FORWARD LIVING PORTFOLIO SERVICES (FLPS)

The Laura Anderson Real Estate Group and her experienced team puts seller first. We have partnered up with Forward Living Portfolio Services & Vesta Home to help you sell your home in the best light to achieve TOP Dollar while coordinating payment through Escrow.

What We Offer

FLPS is a full‐service real estate design offering created for Keller Williams Larchmont agents, and their clients. From home staging and interior design to painting, windows and other cosmetic improvements, FLPS will work with KW buyers and sellers to create a bespoke design go‐to‐market plan for their residence. FLPS will finance the upfront cost of these improvements and repayment is available through escrow when the house sells. 

Services Provided

– Home staging
– Interior design
– Furniture purchasing
– Furniture rentals
– Interior & exterior painting
– Window treatments
– Wallpaper
– Broker’s open events
– Moving and storage
– Deep cleaning
– Landscaping

Experienced Home Staging, Design & Contractors

FLPS is powered by Vesta Home. Vesta combines over 15 years of experience in the Luxury Home market with innovative, data-driven technology, to provide every home with a 100% custom treatment. No matter the style or size of the home, our expert designers will equip you with the design needed to sell your property faster and above asking price.

We Pay Close Attention to Details

Selling your home? Attract the right buyer, quickly. We stage your home with luxury furnishings and accessories to bring it to life with style, comfort and livability. Our designers are well versed in the latest trends and materials to provide concierge interior design services in a myriad of styles to suit your lifestyle and taste.

Payment Available Through Escrow!

FLPS is excited to offer promotional financing through our Partner, GreenSky®. Applying for financing is easy and can be done with your Vesta Account Executive, over the phone or online. 

by: MAYA STANTON Lonely Planet Writer

original article: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2019/07/09/west-hollywood-summer-on-sunset-series/

ummer in Los Angeles is about to get even hotter. 

Launched at the end of June and running through 3 September, West Hollywood’s second annual Summer on Sunset Music and Event Series is bringing a slew of seasonal activity to the Sunset Strip. From deals on sceney accommodations to music at some of the city’s most name-checked venues, the event just might make people forget they’re not at the beach.  “The Sunset Strip has always been a hub of creativity – free-flowing with music, dining, dancing and shopping – creating a kind of endless summer vibe for those who join the celebration,” West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board president and CEO Tom Kiely said in a statement. 

For locals looking for a staycation or those in from out of town, a handful of swank hotels, including the Mondrian LA, the Sunset Tower, and Andaz West Hollywood, are taking a bit off the top for the rest of the summer. And discounted accommodations aside, the Strip will be celebrating its roots, with parties and concerts nodding to the storied past and bright future of this iconic 1.5-mile section of Sunset Boulevard. 

On Mondays, seminal spot Whisky a Go Go hosts an ‘80s-themed Fast Times at Ridgemont High tribute show, and on Tuesdays, there’s a no-cover jam night if you’re over the age of 21 (and under 21, it’s just US$10). As a preclude to karaoke, the Den on Sunset has US$15 bottles of wine on Wednesdays, and on Thursdays, the restaurant hosts late-night bingo games. 

Weekends are the thing at Mondrian LA Skybar, with Friday-afternoon “Just Ditch” pool parties and Skybar Day Clubs on Saturdays. (Just be sure to check the dress code before you go.) Catch one of the two remaining free acoustic shows at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, hit the Roxy Theatre’s Saved by the ‘90s party on 12 July, or stop by the Blind Dragon for “Sing or Die” karaoke (think: fancy cocktails, private suites, and more than 25,000 songs at your fingertips) any night of the week. Close out the season on a high note 1 September with the Den on Sunset’s Backyard Bash, a notorious affair starring Guns ‘N Roses’s Steven Adler, Pretty Boy Floyd, Motley Inc., and more.

For more information on events and entertainment, see visitwesthollywood.com.

original article: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kent-belden-brigette-romanek-west-hollywood-home

AD100 designer Brigette Romanek reimagines a 1925 Spanish colonial house for the modern age

By Jennifer Fernandez

Photography by Douglas Friedman

When your house is saddled with a dark past, the only way forward is to brighten it up. Originally home to silent film star Priscilla Bonner and husband Emmanuel Woolfan, M.D., the 3,000-square-foot 1925 Spanish colonial house was the scene of a death by suicide (when a debilitated Woolfan fatally shot himself to spare his wife from having to become his caretaker) and heated protests (a Los Angeles superintendent lived here during the civil rights movement) before it fell into disrepair on its West Hollywood perch.

