Have you put your plans together for July 4^th yet? Downtown LA is filled with things to do so we thought we should put together a short list together of what’s going down and where you might like to spend your July Fourth.

Why not head to the Fourth of July Block Party in Grand Park? It’s a fun time with food trucks, live music and plenty more. The music begins in the afternoon so pack for an all-day picnic (and bring plenty of empty water bottles). No booze is allowed – but your pets are, so bring Fido (and seriously, why are you still calling your dog Fido?). While there you can see Downtown LA light up – and it’s all free. And did we mention you can use Metro to get there real easy?

It’s not in Downtown but it’s darn close; you can see in July Fourth in Pasadena at the Fourth of July Americafest at the Rose Bowl. This festival comes with a motorcycle stunt show, lots of food (hooray!) and, of course, the world-famous fireworks show at 9pm. The Rose Bowl opens at 2pm with a host of things for the kids to do – from inflatable rides to games and crafts. Parking will set you back $20 but make the most of it by tailgating!

There’s also the July 4^th Fireworks Spectacular with Pentatonix at the Hollywood Bowl. Appearing there is the pitch-perfect Pentatonix who will be unleashing their a capella a mazingness (see what we did there) for a red, white and blue celebration under the stars. Make sure to stay hydrated because it’s going to be hot out there.

Wherever you choose to celebrate your Fourth, if alcohol is involved please make sure to drink responsibly. And have a great July Fourth, especially in Downtown LA!!

Ah, Happy Hour; that time of day when work might be over but the day isn’t and there’s some serious unwinding to be done. But which are the best Happy Hours here in City West? We went out, got VERY happy, and put together this blog for you!

We highly recommend the happy hour over at The Black Sheep, located at 126 E. 6th Street. You can find it by looking for Cole’s which is next door. Once you’re inside, you’ll find modern furniture as well as a booths, stool seats, a couple of large TVs and a huge bar! We moseyed on up and found Happy Hour drinks range in price from $4-$7 as well as Sake bombs for just $3. And the sliders they serve up are delicious! More please!

Another great Happy Hour in City West can be found at the Library Bar over on 630 W. 6^th Street. Their Happy Hour goes from 3-6pm Monday through Friday and for $6 you can get excellent cocktails or for $7 plum for the “bartender’s special”. We loved the ambience there – it’s quite dark. They’ve got a great selection of small plates on hand too. We sampled the mushroom boursin crostini – four small crostinis topped with herbed cheese and mushrooms and it was yummy!

Another amazing place to go for Happy Hour in City West has to be Seven Grand over on 515 W. 7^th Street. Their Happy Hour goes every day and extends until 8pm and it really delivers on the Happy! They sell $6 cocktails and $5 beers and if you’re in the mood for whiskey, are you in luck. They carry one of the biggest menus of premium whiskeys in the country and display some of the fancier bottles in vintage cases. Seven Grand also comes with live music, pool tables and if you really want to get involved, a Whiskey Society. You have to pay for this but it provides comprehensive tastings. Amazing stuff!

Wherever you go for Happy Hour in City West, be sure to drink responsibly – and have fun!

Sweet, refreshing, cooling and delicious – that’s what you get out of a good juice bar. But where are the best Juice Bars in South Park? We’ve got all the answers in our latest blog so let’s dive straight in!

The Green Grotto Juice Bar is located over at 541 S. Spring St. The Grotto is all about organic fresh-pressed juice and tasty smoothies and they taste utterly delicious. All the juices are pressed on site and all the produce is sourced locally to make sure you have the best and healthiest juice in front of you. We love the Green Grotto and think you will too!

Talking of the best juice bars in South park, you really should check out Earthbar too, over at 523 W. 6^th Street. Start off with their acai bowls (and various add-ons) for a delicious treat. And try their smoothies too; we sampled their Earthberry smoothie and fell in love at first sip. They use honey to sweeten a lot of their stuff so make sure you’re not getting too much extra sugar (if at all).

The winner of best name for a juice bar is Amazebowls located at 300 S. Santa Fe Ave. But they don’t just have a great name; their Acai bowls are indeed amazing! We sampled the Dragon Bowl-Z with strawberry, blueberry, and kiwi with nut butter, and we’re literally going to have dreams about it! They offer up all sorts, from acai bowls to smoothies to other super-food treats.

Rounding out our list of the best juice bars in South Park is Om Nom Organics over at 215 W. 9^th St. Om Nom (another place we love just saying out loud, over and over!), comes with locally-sourced ingredients all of which are prepared daily. It can’t get any fresher! Their menu is designed to appeal to all; from meat-lovers to gluten-free enthusiasts and more – and we’re sure you’ll find something there for you too that you can’t live without.

