Summer City Guide: Los Angeles

When it comes to summer activities, the warm weather always brings out the best in us. So for 15 straight days, we're going to be dropping City Guides telling you the best concerts to see, outdoor activities to do, and places to eat, shop and stay with a summer focus. Next up, Los Angeles. With that, here's our Summer 2013 essentials in the City of Angels.

RELATED: Green Label - The Best Music Venues in LA

Download Summer City Guide: Los Angeles As A PDF

The Hollywood Bowl’s annual reggae night returns, this year with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and his brother Stephen Marley on June 30. We’ll keep the special guests a surprise.

Website: damianmarleymusic.com

Bright lights and crazy outfits are just part of what makes HARD Summer (August 3-4) a must-see electronic music festival. In fact, it’s the location in Los Angeles State Historic Park that leaves attendees at a loss for words.

Website: hardfest.com

Touring in support of their new album, The National will be making a stop at The Greek Theatre (August 10) this summer. We’ve yet to hear whether or not Aldous Snow will be making a guest appearance.

Website: americanmary.com

Featuring 75-plus vendors, the 4th annual LA Street Food Fest (June 29) will always be the first of its kind. And what better location to have it than the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Website: lastreetfoodfest.com

If you like Abbot Kinney as much as we do, you’ve surely spent ample time at Gjelina. We just dare you to choose something new on the menu each time you go. (It’s harder than you’d think.)

Website: gjelina.com

Opened last August, The Bungalow has set a new paradigm for classy on the Westside of Los Angeles. And there’s no turning back. Dust off that tan suit of yours and spring for valet.

Website: thebungalowsm.com

If you’re in the area, you’d be remiss not to stop by Venice Beach. You can play basketball like Woody and Wesley on the basketball courts, and lift like Arnold at Muscle Beach.

Website: venicebeach.com

Your best bet to avoid the Griffith Observatory crowds during the day? Go stargazing at night. And if you have extra time, be sure to check out the planetarium.

Website: griffithobs.org

A summer-long celebration of food, movies and music, Eat|See|Hear brings the largest outdoor movie screen West of the Mississippi to each event. Every Saturday night through September 14.

Website: eatseehear.com

There are record stores, and then there’s Amoeba. So if you’ve never been, it’s time to hear what all the fuss is about – even if you no longer buy CDs.

Website: amoeba.com

Since 1948, Brentwood Country Mart has brought exceptional boutiques from around the world to Brentwood. For those that frequent, they realize it’s more of a community center than shopping center.

Website: brentwoodcountrymart.com

If you didn’t realize that retail has changed, go check out The Grove. Situated right next to Farmers Market, this urban oasis has everything that you need. Once your parking is validated, you might as well stay the whole day.

Website: thegrovela.com

A perfect combination of old-world and modern-day Los Angeles, the Hollywood Roosevelt is the pinnacle of the city’s boutique hotels. When you’re not hanging out at the Tropicana Bar by the pool, step into the North Garden with a good book.

Website: thompsonhotels.com

Looking for an intimate sanctuary just steps from the Sunset Strip? Petit Ermitage has everything you need. While the hotel itself is on par with the rest of West Hollywood, the Private Rooftop Club – featuring a salt-water pool and sunken fireplace – is to die for.

Website: petitermitage.com

Underwater music in the pool is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to amenities at the Mondrian Los Angeles. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, you’ll find yourself amazed around each corner as you travel down the rabbit hole.

Website: mondrianhotel.com