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Spring Fling! Celebrate the Season in LA

We’ve all sprung forward with Daylight Saving Time, and March 20 – the first day of Spring – is right around the corner. It’s time to get out and celebrate the season with a Spring Fling!

Take a hike and commune with the wildflowers – after all the heavy rains, Southern California is experiencing a Super Bloom! Explore downtown LA’s hidden treasures on a walking tour or bicycle adventure. Shop for fresh produce at a local farmers market. You can even spend a day of fitness working out with your pooch! You’ll always find inspiration when you live in DTLA1

Natural History Museum 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Discover L.A.’s wild side at L.A. Naturefest, a fun-filled two-day festival at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There’s a surprising amount of nature in Los Angeles, and the more you know how to look for it, the more you’ll see. You’ll be blown away by the plants, animals, and the people devoted to protecting and studying them. Festival highlights include over 35 exhibitor booths with local organizations; hands on nature crafts and activities; free giveaways from Tree People; and seed packets from Big Green. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet live animals and talk face to face with scientists and nature experts.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve 15101 Lancaster Rd, Lancaster, CA 93536

Thanks to the recent rains, California is experiencing a Super Bloom – a rare happening in which all the desert flowers bloom at once! Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through May, with a variety of wildflowers creating a mosaic of color that changes daily. Eight miles of trails through the gentle rolling hills make the park a wonderful place to hike and smell the flowers. Poppies open up in mid morning, and curl up in the late afternoon/evening or if it’s cold, so check the weather forecast before arriving. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

Theodore Payne Foundation 10459 Tuxford St. Sun Valley, CA 91352

Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers & Native Plants is a true force for change in Southern California. While preserving the legacy of Theodore Payne – a pioneering Los Angeles nurseryman and horticulturist – their goal is to transform the region into sustainable, healthy communities. Located on 22 acres of canyon land in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley, the full-service native plant nursery, seed room, bookstore, art gallery, demonstration gardens, and hiking trails are open to the public year round. Friendly on-leash dogs are welcome, and there is no admission charge.

Huntington Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108

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 Garen, Camellia & Rose Gardens, Japanese Garden, Jungle Garden, Herb Garden and more. They also offer popular botanical programs such as 2nd Thursday Garden Talks, Garden Tours, Music in the Chinese Garden, Japanese Tea House Tours. Don’t miss the Annual Spring Plant Sale, coming up Sunday April 28.

Green Muffin Walking Tour Freehand Hotel 416 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Modeled after the popular European walking tours, Green Muffin Walking Tour is LA’s newest tour servicing historic downtown Los Angeles. Their mission is to provide an educated and humorous tour of downtown Los Angeles that anyone can afford (all tours are free and the guides work on a donations only basis). Green Muffin gives 5% of all their donations to aid the homeless on Skid Row and provide warm clothes and food. The tour kicks off at the Freehand Hotel lobby every weekend at 10AM and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Highlights include The Bradbury Building, Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall and more! Look for your guide wearing a shirt with a green muffin on it. No need for reservations. They can accommodate up to 20 people per tour. Bring comfortable shoes, money for lunch, sunglasses, and a popular joke from wherever you are from.

The Crafty Pedal: A Woke Bike Shop 520 E 15th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

The Crafty Pedal is DTLA’s only late night cycling and craft boutique. With a love for traditional craftsmanship and elegance, along with an appreciation for new and innovative modern designs, The Crafty Pedal provides the best of both worlds, integrating classic vintage charm with modern day durability, performance and comfort. By offering reclaimed high end brands, they make owning a nice bike obtainable. Every bicycle is uniquely one of a kind and custom built to your specifications. Ready to put the pedal to the metal? Check out their L.A. Bike Friendly Directory.

Puppies & Planks L.A. State Historic Park 1245 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

National Puppy Day is March 23, 2019! To celebrate, Puppies & Planks is putting on the first ever outdoor fitness festival for humans and dogs!. Created by YouTube fitness guru Cassey Ho of Blogilates, and presented by PETCO, this outdoor event will feature a full day of fitness, pups, shopping, food, and more! Bring all your friends and fam for a fun day in the park with vendor booths, Instagram photo stations, giveaways, and lots of cute dogs. Start the day off with a 3K dog walk around LA Historic Park! General admission is free. Buy one class and get an all-access pass to all of the classes on the schedule. The first 500 people who reserve an all-access pass will receive an exclusive swag bag filled with goodies from the sponsors. Your entire ticket purchase (100%) will be donated directly to LA Animal Services and other local rescue organizations.

