James McNamara
Staff writer, Larchmont's Best
James McNamara is the main writer behind Larchmont's Best. He grew up on LA's Westside in the 1980s and 90s, skateboarding and playing pickup basketball wherever the Big Blue Bus and RTD lines could take him.
He writes about the places he actually goes: the shops and restaurants on Larchmont, Museum Row and the La Brea Tar Pits down the road, and the changes reshaping the neighborhood, from ADUs and drought-tolerant yards to the D Line extension on Wilshire.
Outside Larchmont's Best he works as a freelance content writer, copywriter and technical writer. He's fascinated with linguistics, golf, health and human behavior.
Stories by James McNamara
An Afternoon at Sloomoo Institute (And My Ongoing Confusion About Slime)
A parent's afternoon at Sloomoo Institute near Larchmont Village, with $11 valet parking, butter slime, VIP sliming, and why kids are still hooked.
The D Line Extension: Finally More Stops on the Metro are Ready
Metro's D Line extension adds La Brea, Fairfax and La Cienega stations on Wilshire. What the long-delayed subway means for Larchmont and Museum Row.
Shorthand: A Creative Story
Inside Shorthand, the Larchmont stationery shop built by letterpress printer Rosanna Kvernmo, with fountain pens, cards, notebooks and desk goods.
Village Heights: A Larchmont Village Gem
Village Heights has sold gifts and home goods on Larchmont Boulevard for 17 years. Meet owner Louis Eafalla and see what makes the shop a local favorite.
The Classic Front Lawn is Quietly Disappearing from LA
Why Larchmont Village and Mid-City homeowners are swapping grass for drought-tolerant yards: LADWP bills, labor costs, ADUs and turf replacement rebates.
Larchmont for Food Lovers: 10 Must-Try Dishes You Can Only Get Here
Ten specific dishes worth the trip to Larchmont, from the #5 baguette at Larchmont Wine & Cheese to pesto slices at Village Pizzeria and ramen at Tonchin.
Black Box Theatres Near Larchmont Village
Two intimate black box stages a short drive from Larchmont Village, The Broadwater Black Box and McCadden Place Theatre on Hollywood's Theatre Row.
Gallery Crawls at DTLA ArtNight
DTLA ArtNight brings 25+ Gallery Row galleries, a vendor market and live music downtown monthly. How to get there from Larchmont by bus or Metro.
Night Market Pop-Ups
The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax marked 90 years with an evening Night Market of DJs and local pop-up vendors, 15 minutes from Larchmont.
What's Going to Happen to My Beloved Street Taco Spot in LA?
ICE raids are making LA's late-night taco stands unpredictable, from East LA to Mid City. What it means for taqueros and LA's street food culture.
Chevalier's Books: More Than a Bookstore—A Cultural Pillar in Los Angeles
Chevalier's Books on Larchmont, open since 1940, is LA's oldest independent bookstore. Author events, staff picks, storytime and its prison book drive.
Museum Row on Wilshire
A local's guide to Museum Row on Wilshire near Larchmont: LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits, the Petersen, the Academy Museum and Craft Contemporary, with addresses.
So Now We Have ADU McMansions Popping Up Everywhere?
Oversized luxury ADUs are rising behind Larchmont Village bungalows. The permit numbers, the loosened rules driving them, and what neighbors worry about.
Dr. Shervin Louie Larchmont Dentist Q&A
A Q&A with Dr. Shervin Louie, who has run his dental practice on Larchmont Boulevard since 1996, on community, technology and running a local business.
Urban Light at LACMA
Chris Burden's Urban Light at LACMA, 202 restored 1920s and 1930s streetlamps on Wilshire, about 2.5 miles from Larchmont Village. Best seen after dark.
The Rise of K-Town Area Eateries: A Culinary Renaissance in Los Angeles
Ten Koreatown restaurants within a few miles of Larchmont Village, from Park's BBQ and Chosun Galbee to Soban, Surawon Tofu House and Kobawoo House.
Larchmont Village's Midweek Delight: The Farmers Market
The Larchmont Village Farmers Market brings produce, flowers and local food to Larchmont Blvd, and neighbors are rallying to keep the lot it runs on.
Larchmont Village: A Brief History
How Larchmont Village grew from a 1920s streetcar suburb into one of LA's most walkable neighborhoods, plus what to do on Larchmont Boulevard today.
