Category: News

Circa Rings in the New Year for Auld Lang Syne

Making plans for New Year’s Eve?  We’ve rounded up LA’s most spectacular celebrations, from elegant chef-driven dinners, to stylish entertainment, and epic events, many not far from Circa. Experience the glamour of the Roaring Twenties at The Biltmore’s LA Noir NYE, elevate your evening at 71Above, or spend a musical New Year’s Eve with DJ D-Nice & Friends at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Then count down to 2025 at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA and thrill to the park’s signature 3D light show projected onto LA City Hall. So pop the cork, grab your noise makers, and ring in the New Year!

Mastro's Ocean Club New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA 1200 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Mastro’s elegant Downtown L.A. location, conveniently located on the ground floor of Circa, will be open on New Year’s Eve from 3:30PM to midnight, serving their full dinner menu including their famous American and Japanese Wagyu, delectable seafood and sushi selections, soups, salads, potatoes served a variety of ways, and their award-winning wine and cocktail program.

Midnight Masquerade at Level 8 New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Midnight Masquerade at Level 8 1254 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Level up your New Year’s Eve at Level 8, a first of its kind multidimensional showcase of culinary exploration, extravagant entertainment, and immersive discovery. Circa residents will receive a discount on food & beverage at this lavish celebration. Redeem your discount by showing your Circa app as proof of residency. This incredible free-flowing event will be held across all 8 wonderfully intriguing venues, and will feature food & drinks showcasing a taste of each concept, as well as live entertainment by their most popular performers. Tickets include 4 hour open bar & hors d’oeuvres, midnight countdown, and champagne toast.

71Above restaurant New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

71 Above 633 W 5th St. Los Angeles 90071

Elevate your New Year’s Eve celebration at the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi. Executive Chef Javier Lopez and Pastry Chef Samantha Armstrong are preparing a Four-Course Dinner with optional Wine Pairing. The eclectic menu features Chawanmushi (Black Truffle, Winter Squash), Japanese Sea Bream Crudo, Grilled Octopus, Spinach Bigoli Pasta, and A5+ Japanese Wagyu. For dessert, choose from Milk Tea Granita, Kabocha Squash Pie, Gianduja Fig Moose, or Cheese Plate.

Le Petit Paris restaurant New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Le Petit Paris 418 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

A true French brasserie bringing dishes from the South of France to DTLA’s Historic Core, Le Petit Paris is offering two seatings on New Year’s Eve. The first seating, from 4:30PM to 6:30PM, includes a prix fixe menu. The second seating, starting at 8:30PM, features a prix fixe menu, cabaret performances, party favors, dance party with DJ, live music, countdown to 2025, and their iconic balloon drop.

Redbird restaurant New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

NYE Dinner at Redbird 114 E Second St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with dinner at Redbird, located in the historic rectory of the former Vibiana cathedral. Chef Neal Fraser and his team will be serving a three-course prix fixe dinner with optional wine pairing. Menu options include Iced Oysters, Chicken Liver Mousse, Vegan Wild Mushroom Risotto, Liberty Farms Duck Breast, and Filet of Beef. Cap off your meal with a choice of Champagne Trifle or Golden Milk Chocolate Bar.

Forever Midnight New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Forever Midnight LA Convention Center 1201 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Running from 4 PM to 4 AM, this 12-hour festival promises to be one of LA’s premier events, featuring a mix of international dance music legends and rising stars from the local underground scene. Attendees can expect an unforgettable night of music and culture as they welcome 2025, with a lineup that creatively blends global and local sounds.

LA Noir NYE at The Biltmore New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

LA Noir NYE at The Biltmore 506 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Celebrate New Year’s  Eve at this historic icon, where the artists of the Labyrinth Masquerade Ball create a celebration in this lavish setting. Crystal Stage presents a night of performances, dancing, live music from the Biltmore Big Band, and a multimedia midnight countdown. Just outside, the Champagne bar offers glasses and bottles of sparkly. The Radio Lounge features open seating and a private VIP Bar with tables with retro-style live radio plays and musical guests until midnight. 

Dita von Teese New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Dita Von Teese NYE Gala Show The Orpheum Theatre 842 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Spend a sparkly New Year’s Eve at the Orpheum as contemporary pin-up icon Dita Von Teese hosts this year-end burlesque showcase. Dubbed the Glamonatrix Gala, the local New Year’s Eve tradition puts a present-day spin on 1940s variety show with a mix of comedy and dance.

EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

EVE at Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608

Be part of Hollywood’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood’s EVE event on Dec. 31, where you can party the night away until 2AM. Fill your day with heart-pounding rides, shows and attractions, and then keep the thrills going into the night. Have fun and celebrate with multiple party areas featuring music, dancing, photo ops, drinks available for purchase, and a midnight countdown celebration with fireworks. 

D-Nice at Walt Disney Concert Hall New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

New Year’s Eve with D-Nice & Friends Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Legendary artist DJ D-Nice ushers in 2025! His spirit of uplift and positivity brought millions together for Club Quarantine, both online and in one of the highlights of the 2021 Bowl season. Following appearances at the 94th Academy Awards and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, as well as concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater, he sets it off for a party worthy of the biggest night of the year. Cheers to the new year in the Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve lounge with a complimentary glass of champagne, photo booth, and music in the air.

Gloria Molina Grand Park New Year’s Eve near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA Countdown to 2025 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Ring in the New Year in DTLA at the biggest free New Year’s Eve Celebration on the West Coast! Revel with thousands of Angelenos at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA Countdown to 2025. Enjoy live music, over 30 of L.A.’s best food trucks, and a spectacular countdown show to welcome 2025.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Gloria Molina Grand Park

Photo #2: Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA

Photo #3: Level 8

Photo #4: 71Above

Photo #5: Le Petit Paris

Photo #6: Redbird LA

Photo #7: Forever Midnight

Photo #8: The Biltmore

Photo #9: The Orpheum Theatre / Live Nation

Photo #10: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #11: LA Phil

Photo #12: Gloria Molina Grand Park

Circa Unwraps LA’s Most Dazzling Holiday Celebrations

Prepare to be dazzled this holiday season, and no one does razzle-dazzle quite like LA! SPARKLE  DTLA at The Bloc is presenting one of LA’s largest multi-colored immersive experiences. Descanso Gardens, LA Arboretum, and South Coast Botanic Garden are also lighting the night with brilliant illuminations and interactive displays. You’ll find seasonal entertainment galore including Deck the Hall at Walt Disney Concert Hall, festive offerings from LA Master Chorale, and a mesmerizing ballet performance of the beloved Nutcracker Suite. Ice skating enthusiasts can show off their glides and spins at LA Kings Holiday Ice and the Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square. And you don’t want to miss the spectacular Christmas Tree at Union Station!

Circa Holiday Celebration

Circa residents are invited to join us for our Holiday Celebration Fire & Ice Dueling Pianos on December 18 from 7:30PM to 9:30PM in the 8th Floor Lounge. Enjoy an evening of Dueling Pianos, Specialty Cocktails, and Hors d’oeuvres.

SPARKLE DTLA holiday celebfration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

SPARKLE DTLA The Bloc 700 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Experience a magical holiday show as 18 million hues of lights illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes. SPARKLE DTLA at The Bloc will take you through an unforgettable nighttime journey that includes one of LA’s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays. Capture your perfect photo-op moments at this ultimate holiday experience. SPARKLE is free to attend and is open to all ages. Furry friends are also welcome.

Enchanted Forest of Light celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Enchanted Forest of Light Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

By day, Descanso blossoms and chitters with cheerful and welcoming, sunlit landscapes. By night, Enchanted Forest of Light transforms the gardens into an entirely different realm of magic, mystery, and incandescence. Enchanted’s inventive installations cultivate a parallel world with light, color, and ambient music that transform familiar garden spaces into whimsical, dramatic, and sublime botanical artscapes. Expect to see popular returning installations, including an entire town of magical “stained glass” houses by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin; sparkling geometric installations from HYBYCOZO; Flower Power on the Promenade; and exquisite lighting effects in the Ancient Forest.

