Carmaggedon! Ideas for the weekend in LA. Helicopter tours, deals at local bars, restaurants and yoga studios!

Most everyone in LA is panicking about the closure of the 405 freeway this weekend. The 405 is a major, if not the major artery intersecting Los Angeles so Angelenos have been instructed to get the hell out of town or stay put in your neighborhood....

We'll be staying put on the Westside and putting our bikes to very good use! Here are some inspirational ideas from Daily Candy and Urban Daddy, two of our favorite in the know sites for how to entertain yourself during LA lockdown:

Daily Candy Los Angeles Editors share their fave neighborhood haunts

From the July 1st, 2011 Daily Candy Los Angeles:

West Hollywood/Fairfax DistrictEvelyn C., L.A. editorWarm Up: An Evelation (gin, ginger, lemon, rose water) at The Eveleigh. I tell people it was named after me (it wasn’t).

Eveleigh restaurant and bar

Main Course: The giuggiolosa salad and tagliatelle al ragu at Terroni. Steal bites of fried zucchini and ricotta off friends’ plates.Next Level: People-watching at Chateau Marmont or/and a banana peanut malt at Milk.

Silver Lake/Echo ParkJaclyn B., writerWarm Up: A postwork brew from El Prado’s rotating taps (along with charcuterie and olives).Main Course: A bottle of vino verde from Silverlake Wine to brave the wait for a spicy Moroccan kale salad at Elf Cafe.Next Level: Handcrafted whiskey-centric cocktails and jukebox jams at The Thirsty Crow, followed by late-night carnitas tacos at Tacos Arizas.

VeniceCrystal M., deputy editorWarm Up: Get my land legs back after the crosstown drive from Silver Lake to visit pal and DC contributor Andrea A. with a glass of vino and chips and pickles at Venice Beach Wines.Main Course: Dinner and drinks (pineappley ’57 Chevy, please) at The Tasting Kitchen. It’s no wonder why it won DailyCandy’s Sweetest Things in 2009.Next Level: A sleepover at Andrea’s house. The morning brings a bike ride to Schulzies Bread Pudding for Blue Bottle Coffee and some deliciousness.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Hollywood/Franklin HillsRachel K., editorial internWarm Up: Spare Room Snaps, bowling, and a session in the hidden photo booth at The Spare Room.

The Spare Room HollywoodMain Course: Truffled mac ’n’ cheese (to share) and the burrata and bacon burger at La Poubelle. For dessert, the Nutella and banana crepe.Next Level: Harvard & Stone to nurse a few Baby’s First Bourbons.

Mid-Wilshire/KoreatownJaime C., Kids L.A. editorWarm Up: Ray’s & Stark Bar for an Owl and Pussycat or Morning Glory Fizz on the patio (especially excellent on Jazz Fridays).Main Course: The best Korean BBQ this side of the Pacific is at Soot Bull Jeep. Or grab tacos, washed down with watermelon lemonade, at Tinga.Next Level: Red Medicine for caramelized profiteroles with cognac custard, mango, cola, and black sesame, and a Leblon, rhubarb, and lime ginger ale.

Car-mageddon: the site to help you party locally this weekend!

Urban Daddy turned us onto Car-maggedon, a site devoted to this weekend lock down bringing you deals from local bars, restaurants and vendors all over town to make sure you keep it festive in whatever neighborhood you're trapped in.  Happy Hour all night is being offered by Zengo in Santa Monica while the Beverly Hilton is offering $40.50 30 minute Spa Pool Treatments...  check out the offers in your hood!

Helicopter ride over the madness with champagne?

Again we have Urban Daddy to thank for this hot tip.  Why not literally rise above it all with a 45 minute helicopter ride over the sprawl (and mess this weekend) of LA?  Take off from the Whiteman Airport after a glass or two of champagne and take it all in.  Ask for the Car-maggedon package.

Yoga for Free!

YogaWorks

Finally, if you need a little bit of balance after all that eating and drinking, YogaWorks is offering a free class to a neighbor (or friend) you bring along.  That's good karma!