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Secret LA Is Celebrating 1 Million Followers With These Local Businesses
Cue the confetti and pop the champagne! Secret Los Angeles just reached a major milestone: 1 million followers on Instagram! From sharing our Secret LA-approved spots to highlighting our favorite organizations making a difference in our city — we have come a long way and we have YOU to thank. To show off our gratitude and say “thank you, LA” for your endless support — we’re throwing a celebration with our beloved local businesses that make this city shine bright. Join us as we honor those who have filled our lives with incredible memories, yummy drinks/food, and unforgettable experiences. We’ve teamed up with Cafe Sheera, Sweet Red Peach, and POT Studio by offering exclusive items and deals. Cheers to the magic of L.A. and the passionate businesses like them that keep it thriving! Note: All of the below are redeemable from now until January 5, 2024.
Today Only: The Hope Foundation Is Spreading Love Throughout Los Angeles With Free Gas & Groceries
It’s the season of giving and Hope Foundation is spreading love, one tank and grocery bag at a time! Today, the local L.A. foundation is painting our city with kindness as they generously offer FREE gas, groceries, shoe drop-offs, and more on Thursday, December 28, 2023 only. This is being coined as the The Major. Day of Hope — which promises to uplift the community through random acts of kindness like — “Drops of Hope,” free grocery and gas purchases, free socks and shoes, and even opportunities for volunteers to partake in community cleanup. MAJOR.HOPE INC. is a social action initiative founded by GRAMMY nominated artist, actor, and humanitarian – MAJOR. Commonly referred to as the “hope dealer,” MAJOR. has established MAJOR.HOPE INC. (501c3) as a foundational vehicle to creatively amplify hope in a world triggered by perpetual trial and tragedy. MAJOR. endeavors to fulfill this charge through entertainment, civic engagement, community development, youth enrichment, philanthropy, and many more fun, unique, creative means. Learn more here!
The World’s First Fully Autonomous, Robot-Run Restaurant Is Opening In Pasadena
For better or worse, the presence of artificial intelligence is ramping up in more and more industries, and the restaurant world is no exception. A new burger shop in Pasadena is currently turning the heads of local foodies, AI buffs and naysayers, restaurant owners, and the like. This is CaliExpress by Flippy™, and it purports to be the world’s first fully-autonomous, AI-powered restaurant. CaliExpress’s simple menu consists of a hamburger, cheeseburger, lettuce wrap, fries, and beverages. Customers will start at a self-ordering kiosk to order and pay, and then watch the robot team take care of every step. This includes freshly grinding the wagyu beef blend, stacking the burger itself, and cooking the crispy french fries with meticulous precision. It’s all done with AI-powered, fully-automated grill and fry stations. A post shared by Miso Robotics (@miso.robotics) The enterprise is a collaboration between holding company Cali Group, robotics company Miso Robotics, and biometric tech company PopID.
Fall Head Over Heels In Love With A Candlelight Valentine’s Day Concert In LA
Valentine’s Day, the annual celebration where the pressure to be romantic is higher than the stars. The day’s become the Super Bowl for relationships, where scoring the perfect gift feels like winning the championship game. You’ve got people running around like headless chickens trying to find the last bouquet of flowers or the elusive box of chocolates. Buttt, amidst the chaos and the quest for the ultimate romantic gesture there’s something undeniably endearing about a day dedicated to reminding those we care about that they’re as lovely as ever. Luckily, the Candlelight Valentine’s Day special has thought of the perfect...
5 Reasons You Should Experience The Luminous Van Gogh Exhibit On Montebello Blvd
Los Angeles has now been home to the vibrant Van Gogh Experience for a few months, and in the time it’s been here, the artistic journey has completely charmed Angelenos. After gathering incredible success around the globe, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience has made Montebello Blvd its home for a while, presenting Van Gogh’s works in a truly mesmerizing spectacle featuring 360 degree projections. The exhibit brings interactive activities, themed rooms, and tons of other surprises at the heart of 1345 N. Montebello Boulevard — and you don’t want to miss out. Read on for our top reasons you should visit Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. 🧑🎨 Secure your spot for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in Los Angeles! Vincent Van Gogh has created some of the world’s most beloved pieces of art. Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience brings new life to the artist’s gifted work, highlighting every brushstroke and detail during an immersive projection segment. State-of-the-art technology recreates iconic paintings like Sunflowers, Starry Night, Almond Blossom, and Tree Roots.
