Forget East vs. West Coast, there’s another rivalry going in: Eastside vs. Westside in Los Angeles. Historically the center of it all, West L.A. has always been what outsiders envision L.A. to be: beaches, pretty people, mansions. But in the past few years, the Eastside has risen among the ranks, drawing artists, tastemakers and millennials to its culturally diverse neighborhoods and cheaper rents.
The following is a throwdown of the best of the best in East and West L.A. – from the quintessential lunch spot to chicest hotel (celebs not included). Read on to find out what makes each area similar, different, and see which we crown the winner.
Attraction
Art v. Science
LACMA Housing a 110,000-piece collection that includes works by Degas, Rembrandt, Hockney, and Monet, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a must-see for art lovers visiting L.A (and proves this city is at least a little bit cultured). Everyone loves the “Urban Light” installation by Chris Burden in front of the museum, which is probably one of the most Instagrammed places in the city.
Griffith Observatory Have your L.A. ah-ha moment at Griffith Observatory, nestled above the Hollywood Hills. “This 72-year-old Greek Revival landmark on a hilltop in Griffith Park is one of L.A.’s most recognizable icons” says Concierge.com. Science nerds will love exploring the planetarium, while just about anyone will be in total awe of the views below, night or day.
Shopping
Gerry Boughan / Shutterstock.com
Design and a hint of grit
Melrose Ave Constantly reinventing itself, Melrose Ave was the birthplace of Southern California’s New Wave and Punk cultures in the 80s, and more recently, has become the designer shopping mecca for the rich and famous. Sadly, that means it has lost most of its seediness, but we still get a kick out of strolling past some truly unique L.A. businesses.
Sunset Blvd Snaking through Hollywood to Silver Lake and Los Feliz, Sunset Boulevard is as iconic to L.A. as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. A drive through its winding curves will take you past historic hotels and music venues in West Hollywood, but we particularly love the charming grit of the boulevard once it hits Silver Lake.
Lunch
Sandwich duel
Apple Pan Locals pile into this West Side institution (in business for almost 70 years), for the signature “steakburger” topped with all the fixins. Second only to In-N-Out in terms of popularity, Apple Pan is also well known for its gooey homemade pie. Better save room for dessert.
Langer’s Homesick New Yorkers should head straight for this old-school Jewish deli, in business since 1947. Frommer’s says “the most sought after sandwich among locals, by far, is the famous No. 19, with pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian-style dressing.” Maybe don’t wear your tightest jeans?
Dinner
West Italian v. East Italian
Angelini Osteria Book a dinner rezzie at this cozy osteria on an otherwise nondescript spot on Beverly Blvd for the lasagne verde and other sublime Northern Italian dishes. “Authentic home-style Italian cooking—simple, rustic, and delicious—is the focus at chef-owner Gino Angelini’s unfussy restaurant” (Travel + Leisure).
Little Dom’s LA Weekly says “Little Dom’s is a young person’s idea of an old person’s restaurant, all dark wood and dim lights, snappy waitresses and strong cocktails.” Settle into a leather booth and feast on Italian-American dishes like spaghetti meatballs amongst Silver Lake’s glitterati.
Hotel
Cheateau Marmont v. Hollywood Roosevelt
Chateau Marmont With so many fabulous hotels in West L.A., it’s hard to pick just one. But for the ultimate, extravagant, go-broke-or-go-home experience, stay at the Chateau Marmont. Live like Johnny Depp for a day or two at the city’s most storied hideaway high above the Sunset Strip.
Hollywood Roosevelt At the intersection of Hollywood and Highland across from Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the landmark Roosevelt has seen its fair share of drama since opening in 1927. After undergoing a restoration in 2003, the hotel is still the place to witness “a modern-day, happening scene,” according to Insight Guides.