LA Zoo Lights holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

L.A Zoo Lights 5333 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027

LA’s wildest holiday tradition returns for the 2024-2025 season! Explore an immersive landscape with dazzling new lantern sculptures of larger-than-life animals and holiday wonders, for a nature-focused seasonal celebration that’s as inspiring as it is breathtaking. This year’s experience features all-new sights and delights and the return of Santa himself. Your L.A. Zoo Lights ticket purchase supports the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife, enrich communities, and create connections to nature.  

Astra Lumina holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Astra Lumina South Coast Botanic Garden 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90274

We’ve always been told to reach for the stars, but what if the stars could reach for us? The stars are descending from the night sky. Set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above. Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden is the 17th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series.

LA Master Chorale holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

LA Master Chorale Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

LA Master Chorale is presenting a festive line-up of holiday concerts including Handel’s Messiah, Carols on the Plaza, and the ever popular Messiah Sing-Along. Founded by the legendary Roger Wagner in 1964, the Los Angeles Master Chorale is “the finest-by-far major chorus in America” (Los Angeles Times) and a vibrant cultural treasure. Hailed for its powerful performances, technical precision, and artistic daring, the Chorale is a founding resident company of The Music Center and choir-in-residence at Walt Disney Concert Hall. 

LA Phil Deck the Hall holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

LA Phil Deck the Hall Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

A treasured L.A. tradition, Deck the Hall offers outstanding holiday programming for a wide variety of tastes at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The festivities include A Chanticleer Christmas, Home Alone in Concert, Arturo Sandoval ’s Swinging Holiday, and a Holiday Sing-Along. Make sure to arrive early for drinks and merriment in the fun-filled Winter Wonderland.

The Nutcracker Suite holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Nutcracker Suite Two California Plaza 350 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071 

American Contemporary Ballet presents an immersive experience of the Tchaikovsky classic that delights children and adults alike. A world of wonders so mysterious and magical it appears only once a year. American Contemporary Ballet was founded by choreographer Lincoln Jones and dancer Theresa Farrell to produce original contemporary classical ballets. The company performs over 60 shows each season, spanning a repertory which includes works by George Balanchine, Fred Astaire, Lincoln Jones, and reconstructions of seminal ballet works. 

LA Kings Holiday Ice holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

LA Kings Holiday Ice L.A. LIVE 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Skate like a King! The annual LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE.  Skate your way into the holiday season and enjoy the rink until January 10, 2025. Bring your friends, family, date or enjoy the ice before and after a sports game or concert. Grab a bite to eat or drink when you come to skate at L.A. LIVE. Present your LA Kings Holiday Ice receipt on the day you skate at participating L.A. LIVE restaurants to receive discounts and dinner deals.

Holiday Ice Rink Downtown Los Angeles holiday celebration near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square 532 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The hottest place to chill during the holidays, Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is back for a season of outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Plan a night out with your friends and get on the ice! Open daily through January 12, 2024.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Union Station

Photo #2: Circa 

Photo #3: The Bloc

Photo #4: Descanso Gardens

Photo #5: L.A. Zoo

Photo #6: South Coast Botanic Garden

Photo #7: LA Master Chorale

Photo #8: LA Phil

Photo #9: American Contemporary Ballet

Photo #10: LA Kings

Photo #11: Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square

Circa Dishes Up The Perfect Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and we’re dreaming of a fabulous feast with all the trimmings!  If cooking is not on your radar, your favorite DTLA restaurants near Circa are dishing up some delicious dining options, from elegant chef-driven menus to Thanksgiving meals to-go, and luscious desserts to cap it all off. Need advice in the kitchen? We’ve gathered some tips and tricks to put on a spectacular spread, including plant-based dishes. You’ll also find opportunities to give back, such as Turkey Trot LA, which benefits The Midnight Mission, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, and GivingTuesday on December 3.

Mastro's Ocean Club DTLA Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA 1200 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

For Circa residents, there’s no place like home. Mastro’s elegant Downtown L.A. location on the ground floor of our of building will be open on Thanksgiving, serving a full dinner menu including their famous USDA Prime Steaks, Delectable Seafood, and Award-Winning Wine & Cocktails. You can also order their specialty Thanksgiving sides to-go, including Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Corn, Creamed Spinach, and Green Beans with Sliced Almonds. Complete your Thanksgiving table with a decadent pecan pie!

The Palm Restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Palm Restaurant 1100 S. Flower St. Los Angeles 90015

Located in Downtown LA just steps from L.A. LIVE and Crypto.com Arena, The Palm is serving a decadent three-course Thanksgiving Dinner complete with both traditional holiday dishes and Palm classics. Thanksgiving Dinner starts with a choice of soup or salad, such as Lobster Bisque or The Palm Caesar. The main course is Oven Roasted Turkey complete with Cornbread Stuffing, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy. For dessert, choose from Pecan Pie or Junior’s New York Style Cheesecake. The Palm’s full dinner menu will also be available.

San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles 100 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

San Laurel, a Michelin-rated dining experience from Chef José Andrés, offers the flavors of Spain as seen through a California lens, featuring the beautiful ingredients of the abundant Golden State. The restaurant is offering a sumptious Thanksgiving feast that highlights Spain meets California. Start with their coca idiazábal and hiramasa crudo and follow it up with Mary’s Farm Turkey served with all the trimmings. Heralded by the vision of legendary architect Frank Gehry, Conrad Hotel is an elegant oasis framed by dramatic views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and downtown LA. 

Manuela restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located at the Hauser & Wirth art complex in the Downtown LA Arts District, Manuela is serving a prix fixe Family Style Thanksgiving Feast. First course is a Ham Hock & Potato Soup with Cream Biscuits and Baby Market Lettuces. For mains, choose from Smoked Turkey Breast & Dark Meat Confit, Col. Newsom’s Preacher Ham, Liberty Farms Duck Breast, Diver Scallops, or Oyster & Trumpet Mushroom Popover. Family-style sides include Mashed Yukon Potatoes & Gravy, Calvados Cranberry Relish, Chicken Sausage Stuffing, Sweet Potato & Delicata, and Braised Green Beans. Dessert options include Pumpkin Pie, Cardamon Cheese Cake, Flourless Chocolate Torte, and Apple Gateau with oat crumble and vanilla glaze.

71Above restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

71 Above 633 W 5th St. Los Angeles 90071

Elevate your Thanksgiving celebration with a three-course dinner that starts with a choice of Farm Salad, Japanese Sea Bream Crudo,, Chilled Asparagus or Grilled Octopus. The entree is roasted Mary’s Turkey Breast, and sides for the table include Black Truffle Mac ‘n Cheese, Grilled Broccolini, Mushroom Stuffing, and Pomme Purée. For dessert, choose from Milk Tea Granita, Kabocha Squash Pie, Gianduja Fig Moose, or Cheese Plate. 71Above is the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi and boasts spectacular ocean views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with the Los Angeles basin and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Majordomo restaurant Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Majordomo 1725 Naud St. Los Angeles 90012

Chef David Chang’s Majordomo is offering Thanksgiving Pick Up Packs to-go, featuring the Half Smoked Bo Ssäm (Reheat at Home) which feeds 4-6- people) and the Whole Smoked Bo Ssäm (Reheat at Home) which feeds 8-12. Packs include bone-in smoked & glazed pork butt; ssäm (bibb lettuces, perilla leaf) and condiments: ssamjang, ginger scallion, escabeche, hoisin and kimchi. Save room for the Whole Chocolate Pie. Reheating and serving instructions are included.

Wexlers Deli Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Wexler’s Deli 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located in the Grand Central Market, Wexler’s Deli is offering a Smoked Bird Thanksgiving Dinner to-go, featuring a whole smoked turkey that serves 4-6. The dinner includes all the fixin’s including Drippings Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Green Beans with shallots & thyme, Challah Stuffing, Santa Monica Farmers Market Big Salad with champagne dill vinaigrette, Autumn Squash Soup, and Sourdough Rolls. Every Smoked Bird Dinner includes a free Thanksgiving Leftover Kit to make Turkey Reubens, including Rye Bread, Russian Dressing, Sauerkraut and Swiss Cheese. There’s also a Pumpkin or Pecan Pie from Cake Monkey and Wexler’s Caviar from Poland.