So what are you waiting for? The weather’s gorgeous so go out and treat yourself to something at one of these amazing juice bars right here in South Park!

Work hard, play hard. And if you’re working Downtown – especially near the Financial District – you know that ethos all too well. So where are the best fitness studios in the Financial District? Let’s dive straight in.

First off is City Athletix on 626 Wilshire Blvd.  City Athletix comes with top notch weightlifting and cardiovascular equipment along with group fitness classes and, of course, personal training. Work those burgers off with classes that include BodyPulp, BodyCombat, as well as cycling and Zumba. And if that’s not enough – and don’t you think it is? They also have a suspension training area with TRX equipment. We love it!

Next up, check out Sanctuary Fitness over on 718 Jackson St. We really love this place as it offers up two free classes of indoor cycling or high intensity interval training classes for new members! Sanctuary also offers up free cycling shoes, free parking and – get this – hot showers! Wooh! You can also sign up for their strength-focused HIIT classes which really push (and push AND PUSH!). Each day brings a new workout so you can’t get too complacent!

There are plenty more fitness studios in the Financial District – and if you want to try something a little different then hit up The Jyim which offers up not just personal training but boxing classes too. They offer up a free day pass so head on over and check out the classes – including hybrid yoga, body sculpt, circuit training and TRX. In our experience there we found that the classes are small (yay!) and the instructors were fantastic (double yay!).

We’re going to wrap up our list of the best fitness studios in the Financial District with Speedplay over on 1113 ½ S. Hope Street. Speedplay really tired us out – in the best way possible – with their amazing trainers and their workout programs that give you the energy to see it to the finish. The calorie burning continues on even after you’re done!

So get out there and burn off those calories the best way possible – at one of the great fitness studios in the Financial District!

One of the best perks of living in Downtown LA are the gorgeous rooftop pools; places of wonder that you can both swim in and soak up the rays while taking in some breathtaking views. But which are the best rooftop pools in DTLA? We went out and found them!

No list of the best rooftop pools in Downtown LA would be complete with The Standard Downtown LA. Located at 550 South Flower, this pool has been voted by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the Top 10 hotel pools in the world! Not bad, right? So what do you get there? Oh, only the most amazing views. And summer pool parties. And vibrating water-bed pods. And DJs. And a rooftop beer garden. Why are you still reading this and not actually there?

Another amazing rooftop pool in Downtown LA is the The Ritz-Carlton  with their stunning (and heated) pool. Whether you’re swimming laps or just splashing around the views are stunning! Stunning!!! The lounge chairs are beautifully and comfortably cushioned and your day there will be a hoot. You also have the option of hitting up both Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 restaurant as well as the Ritz-Carlton Spa. Good times!

Then there’s  Kimpton’s Hotel Wilshire– another of the best rooftop pools in Downtown LA. It comes with private cabanas as well as, for those nights, cozy fire-pits and of course, there’s the view. The view! You won’t be able to stop taking pictures so make sure your smart phone is water proof. You can also get pictures of the Hollywood sign which casts its eye down on you. They also have a great wifi which you can easily access by the pool. You’ll love it!

Have you visited the Ace Hotel DTLA? As the last on our list of the best rooftop pools in Downtown LA, you might want to! This pool also comes with great views and you can enjoy them while supping cocktails you can buy at the rooftop bar. The ambience here is definitely focused on all things modern and you can expect DJ events as well as the occasional pool party. People watching is on fleek here.

So many rooftop pools in Downtown LA – and so little time! So get out there and don’t forget your sun tan lotion and a towel.  A towel is just about the massively useful thing any interstellar Hitchhiker can carry!

This month’s South Park spotlight on the best Coffee shop falls on… Philz!

They serve up some great tasting coffee here but just as compelling is the company’s story. Phil Jaber – the Phil in Philz – took off on a quest 25 years ago to make the best cup of coffee ever. That mission took him literally all over the world where he visited thousands of coffee shops and ultimately put together his own unique blends. We love Philz and are sure you will too!

Let’s take a look for ourselves!

Cheers to Friday and the promise of a great weekend. #philzcoffee #mintmojito #friyay Thanks for capturing the moment: @luxkong

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Apr 14, 2017 at 11:08am PDT

Can anyone say mint mojito? Boy, Philz Coffee sure can!

It's official, Spring is here! Grab your baseball cap and cup of love, #springisintheair. #PhilzCoffee (📸: @nimaethap )

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Mar 20, 2017 at 8:52am PDT

Everyone loves a cup of Philz.

