To-dos pictured are bolded in the list below.
I don’t pretend to be the ultimate expert in all things in L.A. but a reader had put this challenge to me after reading similar lists on San Francisco’s 7×7 and on a San Diego food blog. So here’s my very personal list of recommendations of how I think one could best enjoy L.A.; what every Angeleno should eat/drink/do in our fair city before you die (or move).
A lot of these I’ve tried before. And, yes, foodies may pooh-pooh me for some of the selections but most are things that made me really appreciate living here while others are L.A. landmarks and/or still on my to-do list. And then there are those on the list that are so unique to L.A.
Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments! Listed in no particular order. Cocktails are in red. And if you’re so inclined, you can either print the list here, see a map here or even start checking off the list in Facebook here.
1) Cocktail punch at the Radio Room in the Edison
2) Chili dog from Pink’s
3) Rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeno at Wurstkuche
4) Korean short ribs taco from Kogi BBQ taco truck
6) Ajo Garlic Ramen at Ramenya
7) Sour Kraut Cocktail from Copa d’Oro
8) Red velvet cupcake from Sprinkles
9) Singing Elvis at Palms Thai
10) Churro from churro cart at Disneyland
11) Junk food dessert platter at Simon LA
12) Dessert tasting menu at Providence
13) Classic martini at Musso & Frank Grill
14) Roasted bone marrow at Church & State
15) Pedal boat at Echo Park Lake
16) Bowling and $4 cocktails at Shatto 39 Lanes
17) Kobe-style beef at Park’s BBQ
18) Mulholland Drive from 405 to 101
19) Medicina Latina at Malo
20) Father’s Office burger
21) Maple bacon doughnut at Nickel Diner
22) Mashti Malone’s lavender ice cream
24) Live music at Spaceland
25) Magic Mojito at Bar Centro at the Bazaar by Jose Andres
26) Wine tour through San Antonio Winery
27) Sample everything at Scoops ice cream
28) Bike from Santa Monica to Hermosa Beach and back
29) Mochi from Mikawaya Little Tokyo
30) Broiled San Francisco stuffed French toast at Starling Diner
31) Mojito sampler jelly shots at Bar Nineteen12
32) High Tea at Royal/T
33) Pimp your own burger at the Counter in Santa Monica
34) Carne asada burrito from Tacos Tumbras A Tomas at Grand Central Market
35) Diddy Riese Chocolate Chip Cookies
36) Ride the mechanical bull at Saddle Ranch and have a premium SR AMF
37) Greyhound Proper at Hungry Cat
38) Blue cheese fries at Pete’s Cafe and Bar
39) L.A. Conservancy’s Historic Core walking tour
40) 21+ screenings at the ArcLight
41) Secret beef feast at Totoraku
43) Bartender’s Choice at Comme Ca
44) Tomato, mozzarella, sausage, salami, bacon & guanciale pizza at Pizzeria Mozza
45) Ride the Pacific Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Pier
47) Bet on a horse at Santa Anita racetrack
48) Loco Moco (foie gras loco moco, quail egg, spam, hamburger) at Animal
49) Blood & Sand cocktail at Tiki Ti
50) Tea and a stroll through Huntington Gardens
51) Drive Sunset Boulevard from Echo Park to PCH in a convertible
52) Double chocolate croissant pudding with Jack Daniels sauce at Milk
53) Hike from Fern Dell Drive to Mt. Hollywood, stopping at Griffith Observatory
54) Meatball sandwich from Bay Cities Deli
55) Scorpion cocktail at Hop Louie
56) Magic Castle
57) Scoe’s No. 2 at Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles
58) L.A. Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats
59) Philippe’s French Dip with hot mustard
60) Dim sum at Empress Pavilion in Chinatown
61) Remember the Maine at the Varnish
62) Omakase dinner at Urasawa
63) LA Phil concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall
64) Pool party at Standard Rooftop Bar
65) Quarter chicken with side of garlic sauce at Zankou Chicken
66) Goddess spa treatment at Olympic Spa
67) Vodbox at Nic’s Martini Lounge
68) Turkey dinner at Clifton’s Cafeteria, don’t forget the green jello
70) Marty & Elayne at Dresden Room
71) Coleslaw and sourdough toast at Original Pantry
72) Real Black Dahlia Tour by Esotouric
73) Ninotchka at Bar Lubitsch
74) Stay in a bungalow at Chateau Marmont
76) Sunday wine tastings at Silverlake Wine
77) Grilled cheese night at Campanile
78) Power lunch at the Polo Lounge
79) Cadillac Margarita at El Cholo
80) Courtside at a Lakers game
81) Angel City Derby Girls Tournament
82) Box seats at Hollywood Bowl summer concert
83) Dodger Dog at Dodger Stadium
84) Ride the Good Year blimp
85) Sip mojitos poolside at the Hotel Roosevelt’s Tropicana Bar
86) Ringside at Lucha VaVoom
87) Summer movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
88) History Walk from Mission San Gabriel to Olvera Street
89) Taro ice cream at Fosselman’s
91) Apricot & Honey 75 at the Penthouse during sunset
94) Bonfire at Dockweiler Beach
95) Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s
96) Karaoke at Brass Monkey
97) Yee-Mee-Lu “blue drink” at Good Luck Bar
98) Sunset dinner and horseback riding with Sunset Ranch
99) American Food & Wine Festival
100) Hike to the top of Sandstone Peak and sign the register
I put Pinks on there because I’ve been meaning to go there ever since I moved to LA back in 1991, before those crazy long lines of tourists.