Fat & Flour Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Fat & Flour 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

While you’re shopping at the Grand Central Market, make sure you visit Fat & Flour, a tiny pie shop from Los Angeles chef and author Nicole Rucker. Rucker is known internationally for her rustic desserts and has won several awards for her homespun pies, including the 2012 National Pie Championship, KCRW Good Food Pie contest, and a Star Chef award for baking. Her first cookbook, Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, was recently nominated for a James Beard Award for baking.

DTLA Cheese Superette Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

DTLA Cheese Superette 363 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

DTLA Cheese Superette is a full-service cut-to-order cheese counter, market, and eatery. Their cheese case, curated by Lydia Clarke, showcases the best that cheesemakers across Europe and the United States have to offer, from centuries-old classics to brand new innovations. DTLA Cheese offers an array of platters, from Mini to Mega Boards, to accommodate the size of your guest list. Boards can be made either all cheese, or cheese + charcuterie, and will include pickled goodies such as olives, cornichons, and piparra peppers, plus some whole grain mustard and sweet accoutrements.

Butterball Turkey Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Butterball Amazon Alexa Skill

Ready to talk turkey? Ask Alexa. With the Butterball Skill for Amazon Alexa, Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts will help you host like a boss with turkey preparation how-tos, tips, and recipe inspiration. Butterball Turkey Talk-Line experts are poultry pros that have been giving sage advice for years, and they’re here to help you put a little swagger in your stuffing! If you own an Echo Show, the Butterball skill will also cue up short how-to videos that make it easy to choose, thaw, roast, stuff and carve a turkey. They’ll even show you where to place a meat thermometer, and give you a pep talk to boot!

Inhabitat lifestyle resource offering green design ideas and innovations

Plant-based recipes for Thanksgiving

For most of us, Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without a turkey on the table. But if you trend toward vegetarianism, veganism or flexitarianism, luckily there are amazing plant-based dishes that you can prepare for a mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast, making it easier than ever to skip the turkey. Inhabitat, an online guide to green design ideas and innovations, offers some fresh ideas for main dishes that will replace the turkey on your table, plus some side dish and dessert ideas that will keep the food at your celebration completely plant-based.

Turkey Trot LA Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Turkey Trot LA

Nov 28 Trot before you feast, and help fundraise for The Midnight Mission. The 12th Annual Turkey Trot Los Angeles offers a 5k, 10k, Widdle Wobble, and One Mile Dog Jog on Thanksgiving morning with a post event festival located in Grand Park. See Los Angeles like you’ve never seen it before. Imagine no morning traffic while you run past the world-famous Disney Concert Hall, Broad Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and down historic Spring Street, one of the oldest streets in the city.

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels charity for Thanksgiving near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

St. Vincent Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors and other vulnerable residents across Los Angeles, regardless of age, illness, disability, race, religion or ability to pay. Every meal meets or exceeds all federal and local nutritional standards, and is high in fiber and low in sugar. Clients receive special meals tailored to their medical protocols including low sodium, renal for kidney patients, and low vitamin K for heart patients. They also cater to clients’ personal preferences, including vegetarian meals. 

GivingTuesday global charity event near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

GivingTuesday

Dec 3 GivingTuesday is a global movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building a better world.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Butterball

Photo #2: Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA

Photo #3: The Palm Restaurant

Photo #4: San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles 

Photo #5: Manuela

Photo #6: 71 Above

Photo #7: Majordomo

Photo #8: Wexler’s Deli

Photo #9: Fat & Flour

Photo #10: DTLA Cheese Superette

Photo #11: Butterball

Photo #12: Inhabitat

Photo #13: Turkey Trot LA

Photo #14: St. Vincent Meals on Wheels

Photo #15: GivingTuesday

Circa’s Insiders Guide to Holiday Shopping in DTLA

Get a head start on your holiday shopping! This season, think local. All around Circa, downtown Los Angeles is brimming with a sleigh full of options to play Santa, and help support independent shops, entrepreneurs and artisans as well. From family to foodies, pet lovers to plant parents, culture connoisseurs, and even your most eccentric friends, we’ve compiled a unique and eclectic insiders guide to inspire your holiday shopping in DTLA.

West Coast Craft at ROW DTLA holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

West Coast Craft ROW DTLA South Lot 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Nov 10 The West Coast Craft Market in downtown Los Angeles brings together 175+ of the best artist and designer craftspeople at a single-day, outdoor market at ROW DTLA. You’ll find everything from jewelry & apparel to ceramics, home goods, candles, up-cycled vintage items, artisan food & beverages, and treats for pets. The event is free and open to the public.

Los Angeles Christmas Market at ROW DTLA holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Christmas Market Skylight ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Ring in the winter season with holiday cheer at the first-ever Los Angeles Christmas Market. Be transported to the bustling Christmas markets of Europe, complete with 50+ festive food and drink vendors, twinkling lights, fun activities, musical entertainment, and more. Explore dozens of open-air booths featuring seasonal favorites like soft pretzels, hot chocolate, crispy schnitzel, and displays of handicrafts made by local artisans.

Flask & Field at ROW DTLA holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Flask & Field ROW DTLA 767 S Alameda St. Ste 180 Los Angeles, CA 90021

While you’re at ROW, be sure to visit Flask & Field for the wine lovers on your list. Flask & Field is a modern wine shop and lifestyle destination for the discovery of wine, spirits, and bespoke home and personal goods. Flask & Field was founded by former entertainment attorney Miriam Yoo. Inspired by her husband’s love of a good time and driven by her lifelong passion for wine, hospitality and design, she set out to create a neighborhood space dedicated to enjoyment. 

Dublab & In Sheep's Clothing HiFi pop-up at ROW DTLA holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Dublab & In Sheep’s Clothing HiFi ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Dublab and In Sheep’s Clothing HiFi presents their pop-up Sound & Vision, your source for vinyl & analog culture. This community market features a record shop, hi-fi equipment, books, clothing, and other accessories related to analog culture. The shop also features events, activations, installations and live broadcasts. At Sound & Vision, shoppers will discover new sounds, and products to enhance their listening experience. In keeping with their vision of a “seasonal community market,” they continue to open up the space to local independent creators, vinyl dealers, and hi-fi equipment makers.

The Last Bookstore holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Last Book Store 453 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

A true DTLA treasure, The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store, housed in a stunning 22,000 square-foot space in the Spring Arts Tower. The space includes a record store, comic book store, 5 art studios, an epic yarn shop, a famous book tunnel, a mammoth head, and unexpected nooks of funkiness. The Annex, a very special room just to the left as you enter, is gated because it has all the fancy stuff, from first editions, collectibles, and the extremely rare to expensive art/architecture/photo books.

City Home & Garden holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

City Home & Garden 737 San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

City Home & Garden is the largest wholesale / retail indoor plant store in the DTLA Flower District. Since 2006, they have provided quality indoor plants, orchids, and pottery. They also make flower and plant arrangements for commercial and retail customers. You can select pottery from their shop or you can bring your own pottery for planting or custom arrangement service. Don’t worry about how to bring your purchases home. They do local delivery.

August Uncommon Tea holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

August Uncommon Tea

August is a small, family-run company based in Los Angeles, committed to making better tea, and to making things better in our world. August is designed to please all five senses, with wild and intense flavors inspired by cocktails, pastry, perfume, and modern cuisine. One of the only companies in the US to focus on super-premium blended flavored teas, whenever you drink August, you’ll always drink something unique. Alongside tasting notes, you’ll find mood notes inspired by art, music, cinema and natural landscapes. August also offers unique tea ware.

Healthy Spot holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

 Healthy Spot 1000 S Grand Avenue Suite A Los Angeles, CA 90015

Give your furry friends something to bark about this holiday season. Healthy Spot is a pet care retail company that offers pet owners a full range of nutritional foods and eco-friendly products, along with award-winning, personalized grooming, daycare and training services. Founded in 2008 by Andrew Kim and Mark Boonnark, the company prides itself on assuring that every stocked product contains premium-quality ingredients and is procured and manufactured safely and ethically. 

