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Where can I buy the kind of flat anchovies and pickled peppers used to make Basque pintxo "Gilda" in LA?
for the anchovies, try the jarred ones at mitsuwa in mar vista or little tokyo's niijiya market. the japanese brands like yamaki or shirakiku are actually cured more like the basque style, less aggressively salted and softer in texture. i've seen people grab the spain imports there too but honestly the japanese ones work better in a gilda because they're not fighting the olive and pepper.
pickled guindillas are trickier but the armenian markets on santa monica blvd in hollywood or the gelson's on sunset in silver lake sometimes stock them in the olive bar section, not jarred. the olive bar ones are usually less sweet and have that slight bitterness you want. just ask for "guindilla peppers" not pickled, the staff at gelson's actually knows what that means
honestly for the anchovies try La Espanola Meats in Harbor City or the big Vallarta on Sherman Way in Van Nuys. they carry Ortiz brand which is the closest i've found to what you get in San Sebastian - way less salt than the Cento or Crown Prince stuff. for the pickled guindilla peppers check Super King in Glendale or the Argentine market on Santa Monica in Weho, they sell them in jars labeled "guindillas" not "pickled peppers" which is prob why you havent spotted them. the ones at Whole Foods are too sweet and vinegary, totally wrong texture
seen a lot of good recs already but nobody's mentioned the italian markets yet. eataly in century city has a surprisingly decent selection of boquerones style anchovies in their refrigerated case, not just the oil-packed tins. they're way milder than the salt-cured ones and closer to what you'd get in a basque bar. pricey though, like $12 for a small jar
for the peppers, honestly check the persian markets in westwood or beverly hills. places like shamshiri market or attari's on westwood blvd carry whole jarred sweet peppers that are almost identical to guindillas. they're labeled as "sweet banana peppers" in the persian section but they're the same thing, just less briney. get the ones that look wrinkled and pale green, not the bright yellow ones. about $4 a jar and they last forever
one thing nobody mentioned is that the anchovies you find in the US are usually salt-cured and need to be rinsed tbh. even the good brands. soak them in milk for 10 minutes then pat dry, it pulls out that aggressive saltiness without ruining the texture. learned that from a basque chef who did a pop-up in dtla a few years back
Things to Do in Los Angeles (2026)
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping vi… 🌴 Iconic Sights
Start with the Hollywood Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard, where over 2,700 stars honor celebrities. For a classic photo, hike up to the Griffith Observatory for sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🎨 Museums and Culture
The Getty Center in Brentwood offers free admission (parking $20) and stunning gardens with art from the Middle Ages to modern times. For contemporary art, head to The Broad in downtown LA, which has free timed-entry tickets for Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms. Book online weeks ahead.
🏖️ Beach Day Essentials
Santa Monica Pier is a lively spot with an amusement park and aquarium, but for a quieter vibe, try Manhattan Beach with its wide sandy shores and local shops. Both have bike paths connecting to Venice Beach, where you can watch skateboarders at the famous Venice Skate Park.
🍽️ Foodie Hotspots
Grand Central Market in downtown LA has been a food hall since 1917, offering everything from tacos at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas to egg sandwiches at Eggslut. For Korean BBQ, head to Koreatown's Park's BBQ, where the beef short ribs are a must-try. Expect lines on weekends.
🚶 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore the Arts District for street art and industrial-chic galleries, then grab coffee at Blue Bottle. Echo Park is great for a stroll around the lake and vintage shopping on Sunset Boulevard. Both neighborhoods are walkable and less touristy than Hollywood.
🚌 Getting Around
LA's Metro system has expanded with the K Line connecting Crenshaw to the Westside, but a car is still the most convenient option. Rideshares are widely available, but traffic on the 405 and 101 can be heavy from 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Consider renting a bike for beach areas.
🌆 Best Evening Spots
Catch sunset at the rooftop bar of the Ace Hotel in downtown LA, which offers craft cocktails and views of the city skyline. For live music, the Hollywood Bowl hosts concerts from May to October, with affordable bench seats starting around $20. Pack a picnic for a classic LA experience.
💡 Local Tips
Many museums offer free admission on certain days, like the Natural History Museum on the first Tuesday of the month. Parking can be expensive, so use apps like SpotHero to reserve spots ahead. Always carry a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and refill stations are common.
Seconding the Academy Museum free day tip, that's a solid addition. One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Griffith Observatory can get completely overrun on summer weekends, to the point where they close the road to cars. If you're not up for the hike from the bottom, take the DASH Observatory bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro station, it's 50 cents and drops you right at the door. Also, for a quick beach lunch that's not a tourist trap, the fish tacos at Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach are worth the short walk from the pier.
one thing the guide doesnt mention is that the getty center has a free shuttle from the parking structure up to the museum, so you dont have to hike the hill unless you want to. also if you go on a weekday morning the gardens are basically empty and the light is perfect for photos. for a quick bite after, the cafeteria is overpriced but the hot dog stand outside the tram stop has decent cheap snacks
honestly the guide is pretty solid but i think theyre sleeping on the food scene in the san gabriel valley. if you have a car and an afternoon, drive out to monterey park for some of the best chinese food in the country. the soup dumplings at din tai fung are famous for a reason but the real hidden gem is the xiao long bao at mei long village just down the street. way less of a wait and just as good. also for a chill evening that's not downtown, the rooftop at the standard on sunset has a great vibe and you can see