I grew up in a place where there weren’t a whole lot of museums, so now that I live in LA, I love to take advantage of all the city has to offer (especially since many museums offer free admission at various points during the year – check out a list here for some more info!). But while some of the LA staples like the LACMA and the Broad are incredible, I also want to give love to some of the spots around SoCal that get a bit less love. Keep reading to find out 5 of my favorites.
The Hammer Museum - 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 (website)
The Hammer is walking distance from UCLA and has a wide variety of exhibits that rotate throughout the year. They also host a plethora of events, ranging from live music on Thursday nights to weekly mindfulness meditation classes. While they’re currently undergoing some renovations, the Hammer will also be opening a café with a full bar and free WiFi, making it the perfect study spot after a long day of classes, as well!
Getty Villa - 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 (website)
Every time someone tells me they’ve gone to the Getty, I always ask “which one.” That’s because, contrary to popular belief, there are two Getty museums in LA! Just a short drive down Pacific Coast Highway, the Getty Villa is a to-scale replica of a Roman villa. What’s more meta than a museum where the actual building is a part of the exhibit? Plus, because it looks over the gorgeous beaches of Malibu, going is a great excuse to stop by the beach, or to get some tacos from Malibu Seafood Café!
Grammy Museum - 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015 (website)
I’m a big fan of music, so I feel right at home at the Grammy Museum. Throughout the years, their rotating exhibits have celebrated the aesthetic and music of artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Bruce Springsteen, and their permanent installation highlighting the iconicity of Michael Jackson is sure to impress. There’s always something amazing to experience here, so it’s one of my favorite places to get lost in for an afternoon.
Japanese American National Museum - 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (website)
An afternoon in Little Tokyo is one of my favorite ways to escape Westwood without going to the beach, and I always make sure to hit up the Japanese American National Museum when I do. Featuring permanent exhibits on the Japanese internment camps of World War II and rotating exhibits highlighting the work of prominent Japanese and Japanese-American artists, the Museum is a beautiful testament to tolerance, diversity, and culture. Plus, who doesn’t love being right in the heart of Little Tokyo?
Huntington Library - 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108 (website)
Located in Pasadena, Huntington Library is world-renowned for their breathtaking botanical gardens. But did you know the Library is also home to a large scale art collection? The combination of nature and visual art makes for a transcendent experience for everyone who takes a stroll across the massive 207 acre property. If you’re looking for a day trip out of the immediate LA metro area, consider heading to the Huntington Library – it’s always free admission!
There you have it – 5 incredible museums in the Los Angeles area for you to explore. Did I miss your favorite? Let me know in the comments below! As always, happy exploring!
I remember my first week at UCLA I was eating at restraint in Burbank that felt oddly familiar. After a little bit of research, I realized I was in a scene from La La Land: the restraint where Sebastian worked as a pianist! Since then, I’ve had a few accidental filming location run-ins. Turns out, unsurprisingly, LA is full of movie scenes. Here are some you can check out:
1.The Office (13927 Saticoy St, Panorama City, CA 91402)
If you’re as big of a fan of The Office as I am, seeing the place where Michael hit Meredith with his car, where Pam slapped Michael, and where Dwight and Andy dueled over Angela is a spiritual experience. When I pulled up, there were several people already taking pictures in their Dunder Mifflin attire. Plus, parking is easy to find!
2. La La Land: Angel’s Flight Railway (350 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071) and Grand Central Market (317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
While Griffith Observatory is an iconic spot in La La Land, I decided to go with these two because they’re right across the street from each other and are some of the best tourist attractions in downtown LA. These spots are included in the montage of Sebastian and Mia’s first dates. Grand Central Market is one of the oldest markets in Los Angeles, and has about every variety of hipster food you can imagine. When you’re done feasting on ramen and tacos, you can cross the street for a $1 ride on the world’s shortest railroad - it’s more fun than it sounds, I promise!