The Shop at The Broad holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Shop at The Broad 221 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in the lobby of The Broad museum, The Shop at The Broad is inspired by The Broad’s renowned postwar and contemporary art collection. The Shop features a unique, artist-driven array of products, books, and gifts at every price point, from museum-branded items to objects for the home to artist-inspired exclusives available only at The Broad. Free general admission tickets to The Broad are required for entry to The Shop. Proceeds from The Shop at The Broad support the museum’s mission of making art accessible to the widest possible audience.

Renegade Craft Fair holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Renegade Craft Fair LA State Historic Park 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Nov 16 – 17  Renegade Craft is a leading showcase of independent craft and design. Renegade hosted its first Los Angeles Fair in 2010, and has been hosting sunny, lively events around the city ever since. Curated with established and up-and-coming artists, every LA event has a unique roster that leaves shoppers with a feeling of discovery and inspiration (and usually a good dose of vitamin D. All Renegade events and endeavors are produced, juried, and curated in-house by their small yet mighty team, a thoughtful group of artists and doers that are inspired to build, cultivate, and foster creative community.

Unique World: Holiday Pop-Up Experience holiday shopping near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Unique World: Holiday Pop-Up Experience Cooper Design Space 860 S Los Angeles St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Dec 7 – 8  Part trade show, part design fair, part creativity zone, Unique World’s focus has always been to encourage creativity and connection between people in-real-life. Their markets shine a spotlight on small businesses, designers & artists, while curating an elevated and hands-on shopping experience for the community. Based in LA, founder Sonja Rasula has been hailed as one of the leading forces behind the ‘shop small’ movement, Eileen Fisher called her “1 of 30 Women Entrepreneurs Changing the World,” and Forbes named her “The Millionaire Maker.”

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Rolling Greens Nursery

Photo #2: ROW DTLA 

Photo #3: Los Angeles Christmas Market / ROW DTLA

Photo #4: Flask & Field

Photo #5: Dublab & In Sheep’s Clothing HiFi

Photo #6: The Last Book Store

Photo #7: City Home & Garden

Photo #8: August Uncommon Tea 

Photo #9: Healthy Spot

Photo #10: The Shop at The Broad

Photo #11: Renegade Craft

Photo #12: Unique World

Circa Gets Spooked with LA’s Scariest Halloween Happenings

Get ready to encounter a harvest of horrors this Halloween!  We’ve gathered some of LA’s scariest happenings, from ghostly mansions and frightening illusions to a haunted hayride, many not far from Circa. You don’t want to miss Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Gloria Molina Grand Park, featuring 19 stunning altars created by local artists. One of Mexico’s most colorful holidays, Los Angeles has embraced this beloved tradition, honoring the departed spirits of our lives. And speaking of spirits, dare to immerse yourself at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée or try an other-worldly tasting experience at The Obscure Distillery. Check websites for details.

Circa Fright Night Halloween party at Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Circa Fright Night

Prepare yourself for a chilling night where your favorite horror villains come to life! Thrill to Special Guest DJ and Frightful Entertainment, Spooky Snacks, and Sinful Cocktails. Get your Photo Op and join in our Villain Costume Contest. RSVP in Resident Portal. Scan QR code to download Circa App. Saturday October 26, 8th Floor Lounge, 8:00PM – 11PM

Grand Park Día de los Muertos Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos 200 N Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Experience the vibrant tradition of Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día De Los Muertos celebration. This two-week exhibition features 19 stunning altars created by local artists and community organizations. You can contribute to the community altar by leaving a copy of a framed photo, memento, or message to remember someone special. 

Gustavo Dudamel Día de los Muertos Halloween concert near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Día de Los Muertos with Dudamel Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Nov 1 Gustavo Dudamel leads a festive exploration of Latin American music for Día de los Muertos with the LA Phil, Tambuco Percussion Ensemble, and Los Angeles Master Chorale. Start your festivities with a complimentary pre-concert drink on the Walt Disney Concert Hall rooftop with Drinks in the Garden beginning at 6:30pm. In honor of the Día de Los Muertos with Dudamel concerts, the LA Phil commissioned five local artists to create altars that celebrate Latin American culture, ancestry, and identity. The exhibition will be on display throughout Walt Disney Concert Hall from October 25 to November 3.  

House of Spirits Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée Nocturne Theatre 324 N Orange St. Glendale, CA. 91203

House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée is an immersive theatrical cocktail soirée inside an elegantly macabre haunted estate! Enjoy craft cocktails and a night of extravagant entertainment, music, surreal magic, sinister characters, and interactive guest experiences. Freely roam the mysterious haunted mansion and experience a night of haunting entertainment, strange roaming specters, and so much more! Ask the Giant Ouija Board questions as you commune and interact with the spirits of the house. If you feel like digging a little deeper, speak with the inhabitants of the house to reveal a gruesome story that haunts the mansion.

The Obscure Distillery Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Obscure 1356 Palmetto St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Let magical spirits guide you through a dreamlike world at The Obscure, the first cocktail bar in California run by a distillery, where spirit-makers and bar tenders collaborate for an unmatched tasting experience. The Obscure intertwines mixology with storytelling to create a bewitching candlelit evening filled with creativity and live art. Guests can drink their way through history and mythology by attending one of two guided cocktail tastings, each pairing three house spirits with three craft cocktails.

Carved Descanso Gardens Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Carved Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr. La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Come discover a mesmerizing pumpkin wonderland featuring a new route, and even more pumpkin fun! Encounter returning favorites and fresh delights. The new Descanso Railroad will be specially lit for Carved, and a family of wood spirits carved from five enormous logs by Chainsaw Jenna will add a touch of playful mischief to the event. You’ll be amazed by luminous jack-o’-lanterns, hand-carved giant pumpkins, and “Rhizome” installation by Tom and Lien Dekyvere. Rain or shine, Carved shines on.

Haunted Hayride Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Griffith Park 730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Experience the world-famous Los Angeles Haunted Hayride – the ultimate halloween event. The Hayride leads to a thrilling adventure of horrors afflicting the town of Midnight Falls, with the Town Square at the epicenter of the festivities. While guests walk around between attractions or hang out to soak in the atmosFEAR, various townsfolk from the Midnight Falls community roam the space interacting with guests and attending to their local business. The Spirit of Halloween comes to life surrounding helpless victims brave enough to board The Hayride.

Nights of the Jack Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Nights of the Jack King Gillette Ranch 26800 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302

Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This season, Nights of the Jack is back and brighter than ever. You’ll discover Jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky. It’s not just an illusion, it’s an experience. Brace yourself with a hot cider or seasonal cocktail from the Spookeasy bar, and fortify yourself with some festive fall treats. Follow the 1 mile trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with blazing gourds around every corner. Be sure to have your cameras ready and enjoy!

Halloween Horror Nights Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Halloween Horror Nights Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza Universal City, CA 91608

Legend has it you should never go alone to Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Southern California’s scariest Halloween event. Summon your scream squad and you might survive. Enter eight haunted houses inspired by the biggest names in horror. The Terror Tram is back and scarier than ever. Experience scream-filled scare zones and enjoy exhilarating rides and attractions. Whether you want to scream one night or multiple nights, or get the blood-red carpet treatment on an R.I.P. Tour, there are many nightmares to choose from.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience Halloween near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience Ovation Hollywood 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028

Step beyond the screen and into the Afterlife where everyone’s favorite bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice, is dying to see you! For a limited time, grab your Afterlife Passport and take a seat in the Waiting Room, where you’ll be immersed into the strange world of the Recently Deceased, filled with ghoulish, interactive entertainment, photo ops, and themed food & drinks that are to die for.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Descanso Gardens

Photo #2: Circa

Photo #3: Gloria Molina Grand Park

Photo #4: LA Phil

Photo #5: House of Spirits

Photo #6: The Obscure

Photo #7: Descanso Gardens

Photo #8: Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

Photo #9: Nights of the Jack

Photo #10: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #11: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Experience 

Circa Scores Winning Points at DTLA’s Premium Sports Bars

It’s that time of the year again, when there’s a never-ending lineup of action-packed sporting events! From the World Series to the NFL, Lakers, and LA Kings, it’s hard to catch them all. The good news is that DTLA tops the leaderboard with premium sports bars, complete with giant screens, state-of-the-art sound systems, luxe interiors, full bars, and curated  menus. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, some of your favorite neighborhood bars and pubs offer a congenial viewing experience, along with an excellent selection of beers on tap and craft cocktails. With so many venues in close proximity to Circa, you won’t need a Hail Mary pass to find the perfect atmosphere for cheering on your favorite team. Check websites for game schedules.

