Jakob N. Layman

Los Angeles churches are more than just houses of worship; they’re multicultural reminders that this city does, in fact, have lasting, monumental architecture. We found plenty of beauty in stately structures from Malibu to Koreatown to far-flung suburbs. Whether you’re thinking about wedding planning or simply searching for the city’s most beautiful buildings, you’ll find plenty to admire in our multi-denominational picks for the most stunning Los Angeles churches, temples and cathedrals.

The best strip clubs in L.A. take may forms, from tried and true joints in the Valley to Hollywood mainstays made famous by the likes of Mötley Crue. The city is a land of plenty when it comes to scantily clad ladies—but how to find the best ones? Heading to a strip club may seem straightforward, but there’s a lot going on under the surface and more than a few factors to consider when determining the best L.A. has to offer. Most strip clubs are open nightly until the wee hours of the morning, so don't think of them just for Saturday night bachelor parties – they can also serve as Tuesday night entertainment for one. The talent ranges in age, size, ethnicity, attractiveness and friendliness, but as they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Chances are good your experience will at least be good people watching, even if you don't get googly-eyed. Be sure to bring plenty of singles (cash, that is) to avoid visiting their ATM serving up $20 bills. Since some clubs enforce a dress code, be sure to plan accordingly.  We take our jobs very seriously, so we made sure to visit as many strip joints as possible—from full nude spots to topless and bikini clubs—to definitively decide on the cream of the crop. It wasn’t always easy, it wasn’t always fun (though mostly it was), and occasionally we had some awkward explaining to do, but we did it. We did it for you. You’re welcome.

The words "dungeon" and "BDSM" can conjure pretty intimidating images if you're new to the scene or aren't familiar with the lingo, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Welcome to the approachable (but not exactly friendly) world of bondage & discipline, dominance & submission, and sadochism & masochism. Participants have many reasons for enjoying BDSM, including the ability to relinquish control in the bedroom, experience complete vulnerability, explore new sexual expressions and escape from reality, among others. Whatever the reason, there are many dungeons throughout L.A. to live out your every fantasy or fetish, with professionals on hand as needed. Many of L.A.'s dungeons, or "studios," cater to people from all walks of life and all levels of kink experience. You may be surprised to find out how many of them throw regular events and offer educational classes that are open to the public. These can be a great way to learn about, and even participate in, the alternative sex community as a beginner. For those adventurous spirits who frequent sex shops as often as coffee shops and already know what they want, dungeons can be the perfect place to find a professional dominatrix. Many also offer the ability to rent out the entire space, so you and a partner or loved one (or, loved ones, no judgement here) can have an entire night to make use of all the provided BDSM furniture, equipment and toys. Read on to become a true dungeon master—but, you know, the cool, sexy kind.

A professional dominatrix is skilled at applying the right kind of pain that can make her masochistic, submissive client cry out in pleasure. There’s a common misconception that BDSM is always about pain, but it’s really about the sensations. You might be surprised to learn that a profession technically classified as “sex work” does not involve any actual sex. Sure, you can go online and find someone who will gladly take your money, slap you around a bit and then have sex with you—but that’s not a service provided by a dominatrix. A truly professional and experienced dominatrix is more like a guide through the less accessible sexual pleasure that some men—and women—find in the acts of submission or masochism, both in and out of a dungeon. This is why most sessions with a pro-domme (professional dominatrix) are carefully thought out and planned beforehand by the mistress to make sure they are uniquely tailored to, and enjoyed by, each particular sub. Your own level of experience is important when choosing the right pro-domme, which is why we’ve put together a list of LA’s best dominatrixes featuring mistresses with a full spectrum of experience and expertise. If you’re a total BDSM newbie, you’ll want to make sure your dominatrix is willing to take you on as a client; many pro-dommes are picky about who they will let serve them. You also may want to brush up on your BDSM lingo. Just like you would research a new doctor before letting her test your tonsils, you should check you

Over three colorful days, hundreds of thousands of revelers flocked to West Hollywood Park for LA Pride 2015. The annual LGBT festival hosted equal parts culture and eroticism, with sensory-overload carnivals and musical performances by Wilson Phillips, Kesha, Ty Herndon and Fifth Harmony. On Sunday, city officials advocacy groups led the Pride Parade down Santa Monica Boulevard for an afternoon of exuberance—we went down on the street (and across the rainbow crosswalks) to bring you our favorite moments from LA Pride 2015. RECOMMENDED: More LA Pride 2015 coverage