The unsightly property was also dark in the literal sense. “It looked like the Munsters’ house,” says Kent Belden, CEO and founder of creative management firm The Only Agency (stylists for the likes of Beyoncé and Lady Gaga are among the clients), who recognized the home’s potential and purchased it with his husband, Louis Re, M.D. In 2019, the bicoastal couple tapped dear friend and frequent collaborator, AD100 designer Brigette Romanek, to transform it into a light-filled refuge for the modern age. “The first thing we did was trim back all of the overgrown trees and landscape, which immediately opened it up to all of this beautiful natural light.”

From there, they followed the sun and gutted the place, tearing out walls and ripping up floors, installing updated electrical, gas, and plumbing systems and contemporizing the interior spaces with a creative edge. “I wanted it to be a completely modern take on classic 1920s California-Spanish architecture,” Belden says. “The geometry of the house exudes old Hollywood glamour, the furnishings are modern European with a pop of 1970s rock and roll, and the kitchen is pure 21st century.”

Much of that vibrant eclecticism is thanks to Belden and Re’s world-class collection of art, which features works by Jeff Koons, David Hockney, Kehinde Wiley, and Lisa Yuskavage, but also the creative spirit of its owners. “This may sound corny, but they were my inspiration,” says Romanek. “They are a cool, full-of-life couple that favor contemporary design mixed with a bit of whimsy and fun. The colors needed to be lively and as invigorating as they are.” Case in point: the vibrant pair of goldenrod chairs set on a bubble-gum pink rug in the living room. A custom Fornasetti credenza enlivens vintage furniture in the dining room, and antique-mirror wall panels play off a tessellated floor tile in the master bathroom.

Despite the elevated aesthetic, the vibe remains that of a family home. The house is sprinkled with souvenirs from the couple’s travels, and family photos appear throughout. Their Rhodesian ridgeback Ernest is often seen lounging by the pool. “Because this is my West Coast base, it was really important that I found a space that felt ‘homey,’ as well as a space that would allow me to entertain guests,” says Belden. It seems as though he’s found one with a bright future, too.

A lot is happening in the world, and it’s having a direct impact on the housing market. The reality is this: some of it is positive and some of it may be negative. Some we just don’t know yet.

1. Interest Rates

One of the most important things to consider when buying a home is the interest rate you will be charged to borrow the money. In our recent post we posed the question, “Are Low Interest Rates Here To Stay?” The latest information from Freddie Mac makes it appear they are. We are currently at a 21-month low in interest rates.

2. Building Materials

Talk of tariffs could also affect the housing market. According to a recent article, the National Association of Home Builders reports that as much as $10 billion in goods imported from China are used in homebuilding. Depending on the outcome of the tariff and trade discussions between several countries, there could be as much as a 25% boost in the cost of building materials.

3. Economic Slowdown

In a prior blog post on this topic, we began the year with many economic leaders thinking we could expect a recession in late 2019 or early 2020. As spring approached, we reported that economists had started to push that projection past 2020.  Now, three leading surveys indicate that it may begin in the next eighteen months.

Bottom Line

We are in a strong housing market. Wages are increasing, home prices are appreciating, and mortgage rates are the lowest they have been in 21 months.  Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, it’s a great time to be in the market.

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.

By Michael Juliano

original article: https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/news/24-free-things-to-do-in-los-angeles-this-july-2019

Photograph: Rozette Rago

You’ve planned a day at one of L.A.’s best beaches and figured out where to see fireworks, but there are far more free things to do in July after the holiday. From an OC surf fest to a slew of summer concerts, these are the best ways to make the most of your month without breaking into your wallet.

July 2–Aug 20
Moonlight Movies on the Beach; Granada Beach
Pack up your folding chairs and head to Long Beach for this unique outdoor screening series.

July 4
Americafest; The Rose Bowl
See an explosive celebration of all things red, white and blue at this fireworks, which you can see for free if you watch from one of the neighborhoods overlooking the Arroyo Seco.

July 4
Fourth of July Block Party; Grand Park
Watch Downtown L.A. light up for free at this patriotic street party.