Tom’s Watch Bar at LA LIVE sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Tom’s Watch Bar LA LIVE 1011 S Figueroa St. b101, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Just minutes from Circa at LA LIVE, Tom’s Watch Bar is your go-to for the ultimate sports bar experience. Their 360° wall-to-wall state of the art screens gives you a better view than sitting in a front-row seat. With over 155+ TVs, plus new Megatron screen coming in at a massive 13 feet high and 23 feet wide, you really haven’t seen a game until you’ve seen it here. Pair the game with inventive cocktails, endless beer options, plus a chef-inspired menu with hospitality, and you’ll discover why Tom’s is the only place to watch the game. 

Lucky Strike at LA LIVE sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Lucky Strike LA LIVE 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Featuring 18 premium lanes, tons of screens to catch all the big games, and plenty of tasty cuisine to fuel your fun, there’s no shortage of action at Lucky Strike L.A. LIVE. Check out their luxury suite that offers a private setting with 4 lanes, 2 billiards tables and a private bar. Enjoy Happy Hour Monday though Thursday from 4PM – 8PM. The special includes food and drinks, including Cheesy Dippers, Chicken Tenders, Crispy Cauliflower, Mozzarella Bites, and Pretzel Pins.

Yard House sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Yard House LA Live 800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015

An LA LIVE staple, whenever there are sports, beers and burgers involved, Yard House has all three. With 160 beers on tap, featuring over 100 beers from local and imported breweries, there’s something for every fan in your group, no matter what team they’re cheering for. The chefs at Yard House are constantly coming up with new ways to introduce globally inspired flavors to favorite American dishes, giving the menu a worldly yet familiar feel. 

33 Taps DTLA sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

33 Taps DTLA 1240 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

33 Taps is an LA-born, family-owned neighborhood sports bar, serving beers, burgers, and wings. 33 Taps has no shortage of HD Televisions showing all of your favorite sporting events. With 65 – 75 inch TVs viewable from every seat and large TV walls, you won’t want to watch sports anywhere else. Although most known for being a sports bar, loyal customers return for their high-quality food menu, fun weekly events, and top-notch service. Everybody is welcome – including your dogs! All profits from the sale of puppy bowls are donated to local animal charities.

First Draft Taproom & Kitchen sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

First Draft Taproom & Kitchen 1230 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Featuring 46 taps of craft beer, wine and cider, First Draft Taproom & Kitchen is a great place to hang out with your friends and enjoy your favorite games. To keep your energy level at peak performance, choose from their robust menu including handcrafted burgers, pizzas, wings, specialty flatbreads, salads, and fries. They even have a Doggie Menu!

Spring Street Bar sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Spring Street Bar 626 S Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Find your new favorite neighborhood hangout at Spring Street Bar. This venerable DTLA venue just reopened thanks to veteran bartenders Alexander Vaughan-Ruiz and Brandon Richard, who have reimagined the former Historic Core sports bar into a welcoming place for thoughtful cocktails. With two TV screens, this cozy spot is perfect for unwinding with friends or enjoying a laid-back evening without the hullabaloo of a typical sports hangout.

Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub 815 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Watch your favorite sports team on walls of TVs, while enjoying an ice cold beer and wings. Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub shows Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Clippers, and more, along with PPV events like boxing fights as well as UFC. Dublins offers a carefully curated handcrafted menu, including small bites, burgers, sandwiches, and Irish specialties. Their large selection of draft beers almost guarantees you’ll find your favorite. No game on tonight? No problem. Dublin screens some of the most viral videos of all time on Chive TV. 

Far Bar Little Tokyo sports bar near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Far Bar Little Tokyo 347 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time, including watching your favorite teams this season. Far Bar is a chill gastropub offering American & Asian food, like burgers & sushi, plus beer & cocktails. They have been listed as the No. 1 bar in Downtown LA from LA Weekly in 2013,  Discover Los Angeles Guide to the “Best places to Watch the World Series,” and featured in Hopped LA’s “Downtown Beer Guide.”

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Lucky Strike LA LIVE

Photo #2: Tom’s Watch Bar

Photo #3: Lucky Strike LA LIVE 

Photo #4: Yard House

Photo #5: 33 Taps DTLA

Photo #6: First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Photo #7: Spring Street Bar

Photo #8: Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Pub

Photo #10: Far Bar Little Tokyo

Circa’s Exclusive Guide to the 2024 Wine Spectator Awards 

Calling all oenophiles! Over 150 restaurants in Southern California have been recognized for their wine programs in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards. These establishments join 3,700 restaurants worldwide, from all 50 states and more than 75 countries and territories. Awards are given across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award (which went to only four restaurants, two in California). Award of Excellence winners generally have a wine list of at least 100 vintages, while Best of Award of Excellence winners generally have at least 350 selections. But the most exciting news is that more than 10 winners are right here in DTLA, many not far from Circa. So get ready to sip, savor and swirl at these dining destinations that share a dedication to wine!

Mastro's Ocean Club Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mastro’s Ocean Club DTLA 1200 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Located on the ground floor of Circa, Mastro’s Ocean Club Downtown LA is one of the most sought-after dining destinations in Los Angeles. Consistently hailed by diners and critics alike as one of the top 10 steakhouses in the nation, Mastro’s is recognized for their combination of world-class service, highly acclaimed cuisine, and live entertainment in an elegant, energetic atmosphere. The establishment proudly presents an award-winning wine cellar and renowned cocktail program. 

The Palm restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Palm Restaurant 1100 S Flower St. Los Angeles 90015

Located in Downtown LA just steps from L.A. LIVE and Crypto.com Arena, The Palm is a dining tradition that has been handed down for generations. Founded in 1926 when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first Palm in New York City, the restaurant has expanded to over 8 locations across the country. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing cocktail at their beautiful bar, craving a generous steak with the perfect glass of wine, or planning a special party for an upcoming milestone,The Palm has all this and more waiting for you.

The Capital Grille restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

The Capital Grille 700 W 9th St. Unit B, Los Angeles, CA 90015

There are more than 350 world-class wines awaiting you at The Capital Grille, hailing from nearly every wine-growing region on earth, ranging from Old World and New World gems to little-known labels on the brink of stardom. Their acclaimed dry aged steaks and fresh seafood deserve nothing less than an award-winning wine list. Discover for yourself at their exclusive Wagyu & Wine Event—just $35 per pairing, available through November 1.

Caldo Verde restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Caldo Verde Proper Hotel DTLA 1100 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

Caldo Verde, the flagship restaurant at Downtown L.A. Proper, is a culinary masterpiece from the James Beard Award-winning team of Chef Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne. Chef Goin’s menu is a perfect blend of rustic sophistication and authentic Californian cuisine, infused with evocative Mediterranean flavors and bold, hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from local markets. Enhancing the dining experience, Caroline Styne brings her renowned wine expertise to the table, curating a diverse and adventurous wine list that pairs perfectly with the menu. 

San Laurel at Conrad restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles 100 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

San Laurel, a signature dining experience from Chef José Andrés, offers the flavors of Spain as seen through a California lens, highlighting the beautiful ingredients of the abundant Golden State. Heralded by the vision of legendary architect Frank Gehry, Conrad Hotel is an elegant oasis with 305 modern rooms, a rooftop terrace with private pool deck, a full-service spa, and locally inspired dining. Framed by dramatic views of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and downtown LA, discover energizing experiences that will ignite your inspiration.

