Only about 45 minutes from Los Angeles, this is a great quick campground for a one night escape from the city.

The LA Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Grand Street in downtown LA is a must during the fall and holiday season when they have a solid lineup of opera and ballet. Very inspiring. 

Leo's is an institution. I thought there was only one truck on Venice and La Brea but turns out they have eight across LA. Watching them slice pork and pineapple in one fell swoop is both drool-inducing and an art form. Open til 3am most nights I think.

I grew up a few blocks from the "New Bev", the oldest revival house in Los Angeles. I was there every week in High School and watched everything from Deep End to Wings of Desire. It's no wonder I departed from mainstream cinema, early on. One night towards the end of High School, I went to see a film and wound up talking to this loud and wacky man who told me he had a film coming out called "Reservoir Dogs". Now he now is part owner. These days I go to the New Beverly for their Midnight movies and even had the chance to screen my own film there which was one of the greatest feelings in the world.

A nice way to combine a beach walk and a mountain hike. The hike's elevation will offer a great view of the PCH highway.