July 4
Fourth of July Community Festival & Fireworks Show; Exposition Park
Unfurl a picnic blanket on the South Lawn of Exposition Park, just next to the Coliseum, and enjoy an afternoon of music, games and kid-friendly activities, followed by a free fireworks show at 9pm.

July 5, 19
Silver Lake Picture Show; Sunset Triangle Plaza
Liven up your Thursday nights at this free Eastside screening series, with showings this month of Boyz in the Hood and Coco.

July 6
Audacity of Sound; Grand Avenue
Swing by the 300 block of South Grand Avenue for globe-spanning sets from Cimafunk, Gaby Moreno and La Marisoul, David Garza and many others.

July 6
Everything Is Terrible! The Store! Opening Party; East L.A.
The oddity-loving folks behind the Jerry Maguire Video Store are throwing the doors open to their new East L.A. storefront with a free party.

July 6, 27
Off the 405; Getty Center
See sets from Cate Le Bon and Lala Lala as this free concert series at the Getty continues.

July 7
Ringo Starr’s Peace & Love Birthday; Capitol Records Building
Join the iconic Beatles drummer outside of the Capitol Records building to celebrate his 79th birthday and a call for peace and love. There’ll be a peace sign salute at noon, along with a performance from Ben Kyle, Sara Watkins, the Jacks and more.

July 9–Sept 14
ALOUD: Branching Out; Various locations
This free conversation and performance series hops around town with chats about movies, theater, music and more.

July 12, 26
Summer Nights in the Garden; Natural History Museum
Spend an evening outside with live music, garden-inspired cocktails, hands-on science projects, botanical tours and food trucks.

July 13, 14
Lotus Festival; Echo Park Lake
Celebrate the bloom of Echo Park Lake’s beloved floating flowers with this food, music and cultural fest.

July 13
Lucas Museum at Leimert: Family Art Day; Leimert Park Village Plaza
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is still a couple of years away from opening, but you can get a taste of the museum’s family-friendly programming during a free, off-site event this summer.

July 18–Aug 22
Skirball Cultural Center Sunset Concerts ; Skirball Cultural Center
Grab a seat in the Skirball’s courtyard for the kickoff of this free concert series, starting with Gaby Moreno.

July 20, 21
The Little Literary Fair; Hauser & Wirth
Affectionately dubbed LITLIT, this free fair is a celebration of indie booksellers and publishers.

July 27–Aug 4
U.S. Open of Surfing; Huntington Beach
Hit the beach to cheer on the country’s biggest pro surfers at this annual competition.

July 31
Level 8 Drive-In; The Grove
See a free screening of The Great Gatsby at this pop-up drive-in theater atop the Grove’s parking garage.

Through Aug 30
Dance Downtown; Grand Park
Brush up on your line dance and tango steps during the free Downtown tradition.

Through Sept 1
Free Shakespeare in Griffith Park; Old Zoo
Bard fanatics, flock to Griffith Park and bring along a blanket for free outdoor performances from the Independent Shakespeare Co.

Through Aug 3
Hello Kitty 45th Anniversary Group Show; Corey Helford Gallery
About 100 artists from around the world have reinterpreted images of Hello Kitty and her friends into their own aesthetic through paintings, sculptures and animated works.

Through Sept 7
KCRW Summer Nights; Various locations
Bust a move as this beloved live music and DJ series continues with nights in Pasadena, Chinatown and at the Hammer Museum.

Through Nov 24
The Second Home Serpentine Pavilion by SelgasCano; La Brea Tar Pits
A criss-cross of airy rainbow tunnels will make their home at the La Brea Tar Pits this summer.

Ongoing
Free concerts; Various locations
Listen to some tunes without breaking the bank with free shows at the Echo, the Satellite, Grand Park and more.

Ongoing
Free museum days; Various locations
Make the most of free days at LACMA, the Natural History Museum and more, plus always-free museums like the Hammer, Getty and Broad. Share Tweet

by: JENNIFER BRADLEY FRANKLIN

original article: https://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/final-walk-through-tips/

Buying a home can feel a little like running a marathon. You have to stay focused throughout the whole journey, from the mortgage application and home search process to making an offer and getting a home inspection.

One important final step before the closing is the final walk-through. No matter what, you should never skip this critical task.

