Summer is right around the corner. And do you know what that means?
Well, when you live in Los Angeles it means suddenly you get a lot of out of town friends and family wanting to come to visit you.
And who can blame them? They are probably stuck in some miserable cold city and can’t wait to enjoy all the sunshine and fun activities right here in Los Angeles, the best city in the world!
And as an #LAHacker you don’t mind playing tour guide and taking them around the city you love.
The problem? People from out of town always want to see and do the same things.
Walk on the Santa Monica Pier, see the Hollywood Sign, hike at Runyon Canyon.
And look those things are all great!
Very exciting for tourists but when you live here you know there is so much more and who wants to take visitors to the same places over and over again?
Also C’mon! We are #LAHACKERS(!)
We want to show them things they haven’t seen or maybe even heard of before!
Below is a list of some of our favorite “non” tourists places to take visiting friends.
1 – Picnic at Echo Park Lake
Description:
After its renovation, this huge park has been one of the most popular places for locals to picnic and chill on a sunny LA day.
There is plenty of space, beautiful surroundings, hidden picnic areas, barbecue pits and lots of shade for when it’s extra hot!
But people who do not live in Los Angeles may not have even heard of this amazing park!
The beautiful weather in LA means taking your visiting friends for outdoor activities is a very easy way to make sure they have a good time and soak up the sunshine.
Picnics is one of our favorite outdoor activities because it’s inexpensive, fun and relaxing. And one of our favorite recommendations in LA for a picnic alone or with others is Echo Park Lake.
Location:
751 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Pic Credit:@mz_rebekah
hack:
Echo Park Lake has an awesome cafe right on site. Its called the Beacon and it’s in the same building you can rent a paddle boat from.
Delicious and convenient if you want to picnic and forgot to bring food!
2 – Take A Walk On Redondo Beach Pier
Description:
When it comes to tourists and visiting our popular beach piers most people think of the same ones. Santa Monica, Manhattan, and Hermosa.
And yes those are all awesome choices. But Redondo Beach has a pretty amazing pier as well. Its a little less glamorous than the others but that is a big part of what makes it so charming.
If you want to take your out of town friends to a more unique and down-home experience we highly suggest you grab your favorite sneakers and head to the boardwalk on Redondo Beach Pier.
This Southbay landmark has plenty of space and lots of activities for you and your family.
Walk, bike, take in the views and why not, hit one of the many oceanfront restaurants, lively bars or casual eateries.
Location:
140 International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
PIC Credit: @lifehacksla
hack:
After taking your friends for a walk and letting them soak up those beautiful views treat them for drinks at iconic Tonys on the Pier and grab their signature cocktail the gigantic Fire Chief.
3 – Eat Asian Food In The San Gabriel Valley
Description:
If the typical tourist comes to LA craving Asian food they will likely hit up Chinatown or Little Tokyo. And who can blame them? That seems like the obvious choices, right?
Well, they are awesome choices for good Asian food but not the best.
True #LAHACKERS know that The San Gabriel Valley is actually the place for the best Asian food choices in ALL of Southern California.
If you take your visiting Asian food loving friends to the SGV they will find hundreds of delicious unique Asian food flavors to choose from and will not be disappointed.
Location:
San Gabriel Valley.
PIC Credit:@dinela
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It is almost embarrassing how many incredible Noodle Bowl spots are in the San Gabriel Valley.
If your friends love hot noodles check out this great list of favorites from Eater LA that will help you narrow down which to choose.
4 – Take A Hike On A Bridge To Nowhere
Description:
Do your friends love to hike? Well, most tourists head to Runyon (Runway) Canyon. And it’s a great choice. Gorgeous people and great hikes conveniently located in the heart of Hollywood.
But with an urban hike, you are not truly getting away. Just minutes after finishing your hike, you are right back in the urban chaos.
We suggest heading a little farther out to experience a real nature hike. One amazing choice is the Bridge to Nowhere hike.
The Bridge to Nowhere hike is one of our classic Southern California hikes. You make your way up to a scenic river valley in the mountains that eventually emerges to reveal a beautiful abandoned bridge.
This is about a 10-mile round trip hike that will showcase to your friends that there are more than just beautiful people in LA.
We also have breathtakingly beautiful nature nearby as well!
Location:
Mt Baldy, CA 91759
PIC Credit:@michael_ruiz
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Are your out of town friends the really adventurous type?
Well, there are people who actually bungee jump off the Bridge to Nowhere!
That will really give them a great story to tell about their trip to LA. Here is a link to a company that offers this bungee experience. http://www.bungeeamerica.com/bungee/
5 – Go Bar Hopping in Highland Park
Description:
Want to bring your friends bar hopping in an area most tourists never go to or probably never even heard of?
Highland Park is an up and coming neighborhood that has exploded with new restaurants, bars and entertainment the last couple of years.
The neighborhood is a beautiful clash of cultures old and new (many would say gentrified but that’s another story), highlighted by the many amazing bars that line Figueroa Street and York Blvd.
Almost every bar has a unique style to offer and they all really step up their game in order to compete with their neighbors.
Whether your visitors are interested in drinking and dining, or dancing and celebrating, Highland Park has the restaurant and bars that will fuel your fun evening.
Why take them to the same old bars that everyone knows about when you can find so much unique fun all within this historic neighborhood in Northeast LA.
Location:
Various locations, Northeast Los Angeles
PIC Credit:@123heheheimlovely
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Do any of your friends enjoy bowling? If yes taking them to Highland Park Bowl in Highland Park is a must!
This speakeasy-style bowling alley is the oldest in LA and first opened in 1927!
In recent years the entire spot has been made over. It is astonishingly beautiful with all the modern bowling conveniences while still holding onto the magic of the past. It easily makes our list of Los Angeles best bowling alleys.
6 – Have Dinner On A DTLA Rooftop
Description:
When your friends have taken in all those spectacular beach views show them how amazing the DTLA city views are as well.
Downtown Los Angeles is now packed with so many amazing rooftop bars and restaurants, so you and your friends can enjoy dinner and drinks while delighting your selves with those stunning views of LA.
Location:
Various locations, Downtown Los Angeles.
PIC Credit:@perchlosangeles
hack:
If you really want to impress your friends and don’t mind dropping some dough on one of the nights they are visiting we recommend 71Above.
It offers breathtaking views of not only the DTLA skyline but all the way out to the Pacific Ocean.
Amazing views and world-class food and drinks nearly a 1,000 feet off the ground!