Historic Core Farmers Market 5th St. (between Broadway and Spring)

Historic Core Farmers Market, LA’s newest addition to the DTLA farmers market scene, is held every Sunday from 9AM – 2PM. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you’ll find farm-fresh eggs (free range and sprout-fed); breakfast and brunch items; sweet pastries and empanadas; Mediterranean dips and spreads; flowers and floral arrangements; natural homemade skin care products; and dog food and pooch products. Along with fresh local groceries, there’s a selection of prepared food and drinks including fresh juices and lemonade; coffee; tacos and breakfast burritos; pupusas, barbecue, curry, and much more!

Certified Farmers Market @Pershing Square 532 S Olive St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Every Wednesday, Pershing Square Farmers Market, presented in partnership with Raw Inspiration, sells garden fresh fruits, vegetables, and special delicacies. Raw Inspiration’s mission is to educate children and adults on the importance of a healthy diet, especially on the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables daily. To accompany that mission, they have set up a program where growers can distribute their produce at neighborhood farmers markets. In and around Los Angeles, it is estimated that nearly 2,000,000 visitors enjoy Raw Inspiration’s farmers markets every year, and that number continues to increase with every new market opening.

Roamin’ for Ramen: Best Noodles in DTLA

March is National Noodle Month! Time for a slurpy celebration of brothy ramen, brimming with palate-pleasing umami. While Little Tokyo is the obvious DTLA destination for authentic Japanese ramen, check out Chinatown, Grand Central Market, and other downtown LA neighborhoods, where you’ll find everything from house-made Japanese tsukemen ramen to vegan and gluten free options.

So get out there and start roamin’ for ramen. DTLA boasts some of the best bowls in town, and we’re not just noodlin’ around!

DTLA Ramen 952 S. Broadway Los Angeles CA 90015

DTLA Ramen inhabits a sleek modern space with an open kitchen, so you can watch your food as it’s being prepared. You have a choice of broth for your ramen, including pork, chicken, vegetarian, soy milk, or no broth at all, with a selection of add ons, such as ground spicy chicken, spicy miso paste, injected egg, or hard boiled egg, and chashu belly. In true DTLA spirit, the restaurant offers interesting craft beers, with an emphasis on Japanese brews. For starters, try their cold sake sampler – pick three from the sake list. They also serve free black and green tea for your much-needed midday pick-me-up.

Ramen Hood Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

Ramen Hood is a vegan ramen shop located in Downtown LA’s historic Grand Central Market. The food is one hundred percent vegan, with broth made by simmering kelp and shiitake mushrooms to extract their maximum umami. Roasted sunflower seeds with white miso are combined with the kelp/mushroom stock, then the mixture is pressure cooked to release the natural oils and starches from the seeds. What’s left is a rich, creamy, broth that rivals its non-vegan counterparts’ flavor and texture. The “egg” is completely vegan, made in two parts. The “white” of the egg starts as locally made, GMO-free soy milk, seasoned with salt and pepper and gelled with agar (a seaweed extract). The “yolk” is a combination of nutritional yeast, back salt and sodium alginate. The yolk is spherified, using a little magic, and placed it in the center of the white, so that the yolk pops just like the real thing!

Okiboru House of Tsukemen 635 N Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tsukemen is extremely popular in Japan but few know about it outside the country. The founders of Okiboru, who trained in Japan to master the tsukemen craft, are on a mission to introduce this style of “dipping ramen” to a wider audience of eaters. With tsukemen, unlike its traditional ramen cousin, the noodles are served on the side separate from the broth, hence the name “dipping ramen.” Okiboru makes their own noodles on-site from scratch using their proprietary recipe. The broth is painstakingly brewed twice as long as the typical ramen broth, until the consistency is perfect for dipping. In addition to the traditional pork chashu, they offer a side of grilled pork ribs which are marinated for hours and grilled to add the perfect amount of smoky flavor. The chefs have also created a delicious vegetarian broth, which is available in both tsukemen and ramen dishes.

