Tag: losangelesapartments

dineL.A. is Back – Delicious DTLA Eateries to Try Now

dineL.A. Restaurant Week is back. From now until September 18, DTLA eateries are offering scrumptious specials for patio dining, takeout and delivery. Whether you’re a die-hard carnivore or prefer your meal vegetarian, vegan or gluten free, you’ll find flavorful choices to please every palate. Supporting our local restaurants is a fantastic way to keep Downtown LA vibrant and thriving! And dineL.A. provides a convenient way to expand your restaurant repertoire or rediscover your favorites. Here are some of our picks. Complete dineL.A. Restaurant Week list THIS WAY

10e 811 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

10e is offering reservations for al fresco dining and curbside pickup. 10e brings cutting edge culinary creativity and a refreshingly hip attitude to the historic and architecturally stunning Fine Arts Building. The diverse menu mixes authentic Armenian cuisine with modern Mediterranean influences and exotic flavors. Choices include a wide variety of halal grilled kebabs, vegetarian dishes, gluten free plates, seafood, and chef’s specials. They also offer handcrafted cocktails and Lebanese wine and beer to pair with the inspired Armenian dishes.

Colori Kitchen 429 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Colori Kitchen is a small neighborhood restaurant located in a petite storefront on 8th Street in the Downtown Historic District, offering country-style dining reminiscent of an authentic Italian trattoria. Chef Luigi Barducci Contessi, along with his wife Paola, serve top quality homemade Italian food at affordable prices, adding to your dining experience the warmth, and of course a bit of the drama, that only a real Italian family can offer. Available for takeout and delivery.

Bacari West Adams 2308 S Union Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Situated in LA’s West Adams neighborhood, Bacari offers Mediterranean and Italian-inspired small plates. Menu items include a delectable array of interesting salads, pastas, seafood, vegetable dishes, pizzas, and sweets. Craft cocktails, wine and beer complement your meal. Bacari is offering patio dining, takeout and delivery.

Zinqué DTLA 939 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90015

Zinqué is a high design, low-key neighborhood restaurant with French-inspired dishes, small plates and a uniquely curated wine and beer selection. Small bites include Castelvetrano Olives, Marcona Almonds, Fries mayo sriracha, and Pâté de Campagne. You can also order full plates such as quiche, lasagna, burgers, steak frites,  smoked salmon, and more. Zinqué is open for outdoor dining, takeout and delivery.

Pikunico Fried Chicken 767 S Alameda St. Suite 122, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Pikunico serves free range, gluten free Japanese fried chicken and more, with locally-sourced ingredients. Choose from crunchy fried chicken pieces, sandwiches, or bowls, along with healthy sides such as roasted beet salad, seaweed & cucumber salad, and Pikunico slaw. Pikunico was founded by Japanese-born Chef Kuniki Yagi, who started her LA career working with Chef David Myers of Sona, one of the few Los Angeles restaurants to ever receive a Michelin star.

The Rooftop at The Wayfarer 813 Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Revel on the outdoor rooftop veranda at The Wayfarer Hotel in the heart of DTLA. Enjoy killer cocktails with views to match. Cool off by the water while the mixologist gets creative with the next round. Menu items range from savory starters to full on dinner dishes such as marinated baby lamb chops and bacon-wrapped sea scallops. Finish your meal with sweet indulgences such warm chocolate chip cookies or beignets.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse 800 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Just minutes away from Circa, Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse pays homage to gaucho traditions and their Southern Brazilian roots. The dineL.A. menu features two dinners for $65 to-go. Choose two fire-roasted meats, two fresh salads, three traditional Brazilian sides, and one dessert per person, served with Pão de Queijo and Chimichurri sauce.

HATCH Yakitori + Bar THE BLOC 700 W 7th St Suite G600 Los Angeles, CA 90017

Join HATCH Yakitori + Bar for outdoor dining in THE BLOC open-air plaza right in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. HATCH is a modern Japanese grill that celebrates yakitori, a fresh raw bar and creative plates. Traditional Japanese cooking is fused with bold Californian flavors to deliver new takes on classic dishes. The skewers are grilled over binchotan charcoal and they only use premium locally-source ingredients, such as organic Jidori chicken. They also offer a specialty cocktail program highlighting their Japanese roots, a curated sake list, and rare Japanese whiskies.

THE DECK 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰t Sheraton Grand 700 W 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

District is offering farm-to-table fare and inspired cocktails at their all new rooftop lounge, THE DECK by District. District strives to make use of the extraordinary foods grown sustainably by our local farmers, and also seeks out unparalleled ideas from food purveyors around the world. For District, farm to table means products that are created on a small scale by farmer-artisans who are strangers to compromise, and have, through passion and invention, further dimensionalized the culinary arts.

Drago Centro 525 Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Drago Centro is one of Downtown LA’s premier dining destination for fans of authentic Italian Sicilian cuisine. With an innovative edge and impeccable service, Executive Chef Celestino Drago’s menu is delectably approachable and features a signature selection of house-made pastas, savory steaks and elegant desserts. Complemented by Managing Partner Piero Selvaggio’s extraordinary personalized service and unprecedented wine knowledge, this exclusive team brings satisfaction and luxury to any palate. Enjoy the magic of Drago Centro’s new outdoor dining patio. Takeout and delivery are also available.

Engine Co. No. 28 644 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Engine No 28 is offering 50% off wine with dineL.A. orders. Housed in a beautifully restored 1912 firehouse, Engine Co. No. 28, has been putting out appetite fires since 1989 with classic American dishes inspired by the regional cooking of firehouses across the country. The menu features a signature Meatloaf, New York Steak, Southern-style pan-fried chicken, crab cakes, Cobb salad, and Firehouse chili. Call for dineL.A. reservations at 213-624-6996. Outdoor patio dining, takeout and delivery are available.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: The Rooftop at The Wayfayer

Photo #2: 10e

Photo #3: Bacari West Adams

Photo #4: Zinqué DTLA

Photo #5: The Rooftop at The Wayfayer

Photo #6: Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Photo #7: HATCH Yakitori + Bar

Photo #8: THE DECK 𝗯𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰t

Photo #9: Drago Centro

Photo #10: Engine Co. No. 28

Discover LA’s Amazing Murals & Street Art

Los Angeles is renowned as one of the most exciting places in the world for street art. Incredible murals and art walls appear all around the city, and many have become permanent, treasured fixtures. Artists have found their canvas on buildings, walls, freeway barriers, and even LA River storm drains, enriching our public art scene and attracting street art fans from around the world. Many of the most significant artworks are in Downtown Los Angeles near Circa. Whether you’re an art lover looking for new neighborhoods to explore or just want to snap some fresh content for your social feed, get out there and discover LA’s amazing murals and street art.