“You want to make sure the home is in the same condition as when the offer was made,” says Andy Peters, a real estate broker and co-founder of The Peters Company, a Keller Williams Realty team serving Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. “If a seller is doing negotiated repairs or improvements, you want to verify they were, in fact, done and done correctly.”

You’re almost to the finish line — and the closing table. To get you there, here are some final walk-through tips.

1. Understand that a final walk-through isn’t a home inspection

When you’re buying a home — whether it’s a condo, town house or a single-family home — you want to make sure the residence is in the condition you agreed to purchase.

“The purpose of a final walk-through is to make sure the home is still in the same, acceptable condition as when you last saw it, and to take a final look to make sure all repairs were completed, if needed,” says Alyse Alonso, a Realtor with eXp Realty in San Antonio, Texas. “You basically want to make sure the neighbor’s child did not accidentally hit their baseball through your soon-to-be new front window” or other surprise damages.

2. Know who attends the final walk-through

Typically, the final walk-through is attended by the buyer and the buyer’s agent, without the seller or seller’s agent. This gives the buyer the freedom to inspect the property at their leisure, without feeling pressure from the seller. If the property is a new home, a builder or contractor may attend.

“New-build walk-throughs are looking for defects as well as cosmetic issues. A new home is delivered in a more ‘fresh out of the box’ way, so expectations are generally higher,” Peters says.

If the home inspection uncovered significant issues that were fixed prior to closing, you may want to ask your home inspector to re-inspect the home to ensure agreed-upon  repairs were made properly, Alonso says. Keep in mind, though, there will be an additional cost involved, and you might have to schedule the re-inspection before your final walk-through, she adds.

3. Schedule it just before closing

In most cases, the final walk-through is scheduled within 24 hours prior of the closing date. Your real estate agent can help you set a time with the seller’s agent when you can be sure the property will be accessible and (hopefully) vacant.

“Ideally, the final walk-through will take place on the way to the closing office or the evening before,” Alonso says, adding, “I have seen them take place a day or two before closing in certain circumstances.”

4. Do a walk-through again if bad weather hits

Mother Nature might not cooperate with your plans to close on a home, so if something significant happens — like a serious storm, nearby fire or earthquake — it’s smart to repeat the final walk-through before moving forward with the closing.

“Water intrusion, fallen trees causing damage and sinkholes are all things we’ve discovered at final walk-throughs,” Peters says.

Adds Alonso: “In some cases, the bank may not complete the loan until the damage is remedied. In other instances, the buyer and seller may be able to negotiate suitable repairs.”

5. Take your time

Depending on the size of the home, a final walk-through can take anywhere from 15 minutes for a small home to more than an hour for a larger property. Build in extra time to inspect extra items, such as a pool or a detached shed or garage. Remember that this is your last chance to give your new home a final once-over before it’s all yours, so don’t rush.

6. Communicate any issues you find during the final walk-through

Finding a significant problem during the final walk-through can be a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker. More than likely, it may delay the closing by a few days to resolve the problem, or you’ll need to ask the seller to provide you with a credit at closing so you can handle the repairs after move-in day.

“Most issues can be worked out by negotiating more money. There is some gray area in terms of what you can use to hold up a closing,” Peters says. “Clearly if (the home is) not in the condition it was when you made the offer, the seller has to cure the issue if they want to sell.”

7. Final walk-through checklist and documentation

To ensure your soon-to-be home is move-in ready, here’s a checklist of things to do and look for during the final walk-through:

• Turn all light switches on and off to ensure lights and ceiling fans are working.
• Bring a phone charger to test all of the electrical outlets.
• Run all sink and bath faucets, and check for any leaks.
• Test all of the kitchen appliances and garbage disposal.
• Ensure the garage door opens and closes, and the remote works.
• Run the heater and air conditioner.
• Turn on and test the fireplace.
• Open and close all windows and doors.
• Flush toilets to check for leaks or problems.
• Run the exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen.
• Inspect the walls, flooring and ceilings.
• Check exterior for damage or new cosmetic issues.
• Make sure all garbage, personal belongings and other items have been removed.

Your real estate agent should bring documentation to help confirm that all is as it should be with the property. This includes the seller’s disclosure form you received after signing the purchase agreement, the inspection report and any repair amendments you and the seller agreed on. Your agent should request receipts for any repairs the seller completed after the home inspection, too, and have those on hand during the final walk-through.

by: Dahna Chandler 

original article: https://themortgagereports.com/44135/whats-the-best-time-of-year-to-sell-a-home

What is the best time of year to sell a home? While in many markets that time is the spring season, this is not always true.

