The Hollywood reservoir is hidden in between the Hollywood hills- it’s never busy and the 3 mile loop is always peaceful and great for self reflection meditation. 

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!

I love living in a city where I can easily go hiking during the day and be home by dark. Griffith is just massive and untamed, it has a wild feel about it in places. Views of LA, the ocean, and the Hollywood sign.

Grocery-store carts and trash litter [Ballona Creek], joined by flotillas of foam-plastic cups after rainstorms. — Jane Engle, Los Angeles Times

Nicely curated vintage store for Levi's and interesting pieces.