Things to do with teens in LA: cool shops, restaurants, and activities

We live in Pasadena with our two teenage boys, 14 and 17. We moved from the East Coast four years ago and still know all of Los Angeles’ wonderful neighborhoods, food, and prices. We spent a lot of time in Little Tokyo because we love all things Japanese, but we need to explore more and see other neighborhoods that we don’t even know about. We are interested in art, but not really art museums because they are too boring for teenage boys. We like food as an anchor to visit the neighborhood. Can you suggest me something? – Margaret Hunt

Looking for things to do in LA? Ask us your questions and our expert guide will share the most unique recommendations.

Here’s what we recommend:

I don’t have kids yet, but every time my siblings visit me from Las Vegas, I’m reminded of how hard it is to keep teenagers entertained (and their phones). But it sounds like your guys have some good interests. We’ve put together a few mini tours in different neighborhoods. You won’t be able to cover them all in one day, so pace yourself.

If your teen is into comic book art, check out Revenge Of, located in Glassell Park not far from Pasadena. “The store is full of comic books, graphic novels and collectibles, with black-and-white tile floors, walls and neon lights,” Times Entertainment and Features Editor Brittany Levine Beckman told me. “There are also pinball machines and arcade games, which might be as much fun for you as they are for your kids.” Next door is Sister Store and Demolition, which serves coffee and inventive drinks (November’s menu includes a cornbread matcha concoction and sweet potato latte) and hosts a board game day on Sundays. Down the street is Bub and Grandma’s Diner (Tuna made our food critic’s list of great sandwiches in LA a few years ago). But be warned, it gets packed on weekends, so be prepared to wait for a table or order.

For a Westside option, assuming your family is already familiar with Little Tokyo, explore LA’s other Japanese enclave: Sawtelle. Start your tour at the award-winning boba tea shop Odd One Out, then take a quick detour to the giant robot shop, which is often called the birthplace of Asian pop culture products. Your kids will love searching the shelves. In The Times Guide to Southall, Grace Xue writes that it is filled with “exciting art pieces, blind boxes, plushies, home goods, toys, anime merchandise and gifts that will delight the young and the young at heart.” Across the street is Giant Robot’s sister gallery, the GR2. The Arts Center is anything but boring – this month’s group exhibition features dinosaur art. By now, you’ve probably worked up an appetite and the noodles at Vidaya are tempting enough to satisfy teenage boys’ stomachs. “The rich, sauce-spicy, no-fuss cousin of the classic noodle bowl,” suggests Times contributor Tiffany T.

One neighborhood that should be at the top of every East Coaster’s list is Los Feliz, one of the most walkable areas in L.A. Start your day at Ululani’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice, a Maui-born sweet shop that sells cloud-like ice that’s so smooth it practically melts in your mouth. There are delicious flavors like cotton candy and pickled mango. Once you’ve secured your treats, head over to Barnsdall Art Park, where you can relax on a lush lawn and take in a stunning view of the city. Don’t forget to bring a picnic blanket, and for bonus points, bring a card game to play. I did this with my sisters and we had so much fun. You can also tour the century-old, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Hollyhock House from Thursday to Saturday – advance tickets are recommended. Grab a quick bite at Smash Burger hot spot Goldburger and be sure to order the curly fries. Finally, cap off your evening at Vista, a magnificent single-screen movie theater owned by Quentin Tarantino.

Now for a quick-fire pick-me-up across LA: There’s Koreatown, where you can pick up your delicious Korean BBQ recipes, then go bowling at Shato’s 39 lanes, play virtual golf at W Screen Golf or sing your heart out at karaoke. My colleague, food writer Stephanie Brijo, also recommends dining at Santa Monica Pie, the Camera Obscura Art Lab, “some of LA’s best pastries at Petite Green Boulangerie,” and Southeast Asian hot spot Kobe. For an off-the-beaten-path art option, there’s Fantasma Gloria, Echo Park’s giant courtyard sculpture of a man. It is made of rebar and colored glass bottles, and glows differently depending on the daylight. You can view the art by driving through the street or schedule a free tour by texting the creator, Randlett King Lawrence, in advance at (213) 278-1508. He says he has some “latest exciting developments.” Finally, Downtown LA is full of things to do such as exploring the pricey Last Book Store, eating food from around the world at the Grand Central Market, taking a ride on the amazing English Flying Train and learning about music history at the Grammy Museum.

Living in LA knows how vast it is. Every time I feel like I’ve found this city, something new and exciting pops up, sending me on a discovery trail. So as you and your family explore the sprawling city, I hope you find as many reasons to love it as I do.