71Above restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

71Above US Bank Tower 633 W 5th St. Los Angeles 90071

Enjoy the ultimate dining experience in the heart of downtown LA with 360º breathtaking views, a romantic atmosphere, and vibrant modern American cuisine prepared by Executive Chef Javier Lopez. Elevate your dining experience with their signature cocktails named after LA neighborhoods, craft cocktails, or a glass from the award-winning wine list. Window tables are not guaranteed, but if preferred, please make a note when reserving and they will do their best to accommodate. 

Kato restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Kato Restaurant 777 S Alameda St. Building 1 Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Helmed by Chef Jon Yao, Kato serves Omakase-style multi-course feasts in his expansive and polished space in ROW DTLA. Imbued with Taiwanese and Japanese influences, the tasting menu offers contemporary food that is at once simple and complex. The dishes (some of which are made by a local artisan) are as elegant as they are inventive, such as the torn bluefin with caramelized onion or the sea urchin donut with rich uni, hand cut jamon Iberico, and brown butter. Sommelier Hershey Huelves will help you choose the perfect wine pairing from their award-winning list.

La Boucherie restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

La Boucherie InterContinental Hotel 900 Wilshire Blvd. Floor 71, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Welcome to the pinnacle of Los Angeles dining! La Boucherie, the acclaimed downtown Los Angeles steak and seafood restaurant, invites diners to the 71st floor to savor a selection of impeccably-prepared classics. Discover immaculate steaks, fresh seafood, and an award-winning wine list of more than 1,200 bottles. With its unmatched ambiance and pulse-quickening views, La Boucherie is an ideal place for special occasions, celebrations, and romantic meals. Private dining is also available.

Majordomo restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Majordomo 1725 Naud St. Los Angeles 90012

Ensconced inside a former warehouse on the edge of Chinatown, Majordōmo delivers a singular take on Asian cuisine, offering noodles and creatively prepared meat and fish in an industrial-chic space. They aim to source a broad range of artisanal wines from producers whose ecological values and commitment to deliciousness match their own. The sommelier team would love to help you select the perfect bottle for your experience. 

LA Prime Steakhouse Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

LA Prime Steakhouse The Westin Bonaventure Hotel 404 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Located on the 35th floor of The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, the award-winning LA Prime restaurant offers stunning panoramic views, refreshing cuisine, and refined service. Explore a menu of adventurous flavors with wet-aged prime Chicago beef, seasonal fish, and the freshest shellfish. Paired with an award-winning wine selection, this is an unforgettable dining experience.

Manuela restaurant Wine Spectator Awards near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles 90013

Situated at the Hauser & Wirth art complex in the Downtown LA Arts District, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California. Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Local beers are on tap, while the carefully selected wine list is designed to pair with the smoke and acid at the heart of Manuela’s menu.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: The Palm

Photo #2: Mastro’s Ocean Club

Photo #3: The Palm Restaurant

Photo #4: The Capital Grille

Photo #5: Caldo Verde

Photo #6: San Laurel at Conrad Los Angeles

Photo #7: 71Above

Photo #8: Kato Restaurant

Photo #9: La Boucherie

Photo #10: Majordomo

Photo #11: LA Prime Steakhouse

Photo #12: Manuela

Circa’s Cultural Agenda: LA’s Top Exhibitions to See Now  

This season, LA is bursting at the seams with extraordinary new experiences for art lovers. The big news is Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART (previously Pacific Standard Time), returns for the first time since 2018. Many participating institutions are in the Downtown Los Angeles area, with everything from galleries to theatrical performances, and one-offs taking place between this fall and early 2025. Another event you won’t want to miss is LUMINEX, an outdoor multimedia extravaganza taking place in South Park, near Circa. And mark your calendars for the first Thursday of every month, when DTLA Art Night opens its doors to over 25 galleries. 

Getty Center art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

PST ART: Art & Science Collide – Various locations

Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART (previously Pacific Standard Time), returns in September 2024 with 800+ artists, 70+ exhibitions, and 1 mind-blowing theme: Art & Science Collide. One of the most expansive art events in the world, PST ART is a Getty initiative in partnership with museums and institutions across the region. This “collision” will explore the intersections of Art and Science, both past and present, with diverse organizations activating exhibitions on topics like ancient cosmologies, Indigenous sci-fi, environmental justice, and artificial intelligence. 

LUMINEX art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

LUMINEX 3.0 1105 S Olive St. Los Angeles 90015

Save the date for October 5 when LUMINEX returns for a third year, bringing art and community together in an engaging outdoor exhibition using buildings as the canvas. For one night only, free and open to all, eight multimedia artists will transform a five-block radius in the South Park District of downtown Los Angeles. Featured artists this year include JOJO ABOT, Refik Anadol, Alice Bucknell, Nao Bustamante, Petra Cortright, Marc Horowitz, Carole Kim, and Sarah Rara, as well as special installations with Los Angeles Video Artists (LAVA). Don’t forget to book your pedicab!

Abstracted Light Experimental Photography at Getty Center art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Abstracted Light Experimental Photography Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049  

Abstract imagery incorporating experimental lighting effects was of great interest to avant-garde photographers from the 1920s to the 1950s. This exhibition features photographs by international artists devoted to the practice, including László Moholy-Nagy, Francis Bruguière, Man Ray, Tōyō Miyatake, Asahachi Kono, and Jaromír Funke. The selection of works demonstrates the dynamic interplay between still photography, experimental film, and the dazzling time-based artworks by Thomas Wilfred called “Lumia instruments.” 

DTLA Art Night art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

DTLA ArtNight Emerging Artist Gallery 125 W 4th St. #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

DTLA ArtNight is a cultural gathering and art walk organized monthly on first Thursdays where over 25 galleries debut new exhibitions from their fine arts collections. These collections encompass a wide array of mediums from artists across LA, the U.S. and the world. DTLA ArtNight is also an opportunity for emerging artists to display their art in participating galleries.

SCI-arc art exhibitions near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Views of Planet City SCI-Arc 960 East 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Is it possible to design a socially and environmentally sustainable city for seven billion people? Views of Planet City imagines what the world might look like if humanity were to reverse the urban sprawl, and its entire human population were to be housed inside a single, hyperdense megalopolis. Drawing on the ideas of pioneering scientists and futurists and projecting on the basis of already gestating technologies, Views of Planet City challenges dystopian visions of the cities of tomorrow and offers an alternative vision in which urbanization at a planetary scale is not incompatible with the safeguarding of Earth’s biodiversity.

ED RUSCHA : NOW THEN art exhibition at LACMA near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

As his first comprehensive, cross-media retrospective in over 20 years, ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN traces Ruscha’s methods and familiar subjects throughout his career and underscores the many remarkable contributions he has made well beyond the boundaries of the art world. The exhibition includes his early works produced while traveling through Europe, his installations—such as the Chocolate Room and the Course of Empire presented at the Venice Biennale in 1970 and 2005, respectively—and his ceaseless photographic documentation of the streets of Los Angeles beginning in 1965.

Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads art exhibition at LACMA near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

While you’re at LACMA, don’t miss The Zodiac Project, Ai Weiwei’s first major public sculpture. For this monumental new work, Ai has recreated the famous twelve bronze animal heads that once adorned the Zodiac Fountain in Yuan Ming Yuan, the Old Summer Palace, in Beijing. Cast around 1750, the original heads were looted by Anglo-French troops who took part in the destruction of Yuan Ming Yuan in 1860 during the Second Opium War. The heads remain a potent trigger for Chinese nationalist sentiments. Ai’s new work suggests a dialogue about the fate of art objects that exist within dynamic and sometimes volatile cultural and political settings. With his subversive wit, the artist adapts objects from the Chinese material canon going back to antiquity, twisting traditional meanings toward new purposes.

