City Guide

As befits a major city, LA offers something for everyone. Whether you're looking to relax by the ocean, climb a mountain, go shopping or stalk celebrities, you won't want for things to do. Highs are usually in the 80s at this time of year, though it can spike if the Santa Anas are blowing. Rain in October is very rare, so make sure to pack the sunscreen!

dining

From street tacos to sushi, LA has you covered when it comes to food. Guests at the Farmer's Daughter will find the Farmer's Market across the street with plenty of options ranging from nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) to the 24-hour DuPar's diner. We could devote an entire page just to places we love to eat, from Republique (French & brunch) to Sugarfish (sushi) to Guisados (tacos) to Little Pine (vegan) to Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong (Korean BBQ). And of course there's always In-N-Out.

Shopping

With the central locations of the hotels and venue, you will find a perfect jumping off point for shopping excursions. The Grove has a great selection of stores, Beverly and Rodeo Drives serve the high-end, and Melrose Ave in West Hollywood and Sunset in Silver Lake & Echo Park have a variety of boutiques. If books and records are more your thing, Downtown offers The Last Bookstore, and Hollywood is home to Amoeba Records.

bars

We're generally too tired to go out much these days, but we still have our favorite spots. Clifton's downtown has five bars, all with a different theme (check out the hidden tiki bar!) and is great for a night out. 71Above in the US Bank building provides an unparalleled view of the city (just say you're going to the bar, and you don't need reservations). Eveleigh in West Hollywood has a great patio for those warm nights. And Cliff's Edge in Silver Lake is great for cocktails in a romantic setting.

Movies

Of course Hollywood is the center of the film world, and it's also our livelihood, so why not see a movie while you're here. The Roosevelt is within a couple blocks of multiple historic theaters: the Chinese shows first-runs, the El Capitan shows the current Disney release (with a pre-show!) and the Egyptian screens classics. All are great places to catch a movie, as is the Vista in Los Feliz and Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly, which screens a double feature every night.

Activities

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, so filling a few days shouldn't be difficult. You can soak in the sun on the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu, enjoy the rides at Disneyland or Universal Studios, take in the artworks at LACMA, the Getty, MOCA or the Broad, or learn something new at the Griffith Observatory, California Science Center or the La Brea Tar Pits. And you can take in a Lakers, Kings, Rams or (hopefully) Dodgers game.

Nature

Despite being a concrete sprawl, it's surprisingly easy to escape the urban density of LA and enjoy some outdoors time. Griffith Park is a wilderness in the middle of the city, and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains and Angeles National Forest can make you forget the city is even nearby. There are plenty of smaller parks and gardens to check out as well, including the Exposition Park Rose Garden, the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine and - our engagement venue - Descanso Gardens.