Kate Wertheimer

Oddly enough, one of the very best things about living in L.A. is how quickly you can embark on a road trip (or even a day trip) and get out of L.A. for a much-needed respite. And when it comes to the top places to go camping near Los Angeles, locals are in luck. From spending a night on sandy beach to stargazing in some of the best national parks in the U.S., there are a ton of great options that are within driving distance—and will make you totally forget about the city. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Los Angeles This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Sure, you’re probably heading to Santa Barbara for its glorious sandy beaches, and all the good things that come with it. Surfing, sunbathing, that sort of thing. But once you’re done with the miles and miles of breathtaking coastline, there’s a whole lot more of Santa Barbara to be explored – and it’s a lot more than just sandy beaches.  Santa Barbara is actually home to a whole host of great restaurants, museums and attractions, and it’s pretty easy on the eye too – most of its historic landmarks are just begging to be photographed and stuck on an Instagram story. So whether you’re there for its annual film fest or its wine festival, you’ll never be stuck for things to do in this city. Read on for the best things to do in Santa Barbara right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍴 The best restaurants in Santa Barbara🏨 The best hotels in Santa Barbara🛏 The best Airbnbs in Santa Barbara

Feeling the need for a break from the norm? Up for some adventurous glamping? Okay, okay, we’re in California – the ‘elements’ here are just sunshine and heat. But who says you can't shake things up a bit?  Step out of the mundane hotel scene and into an Instagram-worthy, wood-paneled treehouse courtesy of Airbnb. Seriously, it's time to indulge your inner child and rediscover nature's charm. Maybe even throw some mud on your cheeks and swing from a tire – it's good for the soul. Sure, the beach has its charm, with warm sand and the soothing sound of waves. But how about a lungful of fresh forest air? If your dream is to live among the trees, our list of top Airbnb treehouses (a road trip away from L.A.) will make your pals green with envy. Get ready for an adventure worth boasting about- happy exploring! RECOMMENDED:🇺🇸 The most unique Airbnbs in the U.S.🏠 Check out the best Airbnbs in L.A.🪵 Take a look at the coziest Airbnb cabins in the U.S.🌲 Discover the best secluded Airbnbs in the U.S. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

  If you’re anything like us, most often when you’re dancing, you’re also drinking. So hey, it’s no surprise that a large number of tunes out there are about doing just that – booze! And we’ve rounded up the best of the boozy best, right here, from Rihanna to Chumbawumba (you know the one we mean). So fill up that cup and wack on this playlist: it’s time to dance. Here are the best songs about drinking to wet the whistle.  RECOMMENDED:🎉 The best party songs🎤 The best karaoke songs🕺 The best pop songs of all time😃 The best happy songs🍆 The best sexy songs Written by Michael Chen, Brent DiCrescenzo, Sophie Harris, Oliver Keens, Andy Kryza, Hank Shteamer, Kate Wertheimer, Zach Long, Matthew Singer, Leonie Cooper and Camille Bavera. 

There’s nothing better than a well-stocked, friendly-staffed bookstore. Los Angeles has lots of great independent retailers offering art books, travel guides, political tomes and children’s tales; some even have coffee shops inside. Check out these top bookstores in Los Angeles for the best bargains, out-of-print titles, author readings and community events; they’re a great place to find gift ideas, escape a sweltering (or rainy) day or pick out your next favorite novel.

As a wise man once said, ‘She’s a runner, she’s a track star.’ But are you? If the answer is a resounding yes, you’re in luck: we’ve found the very best running songs to keep you going mile after mile in the gym or on the hiking trail. These tracks are ideal for running, whether it’s for cardio or simply fleeing your responsibilities. Regardless of what’s driving you to pound the pavement, a propulsive playlist is a must. From thumping hip-hop beats to high-energy guitar jams (and even a little tough love from Britney), we got it all. So lace up your shoes, crank up the volume, and let these tunes be the soundtrack to your next run. Written by Sara Fay, Kate Wertheimer, Andy Kryza, Andrew Frisciano, Brent DiCrescenzo and Sophie Harris. Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED: 📻 The best '80s songs🎧 The best disney songs💸 The best songs about money❤️‍🔥 The best R&B love songs📼 The best ’90s songs