If you're looking to spend some time in a museum that's not like the others, check out the bigger and improved Bunny Museum. Los Angeles' hare enthusiasts Candace Frazee and her husband Steve Lubanski have relocated their one of a kind joint to a much larger location in Altadena. In addition to the thousands of bunny artifacts that they've collected over the years, including actual freeze-dried bunnies, there now exists a bunny library. The space also features nine Rose Parade float bunnies and a creepy room called the "Chamber of Hop Horrors" for ages 13 and above. If your kids aren't into seeing dead animals, there's plenty of kid-friendly attractions in other parts of the house. Admission is $8 and some treats for the live bunnies in residence. They prefer you donate something other than carrots, since that's what people usually bring.   RECOMMENDED: Easter in Los Angeles   Follow Kate on Instagram and Jakob on Twitter: @kate_em_up and @meetjakob

Sure, you could go to the many art galleries, museums and photography galleries in Los Angeles to see art, but you don't have to. Artists of all kinds take to the streets to make their mark, and we've been paying attention. There are artistic, color pieces all over Los Angeles, and the best part about it? There are no lines or fees required to enjoy them. Here is the best grafitti and street art in Los Angeles that we've seen so far and where to find them.  Photographs: Jakob N. Layman

The time has come: you have that oh-so-specific itch and there’s only one way to scratch it. A strip club visit won't cut it—you know the only person qualified to whip you (sometimes literally) into shape is a professional dominatrix. But there’s so much to consider and learn when diving into the world of BDSM for the first time. Well, fear not. We had your back when you needed to learn strip club lingo and we’ve certainly got your soon-to-be-rosy back now. We’ve put together a list of common terms you may come across in your search for sexual liberation from the status quo.

If LA's warm winters and lack of snow gets you down, then snowboarder Shaun White may have the cure for you. This weekend, White produced his second annual Air + Style event in Los Angeles, a festival that combines music, art, fashion and a 16-story snowboarding ramp. The festival took place at Exposition Park, current home of FYF Fest, and boasted a lineup that included acts like Haim, J. Cole and Incubus, as well as competitions featuring some of the best snowboarders in the world.  Photographs: Foster Snell

Maybe it's the warm winters, but we sure love undressing down to our underwear in LA. Last month, riders stripped down for the annual No Pants Subway Ride, and yesterday a group of runners bared their legs for a jaunt through Downtown Los Angeles. This year's annual Cupid's Undie Run (which raises money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation) started at the Belasco Theatre and boasted both a pre and post-run party.  

The popularity of pole dancing has exploded in recent years as people from all walks of life have embraced the activity. Pole dancing has proven to be an amazing outlet of self-expression, whether it's as fitness, art or sexual expression at a strip club—or all three. Pole Show LA first kicked off in 2007 and was founded by Leigh Ann Reilly, owner of BeSpun pole dance studio in Hollywood, as a way to showcase her pole dancing students' talents. Now, almost 10 years later, the show has graduated to being a full-scale choreographed production featuring some of the best professional dancers around the world.  RECOMMENDED: The best exotic dancers in LA

The engagement ring has be purchased, the proposal has been accepted and now it's time to take the photos. Finding the best setting for your engagement photos can be tricky, but luckily Los Angeles has an abundance of photogenic spots to make your special pictures pop. While some locations are open to the public, others may require an appointment or charge for the shoot. Afterward, be sure to keep love in the air with dinner at one of LA's most romantic restaurants.  RECOMMENDED: A guide to wedding planning in Los Angeles

Time seems to melt away the instant you walk into Larchmont Sanctuary Spa. This peaceful and friendly spa is a warm oasis from the chaotic sprawl of Los Angeles life. Slip on a decadently soft robe and relax with some hibiscus water in the fireside lounge before your massage or facial. Larchmont Sanctuary offers an ample selection of treatments to soothe you most specific needs. We recommend the 90 minute jade stone massage, a full-body experience that seamlessly combines Shiatsu and Thai massage strokes with acupressure and reflexology to ease all your aches and pains. Be sure to check their website for seasonal specials as well, like the Intoxicating Love Romantic Retreat, which includes a 75 minute couples relaxation massage and 20 minute couples champagne bath.

Den of Iniquity has been serving the BDSM community for over 20 years, with locations in both NYC and Los Angeles. This no-nonsense dungeon in Downtown LA’s Arts District operates under the direction of current Head Mistress, Cybil Troy and offers a wide variety of services. The 1850 square foot studio is fully equipped for sessions with professional Dominatrixes, as well as film shoots and events. The space, which features multiple themed rooms, can also be rented by couples looking to fill an hour or even a weekend with some fun power exchange play. DOI also focuses heavily on education, and regularly offers classes and one-on-one training for women interested in becoming a dominatrix.

