Aidan, Sam, and Jacob are the dream team that make up Three Floating! Ahead of their appearance at Pro Tour: Los Angeles they are here to share a world class traveller's guide to help you with making your way round town, sights to see, things to do, and of course, the best local joints for a bite to eat.
Greetings intrepid adventurers! Welcome to Los Angeles, City of Stars (just not in the sky). We can’t wait to host the FAB community in the incredibly vast and diverse cultural melting pot that is LA. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by how much there is to do here, so we wanted to give you a game plan for your time full of our favorite spots, iconic locations, and best practices to safely navigate the city.
Getting Around
There’s a reason why LA is notorious for its terrible traffic, and that’s because it’s an amalgamation of a bunch of different neighborhoods connected by a sprawling network of highways. It’s like a cluster of little cities bound under one name. For that reason, it’s not uncommon to take an hour or more to get from the West side to the East side during rush hour. On top of this, due to the scale of it, you can’t really walk from district to district, so when planning your activities here - it’s best to stick to a specific area, rather than try to see all of LA in one day… unless you enjoy spending multiple hours in a car.
Uber and Lyft are going to be your best friends during your stay here. They’re always available, and if you split them with a group, are reasonably priced. For those who prefer traveling via Metro, it's slightly more limited but still a viable option. Grab a TAP card at the kiosk and you can get from the inner city out to the coast easily. However, at night, it’s safest to call a car.
Lastly, be smart! Follow all the same rules you would in any major metropolitan city. Keep your wits about you, don’t walk through dark neighborhoods alone, and stay with the lively crowds at night.
Downtown LA
The Convention Center is right next to the heart of Downtown (or DTLA). If there’s something you want to do, look it up, it probably exists somewhere in Downtown. Escape rooms, professional sports, pottery classes, rooftop bars, fine dining, casual dining, street food - we could go on forever! Here are some of our personal favorites.
Crypto.com Arena
Home of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and Kings. If you want to see LeBron James play basketball, the Lakers have games on Friday the 22nd and Sunday the 24th. If you’re a fan of Kawhi, the Clippers play a matinee game on Sunday the 24th. If hockey’s your thing, the Kings hit the ice on Wednesday the 20th and Saturday the 23rd. The Arena is badass and a great way to spend an evening. Just be ready, the drinks ain’t cheap.
Grand Central Market
Home to a ton of fantastic restaurants, spanning many different flavors from all over the world. Come here with an appetite, and be prepared to try a bunch of different incredible foods. Been around for 98 years and still going strong!
The Last Bookstore
A sprawling monument to the written word, the Last Bookstore is a feast for the eyes as well as the mind (or your Instagram feed). It’s a multi-level love letter to books. Find your next favorite read, or just marvel at the art installations scattered throughout the building. Maybe even grab a copy of the Way of Kings. This doesn’t have anything to do with LA… but it’s our favorite book… please give it a shot.
Los Angeles Central Library Park
After you’ve grabbed a bite or snagged a book, take a breath of fresh air in the park that cascades down to this beautiful historic building. Bring a blanket and catch a game of FAB, you won’t regret it.
The MOCA / The Broad
Two incredible museums, both with free admission. The Museum of Contemporary Art showcases rotating collections of powerful works from visionary artists tackling the forefront of modern socio-political issues in the United States. The Broad offers collections of the same ilk, as well as its famous Infinity Mirror Room; just know you’ll have to reserve a ticket ahead of time in order to bask in your own reflection. It’s an easy combo visit, as these two centers of art and culture are just a block apart.
Golden Gopher
When you get thirsty, head on over to the Golden Gopher for drinks at a spot with a cool, old town aesthetic and pool tables to boot. This is our favorite, but Downtown is chock full of great places to grab a drink on pretty much every street corner so don’t be afraid to explore.
Silver Lake
This is our neck of the woods! A very different feel than much of LA, Silver Lake is super walkable and features parks, lakes (hence the name) and great food and drink. Here are a couple of our favorite places off of the famous Sunset Boulevard - all within walking distance of each other. Start at any of these places on Sunset, then pick a direction and go. You’ll find countless shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.
Dayglow / Muddy Paw / Lamill Coffee
If you’re looking for a cup o’ joe, look no further than these trendy spots. Dayglow is very LA, so head that way if you want to people-watch the LA East side locals, or try some of the (pricy) specialty drinks they have on rotation. If you want something a little less expensive, check out Muddy Paw down the road. Plus they’ve got empanadas for a quick bite, and a bunch of adorable furry faces as locals bring their puppers to enjoy this pet-friendly spot. What more could you want? Lamill Coffee is a bit of a walk from the other two, but features a Kyoto Slow Drip Cold Brew that is unreal - though be aware, they often run out by midday, so get there early if you’re looking to try it.
Pine and Crane
This is our go-to restaurant in our neighborhood. Super friendly on both the taste buds and the wallet, Pine and Crane manages to somehow be both relaxed and lively in energy, and is a great place for a bite and drink. The dan dan noodles are a must.
Night+Market Song
This Thai spot is awesome and famous. Friendly staff, great wines, and killer eats. The Thai fried-chicken sandwich is their headliner, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Bacari
A HUGE tree winds through the outdoor patio of this popular bar/restaurant. Come for some small plates or for a cocktail (or how about both)—the atmosphere outside is beautiful and the vibes are just what the doctor ordered. A great place to grab a drink at the bar or sit for dinner… and you can’t beat having a meal under a tree. So questy.
