Randyland is the best! It's unique and beautiful on its own, but to make the experience extra…read morespecial, you'll want to reach out to schedule a visit with Randy in person. Depending on the season and the weather, he'll be able to tell you what time of day is optimal for the best light. In my case, he responded quickly and made it so easy. I'm drawn to quirky people who are compelled to do something, do it well, and keep trying out new ideas simply because they love it. That's Randy in a nutshell, and his enthusiasm and creativity are infectious! You'll leave feeling inspired to see the world a little differently and to make your OWN art more often. Enjoy!

OK, I have had this place on my list of things to do for years. I saw it on Atlas Obscura and then…read moreI saw a video about it on YouTube. It was definitely worth the wait! What an amazing experience! Went with my sister, mom and dad on a Sunday afternoon. Beautiful light in October...beautiful light sculptures and what an interesting interaction with the universe. Randy was just a lovely individual. Like a really interesting, eccentric artist who just is behind what he is proffering 100%. Great talk. GREAT art. Great day. I really recommend it 100%.

I love stairs! Hearts are extra…read more We parked up on the hill to walk down to the stairs - much easier than looking for parking around Sunset. From the hilltop we walked down the stairs, grabbed a matcha at Alfred Coffee, climbed up the Music Box Steps, and explored a few more staircases around Silverlake before heading back up to the car up the Micheltorena Stairs. Such a fun way to get 7-10k steps in while getting to know the neighborhood.

I was totally drawn to the adorable heart painted stairs on Sunset and Micheltorena. The stairs…read moreinclude 177 steps with 40 of the steps painted with hearts. The history of the stairs in Silverlake is actually quite interesting. Apparently, back in the day, the stairs made it easier in the hilly section of the city to access stops along the Red Car Electric Railway. The stairs were unofficially painted in 2015 and in 2019, it became an official public arts project. We took the steps beyond the painted hearts and you're essentially just walking through a neighborhood. It's a great spot for pics and a shortcut through the neighborhood.

We wanted to try a new trail and took the Baxster Stairways to get to the Elysian Park Trail. Being…read moreout of shape, going up the stairs was tough but the view was amazing and it was a great way to exercise.

15 sections of stairs. I started from the bottom of the steps and the steps end at a private…read moreresidence driveway so it's a little odd. Once you walk onto the street you are above Elysian Park with a view of the Downtown LA skyline. There are no handrails here!

Iconic along the Avenue in every way…read more Carroll Ave is a place filled with lots of scenic as well as historic history. This dazzling slice of Victorian homes in Echo Park, Los Angeles' Angelino Heights area encompasses the 1300s block and tip of the 1400s. Cinema, Music Entertainment & Television and various digital mediums have been capture on this landmark Avenue from Teen Witch and Grandma's Boy to the original Charmed television series and Michael Jackson's Thriller music video film. You can park on this street, stroll and even photo op (just be mindful of properties as they belong to actual home owners who help preserve their homes that are apart of the National Register of Historic Places with several official Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments listed among these homes. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk from Echo Park Lake if close by. Definitely a great place to be a local tourist, show your tourists and enjoy as an LA native/native Angelino.

Beautiful Victorian homes. I enjoyed strolling down the street. Definitely worth visiting and…read moretaking in the beautiful architecture.

Visited Infinity Mirror Room and let me just say... yes, it's stunning. The lights, reflections,…read morethe whole illusion makes you feel like you stepped into another dimension. No complaints about the actual experience itself, it's beautiful and definitely Instagram-worthy. BUT. That wait vs. payoff ratio? Wild. You're standing there forever, building up the moment, just to get ushered in and out in what feels like 60 seconds flat. By the time you're adjusting your camera and telling your family where to stand, it's already "okay time's up." Like... we just got here?? Honestly, I'd rather they charge more and give people a few extra minutes. Let us actually take it in, enjoy it, and get decent photos without feeling rushed like we're on some kind of aesthetic speed run. That said, it is a must-see at least once. Just go in knowing it's more of a quick visual experience than something you can really sit with.

On Friday afternoon, my family and I reserved tickets for the Infinity Room next to The Broad…read moremuseum in Downtown LA. Just a heads up, you'll need to book in advance if you want to secure a time slot to see the infinity room. We picked the 3:45 PM slot and waited about 5-10 minutes before entering. There's no food, drinks, or flash photography allowed (which makes sense). To be honest, I was a little surprised by how small the Infinity Room actually is. It's just a tiny platform you stand on surrounded by mirrors so be careful not to get too close to the edges. I think the photos online made it seem much bigger and more "galaxy-like," so I had different expectations going in You're only inside for about five minutes before it's time to exit for the next group. Still, it was a cool experience to check off the list and afterward we walked around The Broad, which made it a fun afternoon overall. I'm very grateful for the memories my family and I got to make together! Quick Note: If you get hungry, Grand Central Market is close by and has a great variety of food spots to choose from! Your welcome!!