Kobe Bryant Murals

The City of Los Angeles recently came out in droves to pay their respects to sports legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant on Kobe Bryant Day August 24, 2020. Figueroa St. between Olympic and MLK will soon be Kobe Bryant Blvd. In celebration of his life, there are dozens of amazing Kobe Bryant murals located in Downtown Los Angeles and the Arts District near Staples Center. You can view a MAP of all Kobe mural locations and follow along at Instagram.com/KobeMural Pictured: Mural by Los Angeles-based visual artist AISEBORN at 1348 Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90015.

Kobe Mural by Jonas Never 1337 Lebanon St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Nearby the Staples Center, Los Angeles sports muralist Jonas Never created a Kobe Bryant mural to honor the star’s NBA career in 2016. Following the news of the accident, fans gathered at the Downtown Los Angeles mural along the 1300 block of Lebanon Street. Hundreds of people have written down their tributes on post-its and hung them bellow the iconic mural. The artwork features Kobe doing his iconic Mamba yell along with “Los Angeles Culture” styled as the Lakers’ logo.

Kent Twitchell Ed Ruscha Monument American Hotel 303 S. Hewitt St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

A veritable legend in the L.A. mural scene is Kent Twitchell, who is internationally famous for his realistic multi-storied mural portraits. He’s been painting across the city for decades, although some of his most beloved pieces have been erased over the years, such as his original portrait of the artist Ed Ruscha. Fortunately, Twitchell had the chance to do an updated version of Ed Ruscha Monument on the side of the American Hotel in the Arts District. One of his moet iconic works, Harbor Freeway Overture, a depiction of three Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra musicians, is located on the Citiicorp Plaza parking structure at 8th St. and the Harbor Freeway.

Street Art @The Bloc 700 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017

Explore the street art at The Bloc while social distancing and rocking your masks. You’ll have plenty of great opportunities to perk up your social media feed as you pose with colorful murals featuring the work of WRDSMTH, Antigirl, Colette Miller, and more. Hashtag #bestofdtla to enter-to-win a $1,000 giveaway! Pictured is a dramatic 30-foot mural by Robert Vargas with photo by @vero.parga

Arts District Dog Park 1004 E 4th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013

Here’s the chance to see some amazing LA murals while taking your pooch on a well-deserved trip to the park. True to its creative surroundings, The Arts District Dog Park is punctuated with colorful murals by LA artist Septerhed. Featured on ABC7 LA, KTLA, WKBW Buffalo, and more, Septerhead is an LA-based artist specializing in murals, illustrations, paintings, live painting and other wave lengths. The park includes a dog water fountain, separate small dog area, shade trees, benches for humans, a community bulletin board, pooper-scoopers, and trash bins. Not run or supported by the City of Los Angeles, this volunteer-run park is a true example of community spirit.

Leo Limón LA River Catz

For 35 plus years East LA-born artist Leo Limón has been painting the Los Angeles River cat faces on the storm-drain covers in a beloved project known as the LA River Catz. In the 70s, Limón developed an interest in the arts and discovered a prime, neglected canvas in the L.A. River’s storm drains. His detailed paintings of cat faces represent his love for the unique flora and fauna of our urban river. With help from the city, Leo hired youth from different high schools, not only working with them to paint over 30 feline faces, but also working to reduce violence and other challenges facing his young assistants. Cats were chosen because the storm drains themselves look like a cat\’s face with the sealing hinges appearing as pointy ears and the doors themselves being a circular shape like a face. Limon is involved with groups whose efforts are to revive the Los Angeles River as a historic region, cultural art enclave and tourist destination.

Guide to LA Arts District Murals

Discover Los Angeles has a great guide to the Downtown LA Arts District Murals. Please note that the walls are in a constant state of flux and some artworks are more permanent than others. Murals give way to the elements, their colors fading with time. Some are obliterated as walls are taken over by new artists. The Arts District you see when you visit one summer may not be the one you see the following year. The lesson here is to always take photos! Pictured is Bloom by Hueman, an Oakland based painter and street artist.

The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles

The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA) was created by a coalition of artists, public art advocates, city of Los Angeles and state of California public officials, and restoration specialists. MCLA built long-term programs to retain mural arts as a part of Los Angeles’ cultural legacy and establish murals as a significant part of our city’s cultural heritage. MCLA maintains a free database of Los Angeles’ Mural History linking artists, murals and neighborhoods. The MCLA website allows submissions of murals created recently in Los Angeles, forming an ever growing archive joining the historic with the new. Pictured is a mural by Vyal at The Container Yard arts center 800 East 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013. Vyal is one of the most identifiable graffiti artists on the West Coast. 

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: Harbor Freeway Overture/Kent Twitchell

Photo #2: Kobe Mural/AISEBORN

Photo #3: Kobe Mural/Jonas Never

Photo #4: Kent Twitchell/Ed Ruscha Monument

Photo #5: The Bloc/Photo cred: @vero.parga Mural by: @therobertvargas

Photo #6: Arts District Dog Park/Septerhed

Photo #7: Leo Limón LA River Catz

Photo #8: Bloom by Hueman/Discover Los Angeles

Photo #9: MCLA/Vyal/The Container Yard

Explore Beautiful Botanical Gardens

Looking for a refreshing respite from the summer heat? The Los Angeles area is home to some of the world’s most beautiful botanical gardens, many just a short distance from Circa apartments. These foliage-filled natural retreats present a vast array of native flora and fauna, as well as spectacular species from all corners of the globe. You might just meet a peacock, commune with the koi, or even encounter a resident turtle! Some botanical gardens require advance ticket purchase – check their websites for details. Watch for visitor guidelines at all locations.

