LA4Beginners

Talking on Your Phone While Driving?

Editors — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:35:45 +0000

If you’re visiting Los Angeles or have just moved to L.A., you might need to call someone for directions or to let your family know you’ve arrived. But beware, it’s illegal in California to use a mobile phone without a hands-free headset while driving. If you’re a new resident, it’s worth investing in a Bluetooth or other type of headset for those times when you need to talk on the phone while in the car. If you’ll be visiting Los Angeles, don’t forget to pack your headset — tickets for disobeying this recently-passed law can be expensive and put a dent in your otherwise enjoyable trip.

Buddha’s Belly

Editors — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:24:47 +0000

This unassuming restaurant is easy to miss, but the menu stands out as one of the tastiest affordable Pan-Asian restaurants in Los Angeles. The menu features a little bit of everything, from Japanese to Thai to Chinese specialties done with a California twist. Vegetarians will find the menu has quite a few options for them as well. Don’t miss the Happy Hour menu, which includes a great selection of small dishes to share with friends and tasty soju-based cocktails (our favorites are the Gingerita and the Lychee martini). Though they don’t have a full bar, Buddha’s Belly offers a solid selection of Sakes, beer and wine in addition to their cocktail offerings.

7475 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles – (323) 931-8588

Joan’s on Third

Editors — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:33:34 +0000

From its recently-expanded storefront on hip West 3rd Street, Joan’s serves up sandwiches, pastries, hot prepared foods, cheese by the pound and lots of unique treats that you won’t find elsewhere. If you’ll be shopping the boutiques nearby, we recommend stopping in this high-end cafe/deli/market for a culinary treat, whether you’re craving something sweet or savory. All of their food is available “to go” or for eating there, but beware that the tables outside fill up quickly.

8350 West Third Street, Los Angeles – (323) 655-2285

Seat Belts Required in California

Editors — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:51:33 +0000

When visiting Los Angeles, please be aware that seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers in your vehicle. Unlike in some other states, police in California are allowed to pull you over and ticket you for no other reason than they see or suspect someone in your car is not wearing their seat belt. Don’t risk getting a ticket and adding an extra expense to your vacation – wear your seat belt at all times while driving in Los Angeles!

Greenblatt’s Deli & Wine Shop

Editors — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:15:11 +0000

This Hollywood institution is known for it’s hearty deli food, fantastic wine selection and knowledgeable staff. Offering table service, to-go orders and local delivery for large orders, Greenblatt’s is a popular destination for Laurel Canyon residents and Sunset Strip partiers alike. Late night, you’re likely to bump into comics who have just finished a set at The Laugh Factory next door, and Richard Lewis is a regular during the day. This is one of the best places in town to shop if you need a great bottle of wine – the staff is well versed and affordable wine-tastings are offered fairly regularly.

8017 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046 – (323) 656-0606

Downtown Fashion District

Editors — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:20:31 +0000

As the heart of L.A.’s apparel and textile manufacturing industry, the Fashion District is a dream come true for budget-savvy fashionistas and budding seamstresses. Comprised of several blocks of off-price designer retailers and wholesale fabric stores, it’s the kind of place where the amount of money you save depends on how willing you are to search each store and sales rack. Some shops only offer wholesale prices to the public on certain days, so check the district’s website for details and a good map.

Sushi Dan Rockin’ Sushi

Editors — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:57:25 +0000

This mid-tier sushi bar and Japanese restaurant offers a wide selection of hand rolls, specialty rolls, sashimi and cooked fish entrees. Diners can eat at the sushi bar itself or look out over the intersection of Crescent Heights and Sunset Blvd from the darker back room. The front room also includes a large-screen TV for watching the game. Outdoor seating is available and the prices are reasonable. There’s a full bar and the hours extend until 2 am most nights, making this a great spot for dates or group outings.

8000 W Sunset Blvd, Ste A2020, Los Angeles, CA 90046 – (323) 848-8583

Grocery Store Coupons

Editors — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:29:18 +0000

If you like saving on groceries, you should check out Coupons.com, where you can clip coupons for everyday products that will save you big bucks when you shop. Savvy consumers have been clipping coupons for decades, but in today’s digital age, why sit with a newspaper and scissors when it’s much easier to get the same deals online – and without all that newsprint getting on your fingers!

And don’t miss our Los Angeles Grocery Stores guide for an overview of where to shop.

Old Footage Shows How Much Hollywood Has Changed

Editors — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 17:07:33 +0000

A friend tipped us off to this great raw footage of a drive through Hollywood in 1932. It’s amazing to see how much of Hollywood was taken up by large movie-making lots, while nowadays most studios have moved to other parts of the city. And then somewhere near the middle of the footage, you see a giant grassy lot that hasn’t been built on yet – a rare sight these days. And while today, Los Angeles is known for its laid-back style, we were impressed by how dressed up everyone in this footage looks during the day. Don’t miss the great shot of the original Grauman’s Chinese Theatre at the end of the clip!

KROQ Ticket Presale for Stone Temple Pilots

Editors — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:47:17 +0000

Stone Temple Pilots are coming to the Fox Theater in Pomona on Saturday, February 26, 2011. KROQ is offering a special pre-sale, which will give you a better chance of scoring tickets than if you wait for the general public sale. The pre-sale begins on Thursday, January 13 at 10 am and will end at 10 pm that same day (or when ticket allocations have been exhausted).

To purchase Stone Temple Pilot concert tickets during the KROQ pre-sale, visit the Stone Temple Pilots Ticketmaster page and use the password KROQSTP. Please note there is a limit of six (6) tickets per order.