Activities

Neighborhood Series: Spending the day in Sawtelle, a full day itinerary

9.15.25

Now a thriving neighborhood known for Japanese cuisine and culture, Sawtelle has had a wild history. From original residence by the Tongva people, to Mexican colonization, to a coup annexation by LA City, to settlement by Japanese-Americans who were then forced out during WWII internment, Sawtelle has been through it. Sawtelle is still home to much of LA’s Japanese-American culture - which has expanded to pan-Asian cuisine - and is a must visit for hungry locals!

Today, Sawtelle is a vibrant neighborhood celebrated for its Japanese-American roots and pan-Asian cuisine. It’s a must-visit for locals, especially if you're in the mood for a foodie adventure.

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Getting There

  • Metro: Take the Metro E (yellow) line to Expo/Sepulveda, then take the 17 bus toward VA Medical Center & UCLA 2 stops or walk 15 minutes to the corner of Sawtelle Blvd and Olympic Blvd.
  • Driving: On Sundays street parking on neighborhood streets is free all day, but other days it’s limited to 2 hours so we recommend parking at the One Westside lot. It’s on the expensive side ($26.25 max/day), but alternatives in the area are pretty sparse.

Morning

  • 10:45am: Enjoy a leisurely morning coffee and a dialectable French pastry at Artelice Pâtisserie. Don’t fret, this is the first and last non-Asian food for today!
  • 11:30am: Grab an early light lunch at Mogu Mogu before a crowd forms. Although it’s a 6-minute detour from the main drag (Sawtelle Blvd), it’s worth the walk. Try the most popular dish, mazemen - a soup-less noodle - and don’t sleep on their umami vinegar!

Afternoon

  • 12:15pm: Head back to Sawtelle Blvd for some shopping. Take your time browsing the aisles at Nijiya Japanese market, then check out the low-cost Japanese home goods chain store next door, Daiso. 
  • 1:15pm: We hope you’re already hankering for a snack! Stop in for karaage (Japanese fried chicken) at Tenkatori, a casual eatery right next to Daiso.
  • 1:45pm: Just one block up the street, shop unique artistic goods at Giant Robot and Lune Noir. Plant enthusiasts should also consider a stop at one of the two cute nurseries - Hashimoto and Yamaguchi Bonsai - one block farther North.
  • 3:00pm: Walk Northeast about 16 minutes into West Los Angeles to visit the CatCafe Lounge for some kitten cuddles. Weekday reservations for 70 minutes are available at 3:20pm, but weekend slots are at 4:00pm so plan your visit accordingly.

Evening

  • 5:00pm: Walk 7 minutes West to the charming small cinema, Nuart Theater, for a 5:10pm screening of whatever they happen to have selected for the day. Yes, on a weekend this will cut a little bit off of your cat time or movie time, or maybe by skipping previews you could time it exactly right…
  • 7:15pm: After the movie head back South along Sawtelle Blvd where you’ll find Blackbeard’s Crafts, a pirate-themed craft beer store. Stop in to check out the merch - which also includes natural wine and unusual snacks!
  • 7:45pm: Debrief on the movie with dinner at Menya Tigre. Order their specialty, curry ramen, and you won’t be disappointed! 
  • 8:30pm: We hope you saved room because it’s time for a dessert crawl! Start with a light treat at MeloMelo Coconut Dessert before heading across the street to B Sweet for Filipino bread pudding or Halo Halo. Walk it off on the 2-block stretch down to Indigo Cow where you’ll savor Hakkaido milk ice cream. If 3 is too many (lightweight!), MeloMelo has a few other locations around LA so make the cut if you must.
  • 9:30pm: To top off your evening, head to Dots Space for karaoke. Grab a themed private room (book in advance!) and sing yourself silly before heading back to the metro / your car.

Tips

  • Total walking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • This is in large part an eating tour. Bring an empty stomach, a big appetite, and someone to share with so you can sample even more tasty dishes!
  • Book your CatCafe Lounge slot, movie ticket, and private karaoke room in advance.

This itinerary can be done Thursday - Sunday. If you happen to be going on the first Saturday of the month, take a pre-coffee detour to Kuruvungna Springs, a historic natural spring central to the Tongva era of the neighborhood. The cultural center at the springs is only open once a month.