Forget your lunch? Need an afternoon pick-me-up? We've got you covered. Try our Philz Bagel with tomato, cucumber and your choice of hummus or cream cheese. #PhilzCoffee #philzfood

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Feb 8, 2017 at 2:20pm PST

They’re not just drinks. Check out Philz Bagel with tomato, cucumber and your choice of hummus or cream cheese. You can even top it in hot sauce if so inclined. These are coming soon to the LA Philz.

It's the last Friday of the year, so make it a good one! Grab a friend and enjoy a cup together. #coffeedate #friyay #dogdays (📸: @rennie_thedoodette)

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Dec 30, 2016 at 11:15am PST

We felt we needed to say it again. Everyone loves a cup of Philz.

Meet Jaedon, who's been bettering days at Philz since 2009. “One day, a guy called to me from inside a little shop and asked if I wanted to try a new drink. He made a Jacob's Wonderbar Philz Way. That young man was Jacob himself. After that, I went into the shop almost every day. The coffee and people were great, and I wanted a piece of happy. Soon after, I was hired. I’d leave work with my face hurting because I would smile so much. Philz gave me purpose and, in a way, saved my life. I began to believe that integrity existed in this world. That’s why I hold so fiercely to our culture. Without it, we're just another coffee shop.” ​#GreatPlaceToWork #PhilzCoffee #Coffee

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Oct 11, 2016 at 10:32am PDT

The peeps who work there are so friendly!

School is now in session! Whether it's recipes or equations we're here to fuel your learning. #LifeAtPhilz #BackToSchool #Coffee

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Aug 31, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

School is now in session!

Step inside our Roasting Facility: A little bit of waiting goes a long way. 😍☕️ #philzcoffee #oakland

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Jun 1, 2016 at 11:14am PDT

Here’s a sneak peek inside their roasting facility. And not an oompah loompah in sight!

Last but not least for 2015: Come celebrate our soft opening at 300 Folsom St in San Francisco on 12/15! Party starts at 11AM. Details are in the link in our profile. #sf #coffeetime #partytime

A post shared by Philz Coffee (@philzcoffee) on Dec 11, 2015 at 4:30pm PST

Philz Coffee – we salute you!!

So if you’re looking to try a new place filled with good coffee and great eats, you should definitely check out Philz Coffee – you won’t be disappointed!

Lunch. It’s easily one of the most important decisions of the day (aside from Breakfast, Brunch and Dinner) – but where are the best ones in City West hiding? We decided to head out and hit as many as we could so we could bring the best back to you – so here we are with today’s blog The Best Lunch Spots In City West!

Kicking off our blog on the best lunch spots in City West, we love, loved, loved Republique – and we’re fairly sure you will too! It’s a mix of café, bakery and bar and open in the mornings and evenings but are closed most afternoons between 3-5:30pm. We sampled the ricotta toast and the mushroom toast and wow. The same wow goes for their Chia Seed pussing, Shakshouka and Strawberry Tres Leches Café.

Next up on our blog of the best lunch spots in City West is the Rustiq Table over on 2280 S. Figueroa. The menu here is light and healthy, made up as it is of fresh ingredients. We sampled the turkey sandwich – perfectly toasted bread and a robust tomato chutney – and the ahi tuna sandwich which was just amazing. The tuna was seared to perfection and came topped with creamy wasabi slaw on a brioche bun. They also have baked goods (the bread pudding is phenomenal).

Rounding off our list of the best lunch spots in City West is Pasta Sisters . Cozy is the name of the game here, with an ambience that reeks of home (in the best possible way). We sampled the pasta (delicious), the gnocchi (wonderful) and the Tagliatelle with Arabiatta (mouth-poppingly good!). Oh, and a shout out to the bread there – amazing.

Wherever you go for the best lunch spot in City West, be sure to check out any of the above places because we’re sure you’ll love each and every one as much as we do.

Who doesn’t love their mom (hands down in the back; this clearly ISN’T for you)!!! With Mother’s Day around the corner – that’s Sunday May 14th, fact fans – we thought it best to look into what upcoming Mother’s Day events are taking place around Downtown LA so you’re not left scrambling for something to do at the last minute.

First up, you might wanna check out Nerano. The Beverly Hills restaurant is offering a beautiful array of Italian dishes on Mother’s Day. Executive Chef Michele Lisi will be serving up specialty appetizers like their Vellutata di Pomodoro, a chilled heirloom tomato and basil soup with bread tuile, as well as a house-made Pappardelle all’Astice with Maine lobster, English peas, and cherry tomatoes. For main courses, the restaurant will be serving a sea bream filet with asparagus, cherry tomatoes, fava beans and potato ragu, a USDA prime filet mignon with roasted fingerling potatoes, grilled white asparagus and chanterelle mushrooms. All guests over 21 will receive a complimentary blood orange mimosa.