Hike
Workin’ your fitness
Malibu Creek State Park With over 8,000 acres of rolling tallgrass plains, Malibu Creek State Park makes for an ideal hike along the Pacific. Nicknamed the “Yosemite of Southern California,” you could spend an entire day discovering its incredible vistas. Fun fact: the park played host to film sets dating back to 1919.
Runyon Canyon Park It’s worth it to wake up early and hike to the top of Runyon Canyon just to see the sweeping views of Los Angeles below (but go on a clear day). Don’t be surprised if you spot a celeb or two – the park’s proximity to the Hollywood Hills means plenty of A-listers walking their dogs.
Bar
Yummy cockatails
Birch We wouldn’t normally recommend Downtown Hollywood, but this bar/restaurant really is worth the trip down Hollywood Boulevard. The stellar cocktail menu is filled with unorthodox ingredients like brown butter and bee pollen. Come for a drink, stay for the relaxed vibe and rustic, family-style food.
The Walker Inn It’s a wise choice to head to Koreatown for a night out in Los Angeles (karaoke galore). But don’t miss this cozy bar tucked inside the Hotel Normandie that serves exceptional cocktails, omakase-style. But don’t just show up: you’ll need a reservation to get in.
Carry-on luggage is a basic need when travelling. It’s meant for weekend trips, for carrying basics on the airplane, and for overall comfort. With that in mind there is so much to consider: hard sided or soft? To get wheels or will a simple strap suffice? To suit your needs, we compiled a list of the ten best bags you can use as a carry-on. Remember that packing efficiently is a craft that must be mastered.
Track your luggage via GPS and charge your gadgets via USB
This is first suitcase to connect to your smartphone so you can always keep your belongings tracked. The built-in tracker lets you know where your bag is, anywhere in the world. So if for some reason you get separated from your carry-on, you’ll be able to find it. Plus, there’s scale built into the handle so you can just pick it up and it’ll tell the app how much it weighs. You can also remotely lock the bag or set it to auto-lock if you get separated from it. The charging dock, with two USB ports, lets you power your phone up to six times. It’s $399 and worth every penny.
This very feminine bag has a cotton canvas exterior, leather handles and straps, and bi-directional zippers. It comes in mustard, charcoal, and black so it can easily combine with any outfit. Recommended on various expertly selected websites, the Weekender bag is $150.
This clean and classic duffel-style bag has a very unique zippered side shoe compartment. It comes in a variety of colors and is really malleable. You can hold on to the synthetic leather carry handles or the (removable) padded strap. It’s $85, so this is your bag if you’re not looking to spend too much.
Our experts have nicknamed this “The Mary Poppins bag.” It looks small, but can definitely fit a lot. That’s not to say the bag is designed for women only! The versatile look will appeal to everyone. Available in classic colors like military green and navy blue, the water-repellent nylon bag has leather handles and a removable strap. You’re looking to spend $98 on it.
Our first bag with wheels, this is a favorite among experts because of its practical design that allows you to hang up items on the side. The ballistic nylon outer fabric is durable and low-maintenance. It’s got two wheels and plenty of compartments. You can get it in either black or military green for $599.
This bag boasts that it can travel big and store small. It’s a nylon four-wheeler that comes in a bunch of fun colors and can be neatly folded away when you’re not using it. Plus, it was on Shark Tank, so that’s pretty cool. This really practical piece is $199.
This is the perfect carry-on for those who love to compartmentalize even within the confines of a small bag. The two-wheeler has a bunch of different pockets both inside and outside. It comes in black, and has the signature Tumi signature on the wheels in a deep red. Experts say it’s the most durable carry-on bag. For $595, it better be.
Wear it like a duffle, backpack, or as an addition to your checked bag.
This sporty unisex bag stretches is great because it can stretch a lot. In fact, the name references how the bag can expand to the maximum dimensions allowed as a carry-on. Plus, the compression pocket and laptop pouch offer a lot of packing space for your short trip. The Patagonia is $179.