Whether your skin is permanently pruned by seawater or the only ocean you’ve ever seen is on a screensaver, surfing holds an undeniable allure. You might not feel a desire to get on a board yourself, but there is something hypnotic about watching human beings commune with the rhythms of the sea.  It makes sense, then, that filmmakers have also long been enthralled by the sport as well. From documentaries to biopics to action movies, surfing has been featured numerous times on screen since it evolved from pastime to phenomenon. Here are 15 of the best ways to hang ten vicariously. Recommended: 💣 The 101 best action movies of all-time📹 The 65 best documentaries of all-time 😎 The 40 best cult movies of all-time  

One of our favorite things about L.A. is that you can leave its urban sprawl at a moment’s notice and suddenly find yourself surrounded by nature just a few miles out of town. Whether you’re interested in a whole weekend getaway (hello, Vegas or Big Sur) or need a nearby day trip to get some fresh air (maybe Joshua Tree?), this list has a destination for every kind of traveler. We’ve included some suggestions of things to see and do at each locale, but for some of the bigger destinations—like nearby desert and Bay Area cities—we’ve focused more on the journey, with links out to full guides to each spot for once you’ve wrapped up the road part of your trip. So hop in the car, crank up the tunes and take your pick of scenery: Forest, beach, desert and mountain landscapes all make up these gorgeous road trips from L.A. Happy travels!  RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Los Angeles This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

The world may change, but being a teenager is always hard. It’s the most confusing time in anyone’s life, and that’s as true in 2024 as it was in 1904. It’s no wonder, then, that filmmakers continue mining their high school years for inspiration. While the so-called ‘teen movie’ is largely associated with the 1980s, and the work of John Hughes in particular, movies have been exploring the emotional turbulence of adolescence since at least the 1950s, and every subsequent generation has a crop of films that speak directly to what it’s like growing up at that particular moment.  But while the experience of teenagedom might be universal, the way the movies reflect that experience vary greatly. On this list of the best teen movies of all time, you’ll find raunchy comedies and big-hearted love stories, serious dramas and even some tales of horror – because after all, what’s more horrifying than high school? And while the cultural details may differ through each decade, the feelings – and raging hormones – remain the same. Recommended:  🤣 The 100 best comedy movies👾 The 50 best ’80s movies💿 The 50 best ’90s movies

It’s no secret that Californians have been flocking to the spiritual town of Ojai for many years. Nestled in the Ventura County valleys, among the Topatopa Mountains, this place has a tranquil vibe that can’t be matched anywhere else. You’ll only need to drive a couple of hours out of Los Angeles before finding the slow-paced, relaxing getaway. While in town, they enjoy top-notch restaurants and find plenty of chill things to do. Many hotels offer free bike rentals to get around town, and some will even give guests vouchers for drinks in town. Trying to find the best hotels in Ojai can be a tricky task. But there are several options, all differing in style. Whether you’re looking to be close to the action of downtown, are seeking hilltop views, or just want a pool to splash around in, these Ojai hotels encompass the town’s unique hospitality scene. Check out our picks in this article.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ Check out the best restaurants in Ojai⛰️ Discover things to do in Ojai  Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

There are a few things to know right off the bat about Joshua Tree hotels—there aren't many luxury options. If you're looking for a swanky stay, you may have to make the schlep from Palm Springs or Desert Hot Springs. Most folks staying here are either camping in Joshua Tree National Park or at least spending most of their time there, so proximity to the area's trails and other outdoor activities is priority number one.  Spring and fall are typically the best times of year to visit, since average temperatures during the summer hover around 100 degrees. The park is open year-round, attracting many during spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. But don't worry, there are always plenty of opportunities to snap photos of the namesake trees.  In Joshua Tree, you can expect gorgeous scenery, hiking, camping and an eclectic arts scene—so you won't want for things to do either. You don't need to stay at a sub-par chain motel either, the local area has a handful of eclectic lodging options with way more charm than your average Best Western. We should know, we've rounded up the spots that are most unique, affordable, fun and close to the park. RECOMMENDED: The most beautiful National Parks in California Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate l