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden 270 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden was created by Kinzuchi Fujii for Charles and Ellamae Storrier Stearns in 1935. Fujii designed and built Japanese landscapes across Southern California in the first half of the 20th century. The Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden is his only remaining garden and the only intact example of a major Japanese-style garden created before World War II for a residence in Southern California. This pond-style stroll garden features a fifteen-foot waterfall and a formal teahouse on approximately two acres of land. The garden is considered by many to be a masterwork and it demonstrates the adaptability of Japanese culture in modern America. 

Arlington Garden near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Arlington Garden 275 Arlington Dr. Pasadena, CA 91105

Pasadena’s only dedicated free public garden, Arlington Garden is a three- acre community-built Mediterranean garden in the heart of Pasadena on Caltrans-owned land. The site is leased to the City of Pasadena and entrusted by the city to Arlington Garden in Pasadena, a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation. The garden includes thousands of California-native plants such as poppies, sunflowers, cactus and succulents, orchards of orange and olive trees, and many more species. Arlington Garden is not only friendly to people and pets, but also serves as a refuge for Pasadena’s native fauna. Birds, bees and butterflies are particularly abundant and can be seen throughout the year. Arlington Garden is open every day except Tuesday. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden UCLA 707 Tiverton Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90095

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is a living museum that maintains one of the most important living botanical collections in the U.S. Over 3,000 types of plants grow in the garden and a wide range of environments are found within its borders, from the dry desert and Mediterranean sections on the eastern end to the shaded, lush interior. A stream and series of ponds run through the center of the garden, which is home to koi and turtles.

South Coast Botanic Garden near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

South Coast Botanic Garden 26300 Crenshaw Blvd. Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Unique from the start, South Coast Botanic Garden is one of the world’s first botanical gardens to be developed as a masterpiece of creative land reclamation and environment improvement. The mission of South Coast Botanic Garden is to serve the community by providing a unique horticultural and wildlife habitat experience, and to represent a model of excellence for land reclamation and sustainability. This continuing experiment in land reclamation has drawn horticulturists from all over the world, including Prince Charles of England, to study the feasibility of similar projects. Today the garden is host to over 200,000 plants, and numerous wildlife residents, including hedgehogs and peafowl.

Exposition Park Rose Garden 701 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

The Exposition Park Rose Garden is a historic 7-acre sunken garden located in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. It has been called “one of the city’s best-kept secrets” and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. You’ll discover green spaces scattered around the USC-adjacent property, but the most charming section lies in the lovely Rose Garden. 

Huntington Botanical Gardens near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

Huntington Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108 

Huntington Botanical Gardens is offering Huntington Evening Strolls! Beat the heat of the day and enjoy a leisurely evening walk through the gardens Friday – Sunday from 4:30–7 p.m. through Labor day. Advance tickets are required. In 1903 Henry E. Huntington purchased the San Marino Ranch, a working ranch with citrus groves, nut and fruit orchards, alfalfa crops, a small herd of cows, and poultry. Today, the estate is home to 16 spectacular themed gardens spread across 120 acres, including Desert Garden, Camellia & Rose Gardens, Japanese Garden, Jungle Garden, Herb Garden and more. The Huntington has reopened most of its 130 acres of gardens, with new safety measures in place, but the galleries remain closed. All visitors, including Members must reserve tickets online in advance.

LA Arboretum near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

LA Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave Arcadia, CA 91007

The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden is a unique 127-acre botanical garden and historical site located in what was once the heart of the historic Rancho Santa Anita in the city of Arcadia. Did you know The Arboretum is also an official wildlife sanctuary? In addition to the famous peafowl, visitors will see species of resident and migratory birds, aquatic creatures, and numerous species of small reptiles and mammals. Tickets are now limited to preserve safe distancing and all indoor spaces are closed. Members are required to reserve free tickets. Non-members must buy advance tickets online to ensure entry.

Descanso Gardens near Circa apartments in downtown Los Angeles

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

Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat of year-round natural beauty, internationally renowned botanical collections, and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays, located just 20 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. The principal collections include California native plants and oak woodlands; one of the largest collections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere; a rose garden with specimens from all corners of the globe; and significant presentations of lilacs, maple trees, cherry trees and iris. Members can enter without an advance ticket, but visitors who are not members and guests not covered under a membership will need advance tickets with timed entry.

Photo credits: 

Photo #1: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Photo #2: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden

Photo #3: Arlington Garden in Pasadena

Photo #4: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden

Photo #5: Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks

Photo #6: Huntington Botanical Gardens

Photo #7: Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden

Photo #8: Descanso Gardens

Enjoy Elegant Outdoor Dining in Downtown Los Angeles

Summer weather beckons with sunny days and starry nights! Your favorite Downtown Los Angeles restaurants near Circa are answering the call, expanding their patio seating, adding street side tables, and even commandeering alleys and parking lots, so you can enjoy elegant outdoor dining. Did you know there’s a new “European Corner” at 6th & Los Angeles Streets? Mignon has teamed up with their neighbors L’APPART restaurant and Cento Pasta Bar to bring you more outdoor seating and more culinary choices!

From luxury hotel rooftops with breathtaking views, to charming garden patios, and lively street side seating, there’s a table waiting for you! Check their websites for hours, reservations and takeout/delivery options.

Mignon outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Mignon 128 E. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Mignon is teaming up with L’APPART restaurant to bring you more outdoor seating and more culinary choices. You can enjoy alfresco dining in front of either restaurant and receive both menus. They are also collaborating with Cento Pasta Bar, who is back in action across the street at JJ’s. True to its name (mignon roughly translates to “small and cute” in French), Mignon specializes in small production, offering natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World. They also serve seasonal, rustic French cuisine, including a three-course pre-fixe option, small plates, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. The space is also a retail shop, so make sure you grab some bottles for your home cellar.

