Watch CBS News

Offbeat Places To Take Visiting Family Members In Los Angeles

tribal cafe header
(credit: Tribal Cafe)

Holiday season usually means guests from out of state come into town. Make their vacation one to talk about. These locations are not usually listed in tourist guide books, but they are special places Los Angeles locals frequent because of their great service, welcoming atmosphere or creative niche highly recommended for a good time.

Let's Make A Deal
(credit: Let's Make A Deal)

Let's Make A Deal
5800 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(310) 857-8575
www.cbs.com

An exciting way to welcome out of towners to Los Angeles is to take them to a televised game show. Legendary "Let's Make a Deal" has been a household favorite television game show for decades. Friends in the audience of show will have a hoot dressing up in outrageous costumes, cheering on contestants and competing to win prizes. Twitter fans look for a tweet previous to the day of taping for clues on unusual items to carry in your pocket for an opportunity to win a prize if this item is requested by show's host. Another possibility is that audience members may get chosen by Wayne Brady to compete in games to win additional game prizes. Win or lose, sharing time as group is tons of fun, especially in a place like this.

tribal cafe
(credit:Tribal Cafe)

Tribal Café
1651 W Temple St., Suite A
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 483-4458
www.tribalcafe.com

This café looks small from the outside, and the islander decorations give the business a feel of a foreign vacation. Once you try one of the dishes, such as the Malibu mudslide sandwiches, vegan vengeance burrito or one of Tribal's amazing drinks, you will become a regular. Most people learn about this hidden-away café in historic Filipinotown by word of mouth. It is the perfect café for people concerned with their health to try yummy, exotic foods that are good for you and the environment. It carries vegetarian and vegan dishes as well as traditional foods. Options include wraps, salads, burgers, gourmet sandwiches, panini and burritos. Tribal Café also offers delicious drinks such as fresh juices and fruit smoothies that can be mixed with proteins, minerals and antioxidants. The cafe also offers an assortment of books to read while waiting on your order, and it hosts live bands that play on the weekends. It also offers open mic nights throughout most of the week for comedians, poets, singers and other talented guests to showcase their talents.

Related: Winter Fun At The Four Seasons

vicious dogs
(credit: Vicious Dogs)

Vicious Dogs
5231 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(818) 985-3647
www.viciousdogshotdogs.com

This hot dog restaurant is located in the heart of North Hollywood's Art District, close to the Art Institute of Hollywood and across the street from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, making it a great location to network with friends in the entertainment industry. In addition to the location, Vicious Dogs boasts a great vibe as it is filled with upbeat music. The hot dogs here are delicious and so are the side dishes. This place carries creative hot dogs including pineapple Louisiana links, German shepherd bratwurst, Chicago dogs and even seasonal hot dogs. Locals rave about the garlic French fries and potato salad. Most people visit Vicious Dogs because of the huge assortment of toppings and condiments. This place even caters to vegetarians and carries one of the best, if not the very best, vegetarian hot dog for miles around. The prices are inexpensive, too, and the Laemmle's theater is adjacent to Vicious Dogs so families can watch a movie before or after visiting here.

It's A Wrap
(CBS)

It's A Wrap
3315 W. Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 567-7366
www.itsawraphollywood.com

This store makes shopping fun. It is the only company that sells items that have been on sets of television and film productions. It's A Wrap carries cool clothing articles including dazzling shoes, shiny shirts, trendy beanies, one-of-a-kind jewelry and unusual artwork. The wardrobe and prop items for sale have been worn by cast members from shows movies and shows such as "House," "Glee," "All My Children" and "The Mask." This store has a large celebrity clientele that comes here for deals on designers such as Prada, James Pearse, Vince, Splendid, Ella Moss, Theory, Marc Jacobs, DVF, BCBG and Ann Taylor Loft. Another unique feature of this store is that items are labeled with a number code that identifies which show or movie the clothes came from. Items here will be a great souvenir for visiting friends.

pihop
(credit: PIHOP)

International House of Prayer
1401 N. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 791-7729
www.pihop.com

This place is amazing for travelers in need of some rest and restoration. I.H.O.P. is a serene cool atmosphere that many writers, poets, and singers come to for prophetic prayer. Visitors are allowed to enter the location on early mornings all of the way to midnight six days a week. Enjoy ample opportunities to pray, soak, meditate, draw, paint or sing at this location. There is usually live music playing, a person ministering to the audience, and even people waving flags ministering to music. Visitors can also go upstairs and overlook the location for a great view.

Related: Travel Tips For People From Los Angeles

Cassandra Bautista is a freelance writer from Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.