There’s never a bad time—well, heavy snow, rain and fire seasons aside—to take advantage of this country’s incredible National Park system. We’re lucky to live in a nation that protects and preserves 63 separate parks (nine of which are in California, the most in any state) totaling more than 52 million acres of land. We highly suggest making the trip to as many of these parks as possible, but here we’ve specifically chosen to highlight those within a day’s drive (eight hours or less) from Los Angeles—some are perfect for a day trip; others are better reserved for a road trip or weekend of camping. So get out there and enjoy (just make sure to check the road and weather conditions at each park first, especially the mountainous ones during cold, wet winters and the desert ones during punishingly hot summers). Psst: Look out for free entrance days at all of these parks in 2024, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan 15), the first day of National Park Week (Apr 20), Juneteenth (June 19), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (Aug 4), National Public Lands Day (Sept 28) and Veterans Day (Nov 11).

2 hours 30 minutes from L.A. Now owned by the same company as Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, this resort tucked into San Bernadino National Forest (and operating under a special permit from the United States Forest Service), is the oldest continually operating ski resort in Southern California. Back in the 1920s, the site was developed as a lumber mill and roadside resort; by the 1930s, slopes were developed for tobogganing and skiing. Snow Valley featured one of the first overhead cable ski lifts, and today the mountain boasts 240 acres of skiiable terrain, 12 lifts and three terrain parks. If you can only make it up for a half day or evening session, consider a night session ticket ($59), which gives you access to the front side of the mountain, including the Edge terrain park. Lift tickets $79–$105 For Snow Valley, Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, you can purchase a Big Bear Mountain Resort ticket ($99–$169) that gives you same-day access to all three mountains.

8 hrs 30 min from L.A.Palisades Tahoe, formerly Squaw Valley Ski Resort, on the northern side of Lake Tahoe, is one of the largest ski areas in the country. It’s comprised of two mountains: Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows. The mountains are a 10-minute drive from each other, but Palisades provides free shuttles between the two all day, and a lift ticket will work at both. The resorts offer 6,000 skiable acres across the two mountains, 34 lifts and dozens of trails, and attract approximately 600,000 skiers a year. Palisades isn’t far from the infamous Donner Pass, so it gets a heavy dump of snowfall almost every year, often exceeding 400 inches per winter. If carving through all that fresh powder isn’t enticing, take the scenic aerial tramway up 2,000 feet to High Camp, at an elevation of 8,200 feet, where visitors can drink, dine, shop and even ice skate.Lift tickets $118–$229

6 hours from L.A. This 11,000-foot mountain has something for everyone, with plenty of bunny hill runs as well as some of the best tree skiing in the Sierras. Advanced skiers will have a few chairs all to themselves that lead exclusively to blacks and double blacks. For a pleasant ride whether or not you're skiing to the bottom, take the Gondola all the way to the summit—you can find an intermediate route back down, or stay on the Gondola all the way back to the base, which boasts apres-ski treats like a Ben & Jerry's and kitschy tiki bar Lakanuki. Mammoth is the place to be for spring skiing, with t-shirt weather extending even into the summer months, especially after a winter with heavy snowfall. If you're staying nearby, check Mammoth's free shuttle system, which can transport most snow bunnies to the base in about 15 minutes. Lift tickets $109–$209

3 hours 30 minutes from L.A. The perfect tiny ski hill for a day on the slopes during a trip to the sequoias, Alta Sierra has two chair lifts, an adorable warming hut and snack bar, and complete equipment rentals. There's not much to ski here, but a day (or half-day) on fresh powder above Lake Isabella is a great snow-sport detour—and did we mention there's a terrain park?  Lift tickets $50–$65

2 hours 30 minutes from L.A. Hikers and skiiers began using the area currently known as Mountain High back in the 1920s, with extra attention being paid in 1929 when construction began on the world's largest ski jump at the time in an attempt to attract a bid for the 1932 Winter Olypics. Mountain High is one of the oldest ski resorts in the country; during its first year of operation in 1937, skiiers were hauled up the mountain with a rope tow and in 1960, the cost of a lift ticket as $1.50 a day. Today, the resort is split into three different areas along the 2, with lift tickets valid at each area and shuttles running among them. The North Resort functions as a ski school, tubing and snow play area for beginners; the East Resort has longer runs and more open terrain for alpine snowsports; and the the West Resort (the most popular of the three) is for more advanced skiiers, with much of its terrain dedicated to the Faultline Terrain Park, plus tree trails. The longest run at Mountain High, Goldrush, is 1.6 miles and the longest run in Southern California.  Lift tickets $59–$119

