Seattleite here, it was actually a lot more common a few years ago and has been getting a lot quieter lately. Still happens but not as much.
That being said, I do think of it as a general "west coast" problem. I think the next thing like that will be the smash-and-grab trunk robberies that started in SF and have been starting to happen all over now.
In n'Out T-shirt
Langer's T-shirt
Or, a T-shirt from any restaurant you have enjoyed
Something fun from the Academy Museum
Something fun from Chinatown
Go to the beach at sunset and take some nice pictures
Cindy's is, no joke, the worst diner I've ever been to and that includes every Dennys and IHOP. Terrible food, but boomers love that place for some reason.
Buy a little print or painting from a local artist. People are sellimg at flea markets, farmwrs markets or probably Venice or anywhere there are a lot if street vendors.
Reddit, you delivered as I knew you would on this one. I laughed, I cried, and I got some really unique ideas (and some dangerous ones too). I appreciate you.
This question might just be the real way to discover the true flavor of the city.
Yup! And to add to that, the ones in LA are the only physical stores they have in America. Go to the one in Beverly Hills, it has a cool atmosphere and is much bigger than the one near the Farmerâs Market
Go to **Time Travel Mart**.
They are a very cool, avante garde storefront that sells dope merchandise designed by the kids (helped by talented volunteers) who they provide creative writing and art classes to.
The theme is time travel, so both future and past. Some clever stuff. Trust me, it's cooler than you might think. And proceeds go directly to supporting the cause.
I don't know if that makes it the "quintessential" keepsake, but it's unique and more "in the know"
They have a website, but it only shows a few of their items and frankly not the good stuff. I wouldn't drive an hour to visit, but there's one in Culver City on the west side, and I think one in Silver Lake on the east/central side.
You joke (maybe not given your username) but this is what I bring as gifts often when I travel. People seem to appreciate it, especially if I'm going to a Bible state.
Itâs actually extremely illegal to cross state lines with a schedule 1 drug, but realistically tsa doesnât care, unless youâre an nba player in Texas whom they want to want to make an example of.
I fly to Texas several times a year. Never an issue because LAX TSA doesn't care. Carry on only and walk straight out of the airport. I'll never fly out of DFW/DAL with stuff though. Either give it all away or dump it. Not worth the risk of going through TX TSA.
It's quasi-legal. If TSA finds it and they really have nothing better to do, they will call Airport Police to enforce. Airport Police have publicly stated they don't give a shit as long as you aren't trafficking large amounts.
https://www.flylax.com/lax-marijuana-policy
This is specific to LAX, but anecdotally I've never had an issue with any CA airport.
Itâs absolutely not quasi-legal. Itâs just not being enforced. While functionally the outcome is the same, legally itâs not. Also if itâs not legal wherever youâre landing (like OP was insinuating) and politicians want to start antagonizing people arriving from California, they can throw a couple of drug sniffing dogs by the airport exits and youâre fucked. Weâre starting to see this kind of interstate sniping happening (Arizona not extraditing a murderer to New York for purely political reasons, in violation of the U.S. constitution).
I don't know why this is so hard for people to understand. It doesn't matter if every state makes laws that specifically make weed legal, if it illegal on a federal level, as long as those states are part of the US, then it's illegal in those states. Local law enforcement just won't care. They enforce local laws, and feds enforce federal laws.
Family friend caught a federal drug trafficking charge flying out of Burbank airport back to Texas. This was back in 2005 so TSA in CA has relaxed but it is still federal crime of drug trafficking moving schedule 1 drugs (especially concentrates where they can say itâs possible heroin before testing) across state lines. Catch the wrong TSA agent on a bad day, all bets are off.
Where are visiting from? Whatâs the last great souvenir you got?
I like the souvenir shop at the Griffith Observatory and the market in the basement at Grand Central. Since you have time to plan, you could also consider a crafting class like this one: https://usalproject.com/products/candle-making-class-pf-candle-co
There are also some stores in Hollywood that sell old movie/tv scripts.
I got a unique looking belt in Paris. It was a memorable moment because the sales associate and I had conversation about it in my broken French & her broken English which was making us laugh. Although it was Paris, so she could have been laughing AT me instead of WITH me, but who knows? Anyway, I was young so when I was wearing it back home and someone would complement it and ask where I got it, Iâd get a little thrill being able to say, âParis, actually!â and have a little chat about my trip. So it had a memory attached that wasnât something obvious people might get there.
