A Los Angelenos Guide to ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’

'Is Daisy Jones & The Six a real band?' if you read Taylor Jenkins Reid's acclaimed novel without adding that sentence to your search history, I will buy you a burger at Apple Pan. The world Reid created was so visceral and authentic that it was hard to believe the story was mere fact-laced fiction. Intertwined between the stories and retellings of lives made whole and torn apart by the oft-worshiped demon of "sex, drugs and rock and roll" are true historical events and many still accessible places. If you are a music history buff local to Los Angeles, it is likely that you are at least familiar with these sites, even if you have not been, such as I was. So, with the release of the hit Amazon Prime series bringing the real-world locations of Daisy Jones front and center again, my friend Shelby and I traded our cotton and polyester for denim and suede and set off hell-bent on following in the footsteps of a red-haired spitfire who took over the world–even if it was in a different way than she expected.

Clark Street Diner - 6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

We broke the day down into sections. We may not have been traveling from Pittsburgh, but there were still gas prices to consider. We started our day in Hollywood, stopping first at Clark Street Diner, a filming location for the television show with immaculate, intact 60s vibes to grab pastries and to-go caffeine.

The Record Plant - 1032 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The Ash Grove ( Hollywood Improv) - 8162 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Once the mood was adequately set, we headed a few minutes down the road to The Record Plant. A neighborhood staple since 1969, the recording studio is still in the business studio today. Not only did Daisy record her solo album here before she joined The Six, but other artists that have recorded within its walls include Aretha Franklin, Simone Jackson, The Eagles, Frank Zappa, Mick Riva, Justin Bieber, The High School Musical Cast and more.

The Troubadour - 9081 N Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

From there, it was just a brief ride to The Ash Grove, a club where the Six would often play before they landed their steady gig at Filthy McNasty's. Today, the stage is most often used for comedy due to the fact that the building now houses Hollywood Improv. Still, it isn't hard to imagine what it used to be, especially if you have been to any of the historic venues on the infamous Sunset Strip.

While it is not technically part of the Strip proper, Doug Weston's Troubador is a must-see for anyone wanting the complete Taylor Jenkin's Reid experience, as it was there that Teddy Price first heard The Six live. It is also the venue where The Eagles’ Don Henley and Glenn Frey met, and Elton John, James Taylor and Joni Mitchell made their LA debuts. The 500 people-capacity venue is used today by both fresh-faced artists and those looking to create more intimate experiences for their fans

Travel less than a mile north, and you will find yourself on the 1.6-mile stretch of West Hollywood known as the Sunset Strip. As a pre-teen and teenager, Daisy Jones spent most of her time talking her way into each and every club and theater that christened the area. To ensure you don't miss anything truly pertinent to her upbringing, we recommend starting at The Roxy and working your way East.

The Roxy - 9009 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Roxy itself was not a favorite of Ms. Jones but was occasionally booked by The Six prior to the release of Honeycomb. Built-in 1937, the venue was meant to be a haven for artists who were reportedly mistreated or undervalued at other nearby organizations. Today, it is still one of the best places to see up-and-coming artists due to its size and location.

The Wiskey a Go Go - 8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

If you walk a few blocks toward the Rocky and Bullwinkle statue that graces the intersection of Sunset and Holloway, you will reach The Whiskey a Go Go, a place that is as synonymous with Daisy Jones as it is with The Doors, Janis Joplin and Led Zepplin. The 1964 discotheque was the young singer's preferred hangout, even before she was a part of the industry. Once upon a time, an underage Jones would sneak into what is now proudly an all-ages venue every day of the year.

The Viper Room ( Filthy McNasty’s) - 8852 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Practically, across the street stands The Viper Room or, as I previously referred to it, Filthy McNasty's. I will never understand why anyone would want to enter a building with such a moniker, but the name, an ode to its owner, stuck from 1969 to the 1980s when it became a Jazz Club known as The Central. The building reopened as The Viper Room in 1993 and, despite multiple controversies and tragedies within its walls, was popular with many young Hollywood stars throughout the 90s and early 2000s.