4 L.A. Restaurants Named Among Best New Restaurants In America For 2023
The culinary scene in Los Angeles regularly makes headlines, even on a national level — just this year, it’s landed a top spot on a list of the country’s best breakfast destinations and Michelin’s most-anticipated restaurant openings for 2024. Recently, Esquire released a list of the best new restaurants in America for 2023, and it included four outstanding L.A. eateries that opened just this year. Esquire’s list was compiled by Kevin Sintumuang, Jeff Gordinier, Joshua David Stein And Omar Mamoon. The group traveled the nation throughout 2023, trying over 200 new restaurants from coast to coast. The final list of 50 includes Los Angeles standouts like the homey and modern Dunsmoor, serving American heritage cuisine; and Poltergeist, an eccentric fusion restaurant bringing a new dining experience to L.A. Read on for more about each of the L.A. restaurant inclusions, in no particular order. A post shared by Dunsmoor (@dunsmoor.la)
15 Things That Are The Los Angeles Equivalent Of Getting Coal For Christmas According To Locals
Some of us grew up with the tradition of Santa Claus or Saint Nick paying us a visit on Christmas Eve night. Whatever you may have called the jolly old man, chances are you were also warned about his Naughty or Nice list. The old saying goes that those who were good year-round would be spoiled with gifts — while those who were bad would receive coal for Christmas. Now, whether or not you agree with this tradition, waking up with coal in your stocking sounds disappointing and downright awful. But this made us get to thinking… what’s the Los Angeles equivalent of receiving coal for Christmas? We asked our audience of Los Angeles locals, and they answered. (Along with some of our own.) Reality is, sh*t happens when living in the big city, so whether you were naughty or nice this year — here are LA’s versions of coal in your stocking!
The Last Full Moon Of 2023 Will Illuminate Los Angeles Skies Before The New Year
December is a time full of festivities, from Christmas lights to New Year’s Eve — and it seems the moon is celebrating with us this month by spoiling us with a full moon starting on Christmas Day and thereafter. As mentioned, you’ll catch a glimpse of the stunning moon on Christmas Day, but peak illumination of the cold full moon will take place on December 26, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. PST — and will shine brightly until about December 29, 2023. What a perfect symbolic way to say goodbye to 2023! You can calculate the exact moonrise time based on your location here. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac — for years, Natives often have used the moons to track the seasons. The Cold Moon comes in December, during a time of frigid temperatures. The almanac also states that different tribes/cultures have different nicknames for December’s moon which include:
5 Reasons To Experience The Santa’s Secret Holiday Show
Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience is about to close soon, and it’s cranking up the heat. In the short time the experience has been in the city, it’s totally captured the hearts of Angelenos with some calling it elegant and sexy. One of the reasons for its success has been the 8 themed installations that lead to a decked out speakeasy room with 2 bars. Add to that unique displays, Christmas cocktails, and a live band… There are plenty of reasons why you don’t want to miss out on the spicy adventure before it leaves L.A! Read on for our...
Minecraft Reimagined The Two Iconic Santa Monica Houses In Their World
Minecraft, the beloved adventure sandbox game, posted a picture of the two iconic Santa Monica homes in pixel form on their Instagram — and we are here for it. Talk about pixel-perfect precision! It’s no secret that these two homes are quite the sensation — both online and offline — from being memed to infinity since 2016 to people even dressing up as the Santa Monica Houses for Halloween. The dynamic duo are found along the Pacific Coast Highway, and one stands black/grey and the other pink/purple. The total difference in vibes and colors between them is pretty comical, so all the jokes are valid. This actually isn’t the first time the two houses have been transformed into a game though. They’re featured in Grand Theft Auto V as well. Hey, that reminds us… we got the Santa Monica homes in Minecraft before GTA VI! All jokes aside, we just love the Los Angeles shout-out from the popular game. It makes us wonder what the rest of Los Angeles would look like in Minecraft.
