EAT
Kitchen Mouse
Whether you’re looking for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, Kitchen Mouse has you covered. Every item on the menu is dairy- and gluten-free, and select dishes are labeled as soy- and nut-free (although many items do contain peanuts). Walk up, place your order and enjoy your farm-to-table eats in their cozy dining room.
Details: kitchenmousela.com
Real Food Daily
If you’re staying or playing in West Hollywood, stop at Real Food Daily for plant-based, vegan cuisine. Every fruit, vegetable and whole grain in the restaurant is certified organic, and dishes that are nut-free, soy-free or gluten-free are clearly labeled.
Details: realfood.com
In-N-Out Burger
No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a stop at this quintessentially California burger chain. There are no peanuts or tree nuts of any kind used in the kitchen, but their bread, milkshakes and coffee are made in facilities with peanuts and tree nuts.
Spokin tip: If you are gluten-free, order “protein style” to sub the bun for lettuce or get the “flying dutchman” (two slices of cheese melted between meat patties) off the not-so-secret secret menu.
Details: in-n-out.com
Guisados
There are hundreds of places to get tacos in Los Angeles, but this trendy local chain stands out for many reasons. Using handmade corn tortillas and homestyle fillings, Guisados manages to make almost everything gluten-free (with the exception of the shrimp taco). The mole is the only item that contains peanuts, but it’s made in a separate area and kept in different containers. While you feast on shredded pork and flank steak, you can also feast your eyes on artwork from local artists.
Details: guisados.com
Pizzeria Mozza
It’s all about the crust at Pizzeria Mozza, the brainchild of celebrity chef Mario Batali, Los Angeles “bread maven” Nancy Silverton and restaurateur Joe Bastianich. Cooked in a wood-burning oven, these pizzas are somehow crispy and chewy at the same time. Note any allergies in your reservation and let your server know once you’re seated – they’re used to accommodating special requests. Take note that most desserts contain peanuts or tree nuts, but they’re prepared in a separate area to limit cross-contamination.
Details: la.pizzariamozza.com
TREAT
Salt & Straw
This small-batch ice cream parlor scoops up a rotating assortment of flavors every day at multiple Los Angeles locations. Sample everything from honey lavender to avocado and strawberry sherbet without worry – the staff will happily share the ingredient list. They usually have at least one dairy-free option available. To ease cross-contamination concerns, they’ll also use a fresh scoop and open a new pint once you’ve selected a flavor.
Details: saltandstraw.com
Breakaway Bakery
At Breakaway, the bakers strive to create “honestly delicious and healthy” treats in a kitchen that’s free from gluten, wheat, dairy, soy, casein, peanuts, tree nuts, gums and GMOs. The baked goods are also all organic and kosher with several vegan options. Please note for those with coconut allergies, many of the baked goods contain coconut oil. Stop in for cookies, cupcakes, muffins and much more!
Spokin Tip: They use brown rice flour that is processed on equipment that packages hazelnut, almond flours, corn and soy. The manufacturer, Bob’s Red Mill, cleans the machinery between runs. They also discard the initial 15 pounds of flour to prevent cross-contamination.
Details: breakawaybakery.com
Rising Hearts Bakery
When you’re craving something more savory, stop at Rising Hearts for bagels, brioche buns and breadsticks. Get your chocolate fix with their decadent, fudgy brownies. This gluten-free, vegan and kosher bakery doesn’t allow peanuts in the kitchen, but they do use almond flour in a few items.
Details: risingheartsbakerystore.com
Erin McKenna’s Bakery
This bakery is full of taste but free from – gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, tree nuts (note they do use coconut oil in most of the products) and refined sugar.
Spokin Tip: They use gluten-free flours that are processed on equipment that packages hazelnut, almond flours and soy. The manufacturer, Bob’s Red Mill, power washes the machinery between runs. They also discard the initial 30 pounds of flour to prevent cross-contamination.
Details: erinmckennasbakery.com
PLAY
Santa Monica
With more than 300 days of sunshine per year and some of the most beautiful sunsets on the West Coast, this beachfront community is worth the drive. Spend a day on the beach and a night at the pier’s iconic amusement park.
Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Beach
Biking Santa Monica Beach
Surf Lessons
Hollywood Star Gazing
Your trip to Los Angeles isn’t complete without at least one star sighting. Visit Hollywood’s historic landmarks, stroll down the walk of fame and snap a selfie with a celebrity…or a good impersonator.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
Sunset Ranch – Horseback rides to the Hollywood sign
Warner Brothers Studio Tour
Shopping
Whether you’re window shopping, searching for designer vintage or going full Kardashian, the Los Angeles shopping scene is almost as famous as its clientele.
Rodeo Drive
The Grove
Brentwood Country Market
The Original Los Angeles Flower Market
Platform
Hike + Outdoors
It’s always a good day to go outside in Los Angeles. Take advantage of the city’s ideal weather by hiking the canyons, riding bikes along the beach or surfing with the pros.
Runyon Canyon
Franklin Canyon
Sunset Ranch
Will Rogers State Park
Temescal Canyon Park
Museums
From Van Gogh masterpieces to fossilized saber-toothed cats, the Los Angeles museum scene has something for every age and interest. Find out where the locals go to soak up culture.
The Broad Museum
The Getty
La Brea Tar Pits
Kidspace Children’s Museum
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
STAY
The Viceroy
You’re steps away from it all at this Santa Monica mainstay – the beach, Third Street Promenade shops and the Santa Monica Pier’s famous Ferris wheel. With two outdoor pools, surf lessons and bike rentals, the Viceroy is perfectly suited for families traveling with young children.
Details: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/santamonica
Loews Hotel
Located right on the beach and a short stroll from the Santa Monica Pier, Loews goes out of its way to accommodate families. Their “Loews Loves Kids” program offers access to child-proofing kits, a closet stocked with travel necessities (like car seats, potty seats and strollers), and free welcome kits for children under 10. During summer months, they also host kids’ games at the oceanfront pool.
Details: loewshotels.com
Palihouse
You’ll feel right at home at Palihouse in West Hollywood. Settle into an extra-large room designed to accommodate extended-stay guests, fill the fridge with your favorite foods, and rinse the sand off your bathing suits in the en suite washer/dryer. This location puts you near prime shopping streets like Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard and offers babysitting services for couples in need of a date night.
Details: palihouse.com
Shutters On The Beach
Walk out the back door of this luxury hotel, step onto the sand and dive into the Pacific. This oceanfront playground is quintessentially California. In addition to five-star rooms, Shutters offers bike rentals, a heated pool and babysitting services. The roller coaster on Santa Monica Pier, shops on the Third Street Promenade and the aquarium are all within walking distance.
Details: shuttersonthebeach.com
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Surrounded by 12 acres of lush landscaping, this legendary hotel feels more like a resort right off Sunset Boulevard. They are used to catering to Hollywood’s biggest stars and will go out of their way to make you (and your kids) feel special. Children are given VIP cards to use at the old-fashioned soda fountain, which regularly accommodates food allergies, while parents get some breathing room in the extra-large rooms or suites.
Spokin Tip: Children are given a welcome gift of chocolate chip cookies and milk upon arrival, but call ahead to request an allergy-friendly option.
Details: dorchestercollection.com
Airbnb
“You came to the right place! As people living with allergies ourselves, we make it a point to accommodate travelers living with allergies.” – Julia, Host
This upscale private home in the heart of Hollywood has five stars and space for the whole family to run around. If you’re looking for food nearby, the house is just a walk away from several vegan restaurants, a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s. Julia also provides a selection of soy, gluten- and nut-free snacks.
