I’ve got a friend visiting LA who’s been here a few times already and has basically done all the obvious “touristy” stuff like Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica, Venice, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, etc.
I’m trying to come up with places or things to do that feel a little more “actual LA” and less like checking attractions off a list.
I feel she deserves more than that. 
Any ideas?
I would take them on a little drive to San Pedro (Korean Bell, Point Fermin, waterfront walks) or Huntington Beach. Most people saw things like Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica/Venice. L.A. County has way more to offer.
I would try Los Feliz, Highland Park or Atwater Village. Just walk around, have a coffee, some drinks and a nice sinner far away from tourist attractions.
That feels more like actually being in LA.
I would take her on a nice hike, maybe a hike most Angelenos don’t even know about. We talked about them in another thread.
That way you might experience something new as well. Win-win situation. 
Not an easy one as there are so many things to choose from. I would probably try Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades. Visit the SRF Lake Shrine (make a reservation prior to it). Quiet in a way the rest of the city almost never is.
Then drive Sunset the slow way back and stop at El Compadre in Echo Park for a flaming margarita like it’s 1990. I did that exact route twice. Writing about it makes me wanna do it a third time. 
I’d never even heard of that place. 
Shame on me, but yeah, I’d be surprised if she did that one.
One of the things that impressed me was the Watts Towers. I only did it once because the surrounding area is rather rough. My friend and I ended up on some side streets where we didn’t belong. 
You are not alone. I saw them twice and I had the exact same feeling about the “surrounding areas”. I don’t know much about Watts, maybe there are less strange areas, or I was just tripping, but it’s quite an experience.
Nevertheless, the Watts Towers are beautiful. Impressive what that man built.
I would try something completely new and chill. Take a little drive, maybe a place with a fire pit or fire-ring. Leo Carrillo State Park (Malibu) is perfect for that. Rings are tied to camp / day-use fire levels. Try to get a reservation for a campsite ring and enjoy a different type of night.
Dockweiler offers fire-rings as well, but gets crowded easily. Carrillo would be my first choice.
If you already made it all the way to San Pedro.. well, then go and see the Sunken City. I know it’s just a small area, but it offers great ocean views and some post-apocalyptic vibes.
The “bridge to nowhere hike” is pretty cool. Not very close, like 1 1/2 hours away, but one of the most impressive hikes with rivers, nature, different trails. I doubt most tourists even heard of it.
I would treat myself with a Malibu wine tasting tour. I did a couple of them. Perfect to escape the city. Never disappoints.
