Right by my apartment, I can't help but come here often. It's situated right around the historic La Brea Tar Pits. One needs to spend an entire day here. Also love their magazine/book store.
This is the fast track from downtown to Hollywood. I get all my exercise here, it has the perfect amount of hills and is the by far the safest bike route, as motorists are more used to the cyclists than other streets. Anything you can think of is on Sunset Blvd, so I can pick up my dry cleaning, eat lunch, visit my friends, and exercise all in one trip.
Yes- I'm going to anger some people by sharing this hidden gem with you. It is very special and I expect hate mail. They have been serving Japanese comfort food since the late 60's and is the last gasp of a neighborhood in Boyle Heights that was once predominantly Japanese. No frills. Just a warm and loving environment- a place to escape and eat spicy tuna rice bowls and sip miso with your Japanese Grandmother. Shhh, don't tell anyone.
There is absolutely no reason to go to this museum, which is the very reason why you should go! If you're stuck on run-of-the-mill, socially-relevant, highly-educational museum experiences, then Chuck E. Cheese would be more enlightening, but if your idea of a good afternoon is sifting through hand-made treasures at an alzheimer patients rummage sale, then I've got your spot! It's very small, dimly lit, and not many of the displays actually function, but it does encapsulate a very distinct, random, getting-away-with-it spirit, which courses through the finest of Los Angelenos.