This carry-on is a classic that sports plenty of zippered compartments and features a retractable handle too. Filson bags are usually deep shades of maroon, brown, mustard, and red. Made with water-resistant nylon and a wide wheel-base for stability, this bag is $595.
A successful Kickstarter and IndieGogo campaign can’t be wrong.
This bag got over $140,000 funding from Kickstarter investors. It’s innovative design ensures that you have 19 different spaces to keep your belongings. Like a true duffel, this leather bag has straps but no wheels. Available in oak, navy, and black, you can pre-order it now for $290 on indiegogo.com. The first delivery is estimated for July 2016.
Drake has said, “When I think of myself, I think of Toronto. My music would never sound the way it does if it weren’t for Toronto.” Growing up in the suburbs outside Toronto, Drake’s love for his hometown shows no bounds. The rapper is set to release his long-awaited fourth album Views from the 6 this month, once again referencing his city. Recently, he was given the key to the city by mayor John Tory at the NBA All Star Celebrity Game, held for the first time outside the U.S.
Despite having multiple cribs in LA, NYC and Miami, Drake often makes his way home, either hitting up Joso’s for seafood or hiding out at the Hazelton Hotel. If you’ve got love for the 6 God, then we have the ultimate guide to exploring Canada’s largest and most culturally diverse city to the soundtrack of its most treasured export.
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 12: Drake and Toronto Mayor John Tory attend the 2016 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game at Ricoh Coliseum on February 12, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/WireImage)
Drake receiving the key to Toronto from Mayor John Tory.
No relation to Toronto’s favorite rapper, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more apt hotel to stay in. Concierge.com says “for anyone who wants to live hard, party with locals, and see the city’s younger, hipper side, there’s no better place to lay your weary head.” With only 19 rooms, the Drake may be small in size, but “epitomises bohemian luxury” according to Insight Guides. A popular rooftop patio, comfort food restaurant, and nightclub will make you never want to leave. Rooms from $166. Listen: “Best I Ever Had”
As sleek as one of Drake’s whips, the NY-based hotel chain made its Toronto debut in 2010, quickly becoming an “adult amusement park” according to BlackBook. Located in the fashionable King West Village, the hotel is a stone’s throw from art, entertainment and shopping, not to mention nightlife (the hotel even has its own underground club). Of the hotel, Gayot says “guests who choose one of the Toronto Thompson Hotel’s spacious 102 rooms or suites can enjoy floor-to-ceiling window views and such amenities as marble bathrooms with heated floors.” Rooms from $230. Listen: “HYFR”
Drake references this Four Seasons outpost in his latest single “Summer Sixteen,” and why not? Standing 55 floors tall with 259 rooms, the hotel is perfect for holding court with your crew, “looking like a damn football team.” Located in the upscale Yorkville neighborhood, Jetsetter says the Four Seasons is “a scene-stealing skyscraper with a talked-about restaurant and stellar spa in downtown’s swankiest ‘hood.” It’s nice being so high up, huh? Rooms from $367. Listen: “Summer Sixteen”
The Hazy, as it’s affectionately known, made not one but two appearances on Drake’s fourth mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. A favorite among high rollers, the luxury hotel in Yorkville features rooms decked out in black and gold (Drizzy’s colors of choice). “Sophisticated, dramatic and sexy, this hotel is small enough (62 rooms, 15 suites) to make you feel like the someone special that we all know you are (Lonely Planet). Rooms from $289. Listen: “Used To” “10 Bands”
We’d like to imagine Drake toasting his first record deal with his crew at this Toronto institution for more than 30 years. Consistently stellar food and fantastic views of the Toronto skyline make this one of the best places for a celebratory meal. “Up on a hillside overlooking the dazzling downtown lights, Scaramouche is the perfect hideaway for falling in love with food or your dining companion” (Forbes). Main courses from $39. List: “Crew Love”
