Los Angeles' secret spots locals love to keep hidden

LA's not all about movie stars and fancy parties. There's a whole different side most people miss. Forget the typical touristy stuff. If you know where to look, the real Los Angeles is hiding in plain sight. These are a few of Los Angeles' best-kept secrets, ranging from quirky art locations to tiny taquerias.

It may surprise you that Hollywood Forever Cemetery is quite an active area. Although Judy Garland and Johnny Ramone are buried here, this is also a popular location amongst the locals. Picture this: doing downward dog surrounded by gravestones. Yep, they've got yoga classes right on the lawn.

LA's food scene? It's wild. Skip those Instagram hotspots that'll cost you an arm and a leg. Check out My Dung in Chinatown for a killer bánh mì that's easy on the wallet. Phoenix Bakery's an old-timer; they've been baking since before your parents were born. Their strawberry cake is out of this world. It's so good you might just cry.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology will completely amaze you if you're into bizarre things. It's like walking into Salvador Dali's brain - old manuscripts next to stories about X-ray bats and whatnot. After that mind-bender, chill out with some tea on their rooftop. Trust us; you'll need a breather to wrap your head around what you've seen.

Want to learn some history without falling asleep? The Watts Towers are pretty wild. Simon Rodia spent over three decades building these insane towers by himself. Talk about dedication!

Don't sleep on the Valley—it's got some hidden gems. Case in point: the Valley Relics Museum. It's in a random airplane hangar full of cool junk from way back when. Think neon signs from long-gone businesses and random pop culture junk. It's like stepping into a time machine, for real.

Are you sick of all the traffic and buildings? LA's got you covered. Hit up Fern Dell Trail in Griffith Park for a nature fix. Amid the concrete jungle sits this tiny green haven. Make your way to Malibu if you enjoy the sun and sand. Surfrider Beach is usually crowded, but El Matador is the spot for some peace and quiet.

LA has way more music than just the Grammys and Hollywood Bowl. Have you ever been to The Baked Potato? This teeny jazz spot's been kickin' since the 70s - even made a cameo in that Ryan Gosling flick. It's pretty much what you'd expect - awesome jazz and loaded spuds. Seriously, does it get any better?

Movie buffs, you can't miss the New Beverly Cinema. Quentin Tarantino owns it now, so you know it's legit. They play everything from old classics to cheesy B-movies, all on actual film. It's like time travel - they even run those cheesy old ads before the movie.

Each part of LA has its own thing going on. Little Tokyo's one of the oldest spots in town, mixing old Japanese vibes with modern LA flair. Grab a traditional Japanese breakfast at Azay, then stuff your face with fresh mochi from Fugetsu-Do. Can you believe they've been making that stuff since 1903?

Want to learn about Black history and culture in LA? Visit the California African American Museum. It's free and packed with cool exhibits about Black life in California and beyond.

LA has something for every kind of music fan. Permanent Records Roadhouse is a music lover's dream—a record store, bar, and venue all rolled into one. It's way cooler than Amoeba.

The city's culinary scene extends to unexpected locations. Here's a pro tip: some of LA's best eats hide in strip malls. No joke. Like Hayat's Kitchen in North Hollywood. It looks like nothing special outside, but the Lebanese food inside is mind-blowing.

Plant lovers will go nuts for the Theodore Payne Foundation in Sun Valley. Their Wild Flower Hill trail is short and sweet, but man, when those flowers are blooming in spring? It's something else.

For a bougie night out, head to Barnsdall Art Park in the summer. You can get drunk, stare at the Hollywood sign, and tour some fancy houses simultaneously.

There are always exciting new discoveries to be made in Los Angeles. This city is full of hidden gems for the daring traveler, from unusual museums to undiscovered hiking areas. Consider visiting local hangouts as opposed to the typical tourist destinations. That's how you really get to know LA - warts, weirdness, and all.