The basics
What is Stoner LA?
An independent guide to stoner life in Los Angeles: where to smoke, where to eat, what to watch and what to see, neighborhood by neighborhood.
Do you sell cannabis?
Nope. We don't sell anything. We just tell you where to go.
Where can I legally smoke weed in Los Angeles?
Home, a friend's place, or a lounge in West Hollywood or Hawthorne.
Are there cannabis lounges in the City of Los Angeles?
Not yet. LA city hasn't approved them, so the lounges are in West Hollywood and Hawthorne, right next door.
Can I smoke at the beach in LA?
Technically the beach counts as public. The local move is to smoke before you go and catch the sunset after.
How do you pick the places on this page?
Spots that have been around long enough to earn it, and places locals actually go. If anything is ever paid, we label it Featured partner.
Where to Smoke
Can you smoke weed in public in LA?
No. It's legal to buy and carry, but smoking on sidewalks, beaches, parks or anywhere tobacco smoking is banned is an infraction in California. Smoke on private property with the owner's okay, or at a licensed lounge.
Are there weed lounges in Los Angeles?
Not in the City of LA. Its cannabis department says lounges are currently prohibited, though a pilot program was proposed to the City Council in December 2025. The licensed lounges near LA are in West Hollywood and Hawthorne, which are separate cities with their own rules.
Can I smoke in my hotel room in LA?
Usually not. California hotel rooms are smoke-free by default and owners can ban cannabis on the property, so expect a cleaning fee if you get caught. Check the hotel's own written policy before you assume anything.
Eat
What restaurants are open 24 hours in LA?
Original Tommy's on Beverly Blvd, Norms on La Cienega, Randy's Donuts in Inglewood, Carnitas Michoacan on North Broadway and Sun Nong Dan on Western in Koreatown all run around the clock. Canter's on Fairfax goes all night on weekends. Hours change, so check before you go.
Where can I get late night food in Koreatown?
Sun Nong Dan on Western is open 24 hours and known for galbi jjim covered in torched cheese. BCD Tofu House on Wilshire serves soft tofu stew into the small hours most nights. Both are a few minutes from each other.
What are the best late night tacos in LA?
Leo's Tacos Truck at La Brea and Venice is the al pastor standard, shaved right off the trompo. Carnitas Michoacan in Lincoln Heights does tacos and burritos 24 hours. For daytime, Mariscos Jalisco's fried shrimp taco and Guisados' stews are worth the trip.
Watch
Which LA theaters show 35mm film?
The New Beverly Cinema shows only 35mm and 16mm, and the Vista Theatre in Los Feliz shows only film, including 70mm. Vidiots in Eagle Rock, Los Feliz 3, the Aero in Santa Monica and the Egyptian in Hollywood all run 35mm too. Check each theater's calendar, since format is usually listed per screening.
Where is the New Beverly Cinema?
The New Beverly is at 7165 Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles. Quentin Tarantino owns it, and it runs 35mm double features most nights plus midnight shows on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where can I see 70mm in LA?
The Vista Theatre, the Egyptian Theatre and the Academy Museum's David Geffen Theater all project 70mm. Runs are usually tied to big new releases or special series, so watch their calendars and buy early.
See
What are the best free things to do in LA?
Griffith Observatory, The Broad, the Getty Center, the California Science Center, Urban Light at LACMA, the outdoor pits at La Brea Tar Pits and a self-guided walk through Hollywood Forever are all free. The Getty, The Broad's Infinity Mirrored Room and the Science Center's Endeavour building need reservations. The Huntington is free on the first Thursday of the month with an advance ticket.
Is Griffith Observatory free?
Yes. The building, grounds, exhibits and public telescopes are free. Planetarium shows are ticketed, parking up top is paid, and it's closed Mondays.
Where is the best view of LA at night?
Griffith Observatory, hands down. Get there before sunset and watch the whole basin light up from the terraces. For something closer to the ground, Urban Light on Wilshire glows from dusk and is out in the open around the clock.
First Time
Is weed legal in Los Angeles?
Yes. Adults 21 and over can buy cannabis and carry up to 1 ounce of flower and 8 grams of concentrate. Smoking in public is still a ticket, so keep it to private property or a licensed lounge.
Can tourists buy weed in LA?
Yes. Out-of-state licenses, state IDs, military IDs and passports all work as long as you're 21 and the ID is valid. You don't need to be a California resident.
Do you need a medical card to buy weed in California?
Not if you're 21 or older. Medical recommendations matter for 18 to 20 year olds and for the higher medical possession limits.
Venice
Can you smoke weed on Venice Beach?
Technically, no. The beach and boardwalk are public places, and California law bans smoking cannabis in public, so it's a ticket if you get caught. Yes, people do it constantly. Your best bet is to save it for your place or a licensed lounge.