3 hours from L.A. Bear Mountain was purchased by neighboring mountain Snow Summit, back in 2002; some say this was a calculated move to entice snowboarders to Bear Mountain, leaving Snow Summit to the skiiers (though one lift ticket grants entry to both mountains). In fact, Bear Mountain has been nicknamed “the Park” for its irregular terrain, and established one of the first freestyle parks way back in the early ’90s. The mountain offers an additional 24 tradition runs, mostly comprised of intermediate blues and blacks (only 15% of the mountain is green). Bear Mountain boasts three main peaks, including Bear Peak, Southern California’s highest peak served by a lift, at just over 8,800 feet. Lift tickets $89–$149

Mark your calendars for the fifth annual installment of this Santa Monica Pier–set oceanside fest. The event showcases some of the the city’s best restaurants and seafood dishes, from shrimp and sushi to oysters and mussels, plus cocktails, live music, games and chef demos.

This eponymously-named bar is known for its impressive, expansive backyard, home to a croquet court, ping pong tables and an area for live music. Bar's whisky list takes up most of the menu, but there's also a well-rounded selection of local, domestic and foreign brews, and eighteen (yep, count 'em) cocktail offerings. If you're peckish, there's comfort food aplenty here including mozzarella sticks, meatball subs and customizable pizzas.    

Show up early, because this beloved Vietnamese-American spot takes no reservations and almost always draws a crowd. It's worth the wait, though, with snacky small plates like crispy wood ear mushroom spring rolls and shareables such as lemongrass pork and shrimp rice noodles always rotating, keeping things fresher than the mango-stuffed rice paper rolls. Cool down in the desert heat with Vietnamese iced coffee, watermelon crush cocktails and sparkling wines.  

This waterfront fest, which has been slinging fresh seafood for more than 20 years, offers Maine lobster dinners with plenty of surf and turf add-ons. Enjoy a surprisingly strong selection of craft beers, including Golden Road and Kona Brewing Co., plus live music, face painting and balloon art for the kids and stand-up paddleboard lessons all weekend long (look for paddlers in lobster suits). Purchase an admission, then add on à-la-carte-item tickets or entire prix fixe lobster meals. Friday 6-11pm; Saturday noon-11pm; Sunday noon-8pm

Stuff your face for a good cause at this benefit for Leadership Tomorrow and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, located at 101 North Bayside Drive in Newport Beach. General-admission tickets include a heaping meal of one whole Maine lobster, plus grilled steak, salad, potatoes, corn on the cob, buttered rolls and dessert. Splurge on VIP admission for all-you-can-eat lobster in a fancy, white-tablecloth setting near the stage, where a live band plays all day. 

Transport yourself to New Orleans at this Louisiana-style crawfish boil. Guests can sample traditional fare such as crawdads, frog legs, catfish, gumbo, jambalaya, bread pudding and—of course—chicory coffee and beignets, all while a second-line parade dances by. Zydeco music plays throughout the weekend, and there’s a children’s stage with live comedy, magic and balloon twisting for little ones, plus a variety of themed bayou bars (one even has karaoke) for festvialgoers of age. 

If you’re hoping to trade palm fronds for pine needles this fall, set a course for the quaint nearby town of Idyllwild, nestled in the San Jacinto Mountains just a two-hour drive from L.A. Though the route out of the city doesn’t boast many worthwhile stops, once you exit the freeway and wind up into the mountains you’ll be busy taking in sweeping views of the valley below and breathing in the scent of fresh pine and sweet cedar. When you pass Lake Fulmor—a great spot for picnics, rainbow-trout fishing and bird-watching— you’ll hit the tiny, unincorporated community of Pine Cove, where you can stop for gas and admire old A-frame cabins. John Verive" data-width-class="" /> Photograph: Courtesy CC/Flickr/John Verive   As you pull into Idyllwild, veer right to head into Idyllwild Park for hiking, bouldering and picturesque campgrounds. Look for the “record collector” sign on one of the log cabins just outside the park (located at 54225 Pine Crest Ave); this entire house is filled floor to ceiling with an amazing selection of vinyl for sale, and the soft-spoken proprietor is always spinning something special. If hiking (or record hunting) works up your appetite, check out the Red Kettle, an adorable diner boasting homemade biscuits and a killer chicken-fried steak. For something sweet, seek out El Buen Cacao, a chocolatier tucked into an alley off the town’s main drag that serves a rich cup of drinking chocolate perfect for a chilly fall day. Photograph: Courtesy the Red Kettle

