3781.
Abbot’s Pizza Co.
This
Venice, CA, spot bakes up
some of the very best pies
west of Naples, Italy. 1407
Abbot Kinney Blvd.; 310-396-7334.
The Ivy
The restaurant
to see and be seen; get a
table during the week at
lunch and you’re almost
guaranteed to spot someone
famous. 113 N. Robertson;
310-274-8303.
Ciudad
Have a drink and
Cuban snacks here pre-show
at the Disney Concert
Hall. 445 S. Figueroa
St.; 213-486-5171.
Shopping
What’s in the Bag? Sample West Coast funkiness and style at these six inside- favorite shops.
Dean
Fusing top-grain
Argentine and Italian
leather with modern
shapes, designer Danny
Dean Davis makes purses, belts, and watches onsite.
3918 W. Sunset Blvd.; 323-665-2766.
Fred Segal
In West
Hollywood, this slice of
retail heaven boasts
celebrity sightings, up-to-
the-minute style, free
parking—and good food at
Mauro’s Café to boot.
8100 Melrose Ave.; 323-655-3734.
Ten Women
Check out
this quirky women artists’
co-op in Santa Monica,
displaying glass art, photography,
jewelry, ceramics,
and more. 2651 Main
St.; 310-314-9152.
Uncle Jer’s
While driving
scenic Sunset Boulevard
around Silver Lake
Reservoir, pit stop here for
funky gifts and clothes.
4459 W. Sunset Blvd.;
323-662-6710.
Distant Lands
One of
the country’s best travel
bookstores. Located in
Old Pasadena’s retail and restaurant zone. 56
S. Raymond Ave.; 800-310-3220.
Secret Headquarters
This sophisticated comic
book store displays graphic
novels like works of art
on custom-made wooden
bookshelves. 3817 W. Sunset
Blvd.; 323-666-2228.
20-Minute Traveler
Hollywood On Foot You can go walking in L.A. Just follow this itinerary of less known highlights.
Like a wayward star
back from the Betty
Ford clinic, Hollywood
is more sober than
it’s been in years. Before
embarking on the “walk of
fame” on Hollywood
Boulevard, grab a latte at
the Coffee Bean & Tea
Leaf (6922 Hollywood
Blvd.; 323-467-7785),
across the street from
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
Stop by the Hollywood
Museum (1660 N.
Highland Dr.; 323-464-7776), a trove of cinema
memorabilia, including
Hannibal Lecter’s cell. Go
to Musso and Frank’s Grill
(6667 Hollywood Blvd.;
323-467-7788) for a classic
taste of Hollywood.
Sip
a beer beneath the carved
eaves of the Pig‘n Whistle
(6714 Hollywood Blvd.;
323-463-0000) before
ending up at one of the
strip’s great old theaters:
Pantages (6233 Hollywood
Blvd.; 323-468-1700), Grauman’s (6925
Hollywood Blvd.; 323-464-8111), Disney’s El Capitan
(6838 Hollywood Blvd.;
323-467-7674), or the
Egyptian (6712 Hollywood
Blvd.; 323-461-2020), the
first movie palace on the
Boulevard, now owned by
American Cinematheque,
a film appreciation foundation.
It screens the classics
and occasionally
hosts guest speakers like
Ron Howard.
Cafés
Cool City, Hot Coffee Survey L.A.’s glittery scene from your perch at these five insider hangouts.
Casbah Café
Watch the
Silver Lake neighborhood
action from a sidewalk
table while sipping a
Moroccan mint tea and savoring a homemade
empanada. A tiny boutique
in the back sells delicate
North African
slippers, linens, and shirts.
3900 W. Sunset Blvd.;
323-664-7000.
Fountain Coffee Room
Located on the promenade
level of the famed
Beverly Hills Hotel, this
coffee shop oozes a retro
vibe and serves hearty
breakfasts. Its uniquely
curved counter allows you
to actually look your
dining partner in the eye.
9641 Sunset Blvd.; 310-276-2251.
Urth Caffe
Come for
organic lattes and creamy
espresso; stay for some of
the area’s best peoplewatching.
Indulge in their
airy berries-and-cream
cake. 8565 Melrose Ave.;
310-659-0628.
Café Chapeau
With big,
fluffy pancakes, this is the
perfect fueling station for
exploring Larchmont
Boulevard, the main street
of historic Hancock Park.
236 N. Larchmont Blvd.;
323-462-4985.
Abbot’s Habit
Venice’s
most popular stop for
coffee or chai also hosts
weekly Friday night jams.
1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd.;
310-399-1171.
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