awesome list!
i wonder if it would be alright if i re-posted your list with the things ive done starred ala all those popular meme thingies on facebook?
i would of course have a link to your web site in my post.
Shampoo,
Great idea! I’m not well-versed in Facebook technology so I created the list in my notes so people can cut and paste into their own notes and put a star next to the ones they completed.
epic list! love it
Thanks for the very awesome list. I’ve linked it out to my Facebook friends and put it up on My Modern Metropolis. You’re my favorite LA blogger! :)
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/100-things-to-try-in-la-before
Nickel Diner is not foul. It’s cool.
Thanks for the list! I’ve never been to LA, but I’m planing on going for my 21st b-day the end of June. I’ll keep this awesome list handy! ;-) Thanks!
Jenni,
Thanks!
Alice Yoo,
Aww, thanks so much! You’re sweet.
Hollywood,
I agree. Esp. those doughnuts.
Lizette,
You’re going to do everything on your birthday? ;)
With so much to choose from, everyone has their own opinion on where the best Mexican food in Los Angeles is… I will say this though, a place everyone must try at least once is found in East LA on Everygreen Ave, at a place called el Tepeyac Cafe. The toddler sized burrito, known as the Manuel Special, comes smothered in a stewed pork sauce and is large enough to feed an entire family.
Also, as another addendum to your amazing list Caroline: a must see for everyone before they leave LA is blues legend Micky Champion sing at Babe and Ricky’s Inn in South Central.
Wow. What an incredible to-do list! Thanks for the inspiration!
This is a great list. Thanks for sharing.
USC offers campus tours that give a glimpse into some of LA’s most historic landmarks, including Widney Alumni House—the university’s oldest structure and a California Historic Landmark. They are free & last 50 minutes and run 10-3. 213-740-6605 tours@usc.edu
Also Los Angeles Ballet is LA’s own professional ballet company and they perform at venues across Southern California throughout the season. visit: http://www.losangelesballet.org for more information.
Great list! I think I’ve only done 14, but I would argue that #27 isn’t possible with all the new flavors!
I’m going to frame this list and refer to it every time I’m looking for stuff to do! You’re an expert in my book, thanks Caroline!!
What about a ride on Angel’s Flight or a ride down Fargo Hill?
you will not regret #3… been there many times and i order it everytime
I would have to say…THE APPLE PAN! Get a hickory burger and apple pie a la mode! It’s a LA institution like Philippe’s! I have done 21 of your list with about 10 more I plan to do soon! Good Job.
I got about 15 off my list. I think I need to get out more! For someday I should complete this list maybe over the weekend. :)
1) Cocktail punch at the Radio Room in the Edison
3) Rattlesnake and rabbit with jalapeno at Wurstkuche
4) Korean short ribs taco from Kogi BBQ taco truck
5) Great Los Angeles Walk
6) Ajo Garlic Ramen at Ramenya
7) Sour Kraut Cocktail from Copa d’Oro
9) Singing Elvis at Palms Thai
10) Churro from churro cart at Disneyland
11) Junk food dessert platter at Simon LA
12) Dessert tasting menu at Providence
13) Classic martini at Musso & Frank Grill
14) Roasted bone marrow at Church & State
15) Pedal boat at Echo Park Lake
16) Bowling and $4 cocktails at Shatto 39 Lanes
17) Kobe-style beef at Park’s BBQ
19) Medicina Latina at Malo
20) Father’s Office burger
21) Maple bacon doughnut at Nickel Diner
22) Mashti Malone’s lavender ice cream
23) Red Line Metro barhop
24) Live music at Spaceland
25) Magic Mojito at Bar Centro at the Bazaar by Jose Andres
27) Sample everything at Scoops ice cream
28) Bike from Santa Monica to Hermosa Beach and back
29) Mochi from Mikawaya Little Tokyo
31) Mojito sampler jelly shots at Bar Nineteen12
32) High Tea at Royal/T
33) Pimp your own burger at the Counter in Santa Monica
34) Carne asada burrito from Tacos Tumbras A Tomas at Grand Central Market
35) Diddy Riese Chocolate Chip Cookies
36) Ride the mechanical bull at Saddle Ranch and have a premium SR AMF
37) Greyhound Proper at Hungry Cat
38) Blue cheese fries at Pete’s Cafe and Bar
39) L.A. Conservancy’s Historic Core walking tour
