In our new section for sustainability, we show our guests around the hottest, greenest places on our patch. This ranges from boutique and vintage shopping to museums and repair shops to the neighbourhood’s most loved green, organic or eco-friendly restaurants and bars. We call it The Good Guide – happy exploring.
Curious?
221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Visit The Broad for the amazing contemporary art, but don’t forget to marvel at the Gold-LEED building, awarded the sustainability certification for eco features such as car-charging stations, LED lighting, green space and several waste, water and energy efficiency measures – as well as the impressive “veil” structure, designed to maximise daylight..
901 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles CA 90013
This former flour mill is now a gallery, with various exhibitions, events, educational projects and activities. The company behind it is working towards zero carbon by transitioning all its galleries to eco-swaps (such as LEDs, electric vehicles, renewable energy), and offsetting via donations and partnerships with green community projects. At the LA gallery, try the seasonal, locally sourced, organic offering at the restaurant – shored up by the on-site veg garden and chicken coop.
3350 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90065
This is not your typical nursery: Plant Material specialises in native and regionally appropriate plants – highlighting drought-tolerant greenery that doesn’t require vast amounts of water and fertiliser to survive in LA’s climate.
Feeling spenny
727 N Broadway #115, Los Angeles, CA 90012
This store is about vintage, upcycled, surplus-made and deadstock fashion, but also hopes to educate people on clothing’s life cycle. To that end, it helps visitors to repair or modify their own pieces in order to avoid waste and buying new.
1320 E 7th Street #114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Inspired by coastal living, Banks Journal offers understated, practical pieces (think boardshorts and quilted jackets) with an eye on sustainability – meaning organic materials, polyester made from recycled plastic bottles and online orders in reusable packaging.
228 Main Street #14, Venice, Los Angeles, CA 90291
“Don’t Worry, Be Crappy” is the memorable tagline of this carbon-neutral indie sunglasses store. The frames are biodegradable, plant-based and very cool. Sold at Best of shop.
2915 Knox Ave #105, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Upcycling – or the “clean-up economy” – makes a big difference to our planet. Suay uses post-consumer waste, deadstock and domestically grown, organic fibres to, in their words, turn old clothes into new. You can also refresh your own faded or stained garments (or towels or bedding) with their monthly community dye bath.
Hungry?
A fully vegan sister spot to Hollywood’s Locali, this little sandwich bar is full of plant-based fare including towering bagels, colourful quinoa bowls and packed paninis.
300 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
This well-known plant-based eatery sources from local farms, uses organic produce and eschews processed food. Interestingly, be prepared to order by stating, “I am content/festive/vivid…” depending on the name of your dish.
5046 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Plastic-free shopping got chic. Boosting more than 500 refillable products, this B Corp store provides a serene space in which to zero-waste shop to your heart’s content.
6610 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
This small but perfectly formed candlelit restaurant is hailed as an “ode to meat, beautiful meat,” with locally sourced Italian-inspired charcuterie dishes and farmers’ market veg. From water to food waste and the material used to outfit the space, the team is committed to being as eco-conscious as possible.
Thirsty?
868 S Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Rock up for natural wine made minus pesticides or other chemicals, as well as cider, beer, sake and more produced using the likes of native yeasts, real ingredients and organic practices. All served alongside a menu of sustainable Mexican-Italian dishes, as well as regular wine flight and “meet the winemaker” events.