It’s nice to be a tourist, but it’s even nicer to be a local — especially if you’re looking for underground, off-the-radar gems that are known only to natives. This applies to everything from hidden beaches to secret menu items to much-coveted parking spots.
We’ve partnered with AT&T to share some of the hottest insider places in Los Angeles. With AT&T’s LG Bundle, you can have insider secrets at your fingertips while you play tourist in your own backyard. All of the apps we mention are available on Android phones -- and most are free.
With the AT&T bundle, you get both a phone and a tablet, so you're always connected. Click here for more info.
Swim Like A Local
Venice Beach is known for its colorful characters and revered around the world, but only those in the know can truly navigate Malibu’s beaches. With the Our Malibu Beaches app, surfers and sun worshippers can find everything they need to know about the beaches here, many of which are hidden. (Indeed, residents have been known to post faux “no parking” or “no trespassing” signs just to keep out the masses).
Pro Tip: Check out Escondido Beach (Escondido means ‘hidden’ in Spanish"), Lechuza Beach and Broad Beach Road.
Park Like A Local
Other than traffic, what’s an Angeleno's biggest gripe? Parking!ParkMe uses Google Maps to help you locate the perfect spot. It also offers real-time information on available street meters, so you know exactly where you’ll have the most luck finding a spot.
Pro tip: The app will show you how much it costs to park in various places and when certain garages are open.
Eat Like A Local
Every good tourist knows about Spago, the award-winning restaurant that made Wolfgang Puck famous, but only the real insiders know about its secret menu. So, if you’re in the mood for salmon pizza, tuna tartare in sesame miso cones, or wiener schnitzel (only on the lunch menu) that means you have to ask. Ditto the "jazz burger" at Jitladala, a Thai-basil-topped beef patty marinated with garlic, palm sugar and other “secret” ingredients, which you can wrap up with a few lettuce leaves. And a New Jersey bagel sandwich — that’s a plain bagel with an over-medium egg and melted Monterey Jack cheese -- at Joan's on Third.
Pro tip: You can find more secret menu items here.
Watch Like A Local
It’s one thing to see Kimmel, Conan or the "Big Bang Theory" from the privacy of your own home; it’s quite another to be part of the live studio audience. While this is definitely a tourist attraction, there are better ways to nab tickets rather than wait in endless lines.
- 1iota.com calls itself a provider of “free tickets for fans.” You can reserve in advance or, if you’re feeling spontaneous, call 323-570-0096.
Art Like A Local
Los Angeles has great museums and great public art, which you can track here.