• The best month to sell depends on the market in which you’re selling
• Winter buyers tend to be more serious and up against deadlines
• Fall sellers have less competition, and prices for repairs tend to be lower
• Summer brings lots of competition, but also families who need to move before school starts

So the best time to list your home depends on your situation and location.

Consider where you’re selling a home first

The best time of year to sell a home fast and for more money depends on where you live. While most people automatically think “spring” when selling, that’s not true in places like Phoenix, Florida, Southern California and Texas. That’s because the weather gets intense in those areas–think triple-digit heat, hurricanes, and tornadoes.

Related: Home maintenance is essential for preserving home value

Before you consider the pros and cons of selling during each season, research the best time of year to sell a home in your region.

Spring

In most areas, the best time of year to sell a home is during the first two weeks of May. You can expect to sell 18.5 days faster than any other month and for 5.9 percent more money. In other places, early April or June is better for home sales than May. There are pros and cons to spring home selling.

Pros

• Tax refunds come in the late winter or early spring, making more funds available for repairs and renovations
• Warmer weather and longer days mean more home buyers go out searching for homes
• Curb appeal improves as trees, flowers, and grass bloom (and less muck gets tracked into your house)
• You can get ahead of summer competition and beat the rush
• School lets out, allowing kids to finish the school year just as buyers close on a home
• The best time of year to move is coming up for buyers, so they’re more likely to purchase a home with that in mind.

Cons

• It might not be the best season to sell if your weather is still rainy, snowy or muddy
• Competition is fiercest, so if your home is imperfect, it may be a harder sell
• If you have kids, you may have to pull them out of school if your home sells quickly
• The weather might be unpredictable, messing with your open houses
• Neighbors might take on major renovations or have spring events (like graduation parties) that make parking and tours harder

Summer

Like spring, summer is a top time of year to sell. In some regions, June is tops for home closing. In fact, June 28 is the most likely day in the year to close a home, according to ATTOM Data Solutions. There are a variety of other reasons that summer is the best time of year to sell a home. But drawbacks to listing between mid-June and late August exist, too.

Pros

• More daylight hours and predictable weather in most places mean more time for home showings
• Time for you (and buyers) is more flexible with vacations and more time after work hours showing or touring houses
• Buyers have a sense of urgency to get their school-aged kids settled
• There is more available data from spring home sales to use to price your home
• With their buying window closing, buyers are more likely to make more competitive offers and move faster to close.

Cons

• Weather in some areas is very hot and not conducive to house hunting
• Competition in areas where summer is prime selling season gets higher with buyers demanding more concessions and features
• It’s vacation time, and fewer buyers may be looking for homes in your area
• You may experience higher costs of showing because you’ll kick up the air conditioning and maintain your yard constantly
• Your kids may hate it if you keep pools and other outdoor spaces constantly show-ready and they can’t use them — not to mention they’ll be out of school and their stuff all over your house
• Professionals are busier, so finding the best real estate agent, landscapers, contractors, and others gets harder, driving up selling costs more

Fall

While fall is not the best time of year to sell a home for most sellers, it is for others. You may live in one of the places where it’s blazing hot starting in late April and straight through summer, or you live in tornado alley.

Related: How to sell your house in the fall for more money

Your house might not be “family-friendly” or you may live on the coast, where some areas can be foggy and cold all summer but warm and beautiful in the fall. And your yard may be spectacular with changing colors. If so, this might be the best time of year to list your home.

Pros

• Less inventory and competition from people selling family homes
• Serious buyers who couldn’t buy during spring and summer have the motivation to close before the holidays
• Costs for fixing up your home get lower, and you’ll have more access to professionals to help you as their busy season ends.]
• Sellers can make home listing images more vivid with fall foliage and decor, making their homes stand out from remaining competition.
• Safety increases as prime season for home burglaries end

Cons

• Buyers can get more demanding if there is less competition for your home
• Market slows as school starts, and people settle in for winter in some like New England and the Midwest
• Colder, wetter weather and coming snow keep buyers away
• In some areas, curb appeal disappears as your trees lose leaves, flowers die, and grass grows browner
• Heating costs go up as you keep your home warmer longer for house hunting
• Landscapes get harder to maintain as leaves fall and foliage deteriorates

Winter

Like the cold weather, most people shiver thinking about selling their home during this time of year. It’s likely the hardest to sell a house in most areas.