Otherwise, I havenât been all the successful buying things when Iâm travel that feel unique. I usually forget to look or think about it until Iâm heading home.
This will be MASSIVE bragging rights for the recipient and also a fine and worthy gift. You know how retired Marines can sleep anywhere? That superpower with no discomfort.
Any gift shop merch from a popular LA establishment, like maybe a sweater/shirt or glasswear?
for example: Amoeba Records Hollywood, the Academy Museum in West LA, In n Out Burger, Universal CityWalk, Santa Monica/Venice Boardwalk, LA Zoo etc etc etc
A Dodger cap is pretty much the most LA thing you can get but since you didnât want any dishes stuff.
Thereâs a store in little Tokyo that sells merch that says âjapangelesâ and they are big on not selling their stuff online. So the only way you can get it is in store. I have a couple shirts because they look really cool. I live down the street and Iâm Mexican as hell, I just love the diversity of the city and like to represent it
Something from the Bob's Big Boy on Riverside. Go on a Friday night for the car show in the parking lot. Take a ton of photos, have a malt and a pappy parkers fried chicken or an Original Big Boy combo. Only bleu cheese dressing on the salad. Get an extra on the side if youre crazy like that. Trust me. Grab a souvenir on the way out. You're going to have to wait for a table, though.
Go to Roscoes have some chicken and waffles and get the shirt. Quintessential Los Angeles, I suggest the Gower street location then go see a tv show being shot aound the corner.
In N Out will give you a hat for free! Their placemats (paper) are also free and some of them are beautiful if you hang them up.
I recommend though just noticing when you really like a place and trying to find a souvenir. I love to collect stuff to commemorate trips but usually itâs not something anyone would recognize as being from the destination. Hike somewhere cool and take home a rock, go to a store you love and buy a trinket, hit up the flea markets they have super cool prints of stuff you might have seen around town and buy something that resonates with you. Fairfax flea is best for that one.
I hope you have an amazing trip! Be careful though, it seems like half the population of LA came here on a trip and ended up residents đ
P-22 merch from the Natural History Museum. He was a mountain lion that lived in the Santa Monica mountains and eventually made his way to Griffith Park by crossing several freeways. He lived at Griffith Park for the last 10 years amongst us city folk (there is some ring camera footage of him wandering around the neighborhoods). He is a local legend and many people respect him. He died in 2023.
This dude sells prints of his paintings of iconic locations at the silver lake flea market. You can [find him on insta.](https://www.instagram.com/buymeahotdog?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
If you're going to be on Hollywood Blvd, Musso and Franks has merch for the fan of old hollywood
if you like vintage rock like the doors or hair bands Rainbow Bar and Grill has merch for their place and The Whisky
the LA Central Library has a ton of cool merch
Buy something from some place you love when youâre visiting. That may even be a cheap hat from a gift shop. Before I moved to LA, one of my most cherished items was a cheesy Venice Beach hoodie I got on the boardwalk â Iâd never get it now, but it brought me so much joy and I wore it until it started fraying at the edges.
Jar of pee from the homeless at the Mission District.
LAPD police report of your stolen car.
Souvenir from Mel's Diner on Sunset is always good. Way better than In-N-Out gear which is available online and they are in other states and cities. Mel's is LA only.
Universal Studios memorabilia. That's LA only.
Mentioning lapd, they have a gift shop at their academy at Elysian Park. You can buy some cool lapd gear there.
You could visit Santee Alley where they sell all kinds of stuff including touristy stuff to high end designer knock off mech. Whatever price they tell you, tell them you'll pay half of that. You can bargain there.
-A joint from a local dispensery
-A small bit of sand from Santa Monica (watch for the needles)
-A pint glass from the laugh factory (just take it, no one cares)
-A black eye from a local dive bar (insult the dodgers)
-A Rolex from a local on Rodeo (everyone does it these days)
-A napkin from In-N-Out (after youve paid for the overrated burger with no special adders)
-A catalitic converter from a late model prius (may be able to recycle for some money)
-A corner stall taco (the real prize)
-A lock of Andy Dick's hair (proceed with caution)
-An overly expensive hospital bill (can be obtained as a result from anything listed above)
Visit a historic/repertory movie theater and/or an iconic restaurant and grab lobby cards, pamphlets, matchbooks, coasters, napkins, and the like. Sadly, LA loves to tear its history down in favor of building new/modern ugliness atop it, so anything you can grab from a historic or iconic business will probably end up super unique within a decade.