Shojin 333 S. Alameda St. Suite 310 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Shojin presents a unique vegan, macrobiotic, gluten free Japanese dining experience, offering natural, organic cuisine for health-conscious customers.The ramen is onion and garlic free, made from cabbage, carrot, celery and olive oil. Choose from Spicy Ramen Revolution (brown rice noodles, kale, avocado, bean sprouts, spicy miso broth), Vegan “Egg,” ane Soy Chicken. Add ons include garlic, ginger, kale, extra noodles, shiitake mushrooms, and extra chile oil.

Daikokuya Little Tokyo 327 E 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Featured on ABC News, LA Eater, Thrillist, LA Times, ZAGAT, LA Weekly, Sunset magazine, and more, Daikokuya is known for their original soup made from soy sauce and pork bones, which are simmered for a full day. The signature Daikokuya Ramen consists of noodles, boiled egg, seasoned bamboo shoots, and green onions, with tender slices of homemade pork belly chashu. Eggs are soaked in a special sauce all through the night before serving. Be sure to try their premium brand sake, handmade by Daikokuya/Bishamon Group.

Rakkan Ramen 359 E 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

In 2011, Rakkan Ramen began as a tiny, four seat ramen bar in Tokyo. In 2017, with a passion for the world to taste their authentic Japanese ramen, Rakkan Ramen opened their first overseas location in Los Angeles. The plant-based broth is made with Dashi, a traditional Japanese soup stock full of umami, bringing out the essence of each ingredient. Then the carefully chosen vegetables and kombu (kelp) are slowly simmered to extract the best flavor and lock in the umami. The marriage between the Oishii Japanese broth and silky slim noodles will help you discover another level of pleasure for your palate. Take a slurp!

Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen 132 S Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

This classic ramen restaurant is located in the heart of Little Tokyo. Pronounced “shin sen goo-me,” the name was taken from the historical samurai clan who fought for a great “cause” during a civil war in Japan. The samurais’ commitment to excellence and sincerity of service to the nation became the restaurant’s model for serving excellent, traditional Japanese cuisine. Choose which size ramen bowl you want, then choose your noodles, and finally pick all the extra toppings you want to customize your ramen bowl just the way you like it. Extra toppings include wontons, spicy miso, curry, chili oil, pork cutlet, hard boiled egg, seaweed, corn and more.

2019 Interior Design Trends: Where to Get the Latest Looks in DTLA

Spring is in the air! Time to spruce up your space with a fresh new look! The top 2019 Interior Design Trends are hot off the presses at international design shows such as Paris’ Maison et Objet, Milan Design Week, and the UK’s CovetED magazine, so let’s get inspired!

If 2018 was all about neutral palettes, 2019 finds balance with provocative pops of color, such as Pantone’s 2019 color of the year–Living Coral–along with saturated moody hues like Hunter Green, digitally-inspired shades of violet and pink, soft terracottas, and optimistic yellow.

Pantone’s Color of the Year – Living Coral

Sleek mid-century modern styles continue to prevail, punctuated by gold, silver and black matter metallic accents; bold graphic area rugs, and sculptural lighting. Other major trends include Asian influences, bright and muted florals, plush velvets, and raw materials such as rattan and reclaimed wood. Ready to snap up a great deal? Secondhand and vintage stores are bursting at the seams with discarded furniture and home accessories, thanks to Marie Kondo’s popular decluttering craze.

However you choose to curate your home, DTLA is the ultimate destination for the best Interior Design Trends of 2019!

Hammer and Spear 255 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Launched in 2013, Hammer and Spear is a showroom and full service multidisciplinary interior design studio, with a team of interior designers, architects, and product designers. Located in a historic brick building in the heart of the Arts District, this dual-functioning environment lends itself to a creative atmosphere, which permeates both the retail and design settings. Founders husband and wife Scott Jarrell and Kristan Cunningham present a carefully curated, sophisticated array of home furnishings, accessories, art objects, and lifestyle products.

A + R Row DTLA 777 S Alameda St #100 Los Angeles, CA 90021

A+R stands for Andy and Rose: British ex-pat Andy Griffith, a former film editor and self-avowed design junkie, and Rose Apodaca, a pop culture and style journalist and author. From sofas to stools, clocks to carafes, tables to lightning, A + R’s oeuvre is design that charms, functions and inspires. Need some style advice? A + R has a knowledgeable team in-store and behind the scenes who will share their enthusiasm for design, bound by the pursuit of aesthetics and innovative ideas.