Related: Don’t rule out buying a home this holiday season

But, in resort areas like Florida, Arizona, Southern Nevada and ski towns, winter is the prime selling season. Either way, if you understand the pros and cons of selling in winter, it might be the best time of year to sell a home for you.

Pros

• Highly motivated buyers who want to close before the year ends to take advantage of tax breaks
• Less inventory means lower competition for buyer attention, especially in off-season markets
• Relocating buyers need to find a home to start new jobs or take other opportunities in December, January or February
• Top real estate agents looking for year-end sales rise to the challenge to sell your home
• Giving your home a holiday feel helps buyers envision living there during that time of year
• Snow can cover some of the uglier features in your yard — at least until it gets tromped into mud

Cons

• Selling in hot winter markets means more competition
• Many buyers are “thrift shoppers” looking to play on seller desperation to get a deal
• Curb appeal isn’t the best, and snow-covered landscapes are harder to see.
• People are focused on the holidays and hibernating for winter.
• Days are shorter everywhere and colder in most places in the U.S.
• Moving after you sell is harder in the winter, especially around the holidays or in coldest months of the year like January and February
• It’s the worst time of year for any significant renovations or repairs inspections reveal you must make
• The inconvenience of keeping your home ready-to-show while enjoying the holidays, especially with kids

Understand that people successfully sell even when it’s not the best time of year to sell a home. Changes in your financial or family situation could force an immediate home listing. But those same things could force another family to come shopping.

As long as you know the pros and cons of selling during each season and in your area, you’re apt to make your home sale happen.

By Bianca Barragan and Elijah Chiland

original article: https://la.curbed.com/maps/best-los-angeles-picnic-spots

Fix a fancy basket of snacks and head outsideBy Bianca Barragan and Elijah Chiland  Updated Jun 3, 2019, 4:17pm PDTThat lawn is begging for a blanket. | Photo by Getty Images/iStockphotoSHARE

With summer and warmer temperatures on the horizon, chances are many Angelenos are going to eat at least one meal outside in the coming weeks. Los Angeles’s parks, beaches, and other open-air venues offer an array of ideal spots for eating al fresco, but we’ve chosen 20 of our favorite options for our picnicking map below. (Those looking for great shops to load up a picnic basket might find some help here.)

1. Lake Balboa Park

6300 Balboa Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91316(818) 756-9743Visit Website

Valley dwellers don’t have to drive over the hill to have a lakeside picnic or cruise around that lake in a pedal boat that looks like a swan. Pets are ok here (provided they’re on a leash) and there are picnic tables, as well as lots of spots for a more traditional-style, on-the-grass picnic.

• OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS

2. Valley Village Park

5000 Westpark Dr
North Hollywood, CA 91601(818) 763-7651Visit Website

With shaded play areas for the kids, covered and uncovered picnic areas (no reservations needed), and plenty of trees, this park has it all. The park is located in a residential area, giving it a neighborhood-park vibe, and does not allow bounce houses.

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3. The Old Zoo at Griffith Park

Griffith Park Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90189(323) 913-4688Visit Website

Picnic benches and grills and old animal cages to explore: everything needed for a memorable outdoor eating experience. This corner of Griffith Park could be a pre-hike or post-hike snack spot, or simply a good place to lounge. Good driving and zoo-locating directions can be found here.

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4. Lake Hollywood Park

3200 Canyon Lake Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027Visit Website

A great spot to picnic that allows your dog to have a good time too. This unofficial dog park has a few picnic tables and more spots for just throwing down a blanket. The dogs can roam while the humans nosh—everybody wins.

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5. Barnsdall Art Park

4804 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027(213) 485-4581

How about a picnic in the shadow of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House? There’s plenty of grass to put down a blanket at this popular East Hollywood park. If you’re looking for a quiet picnic at dusk, take note: Friday nights through August are extra busy, thanks to a very popular wine tasting series.

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6. Ernest E. Debs Regional Park

4235 Monterey Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90032(213) 847-3989Visit Website

At the grassy, shaded picnic area at Debs Park, there is always an ice cream truck in the parking lot (at least one!) and there are 20 barbecues on-site. If that’s not a recipe for summer fun, what is?