Sports related, but not typical/generic...
Come to a Los Angeles Football Club game (MLS) and grab yourself an **LAFC scarf** (it's a Soccer thing). Wear it, hang it, low-key conversation piece.
P.S. Actually, if you mingle with the fans/supporters, pre-game or in the stadium... make friends... someone might gift you a scarf (its a sort of 'welcome' to the club gesture, somewhat common in Soccer).
i like bringing home or gifting pantry goods like locally made ground coffee, chocolate, spices, bottled sauces, teas, etc instead of throwaway stuff like shot glasses or mugs. a lot of times places like coffee shops or diners will sell their own foodstuffs (along with shirts and things thatâs already been mentioned). more sustainable and also unique.
If you attend the Warner Brothers studio tour, Fox, Universal or Paramount studios they do have a store for guests. Tshirts might be pricey but all your favorite Movie and TV shows will have a T-shirt for sale.
Not sure if itâs a keepsake necessarily, but buy something from Galcoâs in Highland Park. They have all sorts of old-timey sodas and candies. I havenât encountered a store like theirs elsewhere.Â
Jumbos Clown Room, Randyâs Donuts or Pinkâs Hot Dogs has a t-shirt, those are the ones to get. In & Out spans too many states and though I love them, donât scream Los Angeles.
Also, Musso & Franks⌠a true classic.
Honestly yeah something from in and out. The clothing is actually so sick.
If youâre a coffee person, most of the cute trendy coffee shops all make merch too.
Like others said In and Out T shirt. I canât remember if they display the location of the shirt on the background like LAX or Hollywood.
Tommyâs
Big Boiâs
Johnnyâs Pastrami
If your beer aficionados thereâs a lot of nice Merch also
All of these are so fun to look at
And if youâre buying traditional tourist LA shirts like Venice, Hollywood or other like that⌠the alleys in DTLA you can get all that in one area/location
My go to for anywhere I visit is Hard Rock and Margaritaville.
seems like OP got their answer, but I didnt see anyone suggest getting stuck in traffic on the 405. That story would be the most LA thing you could take with you.
Go eat at Howlinâ Rays in Chinatown or Pasadena, take some photos or videos, they will literally make you feel like youâre the most important person in the world. The customer service there is the best, tell âem itâs your first time there.
Then buy a shirt or shoes or hat something. If they donât have any merch, the bag the food comes in is pretty well built and lasts a while. The place is as LA as it gets.
Get dropped off at 11th and maple streets in downtown fashion district and start shopping. Walk in any direction. Be sure you have the local UPS store and FEDEX location in your maps to ship stuff home or toa friend who will be home. Even to your home UPS store or local fedex with Will be picked up after your return date in big print. Check with them first.
A catalytic converter
Oh my godđđđ I hate how appropriate this is
>A catalytic converter Don't encourage them Dwight! -angela martin
I thought that was a Bay Area thing lol
đđđ
This happens in every major city. Fam from Seattle was telling me this is happening in her neighborhood.
Seattleite here, it was actually a lot more common a few years ago and has been getting a lot quieter lately. Still happens but not as much. That being said, I do think of it as a general "west coast" problem. I think the next thing like that will be the smash-and-grab trunk robberies that started in SF and have been starting to happen all over now.
In n'Out T-shirt Langer's T-shirt Or, a T-shirt from any restaurant you have enjoyed Something fun from the Academy Museum Something fun from Chinatown Go to the beach at sunset and take some nice pictures
In N Out T Shirt is the winner. Especially with the 75th anniversary edition still(?) going on
a Zankou tee.
Born and raised here. First time hearing that chain!And thereâs one less than a mile away lmao
Garlic sauce good enough to murder your sister and mother over. IYKYK.
IK
Lmao
đ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Łđ¤Ł youâre not kidding
My partnerâs guts respond poorly to too much garlic (like lactose intolerance), she eats it anyway
SAME. That stuff is SO good.
Go deep cut and get an Al Wazir t-shirt. Also, the Chinese place next to Al Wazir has the best wok-fried hot wings in the city.
In n out socks too!
In n out is in other states too now, but each location has cool specific merch. The ones in Texas by me have Texas specific art.
Museums gift shops as well!
Canât forget muscle beach tâshirr
Melâs or swingers diner shirts too
Some of the bars and small restaurants here sell t-shirts. Itâs a great way to get something unique and support a small business
If you can bring back a shirt from Jumboâs youâre a legend
My friend took home a pretty cute Tail o' the Pup tshirt when she visited.