Olafur Eliasson: OPEN art exhibition at Geffen Contemporary near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Olafur Eliasson: OPEN The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA 152 N Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967, Copenhagen; lives and works in Berlin) presents a new site-specific installation made for The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. In line with Eliasson’s career-long exploration of light and color, geometry, and environmental awareness, the installation playfully engages with material and immaterial qualities of the museum’s architecture. A series of large-scale optical devices designed specifically for MOCA Geffen will respond to the building itself, as well as to the ever-changing atmosphere of Los Angeles. Visitors will encounter a dazzling range of sensory experiences that harness the laws of geometric optics to address feelings and concepts of embodiment, perception, and participation.

Breath(e) art exhibition at Hammer Museum near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Breath(e) Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024

Part of Getty’s region-wide initiative PST ART: Art and Science Collide, Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice considers the connections between climate change, environmental justice, and social justice through the lens of contemporary art. The indoor/outdoor exhibition brings together approximately 100 works focused on climate change by a group of intergenerational contemporary artists, scientists, and activists, addressing anthropogenic disasters such as deforestation, ocean acidification, coral reef bleaching, water pollution, extraction, and atmospheric politics.

Storm Cloud art exhibition at The Huntington near near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Storm Cloud & Growing and Knowing The Huntington 1151 Oxford Rd. San Marino, CA 91108

Art and science collide in The Huntington’s new exhibitions, on view Sept. 14, 2024–Jan. 6, 2025. “Storm Cloud: Picturing the Origins of Our Climate Crisis” and “Growing and Knowing in the Gardens of China” trace the dovetailing histories of the relationship between humans and the environment and emphasize the significant role that close observation has played in art, science, and ethics. When viewed together, provocative questions emerge about our interconnectedness with the natural world. The exhibitions are part of PST ART: Art & Science Collide, a regional event presented by Getty featuring more than 70 exhibitions and programs that explore the intersections of art and science, both past and present. 

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: NOW ART LA (LUMINEX LA)

Photo #2: Getty Center

Photo #3: LUMINEX LA

Photo #4: Getty Center

Photo #5: DTLA ArtNight

Photo #6: SCI-Arc

Photo #7: LACMA

Photo #8: LACMA

Photo #9: Geffen Contemporary

Photo #10: Hammer Museum

Photo #11: The Huntington

Circa Smokes Out DTLA’s Sizzling BBQ Scene

Did you know a recent study ranked L.A. the fifth-best BBQ city in America?  Los Angeles’ high score was largely due to the superb quality and significant number of vendors and smokehouses, particularly those that have glowing reviews from happy customers. We’re not surprised that our fair city has won BBQ kudos, given the incredible creativity and diversity of our local pitmasters. From classic American to Texas-style, Korean, Cambodian, Brazilian, Filipino, Japanese, and more, you’ll find choices to please every palate. And vegetarians take note – many menus offers salads and other meatless sides, so don’t be shy about joining your carnivorous friends in DTLA’s sizzling BBQ scene.

Circa grill BBQ at Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Feel like playing grill master at home? Circa offers exceptional outdoor amenities including deluxe barbecue grills, open air fireplaces, and congenial spots to gather and entertain.

Moos Craft BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Moo’s Craft Barbecue 2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Moo’s Craft Barbecue was founded by Andrew and Michelle Muñoz as a BBQ pop up in their small East Los Angeles backyard in 2017. Their dedication and the quality of their food quickly garnered a loyal following, leading them to open a permanent location in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Moo’s Craft Barbecue has received acclaim for its authentic and flavorful barbecue, earning a spot among the top barbecue joints in the city, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for two years in a row. The restaurant is celebrated for its smoked meats, house-made sausages, and traditional sides, all crafted with the Muñoz family’s personal touch and commitment to quality.

Battambong BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Battambong BBQ at Smorgasburg DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Chad Phuong, AKA the Cambodian Cowboy, has earned a glowing reputation for smoking meats with a Cambodian influence at his Long Beach pop-up Battambong BBQ. He’s also a regular presence at Smorgasburg, held each Sunday at Row DTLA in the Arts District. Phuong’s Texas-style barbecue trays come piled high with brisket, tri-tip, chicken or pulled pork, while his delicious Cambodian num pang sandwiches are stuffed with smoked meats and herbs for a new twist on your meal.

Mano Po BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Mano Po at Smorgasburg DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

While you’re eating your way through Smorgasburg, make sure you stop by Mano Po, a family-owned Filipino business specializing in fam faves such as Manila BBQ Chicken, Liempo (pork belly grilled to smokey perfection), and Chicken Inasal (ginger, lemongrass, calamansi, coconut vinegar, grilled over mesquite with garlic rice and atchara). Filipino cuisine’s use of complex ingredients, procedures, and taste displays the multi-cultural heritage of their recipes. With this in mind, Mano Po offers tradition and respect, and goodness of course, in all their offerings with the warm embrace of their Filipino culture.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ 514 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Gyu-Kaku, meaning “Horn of the Bull” in Japanese, provides authentic Japanese yakiniku (grilled barbecue) dining experience where customers share premium cooked meats over a flaming smokeless grill, while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu, and frosty cold beers. Gyu-Kaku offers a wide range of meats including the best-seller Harami Skirt Steak in Miso Marinade and Prime Kalbi Short Rib in Tare Sweet Soy Marinade.

Bo Daddy's BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bo Daddy’s BBQ 1415 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Bo Daddy’s BBQ specializes in a tantalizing selection of smoked meats including ribs, pulled pork & chicken, beef tri-tip, brisket, and links. Choose from sides such as mac & cheese, mango coleslaw, collard greens, baked beans, potato salad, and mac & tuna salad. Top off your meal with peach cobbler, key lime pie, or a decadent banana pudding. 

H&H Brazilian BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

H&H Brazilian Steakhouse 518 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

H&H Brazilian Steakhouse is a new take on Brazilian food, brimming with healthful recipes. The restaurant was founded by Henrique Huyer with the mission of bringing authentic, traditional Brazilian barbecue from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to the American market. H&H is committed to working with only the best suppliers, serving top-quality organic, grass-fed meat and local produce that you can enjoy with a unique wine from South America. The menu caters to nearly every food preference with a variety of beef, lamb, pork and chicken dishes. The extensive salad bar presents gluten-free, naturally organic, vegetarian and vegan offerings as well. 

DTLA AYCE Korean BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

DTLA AYCE Korean BBQ 686 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

DTLA AYCE Korean BBQ is a fun, hip, and hopping spot where people come together to eat authentic Korean barbecue and food under the beautiful city lights of downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant enjoys a unique location in the heart of Chinatown where they are pleased to share their Korean culture, along with a DTLA twist in flavor. In addition to a huge menu, DTLA AYCE also offers a great selection of beer, sake, soju, and soju cocktails.

Smoke City Char Bar BBQ near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Smoke City Char Bar 899 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Smoke City Char Bar was founded with an adventurous spirit and a driven culinary objective: to bring the unique experience of locally-sourced and naturally smoked meats to guests each and every day. In the kitchen, food is revered, inventiveness is encouraged, and superior quality is prized above all else. Smoke City Char Bar celebrates the legacy of smokehouse culture with every chef-driven creation and regional-inspired recipe. Smoke City Char Bar’s vision: To deliver an explosion of succulent awesomeness to your mouth in each and every bite!

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Smoke City Char Bar

Photo #2: Circa 

Photo #3: Moo’s Craft Barbecue 

Photo #4: Battambong BBQ

Photo #5: Mano Po

Photo #6: Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Minneapolis

Photo #7: Bo Daddy’s BBQ

Photo #8: H&H Brazilian Steakhouse

Photo #9: DTLA AYCE Korean BBQ

Photo #10: Smoke City Char Bar

Circa Hits the Trail: Explore LA’s Scenic Nature Hikes

Summer is officially here, and now is the perfect time to get out and commune with nature. According to recent research, experiencing the natural world has a powerful effect on our well-being, including reducing stress, improving cognitive abilities, and boosting creativity. And you don’t have to travel far to explore the great outdoors. LA is home to a wealth of scenic trails and nature preserves that are easily accessible from Circa, where you’ll discover everything from lush flower blooms to rugged woodlands, refreshing waterfalls, and a wide variety of wildlife. Bring plenty of water and snacks, wear sturdy shoes and protective hiking attire, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Fern Dell Trails Cafe LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Griffith Park 4730 Crystal Springs Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90027

With over 4,210 acres of both natural chapparal-covered terrain and landscaped parkland and picnic areas, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and more. The park is also home to numerous iconic attractions including the Greek Theatre, Autry Museum of the American West, Griffith Observatory, L.A. Zoo, and L.A. Equestrian Center. Within the park, you’ll also discover hidden gems, such as Fern Dell and Amir’s Garden.