The Black Cat
This historical LGBTQ+ landmark was the site of major protests in 1967, some of the first major LGBTQ+ demonstrations in the country at that time. Now, it’s known more for its atmosphere, food, and drink, but its history is all over the walls inside. A mainstay of the East side bar scene and totally worth checking out if you’re in the area!
El Cid
If you’re looking to get down, then get to El Cid - Saturday the 23rd there’s a Flamenco show during dinner, as well as more live music late night. A sprawling outside patio and a lively dance floor are the hallmarks of this popular spot, but there’s plenty of room to just sit and relax if dancing isn’t your thing.
Highland Park
This super cool neighborhood is growing every week, with new restaurants, bars, and attractions bringing many LA residents to check out all that’s going down. Here’s a complete evening itinerary with some activities unique to the area.
Highland Park Bowl
Established in 1927, this bowling alley is such a killer way to spend the evening. The aesthetic in here is almost reason enough to come through, as the building has had its original interior restored, and features fantastic food and drink. Try to come with a big group, as the lane reservations are cheaper with more people in your party. Besides, bowling alone is sad. And that’s a fact. Unless bowling alone is actually awesome. Maybe we’re blind to the joy cause we’ve never done it. Maybe it’s meditative. Just you and the pins.
Joy
If you didn’t get dinner at Highland Park Bowl, go check out Joy on York Boulevard. The Taiwanese eatery is inspired by street food, and the dishes are made with fresh, simple ingredients. The food here is wonderful, and really easy on the wallet. Minced pork on rice is a must, those pickles go crazy.
Barcade
We’re all gamers here. Right? Either way, Barcade is a killer place to go and grab a drink while also trying your hand at some classic arcade games. Featuring a wide variety of beer on tap, and games from Mario Bros. to Qbert to MKII - a perfect way to throw down with your friends until the wee hours of the morning.
Venice Beach
This is going to be the biggest trek out of all the regions to explore, but if you're looking to vibe out around the beach and enjoy dining close to the water, Venice has you covered. Just know you’ll have to put in a little more legwork to get between locations (or just hop on one of those rent-a-scooter apps and fly along the bike lane).
Gjusta
The food speaks for itself here. The brisket banh mi is probably one of the best sandwiches in LA and on freshly baked bread at that. A great lunch spot to sit down at, just come with time to spare as tables can be hard to get, especially when the weather is good.
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Have a walk down this adorable little beach street full of great boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. If you’re looking for some truly amazing vegan food, grab a table at the Butcher’s Daughter. For coffee, Intelligentsia is the spot. Make sure to snag a pastry.
Venice Beach Skatepark
While you're walking the beach, be sure to stop by the skatepark. Some of the best in LA drop into this famous bowl in Venice. It’s truly a marvel to watch the skate community pop six feet into the air, tricking, flipping, and cranking music.
Santa Monica Pier
This is a bit north of Venice, but is a fantastic attraction you should check out if you’re already over on the coast. It’s basically a mini-theme park on the water. With a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and all the sweet treats and park food you’d expect. Just be sure to grab tickets online!
Final Destinations
Alright, we’re breaking our rule just slightly for these last couple mentions. These are places that are destinations in their own right; spots that you’d want to wander and explore for several hours… or maybe catch a game of FAB.
Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
Embrace your inner zen state token and enjoy the stunning beauty of this collection of sixteen uniquely themed gardens that encompasses 130 acres and hosts 83,000 plants from all over the globe. For just about $20, you get to spend what can easily be an entire day of exploring nature’s majesty.
Griffith Park / Observatory
Griffith Park is a sprawling mountain wonderland, with so many places to drop a picnic blanket and enjoy a view of LA in the sun. At the top of it all is the Observatory, a true zenith point to get to see the City of Stars trail off into the sea. Whether you go in the early morning mist, the afternoon heat, or for an evening sunset - that feeling of being on top of the world doesn’t miss.
Little Tokyo
This adorable outdoor mall is a hub for Japanese collectibles, culture, and cuisine. Super walkable and full of a plethora of great shops, you can spend an entire afternoon here easily – eating, shopping, and sitting in the sun. Be sure to line up at Fugetsu-do, the 121-year-old hole-in-the-wall mochi spot, and grab a boxed dozen of their famous sweet treats.
Play FAB With Us!
If you’re looking for when and where to play some FAB before the Pro Tour, come join us at our local Armory on Tuesday! We’ll be throwing down at Odyssey Games in Pasadena at 7:00pm, and can’t wait to welcome the worldwide community to our locals (bring your A-game, LA FAB doesn’t mess around).
Also, the AGE Open Series is hosting its March tournament the weekend before PTLA: Saturday March 16th. This will be your BEST chance to practice your Pro Tour deck in an incredibly fun, competitive environment. Register at age.events and we’ll see you there!
We hope this was helpful as you look ahead to Pro Tour: Los Angeles! We are so excited to spend the weekend with the FAB community and hope you enjoy all of what this eclectic mega-city has to offer. There is truly so much to do here, and that’s not even considering all the Flesh and Blood that will be played all weekend long. To all those competing, good luck and have fun! We can’t wait to see you in Los Angeles!