3. 500 Days of Summer: Angel’s Knoll (356 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013) and Bradbury Building (304 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA)
When I was wandering around DTLA, a bench in the park behind Angel’s Flight stood out to me and I couldn’t figure out why. After a little bit of searching, I realized it was featured in 500 Days of Summer. It’s Tom’s favorite spot, where you can see some of the best buildings in Los Angeles! If you’re looking for some of LA’s best architecture, you should head over to the Bradbury Building. This is in the final scene of 500 Days of Summer, but also can be seen in the movie Blade Runner.
4. Inception: Leo Carrillo State Beach (32100 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA.) and Abalone Cove Shoreline Park (5970 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.)
If you want to discover some beautiful beaches in Southern California, you should follow where the characters went in Inception! Leo Carrillo is the beach Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Page step onto from an elevator, while Abalone Cove is where Leo washes up before being brought inside a Japanese palace at the beginning of the movie. After you’re done reading this, you should definitely take advantage of the LA summers and lay out on one of these beaches (unless this is all a dream, of course).
5. Spider-Man (2002) Museum of Natural History (900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007)
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles is the largest natural and historical museum in the United States. It is also where Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider in the first Spider-Man movie! LA was actually the set for quite a bit of the movie: other scenes that involved a lot of spidey-swinging were filmed in DTLA, specifically on 5th Street, 4th Street, Spring Street, Mateo Street, and Grand Avenue.
6. Westworld: Melody Ranch (24715 Oak Creek, Newhall, CA 91321)
I know next to nothing about Westworld, but for those who have seen it, you’ll know Melody Ranch as Sweetwater, the main town in the show. Even if you don’t know Westworld like me, it’s still a pretty unique experience. Walking around Melody Ranch feels like you are transported to a few centuries back, and someone is about to tell you “This town ain’t big enough for the two of us.” Also, it’s nice, quiet, and secluded with some nature reserves nearby.
After researching for and writing this article, I realized I had already been to so many places that were used for filming locations in a TON of famous movies. You can go pretty much everywhere in LA, and it’s probably been in a movie or TV show, including everything from high schools to gas stations. This is one of the most unique things about LA. In the words of Miley Cyrus: this is all so crazy, every(where) seems so famous! Have we missed one of your favorite movie locations? Let us know in the comments!
I don’t know about you, but I’m constantly thinking about food. It’s one of my biggest passions, which makes living in LA so fantastic! Great food is literally on every corner – food trucks are a staple of most modern metropolitan areas in the United States, and Los Angeles is no different. Tacos, in particular, are a Dashew Center favorite. Keep reading to find out some of our favorite taco trucks in LA!
Leo’s Tacos – (1515 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019)
If you’ve only got a few bucks for dinner, Leo’s Tacos is an excellent destination. Starting at $1, (that’s right, ONE dollar) you can treat yourself to some of the city’s best tacos. Tacos Al Pastor – or tacos with thinly-shaven slices of pork and pineapple – are Leo’s specialty, but you can try a range of meats from pork stomach to beef tripe on tortas, tostadas, and more! Also, because it’s found in a gas station parking lot, filling up your tank is a great excuse to treat yourself this weekend. Visit their website for more information.
Kogi BBQ Taco Truck – (Truck locations: check website. There’s also a permanent stand! )
With the influx of “fusion” restaurants storming Los Angeles, it’s not surprising to find cuisines that highlight the culinary classics of two or more countries or cultures. Kogi BBQ heralds the best of both Mexican and Korean, and the best embodiment of that fusion is found in their world-famous Korean short-rib tacos. Beyond the realm of tacos, their beautifully-executed cultural fusion includes mulitas, quesadillas, and even hot dogs.
Cena Vegan – (Various Locations)
Admittedly, I’ve been struggling to lower my meat consumption because some of the BEST cuisines (Mexican!) are pretty meat-based. However, Cena Vegan is considered one of the closest plant-based substitutes to satisfy the vegan Mexican craving. Featured as one of the best trucks at Coachella and even the popular LA food-festival Smorgasbord, Cena Vegan might convince you that being vegan is easier than you thought!
