7 cool & fun spots to hang out in Los Angeles

At the Cove Skatepark. Photo: Roscoe Ramone

I've been to Los Angeles a couple of times. The first time I didn't get that much time to explore as I was there with the band I used to play in - however photo shoots helped us to see more of LA. And the last time I was in Cali I knew people who could show me a around.

I feel like I've name dropped Sri (who lives in LA) plenty of times on this blog, I could have just called this post Sris guide, 'cause she took me to four of the places on this list. And truth be told, there are more than 7 cool & fun spots to hang out in Los Angeles, but I guess something stood out with these chosen ones. Anyway. Let's go!

1. MOHAWK BEND

Mohawk Bend is a craft beer bar and restaurant located in Echo Park, featuring an impressive list of locally-sourced craft beers & healthy food. The place is fresh, modern and has a nice vibe going on. I was here with Sri and her band mates, and we just ordered and shared a bunch of things. One of mye favorites, which I still remember was, embrace yourself, A BAHN MI PIZZA.

I could feel Vietnam meeting Italy in my mouth, and they were having fun. Unfortunately I can't find it on their menu now, but they have a lot of other tasty stuff on the menu as well. Vegan options too!

2. THE BROAD

I mostly went Downtown LA because I wanted to take pictures of the awesome architecture there. Honestly, there are some fascinating buildings there, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall whis has this curved stainless-steel exterior. And then there's The Broad, a contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. I was so happy with the artsy picture I took of this cool building, but I sincerely regret not seeing it from the inside. If there's one kind of art I love it's contemporary art.

This museum offers free general admission and presents an active program of rotating temporary exhibitions and innovative audience engagement. Which I also love. However the line was endless and I tried to go online to find tickets, but it was all booked. Learn from my mistakes and book tickets in advance!

Designed by Diller Scofidio in collaboration with Gensler

3. STORIES

After hanging in Downtown LA, I headed off to Echo Park to meet a Norwegian dude who's also into music. Of course I got stuck in traffic, got there late and felt extremely stupid. Luckily he took it very well and was really cool about it. I just hate being late, 'cause it's about respecting other peoples time.

Anyway, he had suggested that we meet up at Stories which is a great bookstore and café where they have decent coffee and a hand-picked selection of both new and used books. I was stressed out when I got there, but something about that place made me calmer. This is a spot I would probably hang out in if I lived in LA.

4. SAGE

Since we're already in Echo Park, let me take you to Sage. My ex-bandmates, but still friends, Sofie, Richard and I ate breakfast here when we were on our mini-tour in the states. Of course I had to go back again on my last trip.

Sometimes I think that healthy food doesn't taste good, but at this organic plant based eatery they know their stuff. They have these fresh juices that energize, and I can appreciate a good tofu egg scramble and a tempeh sausage. So as you can imagine I was thrilled to be eating there again!

5. HOMESTATE

Another great breakfast place is Homestate, a Texas kitchen that features breakfast tacos, queso, frito pies, brisket & Austin's Cuvée coffee. Sri and I had to stand in line, but there's a good reason for why there was a queue for those breakfast tacos: They were delicious, and people knew that! In fact, they were so delicious that my eyes rolled back when I took that first bite. I'm getting a foodgasm just by thinking about that messy taco filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, seasoned beans and simply rich flavors.

I'm so grateful Sri took me out for breakfast tacos. Definitely doing that again some day!

6. CLIFTON'S CAFETERIA

The last spot Sri took me to was Clifton's Cafeteria in Downtown, the oldest surviving cafeteria style eatery in Los Angeles and the largest public cafeteria in the world.

The facade was kitschy and theatrical, and there was a different theme for each floor: The Marketplace, the Monarch, Gothic Bar, Pacific Seas, and where we ended up: The Brookdale. At this elegant floor there was live music and classy people dancing Lindy hop (a dancestyle I've always wanted to learn) and Swing. 

It did feel as though I had travelled in time, and things got a lot more fun when a dude asked me to dance, and learned me a few steps. Of course Miss Sri stood behind this as well, the puppeteer aka. the best travel guide ever!

7. SANTA MONICA TO VENICE BEACH

We'll end this on a touristy note. I love the beach, and I love the fact that there are so many cool, picturesque things around Santa Monica and Venice Beach.

Like you could go to the Playland Arcade, do people watching on your walk, pretend your cool at the Cove Saktepark and get someone to take a photo of you and your gang on the pier, eating ice cream, with the tivoli in the background.

MORE CALI?

• Solo-travelling
• Where it all started