L'APPART by AIR FOOD outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

L’APPART by AIR FOOD 130 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

L’APPART by AIR FOOD will make you feel that you flew straight to Paris where you’ll enjoy an exclusive French culinary experience. Created by two passionate visionaries, Marc and Thierry, L’APPART by AIR FOOD takes your tastebuds through a miraculous journey from traditional French cuisine to French & World Fusion from Europe, Middle East, Africa, and North America.

Cento Pasta Bar outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Cento Pasta Bar @JJ’s Sandwich Shop 119 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Mignon Wine Bar becomes this handmade pasta bar at lunchtime several days a week. You can buy takeout pastas from Cento, walk across the street to Mignon, purchase a glass or bottle of wine, and enjoy your food al fresco. In 2015, long-time friends Avner Levi and Santos Uy opened Cento Pasta Bar as a lunch residency at Santos’ downtown wine bar, Mignon. Cento is inspired by Avner’s desire to share his experiences with the people around him through cooking. At Cento, Avner is responsible for all facets of the kitchen, including menu design and development, bringing his philosophy of thoughtful, seasonal ingredients to every dish with an element of fun.

Strada Eateria & Bar outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Strada Eateria & Bar 825 W 9th St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

A new spot in Downtown LA near Staples Center, Strada Eateria & Bar presents world flavors made with local ingredients.. The eclectic menu includes ceviche, lobster ravioli, and an ahi tuna steak burger, along with a full bar. Strada is now offering al fresco dining with sidewalk seating on W. 9th St. Complimentary parking. Reservations are recommended.

Faith & Flower outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Faith & Flower 705 W 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Faith & Flower is open for patio dining. Located in the Watermarke Tower in DTLA’s South Park district, the name Faith & Flower pays homage to the two major Renaissance periods  – the 1920s and modern day – that have fundamentally shaped the Downtown Los Angeles community. “Flower” refers to the street on which the restaurant lies today, and “Faith” for the street’s alleged name during the early 1920s. Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, complemented by the use of a wood-fired oven and pristine raw bar, the menu redefines Californian rustic cuisine. Reservations are highly recommended. Takeout and delivery are also available. 

Bestis outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Bestia 2121 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Arts District darling Bestia is now accepting reservations for outdoor dining. Their menu is also available for takeout. Owned and operated by husband and wife Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the menu features a generous selection of authentic Italian stalwarts such as antipasti, pizzas, pasta, secondi (fish, lamb, steak), finished off with dolci (mascarpone rice pudding, crème fraîche panna cotta, and bar au chocolat bittersweet chocolate budino tart). Buon appetito! 

Redbird outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Redbird 114 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Redbird is open with three different outdoor dining options! In addition to the Redbird Courtyard, they’ve created two new open air dining rooms: the Redbird Garden and the Lounge on the Vibiana Courtyard. Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems – the former rectory building of Vibiana, cathedral-turned-event-venue. Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser feature Modern American cuisine that is refined yet approachable and highlights the multi-cultural influences of Fraser’s native city – Los Angeles. 

Perch outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Perch 448 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Perch Los Angeles is a French inspired rooftop bistro that offers unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that will make you feel as if you’re floating over the skyline. Their 15th floor outdoor patios and 16th floor rooftop are now open for outdoor dining. The elevated spaces offer outdoor fireplaces, rooftop fire pits, indoor and outdoor dining experiences, and lounge seating to experience the city skyline views. Perch executive Chef Gerardo Benitez has created a playful menu inspired by French culinary classics utilizing the freshest of seasonal ingredients. Pick up and delivery is also available. 

Broken Shaker outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Broken Shaker Freehand Hotel 416 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014 

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on the Freehand Hotel rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city.

Rossoblu outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Rossoblu City Market South 1124 San Julian St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Rossoblu tells the story of the two places Chef Steve Samson considers home – Los Angeles and Bologna, Italy. The restaurant is an homage to Samson’s heritiage, inspired by childhood memories spent in Bologna and its surrounding region, Emilia Romagna. Rossoblu features handmade pastas, fresh produce, and an extensive in-house butchery and salumi program. The wine list offers unique Italian and Californian varietals. At its core, Rossoblu is a true family-owned and operated restaurant, with Steve’s wife Dina helming the operations and long time friend and partner Hans Luttmann leading a team that has become family. Rossoblu is open for al fresco dining, takeout and delivery.

Veranda Al Fresco outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Veranda Al Fresco Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Chef Adrian Garcia is serving up an authentic Mexico City-inspired menu, befitting the tropical vibe at Veranda Al Fresco, DTLA’s urban oasis at Hotel Figueroa. Savor a tasty, simple street taco menu paired with a great selection of cocktails. Veranda Al Fresco is open Wednesday to Sunday 12pm-7pm. Salud y buen provecho!

Manuela outdoor dining near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

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

Manuela is excited to welcome guests back to dine in their spacious outdoor patio. Located in the DTLA 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: Rossoblu

Photo #2: Mignon

Photo #3: L’APPART by AIR FOOD

Photo #4: Cento Pasta Bar

Photo #5: Strada Eateria & Bar 

Photo #6: Faith & Flower

Photo #7: Bestia

Photo #8: Reedbird

Photo #9: Perch

Photo #10: Broker Shaker

Photo #11: Rossoblu

Photo #12: Veranda Al Fresco

Photo #13: Manuela 

Motor Up the Coast for Al Fresco Dining by the Sea

What could be more exhilarating on a hot summer day than driving up Pacific Coast Highway to enjoy cocktails and dinner at sunset. Or lingering over a Mimosa-fueled brunch while watching seagulls play above the waves! Great news – your favorite beachfront restaurants are open for patio dining! All along our beautiful shoreline, you’ll find some amazing destinations – from historic icons and legendary cafes, to elegant restaurants with stellar menus and views to match. It’s time to motor up the coast for al fresco dining by the sea! Check their websites for takeout, curbside pick up and delivery options as well.