Writing this post gave me a SERIOUS taco craving- hopefully reading it had the same effect on you. Those summer session fees were pretty brutal, so you can probably find me eating too many $1 Al Pastor tacos at Leo’s. If you’re here for LA during the summer, I would definitely take advantage of the long days and warm weather and try out a food truck or two. Are there any other food trucks we should know about? Let us know in the comments!
Happy first week of summer classes! I am always finding myself missing the mountains in my home state of Utah; there is something about the scenic views, fresh air, and simply escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Because I am in LA for the summer, I plan to hit many of my favorite trails: here is some of the best hikes in the area!
A relatively easy, flat, yet adventurous-if-you-want hike, Escondido Falls offers a lush, green getaway and three different waterfalls. You can think of the different waterfalls as “levels” of the hike, the first one is easy to get to, but as you go on the trail becomes more difficult and slippery. Make sure to wear shoes with a good grip and use caution when climbing the falls! If you can make it to the third and most impressive fall, you’ll be able to see the best views that the region has to offer, AND you’ll be able to brag about it to all your friends.
Runyon Canyon – (Franklin Ave to Palmero Road, Los Angeles)
One of the closer trails to the city, Runyon Canyon offers spectacular views of everything from Griffith Observatory, Capital Records, the Chinese Theater, and more! In this canyon, there are several different trails with varying difficulty. If you want a shorter hike, the entrance from Mullholland offers quick trails, but the western trail off of Vista will give you a more strenuous workout AND the opportunity to let your canine companions off the leash. If you are looking for a scenic view of the city, Runyon is an excellent option.
West Griffith Observatory Trail – (Fern Dell Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068)
If the distant view of Griffith Observatory on Runyon isn’t good enough, you can get up close and personal on the West Griffith Observatory Trail that leads right up to it! This trail is slightly touristier, and will be a bit more crowded than the other ones, but it’s an easy to follow path with beautiful views, especially around dusk. Plus, entry to Griffith Observatory is free, so you can easily check off two of your summer bucket list items with this one! Beware, this one will take longer than you expect because you’ll want stop and take pictures every five minutes. At least I did.
Los Liones Canyon Trail – (510 Los Liones Dr, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272)
This trail is home to some of the best views of the Pacific that I’ve seen so far - equipped with benches along the way for you to stop and admire it as well. This one is a bit longer and at times strenuous, but there’s something to look at the entire way there! Expect a sizeable crowd on the weekends because this one is more popular as well, but of course, the views are worth it.
Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak – (Mishe Mokwa Trail, Westlake Village, CA 91361)
A little more challenging than the rest of the hikes with the occasional quick elevation gain, Mishe Mokwa requires a little more effort, but it’s nothing a hiking newbie can’t manage. The variety of the trail keeps you entertained for all six miles. Between shrub-laden walkways with stunning views of the Pacific and adventurous rocky climbs, the trail is different, but doable.
Although hikes are not necessarily the first thing you think of when you think of Los Angeles, there are certainly hidden gems in the parks and mountains of Southern California. When the city, and especially Westwood, can start to feel like a little bubble, I’d say it’s completely worthwhile to escape to the (semi) solitude of a Los Angeles Trail. Do you have any other trails you would recommend? Comment below!
One of my favorite parts about summer in LA is that it’s always the perfect weather to go to the beach! After a year at UCLA, I felt like I wasn’t taking advantage of our coastline as much as I could – that’s why one of my New Year’s Resolutions this year was to go to the beach at least once per month. All of that being said, all of the beaches in SoCal have unique vibes and views. To help you find the right beach for your summer adventures, I’ve made this guide with my 5 favorite beach spots, so you’re covered no matter the occasion!
Santa Monica Beach (Santa Monica, CA)
Perfect for: Those people that like the beach, but also want other things to do.
