The Ultimate Guide For A Magical Adventure in Los Angeles
Find The Best
Hotels
5-10 minute drive from venue
Downtown LA/KoreaTown
$ Best Western Plus LA Midtown Hotel
(~$160/night)
7.9
$$ The Biltmore Los Angeles
(~$260/night)
7.5
$$ Hotel Figueroa - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
(~$270/night)
8.2
$$ CitizenM Los Angeles Downtown
(~$280/night)
8.8
$$$ Hotel Per LA, Autograph Collection
(~$340/night)
8.7
$$$ InterContinental - Los Angeles Downtown, an IHG Hotel
(~$470/night)
8.7
20-30 minute drive from venue
West/Central LA
LAX/Westchester:
$ Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/El Segundo
(~$175/night)
7.8
$$ Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles Westside
(~$210/night)
8.3
Santa Monica:
$$$ The Ambrose Hotel
(~$330/night)
8.6
West Hollywood:
$$$ Palihouse West Hollywood
(~$340/night)
8.5
Places To See
For Book Lovers
The Huntington Library | San Marino
The Huntington Library boasts over 11 million items to get lost in, worthy of any bookworm’s afternoon plans, not including the stunning art museum with 45,000 pieces. Transport yourself into a Jane Austen novel within the botanical gardens filled with waterfalls, ponds, bridges, roses, and marble statues. Enjoy your favorite read in the Rose Garden Tea room overlooking the gardens.
The Last Bookstore | Downtown LA
This famous used bookstore is a whimsical maze of books with typewriters and pages flying off the walls. This is an art museum of literature, and it truly is a unique experience any book lover would die over.
The Bradbury Building | Downtown LA
This architectural landmark is the oldest commercial building in Downtown LA and feels both old-fashioned and new. The architect was inspired by the science-fiction novel, “Looking Backward” by Edward Bellamy, and it has been used as a set piece in a number of feature films, including Blade Runner. With its Victorian court, marble stairs, cage elevators and iron railings, this immense building feels like it fell right out of the pages of a fiction novel.
Los Angeles Central Library | Downtown LA
This stunning complex is the third-largest library in the United States and is filled with dreamy mosaics, statues, chandeliers, and murals. Not only is this library full of ornate design and grandeur, but it is also home to more than 2.8 million books.
Places To See
For The Magic
Heritage Square Museum | Montecito Heights
Time travel back to the 19th century and enjoy the Victorian homes, history, and photo opportunities. Note: Only open to the public Saturdays & Sundays. General Admission starts at $7.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir | Chino Hills
Step foot in an ancient Indian city with this immense and incredible Hindu Temple. Free to enter, this traditional temple is only one of five in the United States and truly is a sight to behold.
St Vincent Court | Downtown LA
Transport yourself to an European village in this hidden street in Downtown LA’s Jewelry District. Perfect for an Instagram spot, this movie-set quality street is designed to feel like an Italian or French town.
The Getty Villa | Pacific Palisades
Prepare your cameras for the ultimate Greek and Roman luxury. This art museum is one of two campuses of the J. Paul Getty Museum, and is dedicated to the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. This iconic villa is not one to miss. Free admission, but reservations required.
Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine | Pacific Palisades
This magical, peaceful lake is home to cascading waterfalls, stunning gardens, and even a hilltop temple. This oasis within Los Angeles feels like something right of an ancient fairytale from Eastern culture. Reservations required.
Medieval Times | Buena Park
Live your medieval fantasy dreams at the iconic Medieval Times with jousting, horsemanship & falconry (and dashing knights throwing roses) plus a 4-course meal, all served inside a castle. Admission begins around $68.
Pirate's Dinner Adventure | Buena Park
Indulge in a meal surrounding a fully-rigged 18th-century Spanish galleon adrift in a massive lagoon. Enjoy swashbuckling, aerial acts, and sing along to this musical pirate adventure. Admission begins around $68.
Disneyland | Anaheim
Perhaps the most magical of all, Disneyland California - the original Disney theme park - offers two parks to enjoy the day as a Disney princess or prince. Indulge your inner child at the Happiest Place on Earth. Admission starts at $104.
Places To See
For Movie Lovers
Griffith Observatory | Hollywood
One of the most iconic Los Angeles landmarks, the Griffith Observatory has been a film sight for over 170 movies, including La La Land, Terminator, Jurassic Park, and Back to the Future, to name a few. Offering sweeping views of LA, incredible hiking trails and a great shot of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory is a (free) must-see for any film nerd.
Warner Brothers Studios | Burbank
For the true film buffs, book a studio tour with the legendary Warner Brothers Studios and see your favorite movie sets up-close and personal. Some sets and displays include: Harry Potter, DC Universe, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and more. Tickets start at $70.
TLC Chinese Theater | Hollywood
Step onto the Walk of Fame and explore where thousands of filmmakers and actors have graced the red carpet to show off their movie magic. Buy a ticket to see a film where the most famed movie premieres happen!
The Dolby Theater | Hollywood
Home to the annual Academy Awards ceremony, as well as the EPSY awards and Daytime Emmy awards, entering the beautiful and glamorous Dolby Theater is a dream for any film nerd.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures | Fairfax
Opened in 2021 and the first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States, the Academy Museum houses over 13 million objects dedicated to the film industry. Lose yourself in the movie magic of this beautiful display of cinematic arts. Tickets start at $25.
Universal Studios Hollywood | Universal City
Calling all nerds and film buffs alike, Universal Studios is truly a place of thrill, wonder, and adventure. Make your Hogwarts dreams come true at the Harry Potter Wizarding World, relive your childhood in Nintendo World, and get your adrenaline pumping with rides like Jurassic World and Mummy. Tickets start at $109.
Places To See
For A Night Out
The Obscure Distillery | Downtown LA | $$
A hidden, dark, fantastical, magic-themed speakeasy in Los Angeles. A unique cocktail experience. Reservations required directly through texting a number on their website.
Mr. Wanderlust | Downtown LA | $$
Mr. Wanderlust is a fictional adventurer with an eccentric collection of books, artifacts, and cocktail recipes. Celebrating a whimsical sense of travel and adventure, this piano bar & jazz lounge offers live music and entertainment.
The Wolves | Downtown LA | $$
A gorgeous 1900s Parisian Salon-styled cocktail bar and restaurant. Often has live performances.
The Little Door | West Hollywood | $$$$
A magical, romantic, French Mediterranean restaurant where dreams come true. Reservations required.
Arden | West Hollywood | $$
A fairy-like, romantic and whimsical experience for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Black Rabbit Rose | Hollywood | $$$
A magical (literally!) hideaway for unique drinks, Thai-Chinese fusion food, with burlesque and magic shows on weekends. Tickets for shows start at $55. Dress code enforced.
The Gallery Bar and Cognac Room | Downtown LA | $$$$
Glamorous, chic and classy bar within the stunning Biltmore Hotel. Sweeping chandeliers, opulent ceilings, luxury decor.
Queen Violet | West Hollywood | $$
An unique, enchanting, fairytale experience with Asian fusion cuisine, open for brunch, lunch and dinner. Everything is purple, even the food!
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