Geoffrey’s Malibu 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Renowned for its legendary ocean views and celebrity cache, Geoffrey’s originally opened as Holiday House hotel in 1948, attracting stars like Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe, and John F. Kennedy. 35 years later, in 1983, Holiday House ended its glorious run when Harvey Baskin, a financier and nature lover, purchased the property and created Geoffrey’s Malibu. Baskin redesigned the space so that every table in the house had a panoramic view of the ocean. Today, Geoffrey’s continues to be a magnet for Hollywood luminaries, world travelers, and locals alike.

Nobu Malibu 22706 CA-1 Malibu, CA 90265

Nobu restaurants are the creation of Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa, a Japanese celebrity chef and restaurateur known for his fusion cuisine blending traditional Japanese dishes with Peruvian ingredients. After emigrating to the U.S. from Japan in the late 1970s, Nobu built a high-end sushi empire that now encompasses more than three dozen restaurants across the globe, from Malibu to Manila, Beijing to Budapest.

Duke’s Malibu 21150 CA-1 Malibu, CA 90265

Surfing meets Hollywood by the sea! Surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku taught surfing in Malibu and spent time in the area where he was a lifeguard, competing in water sports and appearing in over 28 Hollywood movies. Duke’s Malibu honors Duke, but also pays tribute to the early days of surfing in Malibu. Adding to the lore, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, the inspiration for the Gidget novel, movie and TV series that sparked the California surfing craze, works at Duke’s Malibu as the Ambassador of Aloha. 

Gladstones Restaurant 17300 CA-1 Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Founded in 1972, Gladstones restaurant has been a symbol of Los Angeles and the Southern California lifestyle for nearly half a century. Owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan, this classic establishment has stood the test of time, outlived trends, and set the bar for quality and warmth. Located at the historic intersection of PCH and Sunset Blvd, Gladstones offers the freshest seafood, classic cocktails, and timeless California sunsets. Sunday brunch at Gladstones is legendary. Get there early – tables fill up fast.

Maestro’s Ocean Club 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Maestro’s Ocean Club offers commanding beachfront views and an impressive menu, including a fresh seafood tower and sushi selection developed exclusively for Mastro’s Steakhouse by Chef Angel Carbajal of Nick-San Cabo San Lucas, along with steaks, chops and an array of fish dishes. Consistently hailed by diners and critics alike as one of the top 10 steakhouse in the U.S., Mastro`s Restaurants is a collection of sophisticated, classic steakhouses and sumptuous fish houses. Mastro’s has a strict upscale dress code, so if you plan to go to the beach before dinner, make sure you bring a change of attire.

Moonshadows 20356 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

From a midday brunch to supper at sunset, Moonshadows is the ultimate oceanfront dining experience, located right on the Malibu beach. The friendly staff serves a mouthwatering mix of seafood and signature dishes with Asian fusion, Italian and American influences. For a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap, stop by the Blue Lounge Bar on the patio. Reservations are recommended, especially for sunset dining.

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe 28128 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Enjoy the iconic Southern California experience at the quintessential beach restaurant. Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is nestled right on the sand in Paradise Cove, in the heart of Malibu. Smell the fresh sea air and gaze at the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean with a cocktail in hand. Indulge in a wide selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Walk along the beach and look at the homes of movie and rock stars, billionaires, and Wall Street magnates. Kick back and experience the magic of Paradise.

Malibu Farm Restaurant & Cafe 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu, CA 90265

Malibu Farm Restaurant is a full-service eatery with bar and specialty cocktails, located at the start of the Malibu pier. The Malibu Farm Cafe is a counter-service cafe, located at the end of the pier, over the Pacific Ocean. Both restaurant and cafe are open for outdoor dining. Malibu Farm was founded by Helene Henderson, who began her career doing cooking classes and farm dinners out of her home and in her backyard. Although Malibu Farms has expanded to locations beyond Southern California, they still regard themselves as a locally-owned small business, offering abundant fresh produce, free range chickens, and sustainable seafood, and natural ingredients.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Paradise Cove Beach Cafe

Photo #2: Geoffrey’s Malibu

Photo #3: Nobu Malibu

Photo #4: Duke’s Malibu

Photo #5: Gladstones Restaurant

Photo #6: Maestro’s Ocean Club

Photo #7: Moonshadows

Photo #8: Paradise Cove Beach Cafe

Photo #9: Malibu Farm Restaurant

Cocktails To Go: Your Favorite DTLA Bars Offer Take Out & Delivery

Now you can support your favorite LA bars while getting your buzz on, all from the comfort of home. Some of the best boîtes in town are offering specially-crafted, pre-batched cocktails for pickup and delivery. Pair your libations with delicious dishes, from burgers to tasty small plates and full menu choices. Some establishments even stock meal kits and pantry items. Check their websites for pick up and delivery details.

Broken Spanish 1050 S Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 

Mix it up. Broken Spanish is now offering their Mix Kit, which includes one bottle of Tequila or Mezcal, one quart of Broken Spanish’s signature margarita mix, and all of the fixings for $49. Broken Spanish presents a distinct culinary perspective expressed in bold yet refined flavors, demonstrating elements of long-established traditions, finished with modern appeal. The bar offers an aromatic selection of tequilas, mezcals, and intriguing craft cocktails.

Barcito 403 W 12th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Barcito is pouring batch cocktails, available for pickup and delivery daily from 3pm to 8pm. Order from their delicious snack-inspired menu and choose 16 ounce or 32 ounce batched cocktail options. Barcito is an entrepreneur-owned and operated Argentine-style cafe and cocktail bar turned bodega, selling natural wine, craft beer, deli sandwiches, coffee, provisions, and more. Barcito is currently open for takeout/delivery, offering full menu, pantry goods, natural wine, and craft beer.

Here and Now Cocktail Bar 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Suite N Los Angeles, CA 90013 

Here and Now is offering food, cocktails, beer and wine pickup through their online shop, and delivery through their partners at Caviar and Postmates. Whiskey flights are also available to order online or pick up in person. Named one of America’s best bars by Esquire magazine in 2019, Here and Now is located at the south end of the Arts District’s One Santa Fe building.