Is Mom an anglophile? Then check out The Pikey on Sunset. On tap is a spring-focused menu for Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner. Daytime specials include homemade coffee and cream doughnuts, a rhubarb and blood orange pavlova, ricotta and prosciutto tarts, a tasty ramp and morel mushroom omelet with fontina cheese as well as a lobster and spinach benedict on a cheddar biscuit. Not enough? In addition, Chef Johnson’s signature brunch menu will include a brioche French toast with seasonal fruit, house-cured Steelhead salmon with scrambled eggs, a full English breakfast with fried eggs, sausage, bacon, beans, roasted tomatoes and mushroom with grilled toast and much more. Like Nerano’s, for Mother’s Day, all guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with brunch, and all day bottomless bloody mary or mimosas are available for $15.

Or maybe Mom prefers Mexican food. Well how about you hit up Broken Spanish at 1050 S. Flower St? In honor of mom this year, Broken Spanish will open its doors for a special brunch! Located in the heart of downtown L.A., Chef Ray Garcia will serve up brunch from 11am to 2:30pm with highlights like tres leches French toast, chicharron con huevos and other modern Mexican brunch specialties.

Wherever you decide to take Mom, have a great time and tell her we wish her a very happy Mother’s Day!!

You’ve probably heard people refer to Downtown Los Angeles’s Financial District – but maybe you’re not familiar with it. That’s why we’re here today with your friendly neighborhood guide to the Financial District!

Think of it as the Los Angeles version of Wall Street – but with way better restaurants and loads more culture! For example, head over to Drago Centro for some of the best Italian food in town! This is Italian food done right – as Chef Drago takes the freshest, highest-quality ingredients and turns them into something so delicious it defies explanation! (Although, clearly, the explanation is that he’s a darn fine Chef!!).

If you prefer Asian, head over to Chaya Downtown. Chaya fuses Japanese and French cuisine and have been doing so since the original Chaya was opened, back in Kamakura, Japan – IN THE EARLY 1600s!!!! Now THAT is some serious history! You’ll also find a summer beer garden here. It’s highly recommended.

Continuing your neighborhood guide to the Financial District we arrive at a sky-high restaurants with views to die for (especially if you get too close to the edge). 71 Above is a superior restaurant that is literally built into the top of the US Bank Tower and the views are amazing! In fact, from the restaurant you can see all the way from the Inland Empire to the Pacific Ocean – a view that extended for literally miles and miles! Be aware; it’s not cheap!

What else is there in your neighborhood guide to LA’s Financial District? Simply head over to Macy’s Plaza for some great shopping; or stop by the Flower District for a stunning array of bouquets to beautify your apartment!

There’s so much to do, see and taste in the Financial District you’ll quickly discover it’s not just about stocks, banks and bankers. We hope this mini neighborhood guide to the Financial District is helpful and that we see you out and about there!

When you think South Park you think of foul-mouthed but hysterical cartoon kids – but here in Downtown Los Angeles, South Park is a very real area! South Park can be found tucked away in between the 110 and the 10. But let’s get into the nitty gritty in our latest blog, your neighborhood guide to South Park.

South Park – our South Park – is smack dab in the middle of a very desirable area. You’ve go the  Pico-Union on the west, West Adams by the southwest, the South Los Angeles district over on the southeast, and the Financial District up on the northeast.

The district’s proximity to the University of Southern California, as well as the Blue Line light rail–line, give South Park a distinctly youthful and up-and-coming feel. And it’s here you’ll find everything from famous restaurants, great shopping, and top notch entertainment, as well as art and culture, and architecture. Let’s start with the restaurants, shall we?

In no particular order, you need to check out Arashi Sushi, Rosa Mexicano, the Rock’n Fish, Smashburger, Ford’s Filling Station, the Hygge Bakery, Kaffebaren, La Guera, and the Nixon Bar Lounge. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

And as for shopping, South Park gives up so much choice you might run out of time before you run out of money. There’s over 72 outlets in South Park ranging from Architect’s Corner to Melody Truckload, from Bowen House to the Nike Vault, from Citron Clothing to Step Sportswear.

Ready for something to eat? Your neighborhood guide to South Park continues with some more food tips. Head over to Bottle Rock for a bottle of wine. Or Birdies – a coffee shop with donuts and fried chicken!  You can also check out Chicas, a gorgeous taco stop. Or are you looking for a rooftop bar with stunning views? Then head over to the Perch. There’s also a Whole Foods, as well as many food trucks, and more.

We hope this brief neighborhood guide is enough to whet your appetite and get you of the door and over to South Park! Respect mah authoritah!