There’s no L.A. chef more passionate about pasta than Evan Funke, formerly of Rustic Canyon and the now-shuttered Bucato. At Felix, Abbot Kinney’s new trattoria, Funke makes pasta by hand—188 distinct shapes!—in a glass-walled, temperature-controlled room for all his guests to see. We caught up with the pasta purveyor about a few of his local favorites.   Go-to meal “I’ve studied cacio e pepe for 10 years and it never gets old. I think my iteration stands alone in L.A.”   Cooking close to the ground “Felix is 95 percent farmers’ market–driven. I shop at the Santa Monica and Hollywood farmers’ markets. We work with 17 different farmers, each with a specific microclimate that makes their produce different.”   Downtime dinners “I haven’t taken a day off yet! I love eating at Jon [Shook] and Vinny [Dotolo]’s places; they just do exceptional work.”   Good company “It’s been a dream of mine to cook on this street for 10 years. The high concentration of tastemakers we’re surrounded by—Tasting Kitchen, Gjelina—and their longevity—it’s great company to be in.”   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

This summer marks the 15th year and 16th season of Cinespia, L.A.’s beloved outdoor movie-screening series in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. We caught up with founders John Wyatt and Alia Penner to chat about the series’ teen years. How has Cinespia grown since its inception in the early 2000s? John Wyatt: When I started, I wore a lot of hats; some nights it was virtually a team of one person. Now we have almost 100 employees all working like clockwork to make our events the best. That growth has been so satisfying. How have things stayed the same? JW: What has stayed the same is the great audience, all the fans of cinema who have been coming to the cemetery in droves for years. The magic energy that we had in the early days is still around; it comes from a community of people enjoying what they love best, together. Would you ever consider taking Cinespia on the road? JW: I’ve gotten many offers, but L.A. is our home. I was born and raised here, and my goal is to make this city a better place. This is where movies were born! Photograph: Rozette Rago   What have the growing pains been in Cinespia’s teen years? Alia Penner: It’s important to us to remind people that movies don’t have the same magic when you’re streaming them on your computer. They come alive when you watch them with thousands of people. We try to inspire our audiences to dress up, bring a delicious picnic and celebrate with friends—to experience a night to remember. Cinespia’s photo booths are such a big part o