The Good Liver 705 Mateo St Los Angeles, CA 90021

The Good Liver is a modern day version of a general store that sets out to inform, inspire and ultimately suggest a better way of living through a conscientious collection of enduring, quality goods from around the world. Motivated by the simple things in life, The Good Liver strives to provide high quality, functional products with aesthetic appeal – the unification of design and quality! The store offers a carefully selected range of objects from international brands and makers, showcasing the history, philosophy and craftsmanship behind each item. Helpful staff share stories of the how and why behind each product’s creation, illustrating the thoughtful curation of The Good Liver and their dedication to the good life.

Matter & Bone 548 S Spring St. Ste 113 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Formerly Hayes Gallery, Matter & Bone is a chic furniture and home accessories boutique located in downtown LA. In 2017, owner Tracy Hayes made the transition from gallery to boutique, diversifying her inventory to include carefully curated artisan goods, with a strong focus on local LA artists. Inspired by your own unique aesthetic, Matter & Bone can arrange for custom upholstery or refinishing for nearly every piece in their collection, to create a look that fits perfectly in your home.

HD Buttercup DTLA 2118 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Since opening their doors in 2005, HD Buttercup has become a favorite resource for home furnishings and décor. Defined by bold and imaginative pieces from around the world, HD Buttercup has become the destination for distinctive collections, from sleek mid-century designs to vintage accent pieces. Eliminating the middleman, they work directly with factories and iconic designers to provide a wide variety of high quality, well-priced pieces. HD Buttercup also offers complimentary interior design and personal shopping services.

Rafu Bussan 414 East Second Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located inside the Honda Plaza, Rafu Bussan offers a slice of Little Tokyo history and tradition. The store dates to before World War II, when Yuko Tanaka and Junichi Onishi founded Rafu Bussan in Gardena, California. During World War II, Mr. Tanaka was sent to an internment camp and after the war, they started up the business again, delivering items such as rice, tea, rice bowls and chopsticks to the Japanese in Orange County and the South Bay communities. In 1958, the late Kiyoshi “Skip” Kawaratani and his wife purchased Mr. Onishi’s share of the business and later, Mr. Tanaka’s interest as well. Today, Rafu Bussan carries a huge selection of Japanese dinnerware, vases and accessories, traditional iron and metal ornaments, classical Japanese dolls, lacquerware, kitchenware, origami papers and books, cookbooks, and Japanese foods.

LA Trim & Rugs 831 S Wall St Los Angeles, CA 90014

This insider’s secret offers luxurious rugs made with the highest quality yarn possible, designed by today’s traditional and modern fashion experts, with durability, artistic palette, comfort, and affordability in mind. Each rug goes through a special preparation process to produce a unique and beautiful product. The rug yarn is first dyed to custom color specifications, and then is tufted individually by the hands of talented artisans. New stain and soil resistant advanced technology is then added to ensure durability, quality, and performance. Choose from countless styles including shag, flokati, faux fur, Persian, contemporary, and even fluffy 3D models.

Silverado Salvage & Design 2401 E 27th St, Vernon, CA 90058

Silverado Salvage & Design is the original salvage and reclaimed wood destination where you’ll find a huge selection of architectural salvage, antiques, pre-made, repurposed and reclaimed wood furniture, and thousands of feet of beautiful reclaimed wood. The cavernous 16,000 square-foot warehouse is popular with studios, commercial and residential designers, architects, artists, craftspeople, builders, as well as the general public. The team will create custom designs, including tables, desks, credenzas, kitchen islands, cabinets, shelving, sliding doors, wall installations, and objet d’art, just to name a few.

Loveseat Vintage Furniture 2445 E 12th St Unit C, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Loveseat is the creation of husband and wife duo Jenny & Chris Stanchak–dubbed ‘Team Awesome.’ While preparing for their cross country move from Philadelphia to San Diego, the couple realized just how hard it is to sell furniture, and even worse, how amazingly challenging and time consuming it is to find nice furniture you can afford. From this frustration, Loveseat was born. You can buy and sell vintage furniture on the Loveseat online platform, or swing by their warehouse in DTLA to take an in-person look at their fun and affordable inventory. Order your low-cost home delivery during checkout.

DTLA’s Best Breakfasts & Brunches

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why scimp out! Jumpstart your busy schedule with classic American comfort food at a homey cafe. Or treat yourself to crispy Belgian Waffles topped with fresh fruit, along with a steaming cappuccino. Making weekend plans? Celebrate the occasion with a savory Salmon Benedict and some bubbly on the side.

