The New Yorker’s Guide To Los Angeles

It's inevitable that everyone living in New York will, at one point or another, feel the itch to move to Los Angeles. For some it might take years to scratch, accepting the fact that they want space, sun, and neighbors that aren't stomping their feet overhead all the time.

No matter where you fall on the L.A. versus New York battle, the truth of the matter is that both cities rule and have plenty of awesome things to offer. For those New Yorkers aiming to say goodbye to all that but looking to maintain some semblance of their New York life, there are a few L.A. neighborhoods that'll feel especially like home, no matter where in the five boroughs you happened to live, and, hey, celebrity spotting is a lot easier, too. So even if it's time to say, California, here I come, you can still heart New York by visiting these spots in the City of Angels.

Silver Lake is Los Angeles' Williamsburg: tragically hip and increasingly affluent, but everyone wants to get in.

For a coffee spot, hit up Alfred Coffee (3337 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026): Order a soy latte, hold it up against one of the pretty walls, and get that coveted Instagram. 

For some culture, hit up The Chandelier Tree (2811 W Silverlake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039): It's literally a tree filled with chandeliers. 

For some shopping, hit up Dream Collective (1404 Micheltorena St, Los Angeles, CA 90026): Normcore is alive and well and extremely... chic? What a dream.

For a date, hit up Bowery Bungalow (4156 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029): It's a little piece of New York-meets-Lebanon, with Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine that's simply divine for brunch.

For a good time, hit up Tenants of The Tree (2808 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027): Come for the rustic chic vibe, stay for the inventive cocktails.

Echo Park is Los Angeles' Bushwick: artsy and primed for the population overspill from Silver Lake.

For a coffee spot, hit up Eightfold Coffee (1294 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026): We'll take all of the matcha lattes, please! Thank you!

For some culture, hit up Phantasma Gloria at Randyland (1648 Lemoyne St, Los Angeles, CA 90026): Randyland is the home of artist Randlett "Randy" Lawrence. In his front yard is a sculpture that's been a decade in the making filled with colorful glass bottles, wire, and colored water. The sculpture will eventually wrap around all of Randy's house, drenching it with lush hues.

For some shopping, hit up Passenger (2145 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90026): Bags, neutrals, and exposed brick. Oh, my! This is a textile lover's playground.

For a date, hit up Button Mash (1391 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026): This place has games. Need we say more?

For a good time, hit up The Echo (1822 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026): L.A.'s answer to Music Hall of Williamsburg with the added cool of Output.

Los Feliz is Los Angeles' Fort Greene: simply wonderful, charming, and residential with great food and boutique shopping.

For a coffee spot, hit up H Coffee House (1750 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027): The art of the latte foam is alive and well here.

For some culture, hit up Hollyhock House (800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90027): This is Frank Lloyd Wright's first-ever Los Angeles home. It's an architectural marvel in both exterior and interior design.

For some shopping, hit up Squaresville (1800 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027): You can't beat the vintage shopping in Los Feliz, and Squaresville is the best of the best.

For a date, hit up Vista Theater (4473 Sunset Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027): You're not going to find a better selection of old-school movies with old-school theater vibes than this place.

For a good time, hit up The Dresden Restaurant (1760 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027): Not only is the prime rib here amazing, it turns into quite the luxe-feeling night owl haunt after-hours.

Hollywood is Los Angeles' Times Square: touristy but a thrill.

For a coffee spot, hit up Rubies + Diamonds (6115 Sunset Blvd #150, Los Angeles, CA 90028): Your daily caffeine fix has never looked so rich.

For some culture, hit up Grauman's Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028): I-C-O-N-I-C.

For some shopping, hit up Joyrich (7700 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046): Nestled right where Hollywood meets West Hollywood, this cult-favorite, L.A.-born brand is never not cool.

For a date, hit up Franco On Melrose (6919 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038): Family-owned with an impeccable wine list. Come hungry, leave fulfilled.

For a good time, hit up Avenue (1601 Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028): Hollywood's newest nightclub and lounge bringing you all the perks of NYC clubbing, only with more space and nicer weather.

Venice is Los Angeles' Red Hook: bohemian and not to be confused with Venice Beach, which is basically Coney Island.

For a coffee spot, hit up Gjusta (320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291): A bakery, deli, and café? New Yorkers will get their Dean & Deluca fix right here.

For some culture, hit up the Binoculars Building (340 Main St, Venice, CA 90291): It is exactly what it sounds like, only cooler and more peculiar in person. 

For some shopping, hit up Christy Dawn (1930 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291): Say yes to these dresses.

For a date, hit up The Venice Canals: These man-made canals are an escape. Leave Runyon Canyon to the crowds, make an adventure here.

For a good time, hit up High Rooftop Lounge (1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291): Cheers your mixed drink while you stare out at the ocean high above the sands and people. 

West Hollywood is Los Angeles' Chelsea: aspirationally hip and bustling with LGBTQIA pride.

For a coffee spot, hit up Basix Cafe (8333 California Route 2, West Hollywood, CA 90069): A little slice of Italian comfort breakfast never hurt nobody.

For some culture, hit up Stahl House (1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069): No residential architectural tour of L.A. is complete without this iconic Case Study home. If you want to understand the romance of L.A., go here at twilight and watch the city lights come to life.

For some shopping, hit up Tenoversix (8425 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069): A boutique that takes the focus off fast fashion and puts it on unique pieces, high-end designers, and, above all, well-made lifetime clothing and home goods.

For a date, hit up V Wine Room (903 Westbourne Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069): Boutique wine, anyone? How very.

For a good time, hit up SkyBar (8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069): Rub elbows with some famous people while dipping your feet in the pool and feeling your L.A. fantasy.