Amir's Garden LA Trail Hikers LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Amir’s Garden 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

After a fire destroyed this Griffith Park hillside in 1971, hiker and Iranian immigrant Amir Dialameh spent more than three decades transforming it by hand, planting pine, jacaranda trees, geraniums, oleander, rose bushes, and other flowers and plants. The roughly 5-acre garden features enclaves with picnic tables and benches, as well as meandering wooden staircases that wind down the hillside. Amir Dialameh passed away unexpectedly in late 2003, leaving behind a verdant gift to the citizens of Los Angeles. Today, his garden is maintained by volunteers and volunteer groups, with assistance, when possible, from the City of Los Angeles Park Rangers and park maintenance workers. 

Hollywood Sign Hollywood Sign Trust LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Hollywood Sign Hiking Trails

Have you ever hiked up to the Hollywood Sign? There are several routes to choose from, ranked from easy to difficult. The Mt Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail offer options for intrepid seekers, stragglers, dreamers, beginners, children, and the moderately well-conditioned. ‍Authorized hiking trails are open the same hours as Griffith Park, from Sunrise to Sunset, 365 days a year.  Please note that trespassing is illegal and the sign is protected by a fence and security cameras.

Earnest E. Debs Regional Park LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Earnest E. Debs Regional Park 4235 Monterey Road, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Ernest E. Debs Regional Park is 300 acre urban oasis on old ranch land in the Arroyo Seco neighborhood just northeast of downtown L.A. The fourth largest park in Los Angeles, the area is home to walnut-oak woodland, grassland, coastal sage scrub, and over 140 species of birds. A five mile loop meanders through almost every section of this dog-friendly park. Along the way, you’ll discover a pond where you can actually go fishing. 

Audubon Center at Debs Park near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Audubon Center at Debs Park 4700 Griffin Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90031

The Audubon Center at Debs Park is a natural jewel in the heart of Los Angeles with something for everyone. They are a community hub located in Montecito Heights, less than 5 miles from Downtown LA. Nestled within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, the Center has inspired a love of nature in over a quarter of a million residents of Los Angeles. The park is home to over 140 species of birds, including American Kestrels, Great-horned Owls, Northern Flickers and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Look for birds, but not sure where to start? Check out their birding tips or attend a Community Bird Walk.

Elyria Canyon Park LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Elyria Canyon Park 1550 Bridgeport Drive, Los Angeles 90065

Nestled on the southwestern slopes of Mount Washington, Elyria Canyon Park is a 35-acre nature park that provides a glimpse into the native habitat that once thrived in the hills near downtown Los Angeles. The park boasts one of the finest examples of California black walnut woodland in Southern California, with lovely trails that lead to vistas of the Los Angeles River, Griffith Observatory, and DTLA. The main entrance is located off Wollam Street in Glassell Park. Leave the paved road for a dirt path through thickets of sumac and bay laurel trees. Keep zigging and zagging until you reach a grassy bowl, where you’ll find a bench and a welcoming drinking fountain. Walk a bit farther and to see a totally unexpected little red farmhouse.

Eaton Canyon Fall Wikipedia Scott Medling LA’s scenic hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Eaton Canyon Falls Eaton Canyon 1750 N Altadena Dr. Pasadena, CA 91107

Eaton Canyon Trail is a scenic hike to the 40-foot Eaton Canyon Falls, with beautiful views of the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains. The trail has only a few hundred feet of elevation gain, but there are several stream crossings and areas of boulder-hopping and rock climbing on the way to the falls. Eaton Canyon Natural Area is a 190-acre zoological, botanical, and geological nature preserve situated at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, seasonal stream, rocks and minerals, various natural habitats, native plants, and wildlife.

Bridge to Nowhere Instagram @lahikes LA’s Scenic Hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bridge to Nowhere East Fork Trailhead, Camp Bonita Rd, La Verne, CA 91750

The Bridge to Nowhere is a 120-foot high concrete arch bridge that was built in 1936, located north of Azusa in the San Gabriel Mountains. The bridge spans the East Fork of the San Gabriel River and was meant to be part of a road connecting the San Gabriel Valley with Wrightwood. The East Fork Road was still under construction when it was washed out during the great flood of 1938 and the project was abandoned, leaving the bridge forever stranded in the middle of what is now the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. The hike starts at the East Fork Trailhead in Angeles National Forest, about an hour away from central Los Angeles. The trail features multiple river crossings, plenty of opportunities to swim, and historic sections of visible roads and tunnels. 

Will Rogers State Historic Park LA’s Scenic Hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Will Rogers State Historic Park 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Will Rogers was one of the most popular and highest paid actors in Hollywood and “America’s most beloved citizen.” During the 1920s, he bought land in Santa Monica, where he developed a ranch. Eventually, Rogers owned about 359 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in what is now Pacific Palisades. After Rogers passed away, his widow Betty donated the ranch to California State Parks in 1944. Casual hikers can enjoy a moderate 2-mile loop to and from Inspiration Point, and more adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can tackle the Backbone Trail National Trail into the Santa Monica Mountains, which can take you all the way to Point Mugu. 

Escondido Canyon Park LA’s Scenic Hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Escondido Canyon Park 27200 Winding Way, Malibu, CA 90265

At 150 feet, Escondido Canyon Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains, accessed by a lovely and shaded trail through beautiful sage scrub. Starting from Pacific Coast Highway about a mile south of Kanan Road in Malibu, take the Edward Albert Trail through Escondido Canyon Natural Area. The trail leads hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians 4.2 miles through oak woodland, riparian woodland, and coastal sage scrub to the spectacular, multi-tiered waterfall.

Malibu Creek Rock Pool LA’s Scenic Hikes near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Malibu Creek Rock Pool Malibu Creek State Park 1925 Las Virgenes Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302

Malibu Creek State Park, just 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles, features hiking, fishing, bird watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horseback riding opportunities. A beautiful oasis hidden in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Malibu Creek Rock Pool is a fairly large body of water surrounded by green trees and tall rocky, porous cliffs. The rocks are situated above and around the pool, hence the name, the Rock Pool. You can also roam the surrounding area of the Rock Pool to see other parts of Malibu Creek, where you’ll find some good spots to relax and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the water as it flows by. 

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center Instagram @vasquez.rocks near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area and Nature Center 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd. Agua Dulce, CA 91390

Located in the high desert near Agua Dulce Springs, Vasquez Rocks features 932 acres of spectacular rock formations and a seasonal stream. The rocks’ history began in prehistoric times when the sandstone rocks were uplifted at a picturesque angle, showing their jagged red features. In 1874 Tiburcio Vasquez, one of California’s most notorious bandits, used these rocks to elude capture by law enforcement. His name has since been associated with this geologic feature. The park is a popular hiking, picnicking, and equestrian area, and has been seen in many hit movies, commercials and television shows, including Star Trek and Star Trek: Picard.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Bridge to Nowhere / Instagram @lahikes

Photo #2: LA Parks / Griffith Park 

Photo #3: LA Trail Hikers

Photo #4: Hollywood Sign Trust

Photo #5: Earnest E. Debs Regional Park

Photo #6: Earnest E. Debs Regional Park

Photo #7: Santa Monica Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

Photo #8: Wikipedia / Scott Medling

Photo #9: Bridge to Nowhere / Instagram @lahikes

Photo #10: California State Parks

Photo #11: Santa Monica Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority

Photo #12: California State Parks

Photo #13: Instagram @vasquez.rocks