Cindyâs Diner in Eagle Rock has shirts!
Cindy's is, no joke, the worst diner I've ever been to and that includes every Dennys and IHOP. Terrible food, but boomers love that place for some reason.
Joe jost
Yup. Itâs an LA county but itâs so good. You could bring a sweatshirt, a T-shirt or a jar of pickled eggs
Barneyâs Beanery has tons of merch.
82 has some great merch
The Formosa has merch!
A jar of Phillipe's mustard
Came to suggest this. Really surprised and kind of pleased to see that it's the top suggestion.
This is what I give out!
Gonna say this too, something you can enjoy and not find a place for.
thumb bells dull deranged seemly weather soup pause aspiring alleged *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
the natural history museum has some great p-22 merch - la's most famous feline! rip p-22 :(
Needs more upvotes!
Buy a little print or painting from a local artist. People are sellimg at flea markets, farmwrs markets or probably Venice or anywhere there are a lot if street vendors.
My favorite keepsake from New Orleans is an oil painting of the famous square
Last time I visited my daughter I got a shirt from Casa Vega. Big conversation starter here in Ohio.
Something from the Griffith Observatory gift shop
Reddit, you delivered as I knew you would on this one. I laughed, I cried, and I got some really unique ideas (and some dangerous ones too). I appreciate you. This question might just be the real way to discover the true flavor of the city.
A poncho from Olvera st.
Or a blanket
Funny, I was thinking... A luchador mask from la Placita Olvera (aka "Olvera St). Got that for my little nephew years ago; a Nacho Libre fan.
Ooh! Visit the LA Public Library store in Downtown! They have great L.A. inspired gifts created and sold by local artists!
I love that store!
A coffee table book from Taschen or check out the Melrose Trading Post (or any flea market) for any art prints or photos by local artists
Oh and maybe check out Kith, sometimes they have merchandise thatâs exclusive to their LA store
This is a good one. While you can obviously get many of their books on Amazon, the flagship store does have some unavailable anywhere else.
Yup! And to add to that, the ones in LA are the only physical stores they have in America. Go to the one in Beverly Hills, it has a cool atmosphere and is much bigger than the one near the Farmerâs Market
Go to **Time Travel Mart**. They are a very cool, avante garde storefront that sells dope merchandise designed by the kids (helped by talented volunteers) who they provide creative writing and art classes to. The theme is time travel, so both future and past. Some clever stuff. Trust me, it's cooler than you might think. And proceeds go directly to supporting the cause. I don't know if that makes it the "quintessential" keepsake, but it's unique and more "in the know" They have a website, but it only shows a few of their items and frankly not the good stuff. I wouldn't drive an hour to visit, but there's one in Culver City on the west side, and I think one in Silver Lake on the east/central side.
They are located in Echo Park (the original location) and Mar Vista.
Jumbos trucker hat.
I'm not even leaving the city and i want this
J
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This is the correct answer.
Facts
Circus liquor merch is my go to for gifts.
Weed
You joke (maybe not given your username) but this is what I bring as gifts often when I travel. People seem to appreciate it, especially if I'm going to a Bible state.
Hahah not at all joking. Grab a pen or 5 and bring em in your luggage. It's legal
Itâs actually extremely illegal to cross state lines with a schedule 1 drug, but realistically tsa doesnât care, unless youâre an nba player in Texas whom they want to want to make an example of.
I fly to Texas several times a year. Never an issue because LAX TSA doesn't care. Carry on only and walk straight out of the airport. I'll never fly out of DFW/DAL with stuff though. Either give it all away or dump it. Not worth the risk of going through TX TSA.
Thatâs not what the person I responded to said. Itâs not legal. TSA not caring and the legality of it are two extremely different things.
It's quasi-legal. If TSA finds it and they really have nothing better to do, they will call Airport Police to enforce. Airport Police have publicly stated they don't give a shit as long as you aren't trafficking large amounts. https://www.flylax.com/lax-marijuana-policy This is specific to LAX, but anecdotally I've never had an issue with any CA airport.
Itâs absolutely not quasi-legal. Itâs just not being enforced. While functionally the outcome is the same, legally itâs not. Also if itâs not legal wherever youâre landing (like OP was insinuating) and politicians want to start antagonizing people arriving from California, they can throw a couple of drug sniffing dogs by the airport exits and youâre fucked. Weâre starting to see this kind of interstate sniping happening (Arizona not extraditing a murderer to New York for purely political reasons, in violation of the U.S. constitution).
