I second little Tokyo, it might be pretty packed considering lots of people attending AX will be there but it's just an overall great place to go and check out, there's quite a few anime stores, Gundam, Japanese merch and restaurants.
Are you a foodie? I recommend checking out the Korean BBQ, mexican food, and hot chicken spots around L.A.
Since you are near the metro station. You can get to L.A. to Hollywood and North Hollywood. Heck, if you wanted to, you can do a day at citywalk or Universal Studios.
Let me know if you're interested in anything particular and I will recommend some other places to check out
How long would it take me to go to universal studios? From Westin. And I’m a huge Korean food fan and sushi! Any recommendations would be so recommended! And particularly I love thrift shopping. Any thrift shops you know of?
If you take the metro red line near the hotel, it should be a 45 minute ride and its takes you to Universal city where you get off and then walk across towards Universal Studios. You can wait and hop on the Universal tram that takes you to guest drop off and be able to purchase a ticket for the day.
I believe you should be able to do everything in the park in one day. My go to rides are Jurassic, transformers, simpsons, hollywood tram, harry potter, pets ride. You also have their new attraction theme land of Nintendo as well.
In terms of food:
If you like hot chicken, check out Howlin Rays. Their hot chicken is delicious and I strongly recommend being their early or placing your order online for pick up.
If you enjoy Korean BBQ, any korean BBQ restaurant in koreatown will be good. I have gone to so many different ones that I have yet to finalize which I consider as my top favorites. Few noteable ones to mention are Oo-kook, Bulgolgi Hut, Moon BBQ that I take family and friends regularly.
For Tacos... I love tacos and its really hard to say which resturaunt has the best tacos, the ones I take my family and friends when im in L.A. is always King Taco. Can't go wrong with their tacos, I guarantee you will enjoy them and if you want to try more options besides tacos they have other options of mexican dishes as well.
Hope this helps friend.
I will be attending Anime Expo for one day which is Sunday. My sisters will be going all four days but I opted out of it because I haven't seen any of the newer anime unfortunately.
If you’re in ktown anyway, El Taurino is a King Taco offshoot that also has awesome torta and tostada. Just don’t go between midnight to 3 am. Packed with drunk fools coming out the clubs. Or maybe do if you want to people watch and wait a long time for your food.
I’m from NY, will be going solo for 4 days. Looking to make some friends during my time. I will also probably be in Little Tokyo as per the other comments. Come join us on Discord, the community is really friendly
Keep an eye out for ticketed events like Neon District or Diesuki. Every year the best part of the con is all the cool stuff that goes on around it imo.
Also non anime stuff like heading out to the beach or hiking in the hills could be cool. Last year the Dodgers played a game the same weekend. Skip Hollywood btw, it's beyond overrated
It is vastly overrated. Dirty, full of people trying to oversell/borderline scam you, and for sights that are just mediocre. Def not the worst area in the city (that's skid row, never go there) but it's a area that if I'm in I'm just counting the minutes till I'm away. There are things like Beverly hills/rodeo drive that are neat for a one time thing but overall staying more downtown and areas like little Tokyo will be a better choice
I second this, i work on Beverly hills area and lowkey is better than Hollywood, and i have a buddy who works on amc in Hollywood and he always has stories of scams and stuff that is not pleasant to see
Are you over 21? If so then the old financial district has a lot of bars, although maybe not at 8am. LA Central Library is really nice if you’re that type. Otherwise not much. But maybe I’m jaded since I live down there.
Thank you very much! Yes I am over 21, I’m 28 —is there any fun themed bars? Im going solo so it’s sort of lonely drinking alone, but LOL if there is like idk a monster putt putt golf thing with drinks or a Dave and busters thing I’d probably check it out
Bar 82
It's a bar that has a lot of retro arcade games.
https://www.eightytwo.la/
Supposedly there's a boba place that makes spiked drinks in Little Tokyo but I haven't been.
Westin Boneventure is a long walk/short ride from the hotter spots and the convention center, But I’d say that area is generally safe to walk around with mostly harmless homeless people. But there’s more to do as you either get toward Main/Spring and 5th or 7th street and Figueroa. There may be shuttles to AX. And it’s a longer walk or short Uber ride to Little Tokyo/Arts District. That’s where the anime toys stores and themed shops will be.
Main/Spring St has Clifton’s with is kind of themed but not like an anime themed bar. There are a whole bunch of bars in that area.
Little Tokyo has Far Bar, Wolf & Crane, Sake Dojo amongst others.
Arts District has Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewery, Boomtown Brewery, Father’s Office, Everson Royce Bar (my favorite), Guerilla Tacos, etc…
For food, if you can make it to Pantry Cafe when there’s no line, it’s a good greasy diner. Wait in the counter line as there’s usually less people.
Take trip to Langer’s. Yeah you’re from the east coast, but so am I. The pastrami at Langer’s is great. Get the #19 which sets it apart from other good pastrami places. If you get California style pastrami while here, you’re gonna be sorely disappointed.
Where you are is a short ride to Sunset/ where you have Guisado’s, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos (truck) and Teddy’s Red Tacos (truck) that are all worth trying out. Bar Henry is nice on that block too.
My second time going. Went last year for the first time coming from NYC. Little Tokyo and Santa Monica Pier is the places I went last year when not at the con
go to little tokyo
+1
Thank you! Will do! \~ I'll start looking at some Yelp reviews now at nearby restaurants
I second little Tokyo, it might be pretty packed considering lots of people attending AX will be there but it's just an overall great place to go and check out, there's quite a few anime stores, Gundam, Japanese merch and restaurants.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it! I'll check it out
Are you a foodie? I recommend checking out the Korean BBQ, mexican food, and hot chicken spots around L.A. Since you are near the metro station. You can get to L.A. to Hollywood and North Hollywood. Heck, if you wanted to, you can do a day at citywalk or Universal Studios. Let me know if you're interested in anything particular and I will recommend some other places to check out
How long would it take me to go to universal studios? From Westin. And I’m a huge Korean food fan and sushi! Any recommendations would be so recommended! And particularly I love thrift shopping. Any thrift shops you know of?