Predictions Show Potential Northern Light Activity Peaking In 2024 For California
The aurora borealis, more commonly referred to as the northern lights, are so iconic they draw people from around the world to northern parts of the globe to catch a glimpse of the glowing phenomenon. Typically, the glowing lights are rarely visible in California, but 2024 predictions show that there could be increased solar activity, meaning as the auroras become more intense, the reach of their visibility could move farther south. The northern lights are measured by the Kp-index ranging from 0 to 9, with 0 representing a dim, far north aurora that is not very active. In early December, there were predictions that people in northern California might see a faint glow of the lights on the horizon, according to astronomer Travis Rector, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. It was recorded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that the Northern Lights may have been visible as far south as Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Oregon on December 1.
California Public Holiday Calendar 2024: How To Maximize Your Days Off In L.A.
It’s easy to get lost in the spirit of L.A.’s holiday season, but as we blaze through Christmas and NYE celebrations, many of us are starting to stare down 2024. Now’s a great time to look ahead at the next batch of federal and state holidays observed in California. Whether you need to reserve flights for upcoming travel, or simply want to enjoy an extravagant at-home celebration, it’s worth planning your days off around the existing public holiday calendar so as to maximize your time. Paid time off and holiday observations vary between workplaces and states. The United States observes 11 federal holidays, which, thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1968, have granted us a decent amount of three day weekends. We’ve outlined each one of them below (plus California’s César Chávez Day), along with some ideas for how to maximize your off days or PTO. Be sure to check your workplace’s observed holidays before putting in requests. New Year’s Day falls on a Monday this year, meaning we have a three day weekend to kick off 2024.
This L.A. Taqueria Serves The Best Tamales In California, According To Yelp
Yelp recently released a list of the best tamale in every single state, and lucky for us, we have tamale royalty right here in Los Angeles at Mi Ranchito Veracruz. The NoHo taqueria’s tamales were ranked as the best tamales in California and we can’t wait to dig into a plate of this beloved holiday specialty. Tamales are a must around Christmas time for many Latin American families in an out of the United States, and the tamalada, or tamale making party, is an annual tradition. The dish is made with a corn-based dough called masa, which is then packed...
This Hidden Rustic Cabin Serves Some Of The Best Fire-Roasted Pizza Near L.A.
Craving a taste of nature? Look no further than this rustic pizza joint nestled amidst the breathtaking forest. If you’re heading out to Skypark Village for the holidays, simply looking for a getaway — or just an excuse to indulge in some seriously delicious pizza then LouEddies is calling your name. Being surrounded by picturesque views, chowing down on freshly made pizza, and sipping on craft beer is the perfect excuse to leave the city behind and indulge in a slice of mountainous paradise. We know pizza is a sacred thing, and LouEddies Pizza does not disappoint. They offer fresh fire-roasted artisan pizza — and when you walk through their doors, the smell of it immediately greets you. Our recommendation? Get yourself a classic pepperoni topped with sausage. Down it with their home-brewed AmberWood Ale. If you’re not the traditional type, don’t worry. They offer a ton of toppings, house-made sauces, and combinations you could imagine — even plant-based ones!
4 L.A. Restaurants Were Named In Michelin’s Most Anticipated Openings Of 2024
Los Angeles is no stranger to praise — just this year, it’s landed a top spot on a list of the country’s best breakfast destinations and the world’s best cities for 2024. L.A. foodies will be delighted to know that the Michelin Guide has released a new list of the most-anticipated restaurant openings from Michelin chefs for 2024, and four of the sixteen are right here in Los Angeles. The coveted L.A. restaurant openings include a continuation of chef Rose Previte’s Middle Eastern eatery in Washington D.C. and a popular sushi bar out of New York from chef Daisuke Nakazawa....