Parking is god awful, I'm gonna be real, but mostly is free if you can find street parking or in…read morelimited lots so it's not the biggest evil in all of LA. Lots of culture, history, and art on these streets. Love the painted stairs all around and the artwork for the local school and other various buildings. Nice to see hills and the palm trees lining them and the main road as well. Eclectic and "hipster-y" vibes and community, so you get lots of interesting community shops, businesses, and eateries, but also some really high end ones as well. I really liked the super friendly cats that came out to say hi and get some pets at a local hookah lounge and that the local school there has a community garden and chickens. Can't say it's a place I'd regularly seek out and visit, but nice to stop by here and there.

"I've been waiting…read more.. I've been waiting for this moment all my life..." Reflecting on the history of Silver Lake over the last several decades it's amazing to learn and have seen it evolve with time from days of activism in the 60s advocating for equality across the board to present with much more inclusivity. I was born in LA near LAX, but didn't truly start exploring this side of the bustling streets of Los Angeles until about 12 years ago and even in that short span. Neighborhoods have changed, new businesses have popped up and a few great long-standing ones shut their doors. If you're visiting or local walking around this little big neighborhood can be quite fun with a little of everything from cuisine to cocktails. Clothing to cars and even the occasional local events like Off Sunset recently-ish (usually early Springtime each year), a collection of vendors and businesses supporting each other as well as the city of Silver Lake... Open to all and for all much like the city itself!! Transportation of the public variety isn't too bad as local city orange Metro busses such as the 2 or 4 (which run frequently and connect to the Metro B Line aka the Red at Vermont /Santa Monica and/or Vermont/Sunset). Some streets and areas are inclined with certain residences (homes, apartments, condos, and so on) being oddly placed out of the natural foundation, but it's part of the charm much like the Micheltorena Stairs off Micheltorena Street & Sunset Blvd, which does have a metro stop of course. The education system is primarily preschool, elementary, and middle school within the area with a private school going up to 12th just beyond Los Feliz. LACC or Los Angeles City College isn't too far outside Silver Lake for high education, but I'm not sure of too many other trade, career, or college-level schooling facilities within close proximity, but we do have plenty beyond that. Silver Lake has one of the best Los Angeles Public Libraries out of any you might visit, plus it's near the Silver Lake Reservoir and other hidden gems. Some of my favorite haunts in this city are definitely Intelligentsia, Akbar, El Cid, 4100 Bar, My Vegan Gold, The Black Cat, yes... that Del Taco!, Big Mac Liquor, and the Eagle bar to name a few. The best thing/upside about Silverlake is that it's very all-inclusive and welcoming, but the down thing besides the parking is the cost of living. It's creative, artistic, and very trendy.

The ORIGINAL FOOD HALL! Grand Central Market is an essential stop for folks who've never been to LA…read morebefore. GCM has been a part of my childhood as my parents brought me here a lot so we can try multiple eateries. It's the catalyst for the SoCal food hall concept before it became a trend. You'll find American classics, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Salvadoran, Brunch, Donuts, Ice Cream and everything in between! I recently visited to stop by at Sticky Rice! It's a bit touristy and you'll find a few posers in the crowd but it's still a local classic and it hasn't lost its charm. If you're like me and you enjoy the sounds of hustle and bustle while you eat, you'll enjoy it here. Food is LA priced, don't expect to find a value menu. Even if you're on a budget, check out the dessert spots at least, one overpriced, high-quality donut is better than a $70 meal. Service is pretty solid, I didn't encounter any rude staff during my recent visit.

Nice array of food options for a fraction of the price of a nearby dine in restaurant. The portions…read moreare large at most establishments and one serving could feed two! That was my experience at Tomas' tacos. I ordered 2 tacos for $5 each. I thought the price points was high until I realized I could make 4 tacos from 1! And they tasted good. My daughter had a burger fries from a neighboring business and she said it was delicious. I tasted her fries and those were definitely delicious. For dessert, we opted for McConnells ice cream. The flavors were unique and good. They offered samples when requested which was a nice gesture but their portions were tiny. I paid $8 for 4oz cop of ice cream. The Central Market is definitely worth visiting. There were celebrity chef demonstrations and meals available as well as multiple food options to choose from.