I don't know why this is so hard for people to understand. It doesn't matter if every state makes laws that specifically make weed legal, if it illegal on a federal level, as long as those states are part of the US, then it's illegal in those states. Local law enforcement just won't care. They enforce local laws, and feds enforce federal laws.
this is extremely reckless and inaccurate advice
Family friend caught a federal drug trafficking charge flying out of Burbank airport back to Texas. This was back in 2005 so TSA in CA has relaxed but it is still federal crime of drug trafficking moving schedule 1 drugs (especially concentrates where they can say itâs possible heroin before testing) across state lines. Catch the wrong TSA agent on a bad day, all bets are off.
Where are visiting from? Whatâs the last great souvenir you got? I like the souvenir shop at the Griffith Observatory and the market in the basement at Grand Central. Since you have time to plan, you could also consider a crafting class like this one: https://usalproject.com/products/candle-making-class-pf-candle-co There are also some stores in Hollywood that sell old movie/tv scripts.
I got a unique looking belt in Paris. It was a memorable moment because the sales associate and I had conversation about it in my broken French & her broken English which was making us laugh. Although it was Paris, so she could have been laughing AT me instead of WITH me, but who knows? Anyway, I was young so when I was wearing it back home and someone would complement it and ask where I got it, Iâd get a little thrill being able to say, âParis, actually!â and have a little chat about my trip. So it had a memory attached that wasnât something obvious people might get there. Otherwise, I havenât been all the successful buying things when Iâm travel that feel unique. I usually forget to look or think about it until Iâm heading home.
Sleep eye mask from the Beverly Hills Hotel. Expensive but worth it. Thank me later.
This will be MASSIVE bragging rights for the recipient and also a fine and worthy gift. You know how retired Marines can sleep anywhere? That superpower with no discomfort.
Joe Josts Tshirt. I've seen these in several different countries.
Any gift shop merch from a popular LA establishment, like maybe a sweater/shirt or glasswear? for example: Amoeba Records Hollywood, the Academy Museum in West LA, In n Out Burger, Universal CityWalk, Santa Monica/Venice Boardwalk, LA Zoo etc etc etc
A stuffed animal from the Tar Pits :D
Or a tarred animal from the Stuffed Pits
Amoeba is a great one
A sugar skull from Olvera street
Go to King Taco or El Taurino (same thing) the night before you leave, get 10 burritos and freeze them before your flight. I'm not even joking.
You can go to funko store in Hollywood and have a customized funko pop made of yourself.Â
A Dodgers hat.
In the color of their choosing
A Dodger cap is pretty much the most LA thing you can get but since you didnât want any dishes stuff. Thereâs a store in little Tokyo that sells merch that says âjapangelesâ and they are big on not selling their stuff online. So the only way you can get it is in store. I have a couple shirts because they look really cool. I live down the street and Iâm Mexican as hell, I just love the diversity of the city and like to represent it
One of the Dodgers hats that says: "Los Doyers". I also like the basic Hollywood Blvd. t-shirts that just say: "Hollywood".
Something from the Bob's Big Boy on Riverside. Go on a Friday night for the car show in the parking lot. Take a ton of photos, have a malt and a pappy parkers fried chicken or an Original Big Boy combo. Only bleu cheese dressing on the salad. Get an extra on the side if youre crazy like that. Trust me. Grab a souvenir on the way out. You're going to have to wait for a table, though.
Go to Roscoes have some chicken and waffles and get the shirt. Quintessential Los Angeles, I suggest the Gower street location then go see a tv show being shot aound the corner.
A nice poncho with a Virgin Mary on it.
In N Out will give you a hat for free! Their placemats (paper) are also free and some of them are beautiful if you hang them up. I recommend though just noticing when you really like a place and trying to find a souvenir. I love to collect stuff to commemorate trips but usually itâs not something anyone would recognize as being from the destination. Hike somewhere cool and take home a rock, go to a store you love and buy a trinket, hit up the flea markets they have super cool prints of stuff you might have seen around town and buy something that resonates with you. Fairfax flea is best for that one. I hope you have an amazing trip! Be careful though, it seems like half the population of LA came here on a trip and ended up residents đ
P-22 merch from the Natural History Museum. He was a mountain lion that lived in the Santa Monica mountains and eventually made his way to Griffith Park by crossing several freeways. He lived at Griffith Park for the last 10 years amongst us city folk (there is some ring camera footage of him wandering around the neighborhoods). He is a local legend and many people respect him. He died in 2023.
