Ease into the weekend with a relaxed start: grab a pour-over or iced latte at Blue Bottle Coffee (Little Tokyo) and take a casual stroll through the nearby Japanese American National Museum courtyard to soak up local culture and snap group photos. If anyone's hungry, pop into Fugetsu-Do for fresh mochi and Japanese sweets before heading back to the hotel to drop bags and freshen up for the afternoon.
After settling into Miyako Hotel, head out for a laid-back afternoon exploring nearby eats and shops: grab a bánh mì or taiyaki at Bánh Mi My Tho or Golden Dipped Taiyaki, then stroll through the artisan stalls and galleries in Japanese Village Plaza for snacks and souvenir hunting. If you want a hands-on kickoff, reserve a 1-2 hour session at CAMP (Creative Arts & Makers Place) for a group pottery or leather workshop, then regroup at Woon's Coffee & Tea for cold brew before getting ready for the evening.
Kick off the night with a hearty group Korean BBQ at Quarters in Koreatown, where sizzling tables and shared banchan make for easy celebration before heading out. After dinner, hop to late-night spots like DGM Soju Bar for flights of flavored soju and karaoke booths, then wind down with craft cocktails and a retro vibe at MUN, perfect for lingering and swapping stories before returning to Little Tokyo.
Start the day with a brisk 3-5 mile shakeout run along the scenic Los Angeles State Historic Park loop, then refuel with expertly brewed pour-overs and pastries at Maru Coffee-grab a matcha croissant to share. After coffee, wander the quieter streets of Little Tokyo to browse vintage records at Sound of Japan and pick up handcrafted wagashi at Mitsuru Cafe & Sweets before regrouping back at the hotel to freshen up for the spa in the afternoon.
Ease into a restorative afternoon at Spa Castle LA, where you can rotate through mineral baths, an outdoor rooftop pool, and quick body scrubs in private treatment rooms before grabbing a light snack. After the spa, regroup for a leisurely stroll and people-watching at Echo Park Lake, rent a pedal boat for a laugh-filled 30 minutes, then stop by Luv2Eat Thai Bistro for shareable plates and refreshing iced Thai teas to fuel up before the evening at Bavel.
Wind into the night with a boldly flavored dinner at Bavel, where mezze-style plates and shared lamb and seafood dishes set a celebratory tone; ask the server for the recommended wine pairings and order the house hummus and smoked eggplant to start. After dinner, head to EightyTwo for arcade challenges and craft cocktails-reserve a lane for group games-and if the crew wants a late-night speakeasy vibe, finish at The Varnish for stiff, James Bond-level cocktails and polished bartending.
Rise early for race-day energy: cheer on runners or grab a spectator spot along the course near MacArthur Park, then refuel with a celebratory coffee and pastries at Brite Spot Coffee while comparing highlights from the race. After the marathon buzz, head to nearby Cafe Gratitude for a leisurely plant-forward brunch-order the avocado toast and a celebratory mimosa pitcher to share-and soak up the city skyline before wandering over to The Last Bookstore for a relaxed post-race stroll and souvenir-hunting.
After cheering at the marathon, regroup for a relaxed afternoon wandering the artsy shops and murals of Highland Park-stop into Modernica for mid-century finds and grab craft sodas at Casey's Irish Market for a quirky snack. For a low-key send-off, head to The Sycamore Kitchen for wood-fired pizzas or shareable plates on their sun-soaked patio, then finish with bottles or single-origin pour-overs from Copa Vida as you recap the weekend and head back to Little Tokyo to collect bags.
Celebrate the weekend's finish with a relaxed evening crawl through nearby neighborhoods: start with craft pours and small plates at Cafe de Leche in Echo Park, then stroll to The Virgil for rooftop cocktails and live music where you can swap marathon highlights. Finish with late-night tacos and loaded fries at Guisados on Sunset-a casual spot perfect for a boisterous group send-off before heading back to Miyako Hotel to pack and unwind.