The first thing you need to know about Ivy Manor is that it is exceptionally cool. It feels as much like a hip art gallery as it does a fully stocked BDSM dungeon. The studio, run by Isabella Sinclaire, is discretely hidden in Downtown’s Arts District and has multiple play rooms, including a fantasy medical room. The entire 2500 sq. ft. space can be out rented and offers all the amenities needed to make all your kinky dreams come true. 

Dungeon West is modern and chic studio with an impressive play area and comes fully stocked with all the BDSM equipment and toys needed to make your next session with a dominatrix a memorable one. Located in Mid-City, this private dungeon is available for exclusive rentals 24/7, so you’ll always have the entire place to yourself. Dungeon West is owned and operated by Mistress Justine Cross and boasts a number of well-known Los Angeles dominatrixes who regularly use the space. 

As a non-profit organization, Threshold is a BDSM club dedicated to educating those interested in exploring the worlds of bondage, S&M, discipline and other alternative sexual activities. By offering a safe and judgement-free environment, Threshold has built a reputation as one of the best places to begin one’s exploration of BDSM and kink. The facility includes a large main room as well as seven themed rooms, each of which are stocked with dungeon furniture and toys. Be sure to check the calendar of events on their site, it’s always packed with amazing classes and events that are open to the public. 

The Dominion was established in 1980, making it the oldest BDSM club in the country, and its pedigree is recognized and respective around the world. The studio is fully staffed women who fill the rolls of dominants, switches, or submissives. That means there will always be someone available to for you to play with (or to play with you) no matter what your own particular fetish is. Their site is regularly updated with a schedule of who is working so be sure to make your appointment in advance!

Under the auspices of Head Mistress Cyan, one of the most respective dominatrixes in Los Angeles, Sanctuary LAX proven itself as BDSM institution. Their highly experienced and diverse staff are well equipped for you kinkiest desires, whether you’re an S&M veteran or complete novice. As the name implies, the studio is a stone’s throw from LAX, which makes it perfect for visitors in town for business…or pleasure. Heck, there are overnight rentals available too, so it may even be a better option than sleeping in dingy hotel the next time your flight gets cancelled. 

Dungeon East is tucked away in the Arts District and acts as the sister studio to Mistress Justine Cross’ Dungeon West. Even though the amenities are nearly the same, the aesthetics are completely different. Dungeon East breaks from the traditional dark and moody atmosphere often found in dungeons. It is instead immaculately designed all in white, a bold move for an S&M dungeon but one that works extremely well. The space is also available for rental and, like Dungeon West, holds regular events and mixers for those interested in getting a taste of spanking, bondage and more!

You may not know it—I sure didn’t—but your L.A. County and L.A. Public Library cards come with some insane benefits. The most obvious is, of course, being able to freely check out almost any library book, graphic novel and movie, but let’s talk about the other free perks that are, quite literally, at your fingertips. Whether you live in Santa Monica or Downtown Los Angeles, your library card gives you access to some pretty killer subscription services that you would have to shell out hundreds of dollars for otherwise. We combed through all the offers available via both the County of Los Angeles Public Library and Los Angeles Public Library networks (yes, they’re different) and highlighted the absolute best deals. All you’ll need is your library card number. We’ll go through what makes each of them uniquely amazing and tally up just how much you could save each year by taking full advantage of these perks. 1. Lynda.com Lynda.com is one of the best online resources for instructional videos on almost any topic. Their mind-blowingly extensive library includes high-quality videos that cover subjects like software, creative and business skills (think: Photoshop, graphic design, marketing and so much more).     Sign up with your County cardSign up with your LAPL card Yearly savings: $420 2. RBdigital (formerly Zinio) RBdigital offers access to digital magazines; its library portal has more than 360 titles available for download, with no limit or return period. Their selection is su

Summer may have come to an end for most, but that doesn't mean the fun has to. The LA County Fair opened over Labor Day weekend, and we have to say, it looks well worth the drive to Pomona. From the new fried foods to the staple chicken legs, there's enough food to try to keep you coming back throughout the month. And don't let the heat keep you from making the trip—the fairground has misters to help keep you cool and even a water ride that will leave you nice a cool, at least for a bit. To find out more about the LA County Fair, check out our full guide, or see the fun for yourself below.   Photographs: Foster Snell                                                          Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.  