Don’t let this picture fool you – Santa Monica is one of the more crowded and popular beaches in the LA area. That’s partially due to the Santa Monica Pier (pictured), an iconic boardwalk complete with restaurants, arcade games, and an amusement park. It’s also right around the corner from the Third Street Promenade, an expansive outdoor shopping area perfect for a fun afternoon. Plus, it’s super close to Westwood – only a 20 or so minute drive – making it a quick fix for all of your coastal needs.
Carbon Beach (Malibu, CA)
Perfect for: People looking for a bit of sight-seeing – and star searching!
Carbon Beach is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets in all of California. It is also home to some of California’s elite, garnering it the nickname “Billionaire Beach.” This beach is a fun day trip for those who want to check off “seeing a celebrity” from their bucket list – I’ve seen actress Jamie Lee Curtis and singer Melissa Ethridge in some of the past times I’ve been! Plus, Carbon Beach is a stone’s throw away from the Getty Villa and the world-famous Malibu Seafood Fresh Fish Market – two of my favorite places in California.
Venice Beach (Venice, CA)
Perfect for: People looking for a cultural experience; people watching.
Venice Beach is iconic for its boardwalk, which is full of eclectic shops, street performers, and people. There’s literally something for everyone here. If you’re looking to get a workout in, stop by the outdoor gym, Muscle Beach. Want a bite to eat? Stop by Abbott Kinney Boulevard for a wide array of eateries, coffee shops, and bars. No matter how you slice it, Venice is a quintessential piece of LA culture, and the perfect place for a crazy day adventure!
Dockweiler State Beach (Playa Del Rey, CA)
Perfect for: A fun night with friends; camping enthusiasts.
Dockweiler State Beach is a no-frills beach located near Los Angeles International Airport. It makes this list due to one fact: it is the only beach in the area that has fire pits, making for the perfect beach bonfire spot that’s not too far from UCLA campus! The fire pits and the gorgeous sunsets make Dockweiler a Dashew Center favorite – we’ve had many events here, most notably our annual end-of-the-year celebration for our Global Siblings program. Plus, Dockweilier also has campsites for anyone who wants to spend a night by the water.
El Matador (Malibu, CA)
Perfect for: Scenic views, the perfect Instagram post, or a great date spot
While I normally don’t pick favorites, I really am saving the best for last here. El Matador is hands down one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places I’ve ever visited. A relatively secluded beach, it’s a lot more intimate than many of the other locations on this list. The rock formations, hidden coves, and steep cliffs all make for incredible backdrops for a great Instagram picture. It’s also one of the least crowded beaches I’ve spent a day at in LA, which is perfect for someone like me who wants little interruptions during their day in the sun!
I hope this helped you add a few places to check off out your #LABucketList this summer! No matter what beach you visit, you’re sure to have a great time. And who knows – maybe I’ll see you there! Are you planning a day trip with some friends? Did I miss your favorite beach on my list? Let me know in the comments!
One of the goals of the Dashew Center has always been to help bridge the gap between the domestic and international communities, both at UCLA and in the broader Los Angeles area. Whether you’re an incoming student or scholar, have just finished your first year on campus, or are a UCLA veteran, we realized that you might not know all of the amazing things that are in Los Angeles to take advantage of during the summer months.
That’s why I’m proud to introduce the new blog of the Dashew Center: the Dashew Summer Bucket List!
The goal of this blog is simple: to help you get to know the Los Angeles area a bit better. Over the course of the summer, our student and professional staff will share some of their favorite parts of Los Angeles - from letting you know about events that are happening on or around campus to all of the places and spaces we love to frequent.
Most of us weren’t born in Los Angeles, either, so we know what it’s like to have to learn how to navigate a new place. Hopefully, this blog will give you some insider tips and some locals favorites to explore, as well as a few things to put on your own #SummerBucketList! We’ll post regularly, so be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and (obviously) Tumblr to keep in touch.