Swiping singles, take note: some things just don't fly, even in the anonymous world of internet and app dating. Avoid these profile pitfalls (and these, too) for a better chance at finding love! The gym rat: Your gym is your second home? Perfect. Does it also offer a candlelit dinner for two? We'll be right there. The headshot profile pic: Are you looking for a date or representation? And no, we're not interested in watching your reel. The good vibes guy: Positive vibes only? Guess we won't make the cut. With a mantra that basic, you'll have better luck at the Paul Smith wall. The angel-wing mural portrait: This does not make you look like an ethereal beauty. This makes you look like a thousand other dorks with the same photo. The frat star: Sure, keg stands and backward caps got you and your housemates a lot of attention in college, but it's time to grow up and retire those Greek letters, bro. The so-called self-employed visionary: Save your story about the "production company" you run; we'll reserve the fiction for our summer reads, not the dating scene. What turns you off? Tweet us @timeoutla #swipeleft. Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Looking to make a big splash at a pool party this summer? Sure, you need to the right swim suit, but we're thinking about something a bit flashier—and airier. Rule the pool with these unique inflatables.   Balloon animal float $30 at Target locations throughout the city and target.com   Banana luxe lie-on float $60 at sunnylife.com  Leaf float $60 at Urban Outfitters locations throughout the city and urbanoutfitters.com   Lips float $79 at funboy.com   Moby Dick luxe float $105 at sunnylife.com   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Earlier this year, the folks at LACMA hatched an plan to bring art, cultural programming and instructional workshops to South L.A.—and this week, that plan is one step closer to fruition. According to Curbed, the recreation and parks department's Board of Commissioners voted today to move forward with the museum's plan to lease a vacant building at the South L.A. Wetlands Park. The building, formerly an industrial and storage site, has sat vacant for years; in 2008, an environmental impact report for the park stated that the building could potentially be rehabbed, but the necessary hazardous material removal and earthquake retrofitting were too expensive for the recreation and parks department.  Enter LACMA. The museum approached the department earlier this year about potentially retrofitting the 84,000-square foot building and signing a 35-year lease. If approved, the museum would offer art and culture-related and instructional public programs, operate a restaurant or café and retail space, and potentially use some space to store parts of its permanent art collection.  Representatives from the museum also want to ask community members exactly what they want to see happen at the park. At Wednesday's meeting, no one spoke out against the project, and both community members and the commissioners voiced excitement about what's to come. We're psyched too, so we'll keep you posted as more developments arise.  In the meantime, check out a few other essential L.A. museums to visit t

Hold on to your hats, Bayside, a Saved By The Bell pop-up shop parody bar/diner is coming to Los Angeles, after a wildly-successful extended run in Chicago.  The pop-up, aptly named "Saved by the Max," will feature a replica of Zack, Kelly, AC, Screech, Lisa and Jesse's favorite after-school hangout, complete with Bayside-inspired food and cocktails, including AC Sliders, Preppy BLT, Macaroni & Screech and a Kelly Kapowski monte cristo. If the L.A. pop-up is anything like the Chicago version, we can expect full dinner service nightly along with select brunch services, and a variety of special ticketed events (think costume contents, karaoke, trivia and dance parties) including special guest appearances by folks like Dennis Haskins (Principal Belding), Ed Alonzo (Max himself) and even Mario Lopez (A.C. Slater, duh).  The exact location, opening date and details on ticket sales have yet to be announced, but we'll keep you posted as we hear more, and in the meantime you can check out @savedbythemax to stay up to date. In the famous words of Jesse Spano, we're so excited, so excited!   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Cinespia is determined to make this summer—its sixteenth season—one to remember, with a July lineup full of nostalgic, classic favorites celebrating milestone anniversaries. The first two screenings of July (complete with fireworks) have already been announced, but we've got the rest of the month's lineup here, and it's a doozy.  Saturday July 1: Dirty Dancing + fireworks   Tuesday July 4: Jurassic Park + fireworks   Saturday July 8: A League of Their Own, 25th anniversary   Saturday, July 15: The Fifth Element, 20th anniversary, with a special guest appearance by director Luc Besson who'll share a sneak peek at footage from his upcoming film, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets   Saturday, July 22: Stand By Me   Saturday, July 29: Superbad, 10th anniversary   Snag tickets ($16) while you can, pack a picnic and we'll see you on the lawn!   Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

Havaianas, makers of those ubiquitous, brightly-colored rubber flip flops, is bringing a curious pop-up concept to L.A. this summer: a shop, made of ice, that will stay open until it literally melts away. On Saturday, June 3 a "store" constructed entirely of ice will be unveiled on the Santa Monica Pier. Guests can cool down inside the shop while sculptors shave the melting walls into icy snow cone treats topped with flavored syrups, and the first 100 people to arrive will receive a free pair of flip flops along with their frosty dessert. A post shared by Havaianas USA (@havaianasusa) on May 19, 2017 at 10:26am PDT   The "store" will continue to serve shave ice and provide a respite from the heat until it drips away into nothing. You won't be able to actually buy anything inside; if your goal is to snag a pair of free sandals, make sure to show up early for those first 100, though they'll have extras on hand for sizing purposes. The posted hours are noon to 6pm, but we've been warned that the shop might not last that long, depending on how hot the day gets. And don't worry about watery drips; apparently there will be "an ice expert on hand to manage melting." Cool? We'll see!  Want more? Sign up here to stay in the know.