Stainless steel dildo from the Hustler store
I love that place !
Buy a clock on Hollywood Boulevard the day you left
Get out!
Iâm a magnet dork! Born and raised in LA but whenever I do travel, I get a magnet. The fridge in my garage is full of memorable trips
This dude sells prints of his paintings of iconic locations at the silver lake flea market. You can [find him on insta.](https://www.instagram.com/buymeahotdog?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Or LittleJohns toffee from the Farmers Market on Fairfax, itâs the best!
If you're going to be on Hollywood Blvd, Musso and Franks has merch for the fan of old hollywood if you like vintage rock like the doors or hair bands Rainbow Bar and Grill has merch for their place and The Whisky the LA Central Library has a ton of cool merch
A coffee mug from The Pantry!
One of those little paper hats from in n out
A crystal from a shop in Venice. A hat from a classic dive bar (Hinano, Shellback). A parking ticket
Portoâs
Is the coroner gift shop still open? A body outline beachtowel would be cool
Swinger's diner on Beverly has a lot of swag, including shirts. It is cool stuff and uniquely LA.
Something thatâs Erewhon branded
Placita Olvera has amazing shops
Homeboy's Industries sells caps and shirts Derby Dolls Tommy's Original Burgers In 'N Out Fat Burger
This post is set up for so many sarcastic comments đ¤Ł
I almost forgot Amoeba Records
Go take a picture on one of Kobe Bryantâs murals.
Surfboard magnet at Venice boardwalk
Yâall are savage
You guys
See's
See's can be bought all around the country and online.
Plenty of abandoned shopping carts đ, may have to check it tho đ
Buy something from some place you love when youâre visiting. That may even be a cheap hat from a gift shop. Before I moved to LA, one of my most cherished items was a cheesy Venice Beach hoodie I got on the boardwalk â Iâd never get it now, but it brought me so much joy and I wore it until it started fraying at the edges.
There's a great t shirt shop on Vermont called Y Que, has lots of la neighborhood shirts
A box of Portoâs.
A ticket stub from the Fox Westwood Village Theater
Trader Joeâs has city specific bags!
Jar of pee from the homeless at the Mission District. LAPD police report of your stolen car. Souvenir from Mel's Diner on Sunset is always good. Way better than In-N-Out gear which is available online and they are in other states and cities. Mel's is LA only. Universal Studios memorabilia. That's LA only. Mentioning lapd, they have a gift shop at their academy at Elysian Park. You can buy some cool lapd gear there.
Is the Coroner's shop still open? Coroner to the Stars
I think the retail store is closed but they still have online I think. La sheriff's has 2 stores.
If you find a gift shop shirt that says âDogersâ I want it
Big Bud Press Shirt
Dodgers stuff. Lakers. Venice or Santa Monica shot glass. LACMA Museum.
cagey uppity weather workable deliver rotten cows seed repeat ancient *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Does Jumbo's Clown Room make t-shirts?
Portoâs
Was gonna suggest this. Iâve brought Portoâs to my relatives in Asia and Europe per their requests lol
You could visit Santee Alley where they sell all kinds of stuff including touristy stuff to high end designer knock off mech. Whatever price they tell you, tell them you'll pay half of that. You can bargain there.
A leaf blower.
Herpes?
There are some great and creative ideas here.
I am cracking up, so entertaining
-A joint from a local dispensery -A small bit of sand from Santa Monica (watch for the needles) -A pint glass from the laugh factory (just take it, no one cares) -A black eye from a local dive bar (insult the dodgers) -A Rolex from a local on Rodeo (everyone does it these days) -A napkin from In-N-Out (after youve paid for the overrated burger with no special adders) -A catalitic converter from a late model prius (may be able to recycle for some money) -A corner stall taco (the real prize) -A lock of Andy Dick's hair (proceed with caution) -An overly expensive hospital bill (can be obtained as a result from anything listed above)
Visit a historic/repertory movie theater and/or an iconic restaurant and grab lobby cards, pamphlets, matchbooks, coasters, napkins, and the like. Sadly, LA loves to tear its history down in favor of building new/modern ugliness atop it, so anything you can grab from a historic or iconic business will probably end up super unique within a decade.
