When I have out-of-town visitors, I take them to the Grove, but not to shop, see a movie, sight a celeb or do anything associated with the commerce on the ground. As soon as we're parked, we hit the elevator and go to the very top. Yes, we're here for the parking garage. The top floor of the Grove parking lot is the absolute best place west of Griffith Park for sprawling, panoramic views of Los Angeles. Being dragged to a parking garage may not immediately mesh with a sightseer's expectations, but there's really little that compares with a patented, purple L.A. evening atop the Grove. Your tourist friends will thank you. 189 The Grove Drive, Mid-City. (323) 900-8050, thegrovela.com.

—Paul Fisher

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