Planning a trip to Los Angeles and want to explore the city through the lens of pop culture? From comic shops and filming locations to legendary donuts and pub grub with a side of TV trivia, these are some of my favorite shopping and eating stops from our recent LA adventure, all with a quirky, cinematic twist.
Whether you’re into comics, costumes, cult classics, or collectible vinyl, there’s a side quest in this list for you.
Golden Apple Comics (Melrose Ave)
A must-visit for Marvel fans and collectors, Golden Apple Comics has been an LA comic book landmark since 1979. Run by founder Bill Liebowitz’s son Ryan, the shop has hosted legends like Stan Lee, Frank Miller, and Kevin Smith, and it’s just across from another local icon, Pink’s Hot Dogs.
I’d ordered from them online before, so stopping in during our trip was high on my list. It’s smaller than I expected (their big inventory is in a warehouse), but the team was helpful and kind. If you have a specific request, order ahead for in-store pickup!
Larry Edmunds Bookshop (Hollywood Blvd)
This is Hollywood history in book form. Larry Edmunds Bookshop has been around since 1938 and specializes in cinema history, vintage posters, scripts, and biographies.
Quentin Tarantino even recreated the shop’s facade for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. It’s that iconic.
As a film lover, this place felt like magic. My daughter picked up a costume design book, and I could’ve spent hours flipping through old scripts and lobby cards. A true gem.
Funko Hollywood (Hollywood Blvd)
Part store, part pop culture theme park, Funko Hollywood is 40,000 square feet of colorful, fandom-fueled fun. From Jurassic Park and Stranger Things to Marvel, Disney, and retro mascots, the immersive displays make this a playground for nerds of all ages.
The highlight? The “Pop! Yourself” station, where you can build your own custom Funko figure.
This was our second visit, and I’m still obsessed with the brand mascot section, even if I didn’t add another one to my shelf. If you love Funko Pops or just want some great photos, don’t miss this spot.
Amoeba Music (Hollywood Blvd)
Amoeba is the largest independent record store in the world, and walking through the doors is like stepping into an audio museum.
We weren’t planning on stopping here, but I’m so glad we did. The selection was incredible, the prices fair, and the staff super knowledgeable. My daughter found a rare CD, and I had flashbacks to every record store I’ve loved.
The Last Bookstore (Downtown LA)
Housed in a former 1914 bank, The Last Bookstore is a whimsical wonderland of books, art, and architectural surprises.
The famous upstairs book tunnel, hidden nooks, and bank vaults-turned-book rooms make this a must-see for bookworms and Instagram lovers alike.
I especially loved the sections dedicated to local LA authors and artists. Part bookstore, part art gallery, 100% enchanting.
It’s a Wrap (Burbank)
TV costume treasure hunt? Yes, please.
It’s a Wrap sells actual wardrobe pieces from shows and films. Each item is tagged with a production code, which you match to a chart at the front of the store to ID which show it came from.
It’s fun, but I’ll admit it was a little frustrating trying to decode the tags; many items weren’t listed on the chart. Still, the concept is amazing, and if you’re a fan of thrifting or costuming, it’s worth the trip.
Pickwick Pub (Woodland Hills) – aka The Office’s Poor Richard’s
This unassuming British pub doubled as Poor Richard’s in The Office, and fans will recognize signage and layout from the show.
We stopped in for lunch, and the food was fantastic. Our server was one of the owners and even had a cameo in the episode filmed here. My advice: order the steak pie with mashed potatoes.
Scum & Villainy Cantina (Hollywood Blvd)
This geeky watering hole began as a Star Wars-inspired pop-up and quickly became a permanent fixture in LA fandom.
Inside, you’ll find themed cocktails (like the Blue Milk), a glowing twin suns bar, and references to everything from Harry Potter to Indiana Jones.
We expected a tourist trap, but it had a chill, local vibe. It’s like Oga’s Cantina, but with no time limit and a full fandom mashup.
Mel’s Drive-In (Sunset Blvd)
Mel’s is classic LA. Originally from San Francisco (and made famous by American Graffiti), the Hollywood location has its own rock & roll past as Ben Frank’s, a favorite of musicians like Jim Morrison.
Lana Del Rey fans take note: this is the Lana location, complete with a rotating “Lana Shake” on the menu.
We stopped in for dessert and drinks, and it felt like stepping back in time, with neon lights, chrome counters, and all.
Randy’s Donuts (Inglewood)
You’ve seen it in Iron Man 2 and Mars Attacks!, but Randy’s Donuts isn’t just a photo op. It’s a legit great donut.
That 32-foot rooftop donut is real steel and concrete (engineered by the same person who did the LAX “spider” building), and it makes for the perfect welcome-to-LA snack stop.
We went straight from LAX and made this our first official LA bite, iced coffee, and a donut under the giant pastry landmark. 10/10 would recommend.
And there you have it — a whirlwind tour of some of our favorite pop culture spots to shop, snack, and soak up the LA magic.
It’s easy to think of Los Angeles as just red carpets and studio lots, but what I love most are these places that make the city feel like a mixtape: comics and collectibles, vintage books and vinyl, movie props and donuts the size of your head.