Venice Beach was flooded with topless women—and men with cameras—on Sunday as protesters came together for Go Topless Day 2016. The goal of the gathering was to shed light on the double-standard of how female and male nipples are perceived in the public. It's currently illegal in Los Angeles for women to go topless, but nipple gender equality advocates argue that the distinction is arbitrary and antiquated. This wasn't your typical activism rally though, women and men from all walks of life came together to bear their chests (as legally as possible) and spread the good word with an upbeat message of equality.   Photograph: Gil Riego Jr.                                                  Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Maybe you’ve heard—maybe you haven’t—but today is #nationaldogday and we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve been looking forward to this ALL. YEAR. LONG. And it’s finally here! Sure, you could argue that nothing is really special anymore now that everything from fried chicken sandwiches to homemade soup has it’s own "national day." But that would be a dumb argument, because fried chicken sandwiches are great, and so is homemade soup, and dogs are like the best thing in the world. Let us then celebrate some of our favorite Angeleno dogs! Whether they’re out and about in LA or relaxing at home, this roundup of instant-star Insta pups is a homage to the furry friends that make our great city even better.     A photo posted by Popeye The Foodie Dog 😉 (@popeyethefoodie) on Aug 21, 2016 at 7:50pm PDT     A photo posted by Brandy The Pug (@brandy_the_pug) on Jun 8, 2016 at 2:09pm PDT   A photo posted by Pais (@paisleythepuppy) on Aug 4, 2016 at 3:24pm PDT       A photo posted by Pierre Don't Care (@pierre_dont_care) on Jul 28, 2016 at 8:11am PDT     A photo posted by Sadie from Hollywood 🐾 (@champagneyorkie) on Mar 17, 2016 at 3:41pm PDT        A photo posted by Geordi La Corgi (@lacorgi) on May 5, 2016 at 4:33pm PDT     A photo posted by Stephanie Cary (@stephiecary) on Aug 27, 2016 at 9:23am PDT     A photo posted by @dogsofsqirl on Dec 14, 2015 at 1:08pm PST     A photo posted by Cezara Popa (@cezpopa) on Dec 30, 2015 at 1

The Rio Olympics are coming to a close, and it's been a fun couple of weeks! There's been no shortage of memorable memes and eyebrow-raising oddities (like green pools). And sure, all that craziness makes for great internet fodder, but at the end of the day it's all about the athletes performing amazing feats. We've found some of our favorite moments of Olympians celebrating their victories from this year's games, and they're pretty dang adorable.                             via GIPHY         via GIPHY           

Feeling the Hump Day drag and looking to kill 30 minutes? Check out this fantastic promo video for LAX from 1963 to see a time capsule view of one of the busiest airports in the world. Intrepid Redditor u/737boeing unearthed this video, which was originally posted to the LAXAirlines YouTube account in 2014. Perfectly titled, "#1 World Way: The Story of Los Angeles International Airport,” the film takes you on a complete tour of LAX as well as the minutia of its inner workings. The airport has certainly come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1928, and what better way to celebrate that than with a film set to the rolling, upbeat music of 1960’s progress!    

Outside Land's growth as an outstanding music festival has been a real treat to experience. They continue to kill it year after year with amazing lineups, and 2016 was no exception. All three days of San Francisco's fickle-weathered fest were jammed full of notable acts, with early sets like St. Lucia and Ibeyi rocking hard before the headliners took to the stage. And speaking of headliners! This year's lineup was a powerhouse of exceptional musicians: LCD Soundsystem brought the noise on Friday night, and Radiohead and Zedd set Saturday night on fire. The legendary Lionel Richie rounded out the festival on Sunday night by taking the audience on a tour of his greatest hits—and even peppered in a few sing-along moments. We had a blast taking photos of the fest and can't wait for next year. Want to stay up-to-date on the best things to do? Check out our San Francisco events calendar. Photographs: Virginia Rollison       St. Lucia                         Duran Duran             Beach House                                                                   Sufjan Stevens       Radiohead                                                                                                        