Are there weed lounges in Venice?
No. Venice is part of the City of Los Angeles, which doesn't license consumption lounges. The nearest legal lounges are in West Hollywood, plus The Artist Tree in Hawthorne near LAX.
Is Venice its own city?
No. Abbot Kinney founded Venice of America in 1905, but it merged with Los Angeles in 1926. That's why LA city rules apply here.
Santa Monica
Are there weed lounges in Santa Monica?
Not that we can find. Santa Monica is its own city, and it hasn't set up rules for consumption lounges. The closest licensed lounges are in West Hollywood.
Can you smoke weed on Santa Monica Beach or the pier?
No. Both are public places, and smoking cannabis in public is a ticket in California. Save it for a private spot where the owner says yes.
Is Santa Monica part of Los Angeles?
No, it's a separate city with its own city council and rules. That's why its cannabis rules can differ from LA's or West Hollywood's.
West Hollywood
Can you smoke weed in West Hollywood lounges?
Yes. West Hollywood licenses consumption lounges, and The Artist Tree, The Woods WeHo and Sunset Social Club let you smoke on site. You have to be 21 or over with a government ID, and you can only smoke what you buy there.
Can you bring your own weed to a WeHo lounge?
No. The lounges require you to buy on site. Outside cannabis, tobacco and alcohol aren't allowed at The Woods, and The Artist Tree only allows products bought there.
Is Sunset Social Club open to the public?
Pretty much. It's built as a members lounge, across from Chateau Marmont on Sunset, but the club says non-members are welcome with a minimum cannabis purchase. For a garden vibe, try The Woods.
Silver Lake
Can you smoke weed in Silver Lake?
At home or on private property where the owner says yes, sure. The reservoir, the Meadow, the stairs and the sidewalks are public, so smoking there is a ticket. LA city has no consumption lounges.
Are there weed lounges in Silver Lake?
No. Silver Lake is in the City of Los Angeles, which doesn't license consumption lounges. The closest legal lounges are in West Hollywood.
Where are the Music Box Steps?
At 923-925 N Vendome St in Silver Lake. There are 133 steps, and a plaque on one of the lower steps marks the 1932 Laurel and Hardy film The Music Box.
Echo Park
Can you rent swan boats at Echo Park Lake?
Yes. Wheel Fun Rentals operates the swan pedal boats on the lake as the city's boat concessionaire. Rentals go by the hour and include life vests. You can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on board.
When is the Lotus Festival at Echo Park Lake?
It happens every July at Echo Park Lake. The 2025 edition was the 44th and featured dragon boat races, two stages of performances and an Asian and Pacific Islander food court. Free shuttles run from nearby parking lots.
Can you smoke weed at Echo Park Lake?
Legally, no. It's a public park, and smoking cannabis in public in LA can get you a ticket. Smoke at home or a rental that allows it, or take a ride to a licensed lounge in West Hollywood.
Downtown LA
Is The Broad free?
Yes. General admission to The Broad is always free. Timed tickets are recommended and walk-ups are available daily. The Infinity Mirrored Room and some special exhibitions need separate reservations.
How old is Grand Central Market?
It opened in September 1917 and has been operating ever since. It sits at 317 S Broadway in a building that dates to 1897, and it has more than 50 stalls.
Is Angels Flight still running?
Yes. It reopened for public service in August 2017 and runs between Hill Street and California Plaza on Bunker Hill.
Koreatown
Is there 24-hour food in Koreatown?
Yes. Sun Nong Dan on Western Avenue is open 24 hours and known for cheese-topped galbi jjim. BCD Tofu House on Wilshire stays open very late too. Wi Spa is there if you'd rather sweat it out.
What's the best Korean BBQ in Koreatown?
Park's BBQ on Vermont is the usual first answer, with prime beef and a James Beard service award. Baekjeong on 8th Street is the louder, more party-style pick, and Soowon Galbi is great for groups.
Where can you do karaoke in Koreatown?
Break Room 86 inside The LINE Hotel has hidden '80s-themed karaoke rooms, and Rosen by Pharaoh on 8th Street does private noraebang rooms. Book ahead on weekends.
The Valley
Is the San Fernando Valley part of the City of Los Angeles?
Mostly. Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and many more Valley neighborhoods are inside LA city. Burbank, Glendale, San Fernando, Calabasas and Hidden Hills are separate cities, and Universal City is unincorporated county land.
Is the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys open?
Yes. The garden at 6100 Woodley Ave reopened on June 8, 2026, after a long restoration. It's open on weekdays and walk-ins are welcome.
When is the Bob's Big Boy car show in Burbank?
Every Friday night in the parking lot of Bob's Big Boy at 4211 W Riverside Dr in Burbank. It's free to walk around and look at the cars.