If you're looking for an exclusive, modern SoCal experience, head west to Santa Monica. Named one of the 10 best beach cities in the world by National Geographic, Santa Monica is the most popular neighborhood in Los Angeles, full of tourists and locals. If you don't like being harassed by tourists and street musicians, avoid Third Street Promenade or Santa Monica Pier and opt for the quaint boutiques of Main Street. You'll find many more authentic restaurants and a nicer atmosphere closer to the east than to the beach.
Venice is the personification of Southern California. Palm trees, tasty places to eat, gritty street art, and lots of fashion bloggers taking selfies in dark alleys. Whether you're admiring views of Venice's canals, strolling through Abbot Kinney, or watching the strangers and depraved on Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach is a strange and intoxicating sight. Whatever you do, go green and green, or get ready for a local lynch mob.
Cozy and quiet Brentwood is located just north of Santa Monica and is one of L. A.'s best-kept secrets. But one thing you've heard of is the beautiful Getty Center, located at the northernmost point of Brentwood. Stroll through the well-kept area, stop by the Brentwood Country Mart and grab a bite to eat before taking in the stunning views, architecture and art of the Getty Center.
All the advantages of Hollywood without the crowds, traffic or boujie attitude, Sherman Oaks is a laid-back paradise for locals, shoppers and diners. Surrounded by excellent shops, such as Galleria and Ventura Boulevard, as well as fantastic pubs, sushi and cafes, you'll have plenty to do in this prime spot of 'The Valley'. But if you like stealthily filming celebrities on your Snapchat, head to the lush and humble neighborhoods south of Ventura Boulevard and watch one or two stars sipping on their pressed organic juice. Do you want to know where hipsters go? Welcome to Los Feliz, a creative neighborhood located south of Griffith Park and filled with a fresh atmosphere that means the real Los Angeles is further from the beach.
Wander Franklin and the neighborhood's historic, shaded streets full of architectural history, eclectic cafes, family shops, dive bars, restaurants and more to sample what used to be Hollywood. These Old Hollywood houses will make you dream of a sociable generation full of glamor. Think of Silver Lake as Los Feliz's more mature older brother. The same audience, the same atmosphere, although there is something less pretentious in everything.
Sandwiched between Los Feliz and the even grittier Echo Park, Silver Lake is a very diverse neighborhood, mostly Latino. In its central center is Sunset Junction, where you'll find authentic Mexican cuisine, fantastic gastropubs and cool speakeasies. Currently on the rise, you're going to want to watch this neighborhood. That is, if you can get through traffic. This up-and-coming neighborhood west of downtown has an eclectic mix of attractive cultures.
Home to California Donuts, recently acclaimed by Instagram, Koreatown is packed with a variety of exotic restaurants and ruined historic homes. Korean barbecue is a staple, but you'll never run out of dining options between trendy dive bars, Korean fusion, speakeasies, and Little Bangladesh which is located north of the neighborhood. Just be careful with the famous Korean spas - these beautiful but naked retreats are a little more different than any other spa experience so don't say we didn't warn you. The Arts District changes the rules of the game. Filled with warehouses that were once former factories and industrial businesses that have now been converted into live-work lofts and luxury condos; this urban and modern area is on the rise when it comes to real estate.
But before you buy your Sex in the City style apartment; grab a drink at some of the coolest bars in town and take in the trendy art scene as this neighborhood is full of graffiti and art galleries. You'll rub shoulders with some serious artists and designers so maybe their something special will infect you. If the name hasn't given it away; this part of downtown Los Angeles has some iconic spots such as Bradbury Building; Grand Central Market; Orpheum Theater; Los Angeles Theater; Perch; The Standard; The Last Bookstore; Walt Disney Concert Hall; Ahmanson Theater; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion; Museum Of Contemporary Art; Broad Museum; California Donuts; Koreatown; Little Bangladesh; Sunset Junction; Pershing Square; Fashion Merchandise And Design Institute; Staples Center; L. A Live. Unlike its neighboring districts; The Financial District is a business-focused area full of costumes; urban culture; plenty of upscale restaurants; top-notch hotels. This is where you'll find world-class performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall; Ahmanson Theater; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion after a sunny and cool afternoon picnic in Pershing Square. Travel north inside this trendy neighborhood and you will be greeted by many start-ups where there are more new and exciting businesses than anywhere else in Los Angeles. Pasadena (Northeast Of Downtown Los Angeles) Sebrin Elms is a newlywed travel fanatic book lover champagne connoisseur kitty mom when not jogging around world wearing flower wreaths probably writing blog The Clumsy Traveler.
