Runyon Canyon, El Pueblo de Los Angeles, and the WeHo Bar Scene: Walking in L A (Your WeHo Car Free, Care Free Weekend)

By Bill Malcolm*

I recently visited Southern California and had a fun time. The weather is always good, but the winter is the best coming from cloudy and cold climates like mine. I flew nonstop into LAX and survived without a rental car. It's a lot more relaxing. I stayed at the Ramada Plaza in West Hollywood (and the Renaissance LAX and the Anaheim Marriott). All three were excellent and affordable -- increasingly important in this expensive region.

What to do

Runyon Canyon Park

Hike Runyon Canyon Park above Hollywood: This 160 acre park has a great 3 mile loop trail. Enter from Fuller Road and go counterclockwise on the trails. Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown LA, the LA mountains to the east, and of course the famous Hollywood sign. Many movie stars and movie star wannabees can be found hiking the popular trail. Lots of interesting native vegetation(mostly scrub chapparal) plus native trees adopted to the Mediterranean climate (rain only in the winter, dry the rest of the year). Bring plenty of water. Parking is limited so take public transit (Sunset Boulevard route to Fuller). Vendors at the park entrance sell food and beverages including a fruit mix.

Hit the West Hollywood bar scene:

Revolver is the video bar (8851 Santa Monica) and is always hopping. Dancers on the weekends. The Gym (8919 Santa Monica) is extremely popular. Micky's has a great happy hour and also a taco bar where you can have a picnic. Hi Tops, is the sports bar (there's another one in San Francisco) and is quite popular. The Abbey is a lot of fun. Schmitty's is also quite popular and features an upscale crowd.

Take your pick of bars there is something for everyone and they are just steps from the Ramada Plaza on Santa Monica Boulevard.

Explore the El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Monument Park near Union Station:

It's the original spot where LA was founded in the 1700s. Learn about the history of this city which was previously under Spanish then Mexican rule. Enjoy the shops and restaurants in this Farmers Market like setting. Nearby is the art deco gem, Union Station, where you can catch Amtrak, Metrolink commuter rail, and the Metro subway/light rail lines. I went to LAX from Union Station on the A and C lines for just $1.75.

Hang out on the beach at Santa Monica Pier

Go to Anaheim

Home of Disneyland. The Anaheim Packing District is the new food court. The Garden Walk features tons of restaurants. We liked Casa de Pancho Mexican. The Anaheim Marriott is nice.

Where to stay in WeHo

Ramada Plaza

You simply cannot beat the iconic Ramada Plaza on Santa Monica Boulevard. Next door to the Trader Joe's. Many great LGBTQ+ bars just down the street. A great gym across the street. On the #4 line to Santa Monica and to downtown. Very handy. Best of all no resort fee (aka amenity fee or destination fee) which the other hotels had (at $35 a day plus tax) and no "Worker Protection Fee Ordinance Surcharge" (around $20 a day plus tax). And what is this even for and why are both charges not in base rates? (The Ramada has a $1 a day safe fee plus tax but they will take it off the bill if you balk). The Ramada Plaza is a Miami 1980s architectural gem. If you need a car, Enterprise is next door. The trendy gym is across the street. You can walk everywhere, and everything is just steps away.

Another fee free hotel is the Best Western Sunset Plaza. Other great WeHo hotel options include the Chamberlin (an award winner) and the Andaz (part of the Hyatt family).

Before you book any hotel, check all the charges in addition to the room rate.

Read a summary of all the WeHo hotels at visitwesthollywood.com.

How to get there

I took a non-stop (IND LAX) on American on the way out and another non stop red eye on Delta on the way back. Both flights were flawless. Delta now has free WiFi!

I took the #3 Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica from LAX the next day for just $1.10 and connected to the #4 bus to West Hollywood ($1.75). Then I took the #4 bus to the red line subway to go to Union Station. Then I took the commuter rail, MetroLink, to go to Anaheim (close to Disneyland). The all day weekend pass is a deal. The new WeHo CityLine bus will also take you around town (weho.org/cityline). Car NOT needed.

Where and What To Eat

Tail O The Pup

The Tail o the Pup in West Hollywood is Southern California architecture at its finest. They also have good hot dogs.

I loved the many choices at the Original Farmers Market. Plus healthy juices. Try the enchiladas at Magee's (6333 W 3rd Street). The open air shopping and dining facility has been open since 1934.

I got quick meals too at the Trader Joes (8611 Santa Monica Boulevard).

The Angel City IPA is excellent and is a local microbrew. I had one at LAX. The Asian Street Eats in the Tom Bradley Terminal has healthy bowls. Try the short ribs with purple rice and spicy Teriyaki.

You cannot go wrong in LA when eating. Even the gas station convenience stores have healthy items.

Other tips

You will see lots of movie stars and move star wanna bees. Everyone watches what they eat and eats healthy. I had a carrot/beet/pineapple/apple red juice combo at the Yum Yum Donuts (5836 W. Manchester) near the Doubletree LAX. Only in California. And so healthy.

The LA Blade occasionally carries my column. There is no other in print publication I could find. However, GEDMAG.com (a Palm Springs publication) has some LA stuff.

West Hollywood is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a city. It's very gay and not as retiree oriented as nearby Palm Springs. It's also very walkable.

More information and special thanks to visitwesthollywood.com.

While I flew into LAX, you may want to avoid it. Burbank, Ontario, Santa Ana, and Long Beach are less congested alternatives and easier to get to. If you must go into LAX like me (since that is where the non-stops went), take transit and avoid the car congestion.

Look out for the robot food carts in WeHo which deliver food. They are everywhere on the sidewalk. The Waymo driverless taxis are another hit.

Beverly Hills

*Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated LGBTQ+ value travel writer. He boycotts hotels with junk fees (resort fees, amenity fees, made up charges and surcharges) and walks, bikes, or uses public transit. He receives no compensation (free hotel rooms, etc.) during his travels or when he does, discloses it. His views are his own.