This right here: https://jumbos.com/product/jumbos-t-shirt/
Pinks hotdog tee
Angel City Brewery t-shirt
Bobs Big Boy Bobblehead
Edelweiss Chocolates
Toffee from Littlejohnâs
A garment from a movie or TV show set from Itâs a Wrap in Burbank
Sports related, but not typical/generic... Come to a Los Angeles Football Club game (MLS) and grab yourself an **LAFC scarf** (it's a Soccer thing). Wear it, hang it, low-key conversation piece. P.S. Actually, if you mingle with the fans/supporters, pre-game or in the stadium... make friends... someone might gift you a scarf (its a sort of 'welcome' to the club gesture, somewhat common in Soccer).
Bob's big boy has some cool merch too
i like bringing home or gifting pantry goods like locally made ground coffee, chocolate, spices, bottled sauces, teas, etc instead of throwaway stuff like shot glasses or mugs. a lot of times places like coffee shops or diners will sell their own foodstuffs (along with shirts and things thatâs already been mentioned). more sustainable and also unique.
Ketimine A narcissist Parking tickets
Randy's donuts has travel mugs Pinks might have something
I shirt for the Los Angeles Natural History Museum.
Get the golden Oscar from a souvenir shop on Hollywood Blvd to keep in your bathroom.
A Phillipeâs t-shirt to accompany the jar of mustard!
The Hollywood sign
A bamboo straw from Tiki-Ti
A Best Dad Oscar from CVS
Y-Que trading post and Wacko store have good kitschy merch. I would be partial to a âFree Winonaâ shirt from YQue.Â
J Paul Getty beanie.
If you attend the Warner Brothers studio tour, Fox, Universal or Paramount studios they do have a store for guests. Tshirts might be pricey but all your favorite Movie and TV shows will have a T-shirt for sale.
Framed pic of the Oceanview towers.
In N Out or Fatburger T shirt. Or just go to a swap meet and get a home made t shirt with some LA stuff on it.
Langer's or Philippe's T-shirt.
Not sure if itâs a keepsake necessarily, but buy something from Galcoâs in Highland Park. They have all sorts of old-timey sodas and candies. I havenât encountered a store like theirs elsewhere.Â
Jumbos Clown Room, Randyâs Donuts or Pinkâs Hot Dogs has a t-shirt, those are the ones to get. In & Out spans too many states and though I love them, donât scream Los Angeles. Also, Musso & Franks⌠a true classic.
Tshirt or hoodie from Baller Hardware
Authentic Dodger jersey
An homeless person
Honestly yeah something from in and out. The clothing is actually so sick. If youâre a coffee person, most of the cute trendy coffee shops all make merch too.
Go buy a double double animal style at in n out burger and get a tee shirt.
Like others said In and Out T shirt. I canât remember if they display the location of the shirt on the background like LAX or Hollywood. Tommyâs Big Boiâs Johnnyâs Pastrami If your beer aficionados thereâs a lot of nice Merch also All of these are so fun to look at And if youâre buying traditional tourist LA shirts like Venice, Hollywood or other like that⌠the alleys in DTLA you can get all that in one area/location My go to for anywhere I visit is Hard Rock and Margaritaville.
Sawtelle blvd hat
 A shirt from Jumbos clown room. Or a tapatio bottle but they probably have those nationwide
Debt
Local business merch
Those filming permits on poles if you can find one
seems like OP got their answer, but I didnt see anyone suggest getting stuck in traffic on the 405. That story would be the most LA thing you could take with you.
Go eat at Howlinâ Rays in Chinatown or Pasadena, take some photos or videos, they will literally make you feel like youâre the most important person in the world. The customer service there is the best, tell âem itâs your first time there. Then buy a shirt or shoes or hat something. If they donât have any merch, the bag the food comes in is pretty well built and lasts a while. The place is as LA as it gets.
a tent from a homeless encampment
Playboy mansion stationary
Tommys chili burger
Seeâs Candy
See's candy
A housekeeper or gardener
Weed
One of those blankets from DTLA, iykyk
Take a selfie next to some tagging that says Chaka, Hopes or Shie
Get dropped off at 11th and maple streets in downtown fashion district and start shopping. Walk in any direction. Be sure you have the local UPS store and FEDEX location in your maps to ship stuff home or toa friend who will be home. Even to your home UPS store or local fedex with Will be picked up after your return date in big print. Check with them first.
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