There’s a reason people move here “for a year” and never leave. Los Angeles has the best weather, a highly diverse demographic, and a hazy, dreamlike glow where palm shadows stretch long against the concrete. From rugged coastal cliffs to the dusty desert, it’s all within a drive. That same mix shapes the city’s culture: layered, scattered, and hard to pin down. Hit Malibu, hike Topanga, visit the Hollywood sign — but leave room for the under-the-radar gems that give LA its edge.
WHERE TO SHOP
Pickwick Vintage Show
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Once a month, vintage enthusiasts flock to Row DTLA for the Pickwick Vintage Show. With over 40 top-tier vendors from across the country, Pickwick is a curated wonderland of vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, and textiles spanning all eras, buzzing with inspiration. Be ready to fawn over chunky bohemian jewelry and a wardrobe straight out of Dazed and Confused. Entry’s $10 USD, but the finds? Priceless.
777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States (Check Instagram/ website for updated addresses)
Nine Two Five
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My personal favorite spot to shop in LA. Nine Two Five is a low-key warehouse pop-up in the fashion district serving LA it-girl coded vintage and designer clothing, shoes, and accessories at prices that actually make sense. Think edgy, rare, one-of-a-kind stylist pieces. When a sale hits, it’s a full-on fashion frenzy— and absolutely worth the chaos. There isn’t a changing stall though, so for the girls I recommend wearing a skirt.
305 E 9th St, Unit 135, 1st floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Mohawk General Store
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Mohawk is the kind of place where every item is a subtle flex. Since 2008, this Silver Lake staple represents an effortlessly cool Californian minimalism, stocking cult labels like Dries Van Noten, Margiela, their own brand SMOCK, and mixes with a selection of jewelry, home decor, and vintage finds. They have two locations on the same block for women’s and men’s collections.
Mohawk General Store: 4011 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Mohawk Man: 4015 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
LANG
Tucked in Chinatown’s Central Plaza, Lang is a hub for Asian creativity. Inspired by founder Kayla Wong’s Hong Kong roots, the store uplifts Asian designers, artists and creators. If you’re ever looking for some hometown nostalgia, Lang is the only place in LA where one can find HK local brands like Yat Pit, Victoria, and merch from Yeti Out— bringing together streetwear, heritage, and a modern cultural sensibility.
441 Gin Ling Way, Central Plaza, Los Angeles, 90012
Agora Records
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For the music lovers and audiophiles, Agora is the place for LA’s electronic underground. Specializing in everything from house, techno, breaks, electro, and downtempo, it’s a digger’s paradise packed with both fresh pressings and rare second-hand finds. The space doubles as an art gallery and triples as a party thanks to weekly in-store DJ sets and after-hours in the back warehouse with music collective Melt.
1022 S Sante Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Rosebowl Flea Market
This list wouldn’t be complete without LA’s large-scale flea markets. Since 1968, on the second Sunday of each month, the Rose Bowl Flea has been the ultimate vintage and antique playground comprising 2,500+ vendors, thousands of stalls, and pretty much anything your heart desires. Hardcore thrifters roll in at 5 am—it’s not just shopping, it’s a sport.
1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
WHERE TO EAT
Gjusta
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Part deli, part café, part bakery, part market, Gjusta offers a yummy brunch menu made from fresh produce sourced directly from local California farmers. Located in an unsuspecting street in the heart of Venice, grab your order and head out to the leafy, sun-soaked patio.
320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291, United States
Dan Sung Sa
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A Koreatown classic that hits every time. Dan Sung Sa is a go-to for soju-filled nights and sizzling skewers in a dim, old-school style wood-paneled tavern. Open until 2 am with over 90 food items on their menu, its homey but ravenous atmosphere makes it the perfect late-night spot for college students and K-town regulars who know the best meals happen after midnight.
3317 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020, United States
kodo
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Minimalist, moody, and delicious— Kodo is where Japanese dining meets LA edge. Situated in hip South Santa Fe Avenue in the Arts District, this indoor-outdoor spot doubles as a hotel, café, and spa, occasionally hosting pop-ups of tattooists, apparel, and records alike. Come for the spicy tuna crispy rice rolls and tea-infused cocktails, stay for the sleek design that feels straight out of a zen garden in Tokyo.
710 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States
WHERE TO DRINK
Zizou
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Hidden in Lincoln Heights near Elysian Park, Zizou is a Moroccan-French gem. Dreamt up by a sound designer and an architect, this bar-restaurant is an oasis composed of patterned tiles sourced from Morocco, mid-century modern furniture, ruby red lights, and a banging sound system. It fosters a laid-back atmosphere, where natural light flows in from the patio during the day, paired with a compact but classic Moroccan French menu (cous cous, steak frites, range of wines). They also host markets, community, and music events.
2425 Daly St, Los Angeles, CA 90031, United States
Apothéke
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An apothecary-style bar where every cocktail is a cure— stress relievers, pain killers, aphrodisiacs— with a botanical twist. Paired with boujee decor, brooding lighting, and yet another charming patio where you can watch the train go by, Apothéke nails the whole “let’s just have one drink” lie. Especially on Sundays, for those who aren’t ready to call it a weekend, tune into Sunday Sessions programming (@sunday.sessions.la) for vinyl-only, smooth grooves and immaculate vibes.
1746 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Homage Brewing
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Known for their unique sours, IPAs, and Belgian-inspired culture, Homage is a brewery and restaurant. Super spacious with a social outdoor area and a chill upstairs area overlooking the disco ball and dance floor, their music programming on the weekends is on point and set to the perfect volume for dancing and chatting.
1219 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
ENTERTAINMENT
Petit Ermitage
Petit Ermitage is a surrealist fever dream tucked in West Hollywood. By day, the rooftop feels like a communal European villa— striped loungers, a saltwater pool, where you can sip “love potions” and dine amongst hummingbirds and butterflies (the space is even recognized as a sanctuary by the National Wildlife Federation!). By night, it descends into playful absurdity: you might stumble into a tarot card reading, jazz ensemble, or a cabaret singer mid-serenade, while a contortionist passes by your table. Art by Dalí and Miró lines its walls, reinforcing the hotel’s taste for the esoteric and eccentric. Only open to guests and members, it is a haven for creatives.
8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Revival Hub LA
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Hollywood: where dreams come true! When in Los Angeles, the land of the silver screen, you might as well lean into the fantasy and take your pick between a nostalgic drive-in, a rooftop screening amongst the LA skyline, or sink into the velvet seats of a historic cinematheque. Track every repertory film screening across the city through the Revival Hub website or Instagram, from French New Wave to 90s cult, Hitchcock to Wong Kar Wai.
https://revivalhub.com/
Huntington Library
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The closest thing to a paradise escape in LA. A cultural and educational institution with an expansive library, art, and a botanical garden (16 themed gardens that span ~130 acres, to be exact), the Huntington Library invites you to wander through different biomes and travel from prickly western desert terrain to serene Japanese and Chinese temples in the east. Not to forget the rose garden tea room, where you can enjoy a glass of wine in an European-style pavilion.
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, United States
Midnight Lovers
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For those who like their nights with a little mystery and a lot of bass, Midnight Lovers is an underground soirée in a lovely outdoor-indoor venue under the DTLA bridge. Expect dialed-in line-ups leaning towards house, techno, disco, and everything in between. Come for the music, stay for the quintessential LA vibes of dancing somewhere half warehouse, half courtyard, and under the moonlight.
Secret Location, Los Angeles, CA 90023, United States
Editor
Talia Tom
