Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions – Not Just Beaches!

I’ve already checked off all the popular tourist spots in LA on previous trips, so this time I wanted to explore some niche, artsy travel routes.😌😌 Morning: Old Town Pasadena I started the day in Old Town Pasadena, where the streets are lined with well-preserved vintage buildings, plus tons of cafes, restaurants, and small shops. Look up, and you can see mountains in the distance—it’s such a nice view! I sat at a coffee shop for the whole morning, and it was incredibly cozy. (I went to Copa Vida, but honestly, every café here seems great—hard to go wrong!)😌😌 You can also visit the Norton Simon Museum, which houses many works by Western masters. The sculpture garden in the courtyard is beautiful too—perfect for a leisurely stroll 🎨. Afternoon: Glendale Highlights In the afternoon, I headed to Glendale’s Museum of Neon Art—stepping inside felt like entering a retro neon world! It was my first time visiting a museum with this theme, and every neon sign exuded a unique sense of storytelling from its era. It’s totally fascinating ✨. Right after the museum, I went to the nearby shopping paradise—The Americana at Brand. It has a central fountain, vintage trolleys, open-air markets, and lots of popular brand stores (including Lululemon, Tiffany & Co., Nordstrom, and more…). It’s really fun to wander around! There are also plenty of dining options: Din Tai Fung, Bourbon Steak, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, and others. The lawn was full of people taking photos or having picnics—the vibe was super chill 😌. Evening: Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden Later, I visited the Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden—a hidden Japanese-style gem in LA. Stepping inside, it felt like an instant trip to Kyoto! From tea houses and koi ponds to stone lanterns… every corner of the garden is quiet and serene, making it perfect for unwinding after a long day. When sunlight filtered through the old trees, I truly felt healed 🪨. No reservation is needed—you can buy tickets on-site for $15.😌😌 #UndiscoveredAttractions #NicheSpotsForAloneTime #OffTheBeatenPath #EB1A #AvoidCrowdsHere #LA #LosAngelesLife #LosAngelesTravel