Sawtelle Blvd This street is home to some of the best Japanese food in Los Angeles and is tucked next to the 405 freeway in West LA.

Silver Lake Reservoir:  This Los Angeles gem is tucked away in Silver Lake.  Always full of activity and beauty, this amazing recreational and relaxation spot is a must-visit for those living east of Western.  A true neighborhood asset, the Silver Lake Reservoir is the perfect reminder of why it is so hard to beat Los Angeles living.

Getty Center: The Getty Center and museum, located on the top of a mountain in West Los Angeles, offers a diverse set of exhibits as well as fabulous grounds for picnicing, sightseing and walking around. Although parking costs $10, admission is free.

The Grove: Located in mid-city, The Grove is a fabulous collection of shops, public spaces, restaurants and entertainment. Also great for kids, since there is a small park in the center of the shopping Center.

Manna Korean BBQ Restaurant: Located in Korea town, Manna is a fun filled all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque restaurant that charges a whopping $16.99 per person for endless platters of pre-marinated chicken, beef, ribs, and pork! Parties enjoy grilling their own meats in an open air dining area that has the capacity to seat up to 300 people. And- if there is a birthday gal/guy in the party, just let the hostess know, and an english/korean version of the "Happy Birthday" song will blast from the speakers througout the restaurant. It is truly a one of a kind experience!

Griffith Park Observatory: Located atop Mount Hollywood facing the south, the Griffith Park Observatory boasts an impressive array of space and astronomy related exhibits. Aside from the displays and exhibits, the observatory also offers amazing views of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles, Century City, and Hollywood. Although, if you want to see anything, you should make sure to go on a clear day. While there, make sure to stop by the restaurant and gift shop. PRICE: FREE! 

Amoeba Music: If you don't already know, believe me it is not too late. Situated on the eastern edge of the Sunset Strip (thank you Mötley Crüe), Amoeba Music is one of the many prolific record stores that dot the greater Los Angeles area. They buy and sell nearly every medium known to man, and more than not have those rare gems that should be in every purists collection.

Getty Villa:  Not quite as well-known as the Getty Center, but definitely worth the trip.  Modeled after a villa found in Herculaneum (a city destroyed in the same eruption as Pompeii), the Getty Villa has been recently remodeled and expanded.  Admission is free, but you need a reservation unless you arrive by public transit.  Parking is $10.

Bona Vista Lounge: Sitting atop on the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, this revolving cocktail lounge is an ideal location for a romantic date or a business meeting. You can enjoy a panoramic view of downtown Los Angeles while indulging in fruity cocktail. It is of great fun to see the streets bustling with evening traffic, the high-rise buildings blazing with lights, and the city dwelling in metropolitan atmosphere. Valid parking is available at the underground parking lot of Westin Hotel.

Novel Cafe Pier Ave: Located in a tranquil corner of Pier Avenue and Hampton Drive, Santa Monica, this cozy cafe offers delicious drinks, scrumptious desserts and sandwiches.  The most unique facet of this gem is its rustic-chic decor and the array of used books available on the shelves, ranging from fiction to technical books.  On any given day you will encounter actors, musicians, writers and students bantering and plugging away on their computers - an absolute delight for those who intend to hang out and study.

Los Angeles Central Library: Situated in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles where Bunker Hill meets the Financial District, this Los Angeles landmark lays humbly low amid soaring high-rises.  Esteemed as a repository of written knowledge, Central Library houses a vast collection of literary texts, from academic journals to newspaper columns.  Treasured for the public space it supports outside and beautifully embellished within, visiting this grand institution is an experience Angelenos should not pass up.

The Huntington Library and Gardens: The beautiful home and gardens of Henry Huntington was founded in 1919 and is found in  San Marino, north-east of downtown Los Angeles and just south of Pasadena.   The library and museum contain classic works of art and manuscripts but the real gem of this facility are the gardens.