40) 21+ screenings at the ArcLight
41) Secret beef feast at Totoraku
42) Moonlight Rollerway
43) Bartender’s Choice at Comme Ca
44) Tomato, mozzarella, sausage, salami, bacon & guanciale pizza at Pizzeria Mozza
46) Late-night Danger dogs
47) Bet on a horse at Santa Anita racetrack
48) Loco Moco (foie gras loco moco, quail egg, spam, hamburger) at Animal
49) Blood & Sand cocktail at Tiki Ti
50) Tea and a stroll through Huntington Gardens
52) Double chocolate croissant pudding with Jack Daniels sauce at Milk
54) Meatball sandwich from Bay Cities Deli
55) Scorpion cocktail at Hop Louie
56) Magic Castle
58) L.A. Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats
59) Philippe’s French Dip with hot mustard
60) Dim sum at Empress Pavilion in Chinatown
61) Remember the Maine at the Varnish
62) Omakase dinner at Urasawa
63) LA Phil concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall
64) Pool party at Standard Rooftop Bar
65) Quarter chicken with side of garlic sauce at Zankou Chicken
66) Goddess spa treatment at Olympic Spa
67) Vodbox at Nic’s Martini Lounge
68) Turkey dinner at Clifton’s Cafeteria, don’t forget the green jello
69) Los Angeles Marathon
70) Marty & Elayne at Dresden Room
71) Coleslaw and sourdough toast at Original Pantry
72) Real Black Dahlia Tour by Esotouric
73) Ninotchka at Bar Lubitsch
74) Stay in a bungalow at Chateau Marmont
75) Auntie Em’s Market dinner
76) Sunday wine tastings at Silverlake Wine
77) Grilled cheese night at Campanile
78) Power lunch at the Polo Lounge
79) Cadillac Margarita at El Cholo
80) Courtside at a Lakers game
81) Angel City Derby Girls Tournament
82) Box seats at Hollywood Bowl summer concert
84) Ride the Good Year blimp
86) Ringside at Lucha VaVoom
87) Summer movie at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
89) Taro ice cream at Fosselman’s
90) Galco’s Soda Pop Shop
91) Apricot & Honey 75 at the Penthouse during sunset
92) Angel City Drive-In
93) Downtown Art Walk
95) Bingo at Hamburger Mary’s
97) Yee-Mee-Lu “blue drink†at Good Luck Bar
98) Sunset dinner and horseback riding with Sunset Ranch
99) American Food & Wine Festival
100) Hike to the top of Sandstone Peak and sign the register
Come back to you later
Homemade trackback: http://www.thisisbrandx.com/2009/05/how-many-of-caroline-on-cracks-100-la-things-have-you-tried.html
I love this list but wonder if anyone knows of a secret guide to LA that chronicles very unknown gems of this city. For instance, the free nacho table at El Cholo in Santa Monica. (It is very close to the kitchen so as a consolation they give you free nachos). Does anyone know of more of this kind of stuff? I would also add a latte from Intelligentia to the list. Best in the city!
Whoa, this is amazing. Thank you. I am new to Santa Monica, so this list gives me something to shoot for. Up until now, I have been attempting to check out the scene, but had no real game plan. Now I have a fantastic check list!
Sheila
how come I do not know all these great places to see and taste. I have beem a shut-in for 32 years, Now I see there is life out there, help me guide me. I WANT to taste the world out there
how come I do not know all these great places to see and taste. I have beem a shut-in for 32 years, Now I see there is life out there, help me guide me. I WANT to taste the world out there
This is a great list! I have printed and the adventure continues!
hey,
as always, great list,but I have to say Nickel diner & father’s office are horrible and the staff have attitudes that match! What about The Pantry, Playboy jazz fest, a swim & steam at the LAAC and 33 at Disneyland.
stay saucy…
Only have 17 completed, 83 to go…
big wangs!
I know you have the meatball sandwich from Bay Cities Deli listed, but I don’t think you can leave off the Godmother. I have had both and the Godmother is the real gem. Maybe you have to include them both in the same line!
Yeah, apparently the Godmother is the sandwich to have there. I haven’t had it yet. I’m just a big fan of the meatball sandwich. :)
You haven’t had the Godmother at Bay Cities and yet you’ve been there?! Unbelievable! Otherwise, very strong list. I like #50, but I’m biased–my grandfather actually lived there for a bit as a kid.
Yeah, it’s too much meat for me but you’re right. I really should give it a try.