THE famous Olvera Street, THE birthplace of Los Angeles. Here's what to expect…read more ACCESS To get here you can drive but be sure to prepare to look for parking (street or parking lot) however if you can do public transportation, great stop if you have a layover at Union Station. The marketplace isn't huge so all places are accessible via walking. VIBES Los Angeles is known for its diversity and this is part of the reason why, it's a different feel from the rest with the history brick pathways, market stalls, and sounds of Mexican music or scents of Mexican food to create a lively and nostalgic atmosphere. It wasn't a place to shop but a place to learn as you'll pass by historic landmarks and museums here and there. The stalls have choices you can select from - handmade goods, candies and other souvenirs. Whether you're looking for handmade crafts, traditional food, or simply want to soak in a piece of Los Angeles history, there's something here for everyone. OVERALL EXPERIENCE The people I encountered were welcoming, and many of the vendors were happy to share stories about their products and traditions. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. What's not to love. Great selections, fair prices, and a beautiful atmosphere. Olvera Street isn't just another tourist attraction--it's a cultural landmark that tells the story of where Los Angeles began. Despite all the new skyscrapers and freeways, this city was built on generations of history, culture, and community. When in El Lay, definitely stop by. TIPS * Take your time exploring the artisan shops and who knows, you might catch a performance or two.

Olvera Street is in Downtown Los Angeles, right across from the train station. It is open year…read moreround but many of the shops close when it rains and many of the outdoor shops close at dusk in the winter. It is about 3 blocks of fun. Kids love it and it is fun for the whole family. Parking is for a fee. It is just fun. All of the eateries are great, are favorite being La Luz Dia. It is not the oldest restaurant there, but it is great. The shops are fun and have cool gifts from Mexico. This is an historic district and should remind you of when all of California was part of Mexico. It is safe and you will have a great time. Have fun. Any place you choose to eat will be good. They have fine dinning and street tacos. Most of the places serve alcohol.

Great building. My cousin, twice removed, was the champion of the building before the building got…read moretorn down. You probably won't remember the building. I will always remember trying to catch him and then enjoying tasty cakes after both inside and outside of the building. You're probably too young for tasty cakes. We always sent mail to each other and then would read it in the garageOf the building. You're probably too young for mail. Do they still have that? Anyways - the building was fun and was always a great color because how many colors are there even? Thank you

This place is pretty good. I put all the gingers I know here and they seem to really like it…read more Parking can be a pain though and there is never the food I want. They don't have extra glasses at the moment either so I can barely see Mad Men

tl;dr the foccacia sandwiches are simply satisfying, but the modest portions, subtle flavors, and…read morepremium prices are outclassed by other Italian sandos on the same block There are plenty of fast-casual sandwich options along Sunset, but few feel as heartfelt as Ceci's Gastronomia. This "nonna-approved" marketplace debuted behind the minds of Italian couple Francesco Lucatorto and Francesca Pistorio. Armed with experience across multiple standout LA restaurants as well as their own pasta pop-up operation (Ceci's Oven), the couple returned to Los Angeles after the pandemic to channel family recipes into their Italian specialty grocer. Now, the focaccia sandwiches have eclipsed the lasagna as the go-to order. Towering umbrellas obscure the minimalist cursive font on the facaded storefront. Mustard-yellow metal patio furniture is readily available along the shaded sidewalk. Inside, the tiny shop toes the line between cozy and cramped. Appliances and coffee fixings are balanced on tables straight out of a country kitchen. Every foot of the wall space is decorated with framed photos, news articles, and homey tchotchkes. The top-lit suppli-and-bakery display is fully encased, while the rainbow of focaccia varieties is left open to the air. A trim merch shelf features focaccia-themed snapbacks and Italian coffee beans. Modern acoustic music plays around the room. I've visited a few times to sample Ceci's focaccia sandwiches. The bread is finger-thick, crisp-skinned, and moderately oily -- expect greasy fingers when handling the sandwiches. The toppings are modest-to-moderate in portion; don't be surprised to feel peckish afterward. I preferred the salty, lemon-forward Crudo & Ricotta combination, although the hamburger-style tomato slices felt superfluous. Meanwhile, on the Il Mortazza, the rich mortadella and burrata mostly outperformed the delicate arugula and bland eggplant. The fried Suppli croquette was memorably odd, between the fish stick-esque battering and the arroz rojo-like flavor. The service was memorably friendly, and a focaccia sando will set you back $20. Ultimately, I probably won't be a repeat player at Ceci's. Although I don't have any major criticisms about the flavor and execution of the focaccia sandwiches, they aren't even the best on the block (that honor belongs to LaSorted's, where Italian sandos are cheaper, heartier, and tastier).

Ceci's is one of my favorite places in Silverlake.. although there usually is very limited street…read moreparking, Ceci's is definitely worth the stop. They're a very yellow and pretty cafe located street side between a pink building that is a Taco restaurant and a really delicious cafe called 6XS Studio. I ordered the Crudo&Ricotta sandwich with their freshly made focaccia which is flavorful, soft, and light which is mid-day, lunch time approved. The prosciutto and ricotta is flavorful and absolutely delicious... I also had the opportunity to order a slice of the Tora Della Nonna which was the perfect amount of sweet, flaky, and crunchy all in one slice of dessert. We got our food in a reasonable amount of time considering it was time for the lunch rush. The surrounding area is also very nice, but can be pretty busy traffic-wise. Everything about this meal was perfect. I will be back to try more items on the menu