Barney’s Beanery - 8447 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

By this time, the hunger lulled into submission by our matcha croissants and mochas had worn off, so we pulled into the parking lot of Barney's Beanery, the original location of a local sports bar chain. Those who have TJR's novel may remember that it was here that events occurred which led Daisy Jones to proclaim her now-famous phrase, “I am not a muse. I am the somebody. End of fucking story.” It was easy enough to grab a table in the early afternoon, the lack of a crowd making it easy to peruse artifacts and memorabilia adorning the walls. The interior hasn't changed much since the 1920s but has instead been added onto, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere steeped in Hollywood history.

Having washed down our fries and fried pickles with sweet tea and Coke, we continued on our way. Climbing up the steep hill of La Cienega Boulevard to emerge once more on Sunset. Heading East to Laurel Canyon, we made sure to pass The Andaz and Chateau Marmont, as both historic hotels were temporary homes to our journey's titular character at one point or another.

The Andaz ( Continental Hyatt House) - 8401 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

The 239-room hotel that has stood at the base of Kings Road since 1963 was once called The Continental Hyatt House. Because of the hotel's proximity to the venues on the Strip and its outside circle, it was a favorite of many touring rock bands, including the Rolling Stones and The Who. It was often referred to as the "Riot House," a tradition upheld in the name of the downstairs restaurant and market.

Chateau Marmont - 8221 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

The crest of West Hollywood is marked by a stunning white castle that sits atop a rolling hill. The Chateau Marmont has watched over its city since 1929 and is as infamous as it is beloved. For around $600 a night minimum, guests can bask in the glory of antique glamour, vintage scandal and modern amenities. In the story, are following, Daisy rented a cottage at The Chateau while she and Six were recording Aurora.

Passing the landmark brought us to part two of our day. A fair warning to those thinking of dressing up for this adventure, jean halter vests start to chafe after a few hours, and the rest of this tour is a lot of time spent in the car. Turning onto Laurel Canyon, we moved North, leaving the lights and noise of the city for the much more tranquil area known as "The Valley."

At one time or another, The Valley was home to each member of The Six. The first house they shared was in the hills of Topanga Canyon before Karen eventually branched out and invested in real estate closer to where we are now. In the late 1960s and 70s, the area became known for its counterculture and music scene, giving rise to artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, and Carole King.

Sound City Studios - 15456 Cabrito Rd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Once you reach Ventura, I recommend taking the interstate to Sound City Studios. The recording studio is nestled deep in Van Nuys but is a must-see for fans of both the show and the novel. Both fictional and real-life versions of Aurora were recorded within the famous walls, as were many beloved rock albums, such as Buckingham Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, Damn the Torpedoes and Crimes of Passion.

Our drive-by and necessary 'ooh and aahs' complete, we returned to the 405 and let the 101 deposit us at the northern entrance of Topanga Canyon. Winding through the eclectic houses and businesses, the line the two-lane street, the third and final section of the day–the true extended edition of the tour-was more relaxed than those prior. We let Aurora trickle through the speakers as we imagined what the area might have looked like fifty years ago. We followed the well-tread path to Pacific Coast Highway, a well-known road to any Californian or Taylor Jenkins Reid fan.

The Apple Pan - 10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

We meandered across it, enjoying the sights and sounds of the nearby ocean until the sitting sun reminded us to pull off at Pico Boulevard. Heading back East, we eventually reached The Apple Pan. A white and green building that looks somewhat out of place in its now modern surroundings. Built-in 1947, the tiny burger and pie restaurant is a beloved Los Angeles staple. You can get the same burgers as Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne or their on-screen counterparts, Riley Keough and Sam Claflin. It was fitting that we ended our day as we started it, in yet another filming location for a television show based on a novel inspired by the age of music history that will never be forgotten.

You can purchase Daisy Jones & The Six here or watch the show on Amazon Prime.