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

Arts District icon Manuela is offering five pre-batched versions of their craft cocktails to enjoy at home. They’re available with delivery orders, which can be placed through Postmates, DoorDash, and Caviar. Try their Old Fashioned with Evan Williams bourbon and bitters, or get adventurous with the Nightshade, featuring Milagro Blanco tequila, yellow bell pepper, heat, and lemon. 

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

Order a wine or cocktail gift set from DTLA’s super cool cocktail shop, Flask & Field. A modern destination for the discovery of wine, spirits, art and design, Flask & Field also offers a selection of quality goods for house, home and adventure. The eclectic establishment was founded by entertainment attorney Miriam Yoo, who was driven by her lifelong passion for wine, hospitality and design to create a new kind of shop that would address a range of lifestyle needs. Place your order online and pick-up safely or have it delivered. Walk-ups are welcome too! 

Arts District Brewing Co. 828 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Arts District Brewing is open for Burgers & Booze To-Go. Choose from their curated craft beer list, which is updated on a regular basis. The hearty food menu offers a beer-appropriate selection of wings, burgers, fries, salads, fried calamari, fish tacos, and nachos. Order ahead before coming on down.

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

Get your cocktails to go at First Draft Taproom & Kitchen, a unique tasting experience in South Park. They offer a huge variety of craft beer, wine, cider, and kombucha, and the taps are ever-rotating to bring you a wide selection of craft and small-batch libations from across the country. The kitchen serves delectable plates and shareable items that pair with the beverage offerings, such as popcorn cauliflower, crispy brussels sprouts, mac & cheese, burgers, sandwiches & panini, salads, sweets, and more.

Mignon 128 E. 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Mignon is offering wine and food for take out. True to its name (mignon roughly translates to “small and cute” in French), Mignon specializes in small production, offering natural wines from all over the globe with an emphasis on the Old World. They also serve seasonal, rustic French cuisine, including a three-course pre-fixe option, small plates, and fine artisanal cheeses and charcuterie. The space is also a retail shop, so make sure you grab some bottles for your home cellar.

The Mermaid 428 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Mermaid is offering cocktail and food to go. The Mermaid is a cozy little bar in the hear of Little Tokyo, with mermaids! Swim in for refreshing tropical cocktails, savory bar snacks, and good times to enjoy in the comfort of your own home! To go menu HERE

Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Bar Amá offers no-contact pickup through their online Amá To Go & General Store. The store stocks your favorite dishes, meal kits, pantry items, wine, beer and cocktails. Merchandise by chef Josef Centeno’s Prospect Pine and the Baco and Amá cookbooks are available for purchase as well.  Bar Amá will tickle your tummy with Tex Mex specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more. Food and drink items are available for pick up only. Delivery is available through Caviar and Grubhub.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Photo #2: Broken Spanish

Photo #3: Barcito

Photo #4: Here and Now Cocktail Bar

Photo #5: Manuela

Photo #6: Flask & Field 

Photo #7: Arts District Brewing Co.

Photo #8: First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

Photo #9: The Mermaid

Photo #10: Bar Amá 

Stock Up For Summer Reading at DTLA Bookstores

Here’s a great opportunity to get a head start on your summer reading. DTLA bookstores are offering curbside pick up and online shopping. Check their websites for details, including in-store openings. Our city is a bibliophile’s paradise – from local treasures like The Last Bookstore to collectible destinations, and quirky specialty shops. You can also support our local bookstores by signing up for their newsletters, organizing online book clubs, and buying gift cards for friends and family.  Looking for some inspiration, here’s Bill Gates’ summer reading list. Get ready to untether from your digital devices, stretch out on your favorite chaise lounge, and crack open a good book.

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. According to owner Josh Spencer, the name was chosen with irony, but seems more appropriate with each passing day, as physical bookstores die out like dinosaurs from the meteoric impact of Amazon and e-books. In addition to over 250,000 new and used books on two floors, including the Arts & Rare Book Annex, you’ll also find tens of thousands of vinyl records and graphic novels. Curbside service is limited to bundle customers. If you’re looking for a specific title, please order from the online web store and your books will be shipped right to your door.

Now Serving Far East Plaza 727 N. Broadway #133 Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded by Ken Concepcion, former chef de cuisine at Wolfgang Puck’s CUT, and his wife Michelle Mungcal, Now Serving carries a melange of new and used cookbooks, including out of print editions. The cookbooks are organized in geographical departments such as the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Europe, and categories like pastries and baking, beverages, general food writing, and reference books. You can order online from their website.

Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. Suite M Los Angeles, CA 90013

Since its founding in 1963, Hennessey + Ingalls has grown to become the largest art, architecture and design bookstore in the Western United States. A landmark in the visual arts community, Hennessey + Ingalls counts many of the country’s leading architectural firms as clients, along with museums, collectors, art galleries, students, interior designers, graphic design firms, and schools. Even if you’re not an industry professional, it’s fun to browse the store’s in-depth selection of books, including art, art history, architecture, photography, interior design, graphic design, and landscaping. Hours for contactless curbside (parking lot) pick-up are 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth LA 917 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Artbook @Hauser & Wirth is an arts and culture bookstore located inside the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery in the DTLA Arts District. The bookstore offers a wide range of topics including art, photography, architecture & design, film, music, fashion and more. Hauser & Wirth opened its Los Angeles location in 2016 in a former flour mill. In addition to supporting and collaborating with many local and international cultural organizations, nonprofits, and universities, the Los Angeles gallery fosters public dialogue with the arts through a range of activities that engage the city’s diverse population. Artbook @Hauser & Wirth is temporarily closed, but you can shop online.

The Library Store 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Library Store is operated by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, which provides critical support to the Los Angeles Public Library resulting in free programs, resources, and services available to the millions of adults, children, and youth in Los Angeles. Through fundraising, advocacy, and innovative programs, the Library Foundation strengthens the Los Angeles Public Library and promotes greater awareness of its valuable resources. Shop the carefully curated collection of books, tees, totes, stationery and much more. All sales benefit the Los Angeles Public Library. While the physical store remains closed, the online store is open. They are processing orders once a week, and shipping out on Fridays.