When you live at Circa, you’ll never run out of options! DTLA abounds in the best breakfasts and brunches–guaranteed to please every palate!

The Rustiq Table 2280 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in downtown Los Angeles near the USC campus, The Rustiq Table offers a unique and modern take on comfort food. Breakfast, served from 8am – 11am, offers specialties such as Avocado Toast, RUSTIQ’s Classic Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Buttermilk Biscuit, and Chilaquiles (Fried tortilla chips, green salsa, black beans, feta cheese, sour cream, onions, fried egg). Saturday brunch, from 10am to 3pm, features unique dishes such as the Farro Avocado Breakfast Bowl, Zucchini Pancakes with Smoked Salmon, as well as RUSTIQ Burgers. To top it off, indulge in a tempting cookie or brownie with a cup of Stumptown coffee or tea. Dine in the cozy storefront or take away to enjoy at home.

Bottega Louie 700 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90017

This iconic 255 seat restaurant, gourmet market, patisserie and café offers pizzas, pastas, small plates and macarons to-go in a bright, bustling space. The sumptuous Breakfast Menu presents a selection of egg dishes, omelettes, Avocado Toast (avocado, poached egg, chorizo, Fresno chiles & red onion on pain de mie), Smoked Salmon Benedict (poached eggs, smoked salmon, crème fraîche, red onions, sautéed spinach & hollandaise sauce on potato pancakes), and Prosciutto & Burrata (prosciutto, burrata, basil & extra virgin olive oil on a potato pancake). Weekend Brunch is a celebration of sweet and savory choices including Belgian Waffles, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, French Toast, Avocado Toast, Tuscan Farro & Eggs, Lobster Hash, and Farmers Market Breakfast (poached eggs, Japanese sweet potatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, asparagus, baby artichokes & ricotta salata). Full bar available. Salut!

Perch 448 S Hill St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Perch Los Angeles is a French inspired rooftop bistro with unobstructed views of Downtown Los Angeles that will make you feel as if you’re floating over the skyline. Brunch is served until 4:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Start with a chef’s selection of scones, muffins, and croissants with whipped honey butter or jam. Or savor the sybaritic Baked Brie (fennel apple pecan slaw, mâche, wholegrain mustard aïoli). Other signature dishes include Perch Truffle Cheese Frites (white cheddar & pecorino), Avocado Toast (roasted campari tomatoes, frisee, citronette, candied pepitas), Perch Fromage + Charcuterie (daily selection of two cheeses & two cured meats, nuts, fruit, sour cherry mustard, raisin-walnut crostini), plus an array of salads, eggs, omelettes, and burgers. Bubbles and craft cocktails are available from the bar.

Eggslut Grand Central Market 317 S. Broadway, Stall D-1 Los Angeles, CA 90013

Eggslut is a chef driven, gourmet food concept founded in 2011, inspired by a true love for eggs. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovation, celebrating food that appeals to both novice and extreme foodies through classic comfort fare with a twist, all encompassing the key ingredient–eggs. No longer just a breakfast staple, Eggslut make eggs appetizing all day, everyday.

KTCHN DTLA 428 S Hewitt St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

This weekend pop-up brunch spot features elevated breakfast dishes and cocktails in an open, airy venue. The location and menu have changed over time, but the quality of the food is consistently top-notch, receiving accolades from Eater LA, Thrillist, Eye on LA, and Zagat. KTCHN is currently posted at Resident in DTLA’s Arts District. Let go of any expectations and trust that you will have a great time and an amazing meal.

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 is 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. Poppy + Rose offers a full range drop-off catering menu, from high-volume corporate events to a small gathering of friends for breakfast in your home.

P.Y.T. 400 S Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

P.Y.T. is a vegetable-centered restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, inspired by a garden not far away. Caspian pink tomatoes, chocolate mint, marigolds, passion fruit, Japanese red mustard, Bright Lights Swiss chard, scarlet radishes, and purple top turnips grow on the hillside. Some days, there might be 35 pounds of tomatoes that seemed to appear overnight, so they make tomato tarts. Sample the Persimmon toast with ricotta, pumpkin seeds and Old Bank honey or if you’re feeling especially adventurous, the Green piri piri rice with herbs, fried egg, sesame seeds and tiny arare (rice crackers). Weekend Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday 10am to 3pm.