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7. Chavez Ravine Arboretum

1000 Elysian Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012Visit Website

Elysian Park is full of good spots to picnic, but this part of the park is also an arboretum, containing more than 100 different types of rare trees, many of which “are the oldest and largest of their kind in California and even the United States.”

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8. Pan Pacific Park

7600 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036(562) 939-0263

The rolling hills and barbecue pits of Pan Pacific Park are great for a classic summer picnic. There are also large expanses of grass for post-food sport including pick-up soccer games.

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9. Holmby Park

601 Club View Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90024Visit Website

This flat, grassy park has plenty of space for throwing down a blanket. Then, follow that picnic up with some lawn bowling—this park has it.

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10. Echo Park Lake

751 Echo Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026(213) 847-0929Visit Website

This spot is bustling almost all the time, and with good reason. The tall trees and waterfront picnicking opportunities make this a great outdoor eating spot. Plus, pedal boats!

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ALSO FEATURED IN:

• 10 hidden gems in Los Angeles
• Here’s Where to Find LA’s Public Art Biennial This Summer

11. Los Angeles State Historic Park

1245 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012(213) 620-6152

Chinatown’s 34-acre Los Angeles State Historic Park has new pathways, bathrooms, and picnic areas thanks to a renovation that was completed in 2017. For now, this might be a better spot for an early morning or evening picnic, since all the newly planted trees don’t provide a ton of shade.

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12. The La Brea Tar Pits Museum Lawn

5801 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036(323) 934-7243Visit Website

Yeah, it’s close to the stinky tar pits, but when the wind’s blowing right, you wouldn’t even know that. The proximity to the Page Museum and LACMA makes this a good spot for a date picnic. The gentle incline of some of the lawns makes it a similarly solid place for good old-fashioned hill rolling.

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13. Vista Hermosa Park

100 N Toluca St
Los Angeles, CA 90026Visit Website

True to its name, Vista Hermosa offers a beautiful view. The park somehow manages to make visitors feel like they’re somewhere else, away from it all, despite the DTLA skyline clearly in sight. The park has rolling hills, picnic tables, a giant snake sculpture for the kids to climb, and little forested walking paths.

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14. Roxbury Memorial Park

471 S Roxbury Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90212(310) 285-6840Visit Website

Two large playgrounds mean outdoor eaters with children can either get the kids good and tired before, after, or during the outing. Basketball courts and croquet greens are available and drop-in only, so no need to fuss with reservations.

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15. Grand Park

200 N Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012Visit Website

Downtown’s favorite park offers a playground and plenty of scenic urban space. Close to public transit, food trucks, and even a Starbucks, it’s great for when you want to have a picnic that doesn’t require much planning to pull off.

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16. Palisades Park

Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403Visit Website

Ocean breezes! Palm trees! What a California place to have a picnic. This 26.4-acre park stretches along Ocean Avenue (between Colorado Avenue and Adelaide Drive) and gets a lot of foot traffic because walking paths run throughout. There are designated picnic areas, but also plenty of good unofficial spots to lay down a blanket.

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17. Exposition Park Rose Garden

3990 Menlo Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90037

The area around the Rose Garden at Exposition Park has lots of good places to just plop down for a picnic among the flowers. If full sun is not desired, there are large, mature trees between Exposition Boulevard and the garden, so eat in the shade and then slap on the sunblock for a walk through the flowers.

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18. Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area

4100 S LA Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90056(323) 298-3660Visit Website

This 401-acre hilltop park on La Cienega has trails, a Japanese garden, soccer fields, and plenty of spots for “passive recreation” (aka eating outdoors). The park has 100 picnic tables and 60 barbecue grills scattered throughout.

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19. Tongva Park

1615 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90401Visit Website

Tongva Park in Santa Monica was designed by the same people who did New York’s High Line—James Corner Field Operations—but it has its own kind of cool glamour. The six-plus-acre park has picnic tables, along with “winding walkways, rolling hills, expansive lawns … lots of play areas for kids,” and beachy breezes.

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20. Abalone Cove Shoreline Park

5970 Palos Verdes Dr S
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275(310) 377-1222Visit Website

This oceanfront park in Rancho Palos Verdes offers stunning sea views from the bluffside picnic area. Chow down, then head off for a hike or a bit of tidepooling on the seashore below.

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