Los Angeles & Palm Springs Travel Advice

[manhn]

Over the Holidays, I will be visiting LA and Palm Springs (the very first time for Palm Springs). I have family that live in Orange County.

As opposed to asking what I should generally see, do or eat, I tend to be very specific. So, answer as many or as few of my questions as you can. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

1. Best Coffee in LA and surrounding areas. This is so, so, important for me. Just give me as many options as possible. I will probably go.

2. Best Ice Cream in LA and surrounding areas.

3. Best Pho in LA and surrounding areas.

4. I am planning to do a half marathon, which starts and ends in Dockweiller Beach. Best coffee in the surrounding area.

5. Best Sushi in LA and surrounding areas.

6. Best Korean BBQ in LA and surrounding areas.

7. Best bookstore in LA and surrounding areas.

8. We will be landing in LA very early on Xmas Day. What's open?

9. If you don't golf, what is there to do in Palm Springs? Best coffee.

10. Best place to see hipsters in LA and surrounding areas.

11. Best place to hike in Palm Springs. It seems hiking is big there.

12. Best Cheesecake in LA and surrounding areas.

13. Best places to run in LA and surrounding areas. Any interesting running groups, perhaps?

14. Best place to see hipsters in Palm Springs.

15. Best burger in LA and surrounding areas.

I think that's it. Anyways, I know I will get some great suggestions. I always do!

 

[asdf334]

2. Best Ice Cream in LA and surrounding areas.

12. Best Cheesecake in LA and surrounding areas.

Not native to LA, but by far some of the best ice cream you can get: http://www.mcconnells.com/where-we-at/

This might sound crazy, but I have yet to find a cheesecake in LA(or anywhere really) that is much/any better than what you can get at The Cheesecake Factory.

This is a blog I like to visit generally speaking for good eats in L.A. Alot of fancy places, but 'regular' places too: http://www.kevineats.com/

 

[Aceon6]

For #15, I'm partial to In-n-Out

 

[mag]

There is a fabulous restaurant in Palm Springs with a grea outdoor patio called the Tropicale.

http://www.thetropicale.com

 

[Kecasyl]

Over the Holidays, I will be visiting LA and Palm Springs (the very first time for Palm Springs). I have family that live in Orange County.

As opposed to asking what I should generally see, do or eat, I tend to be very specific. So, answer as many or as few of my questions as you can. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

1. Best Coffee in LA and surrounding areas. This is so, so, important for me. Just give me as many options as possible. I will probably go.

2. Best Ice Cream in LA and surrounding areas.

3. Best Pho in LA and surrounding areas.

4. I am planning to do a half marathon, which starts and ends in Dockweiller Beach. Best coffee in the surrounding area.

5. Best Sushi in LA and surrounding areas.

6. Best Korean BBQ in LA and surrounding areas.

7. Best bookstore in LA and surrounding areas.

8. We will be landing in LA very early on Xmas Day. What's open?

9. If you don't golf, what is there to do in Palm Springs? Best coffee.

10. Best place to see hipsters in LA and surrounding areas.

11. Best place to hike in Palm Springs. It seems hiking is big there.

12. Best Cheesecake in LA and surrounding areas.

13. Best places to run in LA and surrounding areas. Any interesting running groups, perhaps?

14. Best place to see hipsters in Palm Springs.

15. Best burger in LA and surrounding areas.

I think that's it. Anyways, I know I will get some great suggestions. I always do!

Ok, I can answer a few of these for you.

2. Hands down the best ice cream ever is at the Creamery in Manhattan Beach, their Creamwich's are to die for. Just go you will not regret it! http://www.mbcreamery.com/home.html

5. The best sushi is at Katsuya, they have several restaurants around the LA area. Just be aware it can get pricey there. http://katsuyarestaurant.com/

12. Best Cheesecake hands down is Rocco's in Santa Monica. Harriet's Cheesecakes Unlimited in Inglewood isn't a bad alternative though.

13. Best places to run is on the coast/the beaches like Redondo Beach to Manhattan Beach or El Segundo etc. There is some great hiking to be had up to the Hollywood sign if you are interested in that instead.

15. I have an In N Out burger addiction from visiting the West Coast/LA area, so I'm naturally going to say there.

 

[smurfy]

#15 - Best Burgers
Yes to In-in-Out
or Tommy's

 

[manhn]

I have been to In n Out. I liked it a lot, but burger loving dad hated that place. He much prefers 5 Guys and Shake Shak.

Best chicken and waffles? Still Roscoe?

 

[Lovemyvike]

I have been to In n Out. I liked it a lot, but burger loving dad hated that place. He much prefers 5 Guys and Shake Shak.

Best chicken and waffles? Still Roscoe?

Yes on Roscoes! #8: Randy's Donuts if they're open on Christmas. Which I think they are. Just a few minutes away from LAX. Also, Porto's Cuban Bakery is awesome. It's locations are closer to Burbank though. The potato balls are amazing though

 

[asdf334]

I have been to In n Out. I liked it a lot, but burger loving dad hated that place. He much prefers 5 Guys and Shake Shak.

Best chicken and waffles? Still Roscoe?