This ivy-covered temple to seafood in Yorkville has been serving the freshest catch of the day since 1977. “Artistic objects, sensuous paintings of nudes and the sea, and signed celebrity photos line the walls at this two-story seafood institution that might catch you off-guard with its eccentricity” (Fodor’s). You might recognize the restaurant as the ornate setting for Drake’s Take Care album cover (and a mention in “5AM in Toronto”). Main courses from $28. Listen: “Take Care”
To get in touch with his Jewish side, we can imagine Drake taking his mom to one of the city’s best delis serving corned beef and pastrami (called smoked meat here). BlackBook says “Zane Caplansky’s old school deli has become the de facto spot for Jewish comfort food thanks to his luscious cured beef.” Listen: “You & The 6”
We wouldn’t be shocked to see Drake sipping vino at this Italian spot in King West (he references two other Italian joints, Il Mulino and Sotto Sotto in “Pound Cake” featuring Jay Z). Zagat says “at his high-end, hard-to-find Italian in King West, chef Rob Gentile serves upscale takes on rustic fare, using charcuterie, sausages and pastas made in-house.” Main courses from $21. Listen: “Pound Cake”
For a near-guaranteed Drake sighting…
Fring’s
https://www.instagram.com/p/BAlJ1IWPDQR/
You can thank Drake for one of the hottest spots in town – he did, after all, give Fring’s its name. Helmed by celebrity chef Susur Lee, the new restaurant in King West opened late 2015 and has already seen a bevy of famous faces come to taste its global cuisine and see its uber-cool interior. Combine that with the best song of 2015 (we may be biased) and your night is set. Listen: “Hotline Bling”
For that “irie” taste…
The Real Jerk
https://www.instagram.com/p/BC9TwSPk8fL/
You want authentic Caribbean flavor in Toronto? The Real Jerk is the answer. It recently played host to Rihanna and Drake for her “Work” music video, although we can imagine the weekly vibe is a little more sedated than what’s depicted in the video. Listen: Work
TripExpert’s top rated attraction in Toronto also happens to be one of Drake’s favorites, too: he has a tattoo of the tower inked on his arm and was seen riding its elevator in “Headlines.” At 1,815 feet, the CN Tower soars above Toronto skyline, much like the Empire State Building in NYC. Lonely Planet says “riding those glass elevators up the highest freestanding structure in the world (553m) is one of those things in life you just have to do.” Listen: “6 God”
Home of the Toronto Blue Jays, Rogers Centre was prominently featured in Drake’s “Headlines” music video and is a signature feature on the city’s burgeoning waterfront. While Time Out says it resembles “a giant white beetle,” the view of the CN Tower from the stadium can hardly be beat. After seeing a game, wander around the Queens Quay, a new urban revitalization project with green space and public art. Listen: “Headlines”
Air Canada Centre
Image: Dave Gillespie
Image: Dave Gillespie
Drake’s Sher Club
You’ll likely catch Drake cheering on the Toronto Raptors at this stadium – he is their official global ambassador. Whether or not you have thousands to spend on floor seats, it’s worth seeing a game and witnessing the city’s passion for sports. In 2015, Drake opened an exclusive, members-only club in the Air Canada Centre, Sher Club. Listen: “Energy”
For a chill time on the water…
Mariposa Private Harbor Cruise
Private Harbor Cruise
Toast the city on a private charter on Toronto’s harbor, champagne glass in hand.
For the night owl…
Drake Underground
https://www.instagram.com/p/3Ws495S55i/
Located in the basement of The Drake Hotel, the subterranean venue is “beloved by many by many for the intimate opportunities it offers to see genre-spanning artists and DJs on its red curtained stage,” according to blogTO.com. Time to be on your best (worst) behavior. Listen: “Worst Behavior”
Muzik
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBur3P3AHT4/
Drake has hosted many after parties at this sprawling nightclub on the waterfront, where the Dom Pérignon flows all night long. VIP or not, you’ll feel like a motherf***in legend at this sleek and sexy outdoor/indoor club. More recently, the club played host to the NBA All Stars afterparty. Listen: “Legend”
