To find the very best the city has to offer, sometimes you need turn to the experts. We had a handful of noteworthy Angelenos give us their Best of L.A. picks.
Best Hiking: Kevin Nealon, comedian and host of YouTube’s Hiking with Kevin
Temescal Gateway Park
15601 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades
“It’s one of my favorite places because of the convenience—it’s near my home in the Palisades—and the different levels of hiking that it offers. Plus the views are really spectacular. You can see all of the coastline and downtown.”
Best Fishing: Michael Cimarusti, chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin-star seafood restaurant Providence
Pursuit Sportfishing
141 W. 22nd St., San Pedro
“It’s an all-day boat, which means you get on at 6 a.m., and you come back at 6 or 7 at night. They usually fish Catalina Island. This year I’ve caught a lot of calico bass out there, but in years past I’ve caught mahi-mahi, yellowtail, barracuda. Every time you go, you’re going to see something that’s just astounding, whether it’s a pod of whales or a school of porpoises. There’s always something amazing and transcendent when you’re out on the water.”
Best Bar with a Beat: Amanda Seales, comedian and Insecure star
The Dime
4442 N. Fairfax Ave., Fairfax District
“It’s my favorite place to go to hear authentic New York hip-hop. I always end up running into good folks with good rhythm.”
Drag Show: Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, executive producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Cavern Club Theater at Casita del Campo
1920 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake
“There are so many talented queens and so many side-splitting shows, it’s hard to pick. But we are rabid fans of Love Connie. Sick and twisted, cerebral and stupid, she gives us everything we want!”
Best Brunch: Tom Sandoval and Stassi Schroeder, stars of Vanderpump Rules
The Belmont
747 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
“I like it for a hangover. They have a really good breakfast burrito.”
– Tom Sandoval
“We’ve been going there for 10 years. It has the best ranch in town.”
– Stassi Schroeder
Healthy Spot: Gunnar Peterson, celebrity trainer
Otro Dia Tacos
9911 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills
“They have a ton of vegan options, and they’re very accommodating, which is key when you have weird eating habits. I go with their sweet potato tacos, and I like their spicy salsas.”
Place to Eavesdrop: Jesse Margolis, Overheard L.A. founder
Gjusta
320 Sunset Ave., Venice
“It’s a fun mix of Venice hipsters, ridiculous hipster parents, and the whole tech scene from Snapchat and Google—so there’s a lot of gold to overhear. And the food’s amazing.”
Eyeglasses: Jeremy Piven, actor
Sama Eyewear
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City
“Sama’s opticals are made with such quality and they never let me down. They frame my face well—and that’s not easy.”
Denim Shop: Jeannine Braden, celebrity stylist
Ron Herman
8100 Melrose Ave., Beverly Grove
“Their selection and edit are perfection. They will always be a go-to in Los Angeles for denim. I can always pick up Levi’s, Redone, or Mother jeans. I always find good vintage washes.”
DTLA Shopping Center: Chiney Ogwumike, all-star WNBA player and ESPN analyst
Fig at 7th
735 S. Figueroa St., Downtown
“I live downtown so this shopping center is extremely convenient and is an easy walk from my apartment. It has all of my favorite places to shop, Zara and Nordstrom Rack—my go-to place for shoes.”
RELATED: The Best Things to Do in L.A. in 2019
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