Los Angeles Sundays aren't about checking boxes. Most people wake up, realize they have twelve hours before the work week hits, and panic. They end up in a two-hour line for overpriced avocado toast in Silver Lake or sitting in gridlock on the PCH. That's a waste of a city that glows best when it's quiet. If you want to do Sunday right, you look at how the people who actually build the culture here spend their time. Paul W. Downs, the co-creator and star of Hacks, doesn't do the frantic tourist hustle. He does the neighborhood deep dive.
The goal isn't just to eat or walk. It's to find a rhythm. Sunday in LA is a specific mood. It’s the smell of jasmine in the air and the sound of a neighbor’s leaf blower in the distance. It’s about being intentional with your leisure. Paul’s version of the day centers on his home turf of Los Angeles, specifically the Eastside gems that make this sprawling mess of a city feel like a collection of small, cozy villages.
The Morning Fuel Strategy
Forget the fancy brunch reservations. If you're following the Paul W. Downs blueprint, you're starting in Los Feliz. This neighborhood acts as the lungs of the Eastside. It’s leafy. It’s walkable. It’s where the creative class goes to pretend they aren't thinking about their next script.
Start at Maru Coffee. Yes, there’s a line. Yes, it’s worth it. The Cream Top is a local legend for a reason. It’s cold, sweet, and caffeinated enough to kickstart your brain without making you vibrate. Most folks grab their drink and stand on the sidewalk looking at their phones. Don’t be that person. Grab your coffee and walk.
The move here is a stroll through the neighborhood to McCall’s Meat & Fish Co. You aren't just buying groceries. You're participating in the ritual of the Los Feliz Sunday. Paul is a fan of their quality, and frankly, so is anyone who cares about what they eat. Pick up some high-end snacks or a specific cut of meat if you're planning a slow-cook dinner later. It feels productive without being stressful.
Getting Lost in the Stacks
Sundays require a break from screens. Los Angeles is secretly one of the best book cities in the world, and Skylight Books is the crown jewel of that reputation. It’s located right on Vermont. There's a tree growing in the middle of the store. It smells like paper and ambition.
Paul W. Downs is a writer, so it makes sense he’d end up here. But you don't need an Emmy to appreciate the curation. It’s the kind of place where you go in looking for a gift and leave with three books you didn't know existed. The staff picks are actually good. They aren't just pushing bestsellers. They’re pushing things that make you think. Spend forty minutes here. Browse the zines. Look at the art books. It’s a pallet cleanser for the soul.
The Midday Pivot to Nature
You can't do an LA Sunday without hitting Griffith Park. It’s massive. It’s rugged. It’s easy to get lost in, which is exactly the point. While tourists crowd the Observatory to take selfies with the Hollywood sign, locals take the trails.
Paul’s preference for the park isn't about the grueling hike to the top. It’s about the pockets of peace. If you want the real experience, head toward the Ferndell Trail. It’s lush. It’s shaded. It feels like you’ve been transported to a tropical forest despite being five minutes away from a busy intersection. It’s a short walk, but it resets your internal clock. The air is cooler under the ferns. The light hits the ground in dappled patterns that make everything look like a movie set. Because, well, it usually is.
Afternoon Errands That Feel Like Curation
Most people hate errands. In LA, errands are an art form if you do them at the right places. After the park, make your way over to Cookbook in Echo Park or Highland Park. This isn't a supermarket. It’s a tiny green-grocer that looks like it was plucked out of a village in France.
This is where you get the stuff that makes a Sunday meal special. Heirloom tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Fresh bread that’s still warm. Tinned fish that costs more than it should but tastes incredible. Paul appreciates the specificity of a place like Cookbook. It’s about quality over quantity. You’re buying ingredients for a night in, which is the ultimate Sunday luxury in a city where every night could be a party.
The Sunday Night Ritual
As the sun starts to dip, the "Sunday Scaries" usually kick in. The best way to fight them off is with a very specific kind of meal. For Paul, that often involves Found Oyster in East Hollywood.
It’s small. It’s loud in the best way. It doesn’t take reservations. Most people see a wait and walk away. That’s their mistake. Put your name in, grab a glass of wine from the shop nearby, and wait on the sidewalk. The atmosphere is electric. When you finally get a seat at the bar, order the scallops and the lobster roll. It’s fresh, salty, and feels like a celebration of making it through another week. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why you live in a city this expensive and chaotic.
Why This Routine Works
The reason the Paul W. Downs Sunday resonates isn't because it’s flashy. It’s because it’s grounded. LA has a reputation for being fake, but the life lived in the corners of Los Feliz and Echo Park is remarkably real. It’s about supporting local businesses. It’s about walking when everyone else is driving. It’s about finding quiet in a city of ten million people.
If you’re trying to replicate this, don’t rush. The biggest mistake you can make is trying to hit every spot on a timer. If you spend three hours at the bookstore, let it happen. If you decide to sit on a bench in Griffith Park and stare at a tree, that’s a successful Sunday. The city will still be there tomorrow. The traffic isn't going anywhere. This day is yours.
Making the Most of Your Own Sunday
You don't have to be a Hollywood showrunner to own your weekend. Take the principles from Paul’s day and apply them to your own neighborhood.
- Pick a "Lungs" Location: Find a park or a trail that doesn't require a parking pass and a prayer. Go there early.
- Support the Curation: Skip the big box stores. Go to the independent bookstore or the local butcher. The interaction with people who care about their craft changes your mood.
- The No-Reservation Rule: Don't stress about a 7:00 PM table. Go somewhere with a wait, hang out on the sidewalk, and enjoy the people-watching.
- End with Intention: Whether it’s a fancy oyster bar or a home-cooked meal with ingredients from a boutique market, make your final meal of the week a slow one.
Stop scrolling through Instagram looking at where other people are eating. Get out of your apartment. Walk the Ferndell trail. Buy a book you’ll actually read. Drink the coffee. Los Angeles is only as good as the Sunday you give it.
