Jaime Martín’s Perfect Day in DTLA
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor Jaime Martín loves spending his free time in Downtown LA. The Spanish-born conductor and flautist resides in London but spends ample time in Los Angeles working with the esteemed orchestra when he isn’t traveling all over the world.
On a rare day off between LACO rehearsals and concerts, I like to stay out of the car and spend the day walking around DTLA, soaking up the sunshine and the energy of the neighborhood. One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is how welcoming people are, and there is always something interesting to do and discover Downtown.
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1 Start with Coffee at Lontra 333 S Grand Ave, Suite 150 Los Angeles, CA 90071 I usually start the morning with a good flat white from Lontra Coffee. It’s a great place to start the day before setting off on foot to explore Downtown. |
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2 Take in The Broad 221 S Grand Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012 If you’re visiting DTLA, The Broad is a museum you cannot miss. Admission is free with a reservation, and the collection is incredible. |
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3 Explore Grand Central Market 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013 Grand Central Market is one of my favorite spots in the city and somewhere I often take LACO guest artists when they’re visiting. With so many choices and flavors under one roof, there is something for everyone—a sentiment that perfectly describes DTLA. |
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4 Go for Poke at The Oyster Gourmet 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA One of my favorite things to order at Grand Central Market is the Tuna Poke Bowl from The Oyster Gourmet. |
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5 Grab Mexican Food at Ana Maria 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013 For delicious Mexican food, Ana Maria is one of my recommendations when I’m stopping for something to eat. |
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6 Order the Curry at Sticky Rice 317 S Broadway, C-4-5 Los Angeles, CA 90013 At Sticky Rice, my pick is the Beef Penang Curry. It’s one of my favorite things to eat when I’m spending the day Downtown. |
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7 Coffee at Go Get Em Tiger 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013 If another coffee is in order, Go Get Em Tiger is one of my go-to stops. |
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8 Pupusas at Sarita’s 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013 Sarita’s Pupuseria is another favorite, especially when I’m in the mood for pupusas. |
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9 The Last Bookstore 453 S Spring St Los Angeles, CA 90013 I head to The Last Bookstore every time I’m in DTLA. It’s therapeutic for me—a retreat into analog time filled with literary treasures and the smell of paper. I always head straight to the music book section, where I can find rare books unavailable anywhere else in the world. The large, maze-like shop is full of delightful surprises, and it’s a great place to get lost. |
What I love about spending a day in DTLA is that you never quite know what you’ll discover along the way. You can experience incredible art, historic architecture, food from around the world, and places that feel completely unique to Los Angeles, all within a day of wandering Downtown. For me, the perfect day is simply taking my time, staying curious, and enjoying everything the neighborhood has to offer.