What's better than a Taco Tuesday? A Taco Thursday, of course! Join us on Thursday, June 1 at Candela Taco Bar & Lounge in Mid-City for Time Out L.A.'s first-ever taco tasting. You'll get eight different taco tastings, plus some elote and a paleta. Wash it all down with two complimentary crafted cocktails from Cocktail Academy and Hornitos Tequila (and a cash bar if you're still thirsty) while listening to a live DJ set, with a Time Out giveaway and photo ops all night long. So what exactly will we be feasting on at this fiesta? Let's taco 'bout it. Chorizo taco with chorizo, cheese and avocado from Tlayuda L.A.   Pomegranate-glazed pork belly with aji amarillo fresh corn polenta on an organic, non-GMO corn tortilla from Little Llama Peruvian Tacos   Governador taco with garlic shrimp and cheese on a corn tortilla from Candela Taco Bar & Lounge   Cochinita pibil taco with citrus-juice pulled pork marinated in annatto, wrapped and baked in banana leaves and served with pickled onions and homemade habanero sauce or Chirmole chicken taco from La Flor De Yucatan   Chicken carnitas soft taco with crispy onions, cotija cheese and chile lime salt; and Echo Park corn on the cob with cojita cheese, mayonnaise and chile lime salt from Mas Malo   Veggie taco with cauliflower chorizo, queso panela, marinated mushrooms, avocado sauce, chile toreado and cilantro from Chicas Tacos   Smoked BBQ pork tacos served with house pickles and slaw; Tibetan curry chicken taco with saag paneer;

Hey savvy shoppers! Los Angeles is full of incredible deals, if you know where to find them. We're here to help with a weekly list of all the best sample sales across the city. This is the info you've been searching for—who has the best deals of the week, when and where to nab them, exactly what you'll find at each sale and whether you need to bring cash or plastic. So check in each week to stay on trend and in the black—your wardrobe and wallet will thank you.    Who: Myrtle With options including Charlotte Stone sandals, Pale swimwear and Father’s Daughter denim—among many other indie brand/woman-designed goods that local fashion girls covet—there’s a lot of summer-ready pieces up for grabs during the Echo Park boutique’s Memorial Day sale. Stop in during store hours (note: Myrtle will be closed on Monday) or shop online with the code MEMDAY17 for 25 percent off all stock. Where: 2213 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 or online When: Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29   Who: Jenni Kayne Fans of Kayne’s modern casual clothing, shoes, and even housewares will be happy to learn that the lifestyle brand will be having a two-day sample sale this Thursday and Friday. Taking place on the mezzanine level of DTLA’s Cooper Design Space, the sale should have a great assortment of chic goods for a fraction of the retail price. Where: 860 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 When: Thursday, May 25 and Friday, May 26 from 9am to 7:30pm   Who: Rag & Bone Stylish men and women k

Chef Zach Pollack of Silver Lake staple Alimento is finally pulling back the drapes on his long-awaited Echo Park newcomer, Cosa Buona. The casual Italian eatery is slated to open its doors Thursday, May 25, in the corner space on Sunset and Alvarado where Pizza Buona once operated. In this new space, the James Beard-nominated chef will roll out classic Italian-American cuisine, focusing on antipasti, salads and pizzas for dining in or takeout and delivery. Beginning on June 1, a selection of both classic and modern, playful interpretations of Italian sandwiches will also be on offer during lunch hours.  Cosa Buona is meant to be a hearty, no-frills joint. "I wanted to open the kind of restaurant that people go to or take out from because the food is very good and very satisfying, not because it's revolutionary cooking or a scene," says Pollack. "You'll come here because you're craving great pizza, Caesar salad, eggplant parm, meatballs. The objective is to create the best version of these dishes, not to redefine Italian food." To that end, expect the ambiance to pay homage to traditional, red-check-tableclothed Italian pizza joints, and expect the food to do the same. Menu highlights include soft-boiled eggs tonnato, smoky mozzarella sticks with marinara, peel 'n' eat shrimp scampi, baby octopus arrabbiata, white clam pizza and calzones. To wash it all down, choose from the well-curated selection of natural wines, primarily from Italy and France, with three on draft, includi