Westfield Century City Mall Is Offering Free Gift Wrapping Until Christmas
It’s no secret, we love free things — and they especially come in handy during the holiday season. If you’re getting some last-minute Christmas shopping done, then Westfield Century City is helping you save some time. Now until Christmas Eve, they’re offering free gift wrapping for one qualified purchase! You can dazzle your loved ones with the perfect presents, while they take care of the wrapping. There are a few steps you have to do to redeem this freebie, but they’re simple. According to the WCC site, all you have to do is Follow @25Days and @Freeform on Instagram, show that you follow both handles to the booth staff, pick your paper, and enjoy your newly wrapped gift. Visit their site here for the full details. 🎁When: 🎁Location: Westfield Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90067
5 Reasons Not To Miss This Family-Friendly ‘Santa’s Circus’ Performance In L.A.
Want to enter the most playful version of the North Pole? Santa’s Circus has it all, from awe-inspiring circus acts to magic and laughter galore. It’s no wonder the experience has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars and has been extended through school holidays by popular demand! If you’re looking for more information about this unique performance before seeing it firsthand, we’ve broken it down for you below! You’ll have to act fast, however, since the spectacular show is only open at The Montalban Theatre through December 28th! Use code SCLAHOLIDAY20 when purchasing your tickets to save 20% and contribute an extra 10% to charity! The playful production features circus-themed acrobatics performed by global artists. Featuring gymnasts, clowns, jugglers and more, Santa’s Circus brings the magic of Christmas alive through a blend of theater, dance and thrilling stunts. It’s safe to say you’ll be in awe of the talent onstage! The unique holiday show is certainly not just for the kids. From little ones to adults, Santa’s Circus has a captivating charm that will delight visitors of all ages throughout the 90-minute production.
PetSmart Is Offering Free Photos For Pets With Santa Claus This Weekend
Santa Claus — or should we say Santa Paws, is coming to town! And he hasn’t forgotten about your furry, scaley, or feathery little friends. For this weekend only, he’ll be stopping by participating PetSmart stores to snap a free photo with your beloved pets. Whether your pup, birdie, or kitty has been naughty or nice this year — this cheerful event is a must-do for all LA pet parents. Plus, all pet friends are good in Santa’s eyes. So bring your wagging tails, purring pals, fluttering friends, and Christmas spirit! According to the PetSmart site, the following pets are welcome in store: Pets must be leased/secured. Reservations to see Santa Claus are needed, and you can find the local PetSmart stores at book an appointment here.
Celebrate The Holiday Season With These Festive Grinch-Themed Activities In L.A.
The holiday season is in full swing, and we’re searching for all sorts of fun and nostalgic activities to get our festive fix. Even if you’re feeling a little Grinchy this year, these five seasonal experiences are bound to add a dash of excitement to your December! What better way to immerse yourself in the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! than by watching it unfold on stage? Featuring familiar favorites like “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” the heartwarming production of Dr. Seuss’ beloved storybook will have you smiling from ear to ear by the end. Narrated by Max the Dog, the brilliant Broadway musical has been deemed “100 times better than any bedtime story!” by The New York Times. Tickets are available here, and the musical will take place at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre until December 17th before it moves on to Orange County. Where: 6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
LA Zoo Presents A Dazzling Landscape Of Intricate Animal Lanterns This Winter
LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow has returned with larger-than-life animal lanterns placed in a phosphorescent environment of luminous trees and blooming flowers. See the displays at the Los Angeles Zoo now through Jan. 7, 2024, and read on for everything to know before your visit. LA Zoo lights up at the nature-focused Animals Aglow, which is a nice departure from your usual kitschy Christmas light displays, although you’ll still enjoy a festive landscape at the Winter Wildlands with views of the “northern lights,” giant ice crystals, and snow-loving animals. This year’s display also depicts California native wildlife and a magnificent glowing...
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Secret Los Angeles is your guide to things to do and places to go in L.A., from events and culture to the best restaurants, bars and attractions.
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