Last Updated:
1/21/24
Los Angeles & Anaheim, CA
Below is a list of the best places I would visit on a trip to this location. My picks fit my personality and interest. Everyone has a different interest so you may not like everything I listed which is fine. If you like a place, I recommend saving it to Google Maps for a future trip down the road. I made sure to include the address or GPS to make it easier to find. You can find out more about me in the "About Me" section to see if we share common interests.
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Breakfast
The Griddle Cafe
7916 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Selfie on Sunset Pancakes: Cinnamon-Sugar, Chocolate Chip, & Cream Cheese Icing-Filled Buttermilk Pancakes Topped with Whipped Butter & Cinnamon-Sugar $18.95
Black Magic Pancake: Oreo-Filled Pancakes Topped with Whipped Cream & Oreo Cookie Pieces $18.95
Devil's Daydream French Toast: Chocolate Bread with Bittersweet Chocolate Chips & Topped with Whipped Cream $17.95
Peanut Bubba Crunchy French Toast: French Toast Dipped in Peanut Butter Crunch & Topped with Powdered Sugar/Whipped Cream $18.95
Hunger Pangs: Oversized Slice of Thick-Cut Ham and Three Eggs $17.95
Chicago Charlie Scramble (eggs): Italian Sausage, Potatoes, Bacon, Bell Peppers, Mozzarella Cheese, Garlic, Basil, and Onions Served with Garlic Toast $18.95
Hours:
Monday & Tuesday Closed
Weds to Sunday: 8 am - 3 pm
Wide Selection of Pancakes & French Toast Flavors
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Sample of the Donut Flavors
Bourbon Pecan Pie: Raised Brioche Doughnut Dipped in Buffalo Trace Bourbon & Brown Sugar Glaze, Filled with Homemade Pecan Pie Filling, Topped with a Dollop of Maple Whipped Creme Fraiche and Sprinkled with Brown Butter Pecans
Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin Cake Dipped in House Made Pumpkin Glaze, Topped with Pecan Graham Cracker Crumble and a Maple Cheesecake Drizzle
Choc-A-Lot: Raised Chocolate Doughnut Topped with Chocolate Glaze & Valrhona Chocolate Cocoa Nibs
Saigon Cinnamon Crumb: Saigon Cinnamon Cake Doughnut Topped with Vanilla Glaze & Housemade Cinnamon-Almond Streusel
Butter & Salt: Vanilla Bean Cake Doughnut with Brown Butter Glaze & Fleur De Sel
Huckleberry: Oregon Huckleberry Cake Doughnut with Huckleberry Glaze
Hours:
Mon to Thurs 6:30 am - 6 pm
Fri & Sat: 6:30 am - 9 pm
Sunday: 6:30 am - 7 pm
Order Online: Yes
Activities
Universal Studios Hollywood
Top Five Rides I Would Ride (No Order)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Jurassic World - The Ride
Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride
The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash
The World-Famous Studio Tour
Daily Admission Ticket Cost:
These Are Best Estimates; Price Structure Can Change/Confusing
One Day General Admission - $109.00
Two-Day General Admission - $159.00
General Admission with Universal Express (Skip Line One Time Per Participating Ride) - $209
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
December Hours:
Open: Between 8 am to 10 am
Close: Between 7 pm to 10 pm
Depends on What Day
Disneyland Park
Top Ten Rides I Would Ride (No Order)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Haunted Mansion
Indiana Jones Adventure
Jungle Cruise
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Splash Mountain
Daily Admission Ticket Cost (Oct 2023):
These Are Best Estimates; Price Structure Can Change/Confusing
One Park Per Day - $134/$164
Two-Day General Admission - $255.00
Parking $30.00
1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
October Hours:
Daily: 8 am - Midnight
I would add the Park Hopper Option to My Ticket so I can go next door to Disney California Adventure for added fun - +$60
Knott's Berry Farm
Top Five Rides I Would Ride (No Order)
GhostRider
HangTime
Pony Express
Calico Mine Ride
Knott's Bear-y Tales: Return to the Fair
Daily Admission Ticket Cost Online (Oct 2023):
These Are Best Estimates; Price Structure Can Change/Confusing
One Day General Admission - $69/$79
Fast Lane added cost to the ticket - $69
Parking: $25
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
December Hours (For the most part):
Weekday: 10 am - 10 pm
Weekend: 9 am - 9 pm
Depends on the Day
Feb. Highlight: Knottās Peanuts Celebration ~ Park-wide Celebration Features a New Franklin-focused Exhibit, Peanuts-inspired Cuisine, Shows and Photo Ops that Allow Guests to Step into the Iconic Charles M. Schulz Comic Strips ~ Jan 27th to Feb 25th
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Studio Tour: One Hour Guided + Two Hours Unguided, Shopping, and Dining - Adult $70 & Child $60
Classics Tour (early days through the 1970s): Three Hours Tour - Adult $70 & Child $60
Studio Tour Plus: Two Hours Guided + Two Hours Unguided and Lunch at Central Perk Cafe - Adult $150 & Child $129
Deluxe Tour: Three Hours Guided, One Hour Fine Dining Lunch and Two Hours Self-Guided - $300
3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Hours(2023):
Closed Tues & Weds
Studio Tour: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
For Me, Being One Time Experience I Would Go For The Deluxe Tour
Food
Philippe The Original
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours:
Daily: 6 am - 10 pm
Order Online: Yes
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Beef French Dip: $11.50
Pastrami French Dip: $12.95
Tuna Sandwich: $10.95
Cup of Soup: $4.25
