<p>I also recommend The Grove for either lunch/hanging out and the Third Street Promenade. Venice beach is also really nice for the sort of hippie-style culture. If you wouldn’t mind traveling out a bit, The Americana at Glendale is really nice too. And of course, don’t forget UCLA ;)</p>
<p>food places:</p>
<p>Ramen: Santouka (my FAVORITE place to eat on the westside.)
Pastrami: Langers (k-townish)
Sweets: diddy riese cookies
Burgers: In-N-Out (even if you’re from california.) Also there’s a 5 guys by USC worth checking out.
Fried Chicken: Honey’s Kettle
Coffee: Intellegentsia</p>