City of Angels (Los Angeles, CA)

Lynn and I took a five day getaway to Los Angeles all because I wanted an Ohtani bobblehead. Well, that's how it all started... when I bought Dodgers tickets before buying our plane tickets or booking a hotel.  

I've vowed to never come back to LA but I keep coming back. It's mainly due to the horrific traffic but I serendipitously booked a hotel close to the Metro, saving myself from driving in congestion and the headache of hunting for parking spots. 

The Metro is like the best kept secret. I knew it existed but never thought to actually use it. It was never crowded, even during rush hour times.  

Our hotel was in downtown LA, walking distance to Little Tokyo, but also a block away from Skid Row (IYKYK). Just pay no mind to those mentally unstable bums and you should be fine.

Day 1

Deplaning this way was a first for me.

Long Beach airport was nice. Small. Not crowded. It felt more like an outdoor mall than an airport.

Our first good meal in LA, a slice from Pane Bianco.

Getting dinner at Grand Central Market.

Good smash burgers at For The Win.

Excellent tacos at Villa's Tacos.

Day 2

Every morning we worked out at the hotel (citizenM) prior to going out.

And got our coffee.

Crazy bums weren't the only things to watch out for when walking in downtown LA.

Bibimbap in a sizzling stone bowl (Seong Buk Dong).

Don't be deterred by the sketchy strip mall and parking lot.

We later explored a nicer part of town, Larchmont Blvd.

There was a Levain Bakery so naturally I had to get a cookie.

Such pretty flowers (dahlias) at the Larchmont Farmer's Market.

Dodgers game in the evening.

Ohtani bobblehead night (how this whole trip started).

We sat in right field with the opposing team's bullpen next to us (not pictured).

Dodger dog.

Ice cream in a helmet.

Goodbye Dodgers Stadium.

Day 3

We took the Metro for the first time. It was so convenient.

We ate lunch at the famous Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles.

It was quite mediocre.

Visited the Funko store in Hollywood.

It was like a Funko museum.

We walked down the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And saw the Chinese Theatre (another first for me).

And ended up at the Jimmy Kimmel show.

Lynn caught a shirt from Guillermo! 

You can see my fat head and Lynn's striped dress.

Day 4

Hot chicken at Howlin's Ray's.

Baked goods at Wa-Iro.

Ohtani mural in Little Tokyo.

More baked goods at Cafe Dulce.

Ramen at Daikokuya.

I think I went overboard with buying Ohtani stuff.

Day 5

Breakfast at Eggslut.

A long wait at Din Tai Fung.

But it was worth it.

We came back late... landed around 1:45 a.m. At home, in bed around 3 a.m.

List of restaurants/foods (for my sake):

• Pane Bianco - pizza by the slice (slightly crispy crust - so good)
• Honeymee - soft serve ice cream with gooey honey (good)
• Cafe Dulce - not too sweet donuts and roti (pretty good)
• For The Win - smash burgers (really good)
• Villa's Tacos - blue tortilla tacos (really good)
• Seong Buk Dong - Korean food (pretty good)
• Roscoe's - chicken and waffles (mediocre)
• Mixue - cheap ($4) boba drinks (pretty good)
• Howlin' Ray's - hot chicken sandwich (really good)
• Wa-Iro - Japanese baked goods and drinks (pretty good)
• Daikokuya - ramen (decent)
• Eggslut - egg sandwiches (really good)
• Din Tai Fung - dumplings (really good)