Los Angeles Confuses Me - Please Help

I'd say go to Beachwood Long Beach on the Metro Blue Line. It'll drop you off about a block away. Just be ready to travel through a few sketchy neighborhoods. Other than that, it's a great way to avoid the drive.

 

I take it you will be renting a car?
If you are planning on visiting Beachwood BBQ in SB then you are on the right track. Does the misses like to drink beer? If not then you have a designated driver. Good. From Culver City head south on our F'd up 405 to El Segundo Brewing Co on Main St in ES. Across the street you have Rock and Brews ($$$ with so so bar food & decent tap list. The foods from KISS are part owners in this yet another Hard Rock Cafe style venture). I guess the old timer Rock n Rollers are still trying to make a few bucks since everybody these days are downloading their music for free. Anyways, if you don't feel like ESBC the keep driving south to Smog City Brewing Co not far off the 405. Monkish brewery is right around the corner from Smog. Your lady may like Monkish styles if beer. I don't. But to each his own. After Smog/Monkish get back on 405 south to 710 south and exit 6th Ave (one way) to Long Beach Blvd south to 3rd St west (again-one way) and Beachwood BBQ and Brewing will be on the left. Parking structures are in the area so take the ticket to get stamped. After BBBQnB get on Ocean Blvd east to Seal Beach where the original and my favorite place Beachwood BBQ is. Park in the back in da alley. I think that covers it, again. But do a little research on the places mentioned as they all have different hours of opening. And some are closed on certain days. Weekends would be the best time but a lot busier.
One note-if you want to take some bottles back to hotel then Whole Foods in Long Beach and El Segundo have a good selection. Or Beverage Warehouse nearer Culver City.

 

Stay at the MDR hotel over the CC hotel. Not only is it a far prettier and quieter area (The CC hotel is practically under 405, ugh), but you are on Lincoln Blvd, which means you can jump straight on the Big Blue Bus into Santa Monica where you will no doubt be visiting a number of awesome beer places.

It is one of the few public transit options in LA that is truly convenient and well functioning.

You can also walk to Venice Beach from there. And you are next door to Jerry's Famous Deli for convenient late night food.

 

Let me know if you do in fact end up staying at the Double Tree in Culver City and want to arrange an in-person trade. I live a few blocks away from that hotel and could easily meet you there with a few bottles that way you don't have to spend half your time here chasing down Pliny or whatever.

Send me a message if you're interested.

 

I have not been in about a year, but Public School 612 at 6th and Flower isn't bad. It is connected to Daily Grill. It has mostly "upscale" pub food and the tap list can be decent. You can order off the tap list if you would rather sit in the Daily Grill dinning room and eat from its menu.
http://www.publicschool612.com/

 

Skip traveling all the way to Golden Road and go to Mohawk Bend in Echo Park instead. It's owned by the same folks and has lots of Golden Road beers on tap all the time. However, it's better because it also has beers from many other breweries and far better food. As a plus for you, the drive will be shorter.

As far as food only recs, I strongly encourage you to just get some So Cal Mexican food. Yes, Chicago has some great Mexican food to, but the LA area is really the best. A particular restaurant I strongly recommend is Guelaguetza (http://ilovemole.com/).

 

If you're staying at the Double tree in DTLA, you're smack dab in the middle of little tokyo. Plenty of good sushi places there. Also a restaurant I really like is B.O.S, if you're into offal then it's a cool place to go.

Far Bar has a decent tap list in little tokyo. There's a retro arcade as well in little tokyo area.

Manhattan Post is a great restaurant. Also if you're staying in Culver City check out N/Naka, amazing food, perfect for a celebratory dinner

 

I miss that place in Koreatown that was a brewery, karaoke bar and sushi joint. Flat out gorgeous interior.

CLEARLY run by an organized crime syndicate. Stayed open long enough to launder a couple million of ill-gotten funds into a real estate sale.

 

Go to Beachwood BBQ brewing in Long Beach instead of Seal beach because you'll get to try all their house beers plus guest. Seal beach only has a couple of their house beers on tap. also you'll be able to get seated quicker at at the LB location, it's a lot larger. Just my 2 cents as a local.

 

I started writing a life's story but decided to go with an abridged version.

As a transplant from Chicago, I can understand your perception of LA. Everything's far apart, traffic sucks, pubic transportation sucks, and it's not the cheapest place to be. Once you accept some of those basic flaws, it's easier to appreciate the good things.