Being in Los Angeles on the 4th of July means you get treated to a spectacular array of fireworks shows—both of the official and backyard varieties. Colorful explosions lit up the sky from Marina del Rey to the Rose Bowl and beyond throughout the night. We scoped out Instagrammers who posted up at our favorite spots to watch the glorious citywide celebrations and put together a few of our favorite photos and videos from the night. Happy Birthday, America!   A photo posted by Oscar Fajardo (@hucar81) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:13pm PDT     A photo posted by Zach (Zak) Iddings (@zachiatrist) on Jul 4, 2016 at 10:13pm PDT     A video posted by @bestforkintour on Jul 5, 2016 at 12:04am PDT     A photo posted by jazmin ❀ (@jazmin.1.5) on Jul 4, 2016 at 9:49pm PDT     A photo posted by Matthew Jung-Quillen (@newyorkteeth) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:07pm PDT     A video posted by Christian Moreno (@morcaso) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:10pm PDT     A photo posted by nelsonmd (@nelsonmd) on Jul 4, 2016 at 10:24pm PDT     A photo posted by Brad (@mochilero86) on Jul 5, 2016 at 8:15am PDT     A photo posted by William Alan Miller (@millerwa4) on Jul 5, 2016 at 6:35am PDT     A video posted by Vanessa Joy SMith (@nessta) on Jul 5, 2016 at 12:35am PDT     A photo posted by @andypatch on Jul 4, 2016 at 9:57pm PDT     A video posted by Ml Wodynski (@michellewodynski) on Jul 5, 2016 at 10:54am PDT     A photo posted by @dalinian on Jul 4, 2016 at 8:

  Pride festivities took place throughout San Francisco over the weekend as people from all walks of life came together to celebrate diversity, resilience and courage. On Sunday, activists, city officials and supporters of all sorts marched along Market Street to a crowd of hundreds of thousands, and many marchers and spectators held signs to show their solidarity with the victims in Orlando. Pride is one of the biggest events in San Francisco, and this year's parade was no exception—you can see all our photos from the fantastic festival below. Photographs by Eddie Hernandez                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

If you’ve spent any time on Instagram lately you've probably noticed there's a #national_____day for everything now. While we may roll our eyes at the likes of National Bean Day (January 6) or National Smile Power Day (June 15), we are enthusiastically supportive of today being World Oceans Day. The whole goal of today’s watery theme is to offer an "opportunity to honor, help protect and conserve the world’s oceans." We may be stuck at the office today, but we’re celebrating our glorious Pacific Ocean by pulling together some of the most beautiful photos we could find from Long Beach to the Channel Islands.      A photo posted by Eric Peniata (@ericpeniata) on Jan 25, 2016 at 7:09pm PST     A photo posted by martyangles (@martyangles) on Feb 21, 2016 at 3:32pm PST     A photo posted by @z_diamond on Jun 2, 2016 at 5:52pm PDT     A photo posted by Maritza Morales (@mauveandgrey) on Jun 4, 2016 at 6:10pm PDT     A photo posted by Dale Frink (@dalefrink) on Jan 19, 2016 at 9:42am PST     A photo posted by Dale Frink (@dalefrink) on Feb 15, 2016 at 7:53pm PST     A photo posted by Shawn Parkin (@shawnparkin) on Apr 23, 2016 at 8:15am PDT     A photo posted by Eric Peniata (@ericpeniata) on Dec 14, 2015 at 7:24am PST     A photo posted by Yulia Laymina🌊🌊🌊 (@underwater_world_) on Jun 7, 2016 at 1:54am PDT     A photo posted by Antonio Busiello Photography (@antonio_busiello_photography) on Jun 6, 2016 at 4:30pm PDT     A photo

The 11th annual Lightning in a Bottle took place over Memorial Day weekend to a sold out crowd of thousands at the San Antonio Recreation Area. The six-day “transformational festival” was a celebration of music, art, yoga and wellness, which featured heavy hitter acts like Chet Faker and Jamie XX. There were also plenty of opportunities for soul-searching and meditation at the Do LaB-produced festival via the Temple of Consciousness—a space to "activate your body, expand your mind and open your heart." The photos below speak for how amazing this year’s LIB was. For more otherworldly festivities, check out the upcoming Woogie Weekend.     Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen       Photograph: Juliana Bernstein   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Juliana Bernstein Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen Photograph: Aaron Glassman   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Juliana Bernstein Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Aaron Glassman   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen         Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Aaron Glassman           Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Juliana Bernstein   Photograph: Juliana Bernstein   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen   Photograph: Andrew Jorgensen       Photograph: And

A vibrant display of costumes, colors, performers and more took over the Mission District throughout the weekend for the 38th annual Carnaval San Francisco. This yearly free festival is a celebration of Latin American and Caribbean cultures that aims to highlight the power of music, dance and art. The two-day event culminated with the Grand Parade on Sunday morning as thousands of people gathered to revel in the salsa and samba beats that filled the air. Check out all our amazing photos from the event below!  Photographs: Mike Hendrickson