Pickled Egg: $1.75
Baked Apple (dessert): $3.50
Famous for Their French Dips: Beef, Pastrami, Turkey, Lamb, Pork, & Ham. The French Dips are served on a lightly textured freshly baked French Roll which has been dipped in the natural gravy of the roast
Bob's Big Boy
4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505
Sample Menu of What I Would Order
Bacon Cheeseburger: Bacon, Cheddar, Lettuce, Onion, & Tomato $15.49
Pulled Pork Sandwich: Slow-roasted lean pork with a touch of special BBQ sauce served with French Fries $12.99
Pappy Parker's Fried Chicken: Four pieces of Pappy Parker's Original Fried Chicken hand-breaded with Pappy's secret recipe and choice of Potato and Vegetable $19.99
Fish and Chip Dinner: Two Fried Cod Fillets Served with Fries and Comes with Garlic Toast $17.49
Bob's Famous Chili Spaghetti: Famous Chili Piled on a Huge Bed of Spaghetti with Onions, Cheese, and Thick Garlic Toast $13.49
Bob's Famous Hot Fudge Cake (dessert): Vanilla Ice Cream Between Two Layers of Luscious Devil's Food Cake, Smothered with Creamy Hot Fudge and Covered with a Whipped Topping and Cherry $6.49
Hours:
Sunday to Thurs: 6 am - Midnight
Fri & Sat: 6 am - 3 am
Order Online: Yes
Salt & Straw
1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Sample of the Ice Cream Flavors
Cinnamon Snickerdoodle
Strawberry Honey Balsamic w/ Black Pepper
Salted Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Chocolate Gooey Brownie
Red Velvet Cake w/ Cream Cheese Frosting
Banana Foster w/ Candied Pecans
Hours:
Daily: 11 am - 11 pm
Order Online: Yes
Jan. Highlight: Try Marionberry Oatmeal Cobbler, Swirl with Marionberry Filling throughout Coconut Milk and Cinnamon Base with Pie Crust and Cobbler Topping
Places to Stay
FYI: The hotel prices are estimated and will most likely fluctuate since I looked them up on their website. I will keep them updated the best I can every three months. I look for the cheapest available room, usually a queen bed. I typically look at book rates two months in advance and in the middle of the month to get average rates. Reminder: It is an ESTIMATE
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles (Closed)
Located Very Close to the Walt Disney Concert Hall & Downtown Los Angeles
The Theatre at Ace Hotel: Restored 1,600-Seat Movie Palace from the 1920s which Now Holds Special Events Throughout the Year
Food Options: LOAM DTLA (Classy Simple Vibe) and UPSTAIRS (Tacos in Roof Pool Area)
Who is this for: People that Like Good Value, Bar Hoppers, People that Like the Arts, and People Who Like Special Events But Not the Drive Afterwards
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
Medium Queen in Nov 22' - $226
Medium Queen in Feb 23' - $256
Freehand Los Angeles
Located Very Close to the Walt Disney Concert Hall & Downtown Los Angeles
They Also Have Rooms with a Hostel Shared Experience: Accommodates Groups of Four, Six, or Eight. Custom Cedar Bunk-Beds and a Private en Suite Bathroom. Beds Feature Built-In Privacy Screens, Outlets, and Reading Lights. Secure In-Room Lookers and Female-Only Rooms Available
Food/Drink Options: Broken Shaker (award-winning cocktails), The Exchange (multi-cultural flavors of urban LA through an Israeli lens), Cafe Integral (fine coffee & tea), and Rudolph's Bar & Tea (tea-infused cocktails & light bites)
Who is this for: People that Like Good Value, Cocktail & Tea Drinkers, People that Like the Arts, and People Who Like Hang Out with Strangers
416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Estimated Cost for Weekend Night (without tax/fee)
King City View (Nov 22') - $207
King City View (Feb 23') - $198
King City View (Feb 24') - $179
21 and up fun
Ballast Point Brewing
110 N Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU (12.14.22)
Speedboat Salt & Lime Blonde: Blonde Ale | 4.8% ABV
Wahoo White: Wheat Beer - Witbier/Blanche | 4.5% ABV
Watermelon Dorado: IPA - Imperial/Double | 10.0% ABV
Aloha Sculpin: IPA - American | 7.0% ABV
Lid Ripper: IPA - New England/Hazy | 6.9% ABV
High West Barrel Aged Victory at Sea: Porter - Imperial/Double Coffee | 12.0% ABV
Hours:
Mon to Fri: 11 am - 11 pm
Saturday 10 am - 11 pm
Sunday 10 am - 8 pm
Jan. Highlight: Try Smoke and Beerers ~ Smoked Wee Heavy, ABV 7.9% ~ Notes of Graham Cracker, Dark Fruit Blueberries , and Smoke
Food Menu: Yes
Angel City Brewery
216 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
SAMPLE OF BEER MENU (12.14.22)
Angel City IPA: India Pale Ale | 6.1% ABV | 65 IBU
I Vote Because: Saison with Lemon & Ginger | 5.0% ABV
Pernicious Advice: Belgian Golden Strong | 7.5% ABV
White Nite: Nitro Golden Stout | 4.3% ABV
Berliner Weisse: Berliner Weisse | 3.3% ABV
Saisonic Ritual: Saison with Pinot Noir Grapes | 7.2% ABV
Hours:
Mon to Thurs: 4 pm - 11:30 pm
Friday: 4 pm - 2 am
Saturday: 11 am - 2 am
Sunday: 11 am - 11:30 pm
Jan. Highlight: Try Champurrado Ale, with Hints of Corn Masa, Cocoa Powder, Panela Sugar, Lactose, Cinnamon, and Vanilla
Again these are just few of my picks that fit my personality and interest. If you feel that I left one-off that may interest me or other people, message me on Facebook about the location. I value a person's opinion and never just discard the information. Always looking forward to learning about new places to add to my Google Map. ~ Shawn
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The Summary in Activities Uses OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com