For instance, ethnic food here blows Chicago out of the water. I hate to say that, but it's true. You name it--from Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Thai, etc., it's just better here. It's true that Chicago has some incredible Michelin-starred restaurants, and in that sense, LA can't compete, but if you look for authentic ethnic cheap eats, you'll leave just as satisfied, if not more (you'll come away with a fatter wallet too). I can name some of my favorites in a later post.

There's lots of great outdoor activities to experience a short drive away. Since there are so many mountain regions, you'll find an abundance of picturesque hiking trails. They're a nice way to start the morning. There's also plenty of beaches if that's your thing and if you're into scenic drives, just take the PCH up or down the coast.

You're here for the beer, though. LA's coming along, albeit, slowly. In that sense, you won't have any choice but to take long drives. There are beer bars and brewpubs in LA, and you can certainly have a decent time at most of them. Some have been mentioned already. I'm going to throw out some names that you can weed out for yourself but they're places I've enjoyed myself at in the past. They are: Hermosillo, Little Bear, Blue Palms, Beer Belly, Surly Goat, and Father's Office Culver City.

If you want to visit actual breweries, you'll have to head to Beachwood BBQ Long Beach and The Bruery. I'd also try to maybe take a day to check out some San Diego spots.

Anyway, I'd write more, but I have to make some lasagna. Hit me up if you have any specific questions.

 

i too could write a novel too but won't. no offense to socalbeeridiot but i wouldn't recommend staying in Culver City. it's a nice city, and has some good restaurants, but otherwise not a lot going on as a destination to visit. you're better off staying near the ocean in Santa Monica, Venice or one of the other beach cities to please your lady (Marina Del Ray is kind of blah).

i would recommend staying in downtown longer. then check out some of the East Side areas. Silver Lake, Echo Park, Highland Park etc.. are more hipster areas that have a lot of cool bars, restaurants, and fancy coffee shops with people dressed like it's the 1890's.

Beachwood is awesome, but Torrence is even closer and has 5 breweries (must go to's are Smog City, Monkish and Strand).

Los Angeles is restaurant mecca. yelp and the internet is your friend.

stay away from Hollywood (unless you're going to Blue Palms, or Musso and Frank), and whatever you do don't go to Universal City walk.

one thing i think you should do is take a hike, in Santa Monica Mountains, Malibu, or even Hollywood. usually when i take out of towners on an epic hike they seem to appreciate the city more.

would be happy to elaborate if you have any questions

hope you have a great time

 

If you stay in Marina Del Ray I'd highly recommend reserving a spot to visit The Getty Malibu. Not only is it a nice museum, it has one of the best views of the coast you will find, awesome gardens, and it is sure to lull your girlfriend into a euphoric coma, whereupon you can hit all the best beer spots in Santa Monica (Daily Pint, Fathers Office, Library Alehouse) on the way back to your hotel.

 

Why not stay a day or two in Anaheim? You'll find 6 great to good breweries within 5 min drive radius.

 

@grilledsquid @Black_Rider and @RaulMondesi crushed it. +1 for Beachwood LB, the Torrance beer scene, Northeast LA, ethnic food, the getty, and hiking. If more details would be helpful I'm sure we can all throw out some more favorites.

 

I would appreciate those eats recommendations, will be in southern CA all next week. I look on here in the places category for beer, although there are some beers out of season I would like to try like Alpine Great...

 

I'd say the key is to not stay anywhere where the city is:

A. In the city of LosAngeles. or
B. more than 1 mile from the pacific

 

One word for you: Airbnb. (Although you obviously can't use hotel points.)

 

Here are a few tips, if you stay in Hotel MDR.

You are walking distance to the Yardhouse MDR. The food is pretty good. Their vast tap list does have some mediocre beers, but it also has some very drinkable options. Check out the Chalkboard series, which is five rotating taps that often have something interesting on it. This site, http://www.yardhouse.com/CA/marina-del-rey-restaurant/ let’s you check the current chalkboard offerings before you go.

Also within walking distance is the AMC Dine-In Theater. Big reclining seats, food ordered from and brought to your seat. Beer options are limited, but I did get a Lagunatas IPA the last time I was there. Anyway, it’s a fun way to see a movie.

Ten-minute drive brings you to Beverage Warehouse, which was mentioned above.

El Segundo Brewing Company is a short drive, if you take Culver Blvd west, you’ll get a nice view of the ocean on the way to El Segundo.

In Santa Monica, The Library Alehouse is worth considering for good food and good beer.

In Culver City, I think City Tavern is a good food / beer option.

Have fun.