Kinokuniya 123 Astronaut E S Onizuka Street #205, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Founded in 1927 in Tokyo, the Books Kinokuniya chain spans 68 locations in Japan and 28 stores overseas, including the popular location Little Tokyo’s Weller Court. Kinokuniya offers an extensive selection of manga, graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books, and children’s books. If you’d like to order books or make inquiries while the store is temporarily closed, please use the contact form and follow the accompanying instructions.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: The Last Bookstore

Photo #2: The Last Bookstore

Photo #3: Now Serving

Photo #4: Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore

Photo #5: Image courtesy of Hennessey + Ingalls Bookstore

Photo #6: Image courtesy of Hauser Wirth Schimmel

Photo #7: Kinokuniya USA

DTLA Breakfast Spots Open for Pick Up & Delivery

Take a break for breakfast! Your favorite DTLA cafes and coffee spots are now open for pick up and delivery! Celebrate the weekend with scrumptious Belgian waffles smothered in fresh fruit, order up some wholesome baked goods to accompany your morning coffee, or indulge in a platter of eggs and tater tots with all the toppings! By supporting local restaurants, you’re helping to keep our amazing DTLA restaurant community alive and thriving. Check online for delivery and pick up details. Bon Appetit!

Poppy + Rose 765 Wall St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Featured on LA Weekly’s Best of L.A. Food & Drink, Poppy + Rose is inspired by the country kitchens we all know and love. A collaboration between Diana Yin and Chef Michael Reed, the restaurant serves classic American diner fare prepared with honest ingredients. Their signature Fried Chicken & Waffles are made with free-range Mary’s chicken and a Belgian-style waffle. Biscuits are baked from scratch every morning with real butter, and fries are hand cut from fresh Kennebec potatoes. Order ahead for curbside pick up.

ediBOL 300 S Santa Fe Ave. Ste. Q, Los Angeles, CA 90013

ediBOL is a fun eatery in the DTLA Arts District offering artisan BOLs – handcrafted foods & flavors in a bowl. ediBOL is now offering meal kits so you can prepare their classics and create some tasty new bowls at home! Brunch bols feature French toast custard, roasted garlic & herb pork hash,  chicken & waffles, and baked eggs with chorizo and tomatillo crema. Other menu items include lemon ricotta fritters, warm golden oats, and Stumptown coffee. Order ahead for pick up.

L.A. Cafe 639 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Located in the Spring Towers Lofts, L.A. Cafe is open 7 days a week for delivery, takeout and curbside pick up. They make all their food fresh daily from scratch using the best ingredients such as local eggs & produce, and garden fresh herbs. Breakfast menu includes Belgian waffles, chicken & waffles, breakfast tacos & tortillas, and tater tots with all the toppings. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options are available as well.

Birdies 314 W Olympic Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90015

Birdies LA is a fresh new casual dining restaurant with its flagship location in Downtown Los Angeles. The concept is simple: Fresh, fun, all natural food, served fast. Artisanal donuts are made hourly, and their free-range fried chicken will be a treat you can expect on a simple menu of Americana classics reimagined with a modern twist. Birdies also features an ever changing offering of rotating specials, Intelligentsia coffee creations, and an in-house brewed Birdies brand coffee. Available for takeout and no contact delivery.

Paris Baguette 404 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Paris Baguette is an international, premium bakery-café specializing in yummy assortments of breads, pastries and cakes baked daily. Their mission is to bring happiness to everyone by adapting to people’s ever-expanding palates with decadent, unique and sophisticated baked goods. They serve a variety of treats ranging from coffee, tea, smoothies, and frappes, to appetizing snacks, delicious cakes for all occasions, and chef-inspired sandwiches and salads. Order through Doordash or Postmates.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Paris Baguette

Photo #2: Poppy + Rose

Photo #3: ediBOL

Photo #4: L.A. Cafe

Photo #5: Birdies

Photo #6: Paris Baguette

Spice Up Your Night With Virtual Events

Enjoy a taste of tiki, go hog wild at Hogwarts, or experience a magical candlelight concert – all from the comfort of home. Virtual experiences are bigger than ever, and the choices are almost limitless! Everything from online cocktail classes and craft fairs, to amusement park rides – and even a haunted house – are right at your fingertips – literally! Just grab your favorite digital device, pour yourself a nice beverage, curl up on your comfy couch, and get ready to spice up your night with virtual events.

Natural History Museum First Fridays Connected

First Fridays is connecting NHM and L.A. to you live, directly into your home. Dive into timely discussions and rock out to music right in your living room. Grab your own cocktail, put on your best home attire, turn up the volume, and get ready for an amazing Friday. This event is free, but reservations are required. End times may vary. One reservation per household/device. Zoom and YouTube Live links will be emailed to you when you register.

Renegade Craft Virtual Fair

Every Friday & Saturday in May For two hours each day at the Renegade Craft Virtual Fair, dive into artists’ portals and connect with creatives from all over the world. Look forward to behind the scenes demos, studio and home tours, Q+A’s, fireside chats, tutorials, meditations, performances, how-to’s, DJ sets, and much more! Renegade Craft is a curated marketplace of makers, designers, doers, and dreamers. Established in Chicago in 2003 and growing through steady, organic support, Renegade has become the broadest reaching craft showcase in the world, hosting over 3,000 artists at 20 events in 10 cities, and attracting over 300,000 attendees annually.

Los Angeles Beer Festival Digital Edition

May 9 Los Angeles Beer Festival is going digital this year as they bring the beer straight to you while you stream the tastings with different breweries, guests, games, and band performances. A case of 10 special release beers and brewery swag can be picked up at select locations. The case features beers from 10 different local and regional breweries. A video link will be sent to all guests and on Saturday May 9th at 7pm, so you can enjoy the guided tastings of each beer from their distinct brewmaster or ambassador in the comfort of your own living room. There will also be band performances and interactive games. Cheers!

