Pan Am Experience
Step into any economy class cabin, and it's clear that the Golden Age of flying is long gone. Or is it? The Pan Am Experience lets you relive what it was like. Your ticket includes a gourmet meal, served in a recreation of a Pan Am 747 jumbo jet from the '70s. Every detail is authentic, from the seats to the uniforms to the china to the price: expect to pay about $300 a head for your "flight."
The Line Hotel
Like the Koreatown neighborhood in which it sits, The Line Hotel doesn't slow down just because it's late. Inside the walls of this new 388-room property — a modern building that dates back to 1964 — you'll find Speek, a mid-century-styled lounge from the Houston brothers that stays open until the wee hours, a late-night bakery, a Poketo store that's open 24-hours, Korean restaurant Pot from chef Roy Choi, with an adjoining bar, Commissary, a fruit and vegetable-focused greenhouse/restaurant, and a delivery service that promises to pick up anything in the neighborhood and bring it right to your door. And then there's the rooms, which feature modern decor, exposed concrete walls, Baxter of California bath goods, curated minibars, and free Wi-Fi.
Rewind Audio
Looking for some killer vintage audio equipment? If you're anywhere near SoCal, you should hit up Rewind Audio. Located just off Sunset Blvd., this beloved shop offers quality vintage turntables, receivers, amps, speakers, as well as the occasional album. Just be sure you're ready to buy, because with a faithful following and a constantly changing inventory, odds are good that if you see something you want, it won't be there the next time you return.
Bait
You could stop by a killer comic shop for some cool office decorations, stop by a boutique for some cool clothes, and then hit up a sneaker shop for some cool kicks. Or you could just make a visit to Bait. In addition to killer sneaker collaborations, this unique shop offers a wide range of comic and pop culture toys, artwork, and a well-curated selection of clothes. It's a one-stop shop for all goods worthwhile.
Tanner Goods LA
While Los Angeles might be better known for its high fashion and ocean-friendly outfits than for rugged outdoor style, that doesn't mean you can't find some of the latter while in town. In fact, Tanner Goods LA is the new place to head for such things while in SoCal. Located downtown not far from the new Ace Hotel, this spacious shop offers a full range of Tanner's fine leather goods — ranging from belts and bags to leather notebook holsters — as well as clothing and accessories curated by the company's Woodlands brand. Oh, and be sure to give the jukebox a spin while you're there.
Amoeba Music
It might not be the original location, but for sheer selection, you can't beat the Hollywood outpost of Amoeba Music. Hailed by the owners as the "biggest, broadest, most diverse collection of music and movies ever seen on under one roof," this massive store occupies a full city block, and offers two floors of media goodness. Inside, you'll find row after row of CDs, movies, and, of course, plenty of vinyl, as well as one of the most knowledgeable staffs of any store anywhere. As you'd expect from a record shop this size, it also serves as a venue for live bands and release parties, having hosted The Flaming Lips, The Roots, The Raconteurs, and many other artists over its 10+ years of operation.
Fat Sal's
Ever heard the phrase "never trust a skinny cook"? Well, that won't be a problem at Fat Sal's. This West Coast purveyor of delicious, greasy East Coast sandwiches was founded by the namesake chef and his two friends, one of whom just happened to play Turtle on Entourage. The menu is filled with fat sandwiches, which are basically entire meals on a bun, as well as more reasonable sandwiches, burgers, wraps, hot dogs, salads, and "fat fries", which come in variations from plain to Philly cheesesteak- or Carne Asada-topped. And if you're really feeling brave, you can try to tackle the Big Fat Fatty, a 27-inch sandwich topped with cheesesteak, cheeseburgers, pastrami, chicken fingers, bacon, mozzarella sticks, fried eggs, jalapeño poppers, fries, onion rings, chili, marinara, and "fat sauce" — it costs $50, but it's free if you can scarf one down in 40 minutes or less. Good luck with that.
Villains Tavern
In a town that's created more than its share of villains — both real and imagined — it only makes sense that they'd have their own bar. And while you won't find Lord Voldemort or Dr. Evil holding court at Villains Tavern, what you will find is a fittingly ornate interior, a cocktail menu of carefully-prepared drinks — several of which are on tap — and a short but satisfying food menu. Out on the patio of this Arts District establishment, you'll find a circus-like canopy, seating, and a stage that frequently plays host to local up-and-coming artists.
Deus Ex Machina
As stores go, it's hard to get more manly than Deus Ex Machina. The Venice depot of this killer company is a treasure trove of awesomeness, offering in-house custom built motorcycles, hand-shaped and -glassed surfboards, self-branded clothing and artwork, coffee from Handsome Coffee Roasters, and a variety of goods from the likes of Baxter of California, Makr Carry, Raen Optics, and others. Not too bad for a building that's served as both a gas station and flower shop.
Renegade Craft Fair
At most markets, you're lucky to find a handful of stands offering interesting handmade goods. At the Renegade Craft Fair, you'll find nothing but. Held every Summer and Winter in Austin, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and London — and with upcoming dates scheduled in all six cities — this curated independent craft marketplace features a huge array of goods from talented artisans, spanning everything from clothes and jewelry to furniture, lighting, and artwork. Food and drink will likely be on offer as well, so all you really need to bring is yourself — and your wallet.
Stella Barra
Pizza might not be the first thing you think of when you're by the ocean, but it'd be a shame to overlook the pies at Stella Barra. Located not far from the pier, this sleekly-decorated eatery churns out hundreds of the circular treats per night, offering a range of toppings for their salty, puffy crusts that stretched from a shaved mushroom with gruyere to a traditional margherita. The drink menu — created by Proprietors LLC — is also strong, as are the small plates, salads, sandwiches, and baked goods, the latter of which are available from the breakfast counter at the front of the joint.
Milk Jar Cookies
The menu might be short, but my, is it tasty. Milk Jar Cookies is a Miracle Mile shop serving up freshly-baked homemade cookies, glasses of milk from a local dairy, and ice cream from a local creamery. Over a dozen varieties are available — including the classic chocolate chip, chocolate peanut butter, and a gluten-free chocolate chip for the wheat-adverse — and as you may have guessed from the ice cream being served, nearly any combination can be combined to create and ice cream cookie sandwich that's as delicious as it sounds.
