LA County: Let's Get Real

If you’re an American who’s trying to make it big as an artist you look to one of two cities: LA or New York.

Urban Light by Chris Burden (outside Los Angeles County Museum of Art)

That's because these places have a reputation for having top-notch museums, restaurants, bars, theater, film, journalism and music.

The Savory Cocktail at Harvard and Stone

I lived in L.A. for two years and I’ve experienced it first-hand; small plates of tapas beautifully presented, innovative and perfectly flavored, world-renowned artists playing to an audience that sips wine under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl, spirits muddled with local produce and agave, and cafes with coffee beans from all over Africa and Latin America. The aesthetics of every establishment carefully conceptualized and precisely executed.

Small Grocery Store in Little Ethiopia

If you have the resources, it’s easy and tempting to spend your time buzzing between well-curated ambiences. Many Angelenos forget about the pockets of cultures that exist just outside their everyday commutes. There’s Little Ethiopia, the Mexican community in East LA, the Chinese population in San Gabriel, Little India in Long Beach, Thai Town in Hollywood…it goes on and on. It can be daunting to explore these communities initially; especially in areas where English is hardly spoken and Yelp doesn’t get you far. Backpacktress is going to do the work for you by navigating through these neighborhoods and telling you exactly where to go to experience the best of the best.