Candlelight Concerts

May 10 This candlelit evening, let the elegant strokes of piano keys take you on a journey through time, from Beethoven to Gershwin. You’ll transition from the worlds of Classical to Popular as soloist Serene expertly carries the music from her piano to your living room, all while bathed in the gentle glow of candlelight. This special edition will be hosted by a Master of Ceremonies, who will accompany you this magical evening, informing you about the music in question and providing you with information about the composer. A concert pianist of unique talent, Serene has followed anything but the conventional path to the forefront of her field. Her repertoire is vast, displaying her love of composers from Bach to Ligeti to Stravinsky.

Virtual Tiki Cocktail Seminar from the Acey Deucey Club

May 15 & 22 Enjoy a taste of tiki from the comfort of your home. The Acey Deucey Club invites you to join a virtual cocktail making seminar. Meet two characters from this pop-up submarine-themed tiki bar. This virtual event will deliver a tiki cocktail kit to your home with all of the ingredients needed for double servings of two cocktail creations. Not a pro bartender? Don’t stress. Live assistance from the Engineers, the resident cocktail experts, will guide you through crafting two cocktails that will get you in the tiki spirit.

Virtual Comedy Tour

Various Dates Meld your love of couch surfing with stand-up comedy. Professional comedians from all over the country share a barrel of laughs with you during this comedy-necessary time. Spice up your routine with jokes and escape from the abnormal norm.

Experience Your Favorite Amusement Park Rides

Virtual experiences are bigger than ever – and now that includes amusement park rides. During their visits, park-goers have spread their experiences on YouTube by filming the rides as they go on them. From Disney World‘s “Frozen Ever After” to Universal’s “Harry Potter & The Forbidden Journey,” and Disneyland’s “Pirates of the Caribbean Ride,” and “Indiana Jones Thrill Ride,” viewers at home now get to witness the narrative rides as though they’re actually there.

Winchester Mystery House Horror Tour

The Winchester Mystery House® is an architectural wonder and historic landmark in San Jose, California that was once the personal residence of Sarah Lockwood Pardee Winchester, the widow of William Wirt Winchester and heiress to a large portion of the Winchester® Repeating Arms fortune. What started as an eight-room farmhouse can only be described as the world’s longest home renovation, prompting speculation that Sarah was haunted by the ghosts of those felled by the “Gun that Won the West.” The Winchester Mystery House is offering guests unprecedented access to the world’s most bizarre mansion with an all-new Winchester Mystery House Immersive 360° Tour. This virtual experience allows guests to independently roam each level of the mansion, while exploring many rooms previously inaccessible on standard Estate tours.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #2: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Photo #3: Renegade Craft Virtual Fair

Photo #4: Los Angeles Beer Festival

Photo #5: Candlelight Concert

Photo #6: Acey Deucey Club

Photo #7: Virtual Comedy Tour

Photo #8: Universal Studios Hollywood

Photo #9: Winchester House

Take a Virtual Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

What do Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal, Château de Versailles, and Machu Picchu all have in common? These breathtaking monuments have all been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, selects World Heritage Sites based on cultural, historical, scientific, or other form of significance judged to be important for the collective and preservative interests of humanity. Today there are 869 cultural World Heritage Sites around the world.

Now you can visit some of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites with virtual tours from Google Earth, Google Arts and Culture, and other digital platforms – all from the comfort of home! To access your virtual tour, tap or click on each monument’s name which appears in bold below.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is an immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Great Sphinx of Giza, Egypt

The Great Sphinx of Giza, commonly referred to as the Sphinx, is a limestone statue of a reclining or couchant sphinx (a mythical creature with a lion’s body and a human head) that stands on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. The face of the Sphinx is generally believed to represent the face of the Pharaoh Khafra.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

In ancient times, the Great Pyramid of Giza was considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today it is the last standing wonder of the ancient world, as the other five were destroyed by fire or earthquakes. The capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt is known for its extraordinary funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas, temples and pyramids.

Château de Versailles

Listed for the past 30 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of Versailles constitutes one of the finest achievements of French art of the 17th century. The former hunting lodge of Louis XIII was transformed and extended by his son Louis XIV who installed here the Court and the government of France in 1682. Up until the French Revolution, a line of kings succeeded each other, each taking his turn to embellish the Palace, The Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments, and the gardens. The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited cultural sites in the world today.

Stonehenge 

Take an interactive tour of Stonehenge with 360 degree views from inside the monument, courtesy of English Heritage. Located in south Wiltshire, Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites are home to some of the most famous megaliths in the world. The significance of these prehistoric monuments is still being explored and understood. English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites, from world-famous prehistoric sites and grand medieval castles to Roman forts and a Cold War bunker. 

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel in the Eastern Cordillera of southern Peru perched on a 7,970 ft mountain ridge. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District, above the Sacred Valley, 50 miles northwest of Cuzco. The Urubamba River flows past it, cutting through the Cordillera and creating a canyon with a tropical mountain climate.

Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, 79 CE, Italy

The impressive remains of the towns of Pompei and Herculaneum and their associated villas, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79, provide a complete and vivid picture of society and daily life at a specific moment in the past that is without parallel anywhere in the world.

Angkor Wat, 12th century CE, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Cambodia and the largest religious monument in the world. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman in the early 12th century in Yaśodharapura, the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. The temple is at the pinnacle of the high classical style of Khmer architecture, and has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag and is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.

Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Spain

The Basílica Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí that has become the symbol of Barcelona, Spain. Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica. Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project.

The Great Wall of China

The China Guide is offering armchair travelers the chance to take a virtual hike on the Great Wall of China. As China’s most famous attraction, the Great Wall of China is an essential stop on all China tours. Commonly considered a wonder of the world, the Great Wall boasts a history of over 2,000 years and stretches more than 3,000 miles across several provinces of northern China, making it one of the most impressive ancient structures on the planet.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: English Heritage

Photo #2: Google Arts and Culture

Photo #3: Google Earth

Photo #4: Google Maps

Photo #5: Château de Versailles

Photo #6: English Heritage

Photo #7: Google Arts and Culture

Photo #8: Google Arts and Culture

Photo #9: Google Earth

Photo #10: Basilicadela Sagrada Familia

Photo #11: The China Guide