Get Lost in L.A. for 24 Hours

Located just 200 feet from the sand on Pacific Avenue, the Hotel Erwin features a brightly-colored, eclectic design that captures the creative spirit and energy of Venice. The onsite Barlo Kitchen + Cocktails is open for breakfast and dinner, offering “barn to belly” fare made with seasonal farmer’s market ingredients. The hotel’s rooftop High Lounge is the perfect spot to wind down after a day of exploring the area or to kick off a night of revelry.

With 75 miles of county coastline and numerous world-famous surf spots, Los Angeles is the quintessential city of the Endless Summer. Venice Beach is one of many great L.A. beaches, and perhaps the only one where the boardwalk upstages the Pacific Ocean. The acclaimed Venice Breakwater is a favorite local surf spot, built by Abbot Kinney in 1905 to protect his amusement pier. The artificial barrier is located north of the Venice Pier and Lifeguard Headquarters, and south of the Santa Monica Pier. The breakwater is the only place on the beach where waves break on both sides, while the sand is reportedly the finest for creating sand sculptures. If you're new to surfing or looking to enhance your skills, Aqua Surf School works with people of various skill level. 

The world-famous Venice Ocean Front Walk (aka “the Boardwalk”) beckons from the doorstep of the Hotel Erwin. The boardwalk is one of the best places in L.A. for people watching, from colorful locals to visitors from around the globe. There’s something for everyone on the concrete boardwalk - on one side there are specialty shops, restaurants and uniquely-designed residences; on the other is a myriad of street performers, artists, fortune tellers and much more.

For more activities and attractions in the neighborhood, be sure to check out Visit Venice!

Chef Alvin Cailan and cousin Jeff Vales have taken matters to the next level since trading in their food truck for an egg-centric stall at the landmark Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A. Sandwiches come on soft Sugarbloom Bakery brioche buns and include fillings like cheddar, honey mustard aioli, bacon, and/or house-made, chile-flecked turkey sausage. The Fairfax is a holdover from the days when Eggslut parked outside Coffee Commissary - the popular sandwich features soft scrambled eggs, Tillamook cheddar, chives, caramelized onions and Sriracha mayo. If that’s not substantial enough, consider the Gaucho with seared Wagyu tri-tip, chimichurri, pickled red onions, shaved Manchego and arugula, which of course comes with an egg.

The Broad is a stunning contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad on Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. Opened in September 2015, the museum is home to the nearly 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection, which is renowned as one of the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide. With its innovative “veil-and-vault” concept, the 120,000-square-foot, $140-million building features two floors of gallery space to showcase The Broad’s comprehensive collection and will be the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation’s worldwide lending library. Admission to museum is free, timed advance reservations are available online at The Broad website.

Located on Hill Street between 1st and Temple Streets in Downtown L.A., the Civic Center/Grand Park Station is served by the Metro Rail Red Line and Purple Line. The westbound Red Line ends in North Hollywood, while the westbound Purple Line ends at the Wilshire/Western Station in Koreatown. The eastbound Red and Purple Lines both end at their next stop, Union Station. Nearby attractions include The Broad, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, City Hall, Grand Park, Little Tokyo, MOCA Grand Avenue, and the Music Center (including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion).

Named “Best Vintage Store” by LA Weekly, American Rebel is a standout shop on Melrose Avenue, one of L.A.’s top vintage clothing destinations. The extensive inventory turns over frequently, so you’re sure to find something new with every visit, whether you’re looking for a vintage cocktail dress, cowboy boots or a leather jacket that Dennis Hopper would have envied.

Tucked away on Spring Street in Chinatown, Caveman Vintage Music is a hidden gem that sells an impressive range of vintage musical instruments, used vinyl, pro audio gear and parts. Caveman Vintage offers a full repair shop on-site for stringed instruments. They also offer repair on electric pianos, combo organs, effects and amplifiers.

Weller Court is a multi-level outdoor shopping center in Little Tokyo, featuring restaurants,shops, a Japanese bookstore and an Asian supermarket. Shinkichi Tajiri’s 1972 sculpture, Friendship Knot is on view at the center’s 2nd Street entrance. This is an ideal location to let your imagination and Instagram creativity run wild. The Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial monument is located on the street that bears the pioneering astronaut’s name. The elegant DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Los Angeles Downtown is located adjacent to Weller Court.

Toca Madera, which translates to “knock on wood,” is an intimate 120-seat space that features Executive Chef Raymond Alvarez’s creative take on traditional Mexican cuisine. Alvarez refers to his culinary approach as “Barrio Style Fine Dining,” influenced by traditional Latin flavors, classical training and his favorite childhood dishes. Toca Madera’s menu incorporates a shared-plate format that showcases local farm-sourced ingredients with an emphasis on organic as well as a separate vegan menu with gluten-free options. Highlights include Tableside Guacamole, Wagyu Hot Stone, Sashimi Agua Chile, Ensenada-Style Fish Tacos, Barrio Crudités and Mixed Mushroom & Sweet Corn Tacos. Locally sourced and seasonal ingredients also serve as the foundation for the extensive cocktail list. Featuring a 100-foot crystal-quartz island bar, Toca Madera offers fine tequilas and mezcals, as well as a rotating selection of eclectic wines from around the world.

The latest addition to the Houston Hospitality collection is Break Room 86, the '80s-themed hotspot that’s hidden inside The Line Hotel in Koreatown. With cocktail names that will remind you of your favorite teen idol and a soundtrack like your favorite mixtape, it's always a fun time. Book a private room for you and your friends, whether you're there for the karaoke or the Atari.

In Los Angeles, you never know where the night will take you. In fact, you might even end up at a party in the hills at an architectural landmark. There are iconic houses across L.A. and many of them have made memorable appearances in film and TV. One of the most famous L.A. homes is the Sheats-Goldstein Residence, aka Jackie Treehorn’s house from The Big Lebowski.

Designed by famed architect John Lautner, the Sheats-Goldstein Residence is a prime example of American Organic Architecture - houses built in this style are an extension of the natural environment and of the owners for whom they were built. Situated on four acres, the property boasts sweeping city views and includes a pool, tropical garden, built-in concrete furniture designed by Lautner, a tennis court, and a three-story nightclub/office complex. In February 2016, it was announced that owner James Goldstein was donating the famous house to LACMA.

Los Angeles helped jumpstart the nationwide food truck craze, and there’s no better example of this quintessential L.A. experience than Tacos Leo, perhaps the most popular and beloved taco truck in the city. The renowned $1 al pastor tacos are directly shaved off the rotating spit (trompo in Spanish) onto a pair of griddled tortillas. These are available daily, though only in the evening and wee hours of the day. Their well-stocked salsa area includes all-you-can-ladle runny taco guacamole, and both solid red and green salsas. Be aware if you’re coming here after a night of drinking; the lines can be quite long on weekends. Don’t worry, their tacos are worth the wait. If you’re a real taco connoisseur, ask for an al pastor taco on a handmade tortilla. It might cost a little more, but you get much more of the meat and the texture is even better.

Make your way back to Hotel Erwin, rest for a couple hours and then do it all again!