Seth Rogen’s Los Angeles is the city beyond the red carpets — the neighborhoods and everyday spots where Angelenos actually live their lives. As the second season of his series Platonic began streaming this week, Rogen said the show intentionally uses less glamorous corners of the city — Pasadena, the Arts District and Runyon Canyon among them — as backdrops for the misadventures of his character Will and Rose Byrne’s Sylvia. “It’s capturing sort of a less glamorous side of the city,” he said, “but it’s a side of the city that a lot of people in Los Angeles spend more time in.”
Rogen also shared a few personal haunts. Today, he says he frequently spends time at Barnsdall Art Park in East Hollywood; he’s a regular moviegoer at the TCL Chinese Theatre, praising its “incredible sound” and the butter-and-salt pretzels; and he’s a fan of the kimchi fried rice at Kyochon Chicken in Koreatown, though he usually takes it home to eat. “What I love about the ambience is that it’s my living room,” he laughed.
Five places you might spot Seth Rogen in Los Angeles
– Barnsdall Art Park (East Hollywood): A relaxed cultural hub where Rogen says he regularly hangs out. It reflects the quieter, arts-focused corners of LA that he prefers.
– TCL Chinese Theatre (Hollywood): A classic cinema he visits for the sound and concessions — a reminder that even established stars treasure a great movie-going experience.
– Kyochon Chicken (Koreatown): Known for its kimchi fried rice, which Rogen enjoys — often taken to go and eaten at home.
– Runyon Canyon: One of the outdoor spots used in Platonic and a popular hiking destination for locals looking for exercise and city views.
– Arts District (Downtown LA): Another Platonic backdrop that embodies Los Angeles’ creative, less polished neighborhoods.
Commentary and context
Rogen’s choices highlight a broader cultural shift in several celebrity projects that prefer authentic, lived-in locations over glossy, aspirational settings. Using neighborhoods like the Arts District, Pasadena and Runyon Canyon grounds Platonic in recognizable places for local viewers and mirrors Rogen’s own off-screen preferences for laid-back, neighborhood-focused spots.
Practical note for readers
If you want to follow in Rogen’s footsteps: visit Barnsdall on a weekend for the park vibe and views, catch a film at TCL for a classic Hollywood cinema experience (arrive early for snacks), and try Kyochon’s kimchi fried rice to taste what he recommends — but be mindful that these are public spots and good etiquette and respect for residents is important.
Brief summary
Seth Rogen’s public tastes and his show’s locations both favor ordinary, less glamorous parts of Los Angeles — places like Barnsdall Art Park, the Arts District, Runyon Canyon, TCL Chinese Theatre and Kyochon Chicken — reflecting a down-to-earth sensibility that appears on-screen and off.
Hopeful angle
Rogen’s spotlight on everyday LA neighborhoods is a small reminder that the city’s character comes from its local communities and ordinary places. Celebrating those spots can encourage viewers and visitors to explore beyond the usual tourist trail and appreciate the diverse, lived-in parts of the city.