The Smell is a non-profit, all-ages music venue who's run the gamut of completely rad and completely shitty acts, but is doubtlessly an interesting and worthy place to use up a pair of earplugs. After all, it's not everyday you see a dude shred his fucking face apart playing an amplified shard of glass! The Smell is a little difficult to find, but when you hit the dark alley in which it resides -- and which every fiber of your being tells you will be host to your mugging -- just clutch your purse, keep your chin up and head straight down until you run into a grip of hipsters in a haze of smoke, donning asymmetrical haircuts, and one-too-many animal prints, and you're there! It's alcohol-free, so make sure you either drink before you arrive, or head out between acts to one of a couple local bars to sauce up!

The best ramen I had in LA, maybe anywhere. Even my food-critical son loved it.

I hang around on the rooftop to relax. Los Angeles traffic is crazy so this is a good place to calm down and try to find my zen. The view is great and I love the rooftop Neon signs you can see from here.

The best Old-fashioned cocktails ever! Hands down. These mixologists know what they're doing. This place is also famous for their french-dipped sandwiches. And oh yes, not to forget about the pickled eggs.

The greatest video store in the world! With 72,000 VHS tapes in their collection, they have dedicated themselves to the art of losing yourself in a great movie and pride themselves on their vast collection of rare and oddball films. As Blockbuster video stores have begun to go out of business, Eddie Brandt's still lives!!!!