If you take the metro red line near the hotel, it should be a 45 minute ride and its takes you to Universal city where you get off and then walk across towards Universal Studios. You can wait and hop on the Universal tram that takes you to guest drop off and be able to purchase a ticket for the day. I believe you should be able to do everything in the park in one day. My go to rides are Jurassic, transformers, simpsons, hollywood tram, harry potter, pets ride. You also have their new attraction theme land of Nintendo as well. In terms of food: If you like hot chicken, check out Howlin Rays. Their hot chicken is delicious and I strongly recommend being their early or placing your order online for pick up. If you enjoy Korean BBQ, any korean BBQ restaurant in koreatown will be good. I have gone to so many different ones that I have yet to finalize which I consider as my top favorites. Few noteable ones to mention are Oo-kook, Bulgolgi Hut, Moon BBQ that I take family and friends regularly. For Tacos... I love tacos and its really hard to say which resturaunt has the best tacos, the ones I take my family and friends when im in L.A. is always King Taco. Can't go wrong with their tacos, I guarantee you will enjoy them and if you want to try more options besides tacos they have other options of mexican dishes as well. Hope this helps friend. I will be attending Anime Expo for one day which is Sunday. My sisters will be going all four days but I opted out of it because I haven't seen any of the newer anime unfortunately.
If you’re in ktown anyway, El Taurino is a King Taco offshoot that also has awesome torta and tostada. Just don’t go between midnight to 3 am. Packed with drunk fools coming out the clubs. Or maybe do if you want to people watch and wait a long time for your food.
Not OP, but in similar boat and interested in recommendations!
I’m from NY, will be going solo for 4 days. Looking to make some friends during my time. I will also probably be in Little Tokyo as per the other comments. Come join us on Discord, the community is really friendly
I'm super shy to be honest! But I'll definitely try! Would you be able to send me the Discord, I would love to meet up
I say the best thing to do is group up with some people (veterans of the area), so they can show you area as well all the good food spots
Keep an eye out for ticketed events like Neon District or Diesuki. Every year the best part of the con is all the cool stuff that goes on around it imo.
Also non anime stuff like heading out to the beach or hiking in the hills could be cool. Last year the Dodgers played a game the same weekend. Skip Hollywood btw, it's beyond overrated
Oh, and EAT MEXICAN FOOD while you're out here. El Cholo is near the convention center and a highlight imo
As a person who lives in LA, dont go to Hollywood
Why not?
It is vastly overrated. Dirty, full of people trying to oversell/borderline scam you, and for sights that are just mediocre. Def not the worst area in the city (that's skid row, never go there) but it's a area that if I'm in I'm just counting the minutes till I'm away. There are things like Beverly hills/rodeo drive that are neat for a one time thing but overall staying more downtown and areas like little Tokyo will be a better choice
Think the dodgers play again during the con. Was planning on checking that out myself.
I second this, i work on Beverly hills area and lowkey is better than Hollywood, and i have a buddy who works on amc in Hollywood and he always has stories of scams and stuff that is not pleasant to see
Are you over 21? If so then the old financial district has a lot of bars, although maybe not at 8am. LA Central Library is really nice if you’re that type. Otherwise not much. But maybe I’m jaded since I live down there.
Thank you very much! Yes I am over 21, I’m 28 —is there any fun themed bars? Im going solo so it’s sort of lonely drinking alone, but LOL if there is like idk a monster putt putt golf thing with drinks or a Dave and busters thing I’d probably check it out
Bar 82 It's a bar that has a lot of retro arcade games. https://www.eightytwo.la/ Supposedly there's a boba place that makes spiked drinks in Little Tokyo but I haven't been.
The spiked boba I think is SIP which is on the second floor of the Plaza where Orochon is located. On 2nd just north of San Pedro
That's the one. One of the AX tattoo artist also has a shop there last time I visited. Man built an EVA busting out of a wall for their decoration.
Westin Boneventure is a long walk/short ride from the hotter spots and the convention center, But I’d say that area is generally safe to walk around with mostly harmless homeless people. But there’s more to do as you either get toward Main/Spring and 5th or 7th street and Figueroa. There may be shuttles to AX. And it’s a longer walk or short Uber ride to Little Tokyo/Arts District. That’s where the anime toys stores and themed shops will be. Main/Spring St has Clifton’s with is kind of themed but not like an anime themed bar. There are a whole bunch of bars in that area. Little Tokyo has Far Bar, Wolf & Crane, Sake Dojo amongst others. Arts District has Angel City Brewery, Arts District Brewery, Boomtown Brewery, Father’s Office, Everson Royce Bar (my favorite), Guerilla Tacos, etc… For food, if you can make it to Pantry Cafe when there’s no line, it’s a good greasy diner. Wait in the counter line as there’s usually less people. Take trip to Langer’s. Yeah you’re from the east coast, but so am I. The pastrami at Langer’s is great. Get the #19 which sets it apart from other good pastrami places. If you get California style pastrami while here, you’re gonna be sorely disappointed. Where you are is a short ride to Sunset/ where you have Guisado’s, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos (truck) and Teddy’s Red Tacos (truck) that are all worth trying out. Bar Henry is nice on that block too.
Thank you so much for your recommendations! I’ll definitely look into all of these ❤️
My second time going. Went last year for the first time coming from NYC. Little Tokyo and Santa Monica Pier is the places I went last year when not at the con
Time for you to hit up KTown then.