I think Roscoe's waffles are on the weak side. As far as other chicken places(though neither have waffles), there's a place called Honey's Kettle in Culver City had fried chicken that was on par with Roscoe's. For a different spin on fried chicken, you might want to check out Tokyo Fried Chicken in Monterrey Park. Again, no waffles, but a very good bird and interesting traditional American sides, only done with a Japanese twist.

For Korean BBQ, the more famous spots are Genwa or Park's in K-town.

 

[madm]

In Palm Springs, the nearby San Jacinto mountains are a beautiful place to hike: https://vacationpalmsprings.com/palm-springs-hiking-trails.php. The higher elevations will have snow at this time of year.

There are also lots of desert hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing options at nearby Joshua Tree National Park: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

 

[Aceon6]

Another option for hiking would be the golf courses in Palm Desert. I believe Desert Willow allows walkers and the Firecliff course is gorgeous! It's worth it just for the jackrabbits.

 

[overedge]

My mum just got back from a week in Palm Springs. She went on an architecture tour so her recommendations may be a bit biased but she says any of the tours that visit the mid - century modern houses are awesome. Her group also went on a trip to the Annenbergs' big estate, Sunnyvale (?) Which was fantastic.

She also recommends the thrift shops in the older parts of town if you want a glimpse into the fashion and home decor choices of elderly Republican supporters during the 80s

ETA: It's Sunnylands, and here's the info: http://www.sunnylands.org/page/4/visit-sunnylands

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

My daughter took the tram and then hiked for six miles with friends, she can not wait to go back.

At the bottom is desert, at the top it is forest!

You didn't ask, but there is a great jewish deli with amazing breakfasts in the desert too.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

Umami burger is a best burger choice. And for fast food, we like habit burger.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

1. Best Coffee in LA and surrounding areas. AoSA in HB and Portola Coffee Lab in Costa Mesa (this is hipster mecca too)

2. Best Ice Cream in LA and surrounding areas. Any nitro place - it's ice cream and a show. Or pick a classic like Joe's Italian

3. Best Pho in LA and surrounding areas. Pho Quang Trung in Westminster

 

[manhn]

You didn't ask, but there is a great jewish deli with amazing breakfasts in the desert too.

Is it called something like Schurmann's? My boss' girlfriend said there is an amazing Jewish deli there. They visit PS a lot.

 

[TheGirlCanSkate]

It is Sherman's. We love it!

 

[manhn]

I just came back from my trip. It was a great time. Anyways, I'll answer my own questions:


1. Best Coffee in LA and surrounding areas. This is so, so, important for me. Just give me as many options as possible. I will probably go.

I loved the following: Blue Butterfly in El Segundo (the best cup I had on the trip), The Birdcage in Long Beach, Lee's Sandwiches, Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach, Portola in Tustin, Catalina Coffee in Redondo Beach.

2. Best Ice Cream in LA and surrounding areas.

I had nothing, can't believe it! Probably because I got so many chocolates as gifts. Love See's Candies.

3. Best Pho in LA and surrounding areas.

LOVED Thanh Cam Tam in Westminster.

4. I am planning to do a half marathon, which starts and ends in Dockweiller Beach. Best coffee in the surrounding area.

Blue Butterfly!

5. Best Sushi in LA and surrounding areas.

Jinbei Sushi in Tustin was pretty good. The eel was excellent.

6. Best Korean BBQ in LA and surrounding areas.

Nothing.

7. Best bookstore in LA and surrounding areas.

Book Soup in West Hollywood.

8. We will be landing in LA very early on Xmas Day. What's open?

Little Saigon in Westminster.

9. If you don't golf, what is there to do in Palm Springs? Best coffee.

We went to a Dates Museum. I really dug the Palm Springs Drive. Palm Springs is exceptionally gay-friendly. Really enjoyed Koffi, Ernest Coffee, and IW Coffee. Sherman's was also very good.

10. Best place to see hipsters in LA and surrounding areas.

I saw none. Really, where were they?

11. Best place to hike in Palm Springs. It seems hiking is big there.

I went nowhere to hike.

12. Best Cheesecake in LA and surrounding areas.

Urth's Caffe!

13. Best places to run in LA and surrounding areas. Any interesting running groups, perhaps?

LOVED Long Beach and Manhattan Beach.

14. Best place to see hipsters in Palm Springs.

No hipsters there either.

15. Best burger in LA and surrounding areas.

I had an In n Out for New Year's Eve. It was soooo good!

 

[Vagabond]

10. Best place to see hipsters in LA and surrounding areas.

I saw none. Really, where were they?

At each others' homes, out of town, and/or in a neighborhood where you didn't even think to look.

14. Best place to see hipsters in Palm Springs.

No hipsters there either.

Palm Springs is not hipsters' natural habitat, but there are people there who thought they were hipsters forty years ago or more.

 

[manhn]

I forgot one more place: Back to the Grind in Riverside. My favourite place I visited during my trip, truly.

 

[crzesk8dad]

I forgot one more place: Back to the Grind in Riverside. My favourite place I visited during my trip, truly.

Too bad I didn't read this sooner...you could have stopped by Icetown in Riverside and watched some skaters train for Nationals.

 

[Vash01]

For number 9, if you are willing to drive a little-

1. Joshua tree national park, around 60 miles.

2. Desert Hot springs - relaxing, resort type area. I had gone there long ago, so I don’t remember much except that they have natural hot springs.