Most people think of LA as the home of Hollywood, with its glitz and glamour, and they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. However, behind the skyscrapers and movie magic lie some hidden literary gems, which is why we created our own tour of Los Angeles.
Why is Los Angeles famous for its literary culture?
Los Angeles is renowned for its vibrant literary culture, which is deeply rooted in a convergence of history, culture, and society. The city’s book scene is diverse, encompassing a wide spectrum of genres from fiction and poetry to non-fiction and screenwriting, reflecting its multicultural demographic and their varied experiences. It has served as a muse and home to a host of prominent authors, including the likes of Raymond Chandler, whose detective stories epitomised the noir genre, and Charles Bukowski, known for his raw and visceral prose and poetry, alongside contemporary luminaries such as Joan Didion and Jonathan Lethem.
Read: Paris literary tour: top spots to visit for book lovers
Beyond individual contributors, LA has a dynamic publishing industry, with independent presses and literary journals like the Los Angeles Review of Books championing new voices. The city also hosts regular events at iconic bookstores like The Last Bookstore and Skylight Books, and there are prestigious academic institutions with robust creative writing programmes, such as USC and UCLA.
On top of this, LA’s literary culture is closely linked with the entertainment industry, blending literary and visual storytelling. This mix of tradition and innovation positions Los Angeles as a major hub for writers and enthusiasts alike, highlighting its significance within the broader literary landscape.
Here are some of the best literary spots in the Los Angeles tour:
First of all, let me warn you: LA is big. I mean, unwalkably big. Technically, you could walk, but you’d be pretty tired afterwards. So, if you have a few days to spare, you may be able to explore it zone by zone.
Downtown LA
- 📚 The Last Bookstore. Located in downtown LA, it’s one of the largest independent bookstores in the world with a unique and artistic interior. There is a huge selection of secondhand books, and there are little nooks and crannies that make you feel like you’re in Hogwarts.
- 📚 Los Angeles Central Library. The iconic Central Library in downtown LA is an architectural gem and a hub for literary events and exhibitions.
Los Feliz
- 📚 Skylight Books. Skylight Books’ most iconic feature is the tree in the middle of the shop – think Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. Not to mention, the store has a selection of Charles Bukowski’s prose, poetry, columns, and interviews, meticulously curated by individuals passionate about preserving Buk’s legacy as one of the city’s literary laureates. They are committed to maintaining the rich tradition of Los Angeles’ beat and literary culture. Bukowski was a prolific underground writer who used his poetry and prose to depict the depravity of urban life and the downtrodden in American society. He wrote books such as “Love is a Dog From Hell” and “Post Office.”
Hollywood
- 📚 Charles Bukowski’s haunts. Explore locations associated him, such as the Frolic Room (6245 Hollywood Blvd), which proudly proclaims its Buk association. Musso & Frank Grill (6667 Hollywood Blvd), a beloved old-school establishment, became even more notable in the 1980s. With the influx of overseas and film industry revenue, Bukowski would often be found there, hosting celebrity friends such as Sean Penn and Dennis Hopper. This iconic venue also features in Bukowski’s 1989 novel, “Hollywood.” But just to let you know, the food is pretty pricey as expected.
- 📚 Raymond Chandler Square. Pay homage to the legendary detective fiction writer Raymond Chandler, whose novels like “The Big Sleep” and “Farewell, My Lovely” vividly captured the gritty underbelly of 1940s Los Angeles. The square, located at Hollywood and Cahuenga Boulevards, marks the site of Chandler’s fictional private investigator Philip Marlowe’s office.
- 📚 Larry Edmunds Bookshop. This bookstore, located on Hollywood Boulevard, is the perfect example of literature meeting movies. It describes itself as a “mecca for film aficionados,” educating lovers of entertainment through its large selection of books, scripts, posters, and photos along with events that feature the most talented authors of Hollywood history.
Read: Brussels literary tour: top spots from Bronte, Bozar, to Boutique Tintin
Venice Beach
- 📚 Beyond Baroque. This renowned bookstore and literary centre in Venice Beach has been a haven for poets, writers, and artists since 1972. It’s a vibrant hub for emerging and established literary voices, hosting readings, workshops, and events that showcase the diverse scene of Los Angeles.
- 📚 Venice Beach Poet’s Monument. This unique cultural landmark is known for its dedication to celebrating poetry and its significant contributors, particularly those connected to the Venice area and the broader Los Angeles literary scene. This monument features a series of large, concrete walls or installations that are engraved with the works of renowned poets. These poets often have ties to Venice Beach or have captured the spirit and essence of Venice in their writings.
Visiting further afield in outer Los Angeles:
If you have a few extra days in LA, why not travel out to Pasadena? It’s a 20-minute drive from Downtown LA, or an hour and a half by public transport. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens are located there, housing a vast collection of rare books and manuscripts, including the Gutenberg Bible and the original manuscript of “The Canterbury Tales.”
Don’t forget to check out…
We travelled to Paris for an amazing literary tour, from Père Lachaise Cemetery to the American Library. Not to mention check out the Brussels literary tour, where we visited Bronte, Bozar, as well as the Boutique Tintin. Additionally, UNESCO literature site Vilnius is well worth a visit. Last year, we also got to explore Barcelona and all that it offers.
[…] there are multiple locations where you could do a literary walking tour. We recently created our own version for Los Angeles before heading off to San Francisco. SF is rather different from its noir ‘Sin City’ […]