How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

It’s clear that Manuel Garcia Rulfo leads a vibrant and cultured life, filled with books, movies, music, and travel. His love for history is palpable, and it’s fascinating to see how his interests have evolved over time – from Bukowski and Murakami to Roman history and the Iron King series.


15 years ago, Manuel García-Rulfo relocated to Los Angeles, and today, the actor born in Guadalajara describes himself as feeling more like a native Angelino than a newcomer. “I adore this city,” he says warmly. “It’s fantastic. It has an abundance of attractions.

It’s only appropriate that he’s starring in one of LA’s classic shows, as García-Rulfo prepares for his fourth season playing Mickey Haller in Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer”. This series showcases elements such as gentrification, city hall scandals, and courtroom drama – all typical aspects of LA life. And what makes this even more LA is that Haller operates from the most iconic of LA offices: his Lincoln Navigator (occasionally switching to a 1965 Lincoln Convertible).

In a Last Bookstore T-shirt, literary enthusiast García-Rulfo unwinds and discusses his latest endeavor: contributing to the creation of “Pedro Páramo,” Netflix’s version of Juan Rulfo’s 1955 magical realist novel. This book holds a special place for him as he is related to the renowned author. He expresses, “I believe it’s the most emblematic piece of literature from Mexico.” The book was also a significant inspiration for the Nobel-prize winning author Gabriel García-Márquez.

In the future, you can expect to see García-Rulfo starring in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” an exciting reboot slated for next year, which will only add to his already varied career. With roles that capture the essence of Los Angeles’ multifaceted cityscape, García-Rulfo isn’t just a Hollywood actor; he’s helping shape L.A. himself. Here’s how he’d spend an ideal day in LA.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

7:30 a.m.: Burritos with friends, oats alone

If I spend my Saturday night socializing with friends, I typically sleep in on Sunday morning, and anything later than 9 a.m. feels too late for me. When I don’t go out, I’m usually up by 7:30 or 8 a.m., but breakfast isn’t something I always follow a routine with. If I’m with friends, we tend to grab breakfast together. However, if I stay home alone, I prefer overnight oats or a smoothie. Many people from Mexico ask me about good places to visit, but I have trouble remembering the names of places. There’s a breakfast burrito spot in Los Feliz that I know where it is, but I can never remember its name.

9 a.m.: Hit some tennis balls

Typically, I engage in tennis matches either early in the day or late when the sun begins to set. I picked up the sport as a child, only to put it aside later on. Upon arriving in L.A. fifteen years ago, I took it up again. Tennis requires a strong mental focus; it’s almost like meditation—not quite, but you can easily lose track of time while playing for extended periods. Fortunately, California offers ideal conditions for this activity, with its consistent year-round good weather.

For some time now, I’ve been participating in games at Plummer Park located in West Hollywood. It’s more like a friendly neighborhood where you often run into familiar faces. You simply show up, and once a game concludes, you step right in. In the past, securing a court was effortless; you’d arrive and wait no longer than 30 minutes at most. However, due to the transformation of courts for pickleball, we only have a few options left for tennis, making it more challenging now.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

11 a.m.: Zuma Beach and sushi burritos

On days that are simply splendid, I prefer to head over to the charming Zuma Beach. Close by is a delightful eatery named Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe, which serves scrumptious sushi burritos. It’s nestled within a small square, so we pick up our meal there and return to Zuma Beach for the remainder of the day. The sushi burritos are truly delectable; you can just grab one and enjoy it right on the beach.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

3 p.m.: Recite legal jargon

During the five months I spend filming “The Lincoln Lawyer,” I’m often left feeling drained. We shoot every day, and sometimes we even work through Friday night until Saturday, leaving me with no rest on Sunday but to study. To unwind, I play tennis, just trying to clear my mind and catch my breath. After that, I head home to continue studying. I have to read scripts and memorize lines since it’s a courtroom series, which means there are plenty of long speeches and legal jargon. So, on weekends, I typically spend time learning my lines and hoping for artistic inspiration. I even ask the arts deities to help me understand the material better.

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

5 p.m.: Books, books, books

I adore books, which is why I frequently visit “The Last Bookstore”. On days when I’m downtown, I could easily spend my entire time there. There’s another one in West Hollywood named “Book Soup”. Let me share an intriguing incident that took place there recently. I went in to purchase a book, and suddenly this man walked in wearing a motorcycle helmet. He removed it, revealing disheveled hair, and then shook his head slowly. It was Keanu Reeves! Time seemed to stand still for me. He even bought some books.

Recently, I’ve found myself immersed in a great deal of historical texts. While working on “Jurassic World Rebirth” in England, my fascination with their history was ignited. This interest led me to delve into Roman history. Previously, I was captivated by the works of Charles Bukowski and Haruki Murakami, and now I find myself engrossed in a historical phase. At present, I’m engrossed in “The Iron King” by Maurice Druon, which is excellent. Interestingly, it served as George R.R. Martin’s inspiration for “A Game of Thrones,” although it’s grounded in reality rather than fantasy.

7 p.m.: Catch a movie

I’m disappointed that my usual place of solace, the ArcLight in Hollywood, has closed, which means I’ll have to travel a bit more on Sundays. However, I make an effort to catch a movie whenever possible, unless I’m working on “The Lincoln Lawyer.” In those cases, I might opt for watching a soccer game or a film at home instead. My team isn’t very good – they’re Atlas from Guadalajara. As for professional teams, Chelsea is the one I support in the Premier League.

I haven’t been to the movies in a minute because I just wrapped “Jurassic [World]” a week ago, and I was in Thailand and Malta. Actually, I saw a movie in Malta — we all went together. We saw “Deadpool & Wolverine.” I’m going tonight to see “Megalopolis.” And I want to see “The Substance” with Demi Moore and Sean Baker’s “Anora.”

How to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Manuel García-Rulfo

10 p.m.: Play some tunes before bed

Occasionally, I pick up the guitar for a session, depending on my feelings, and when I do, I’ll strum away. Typically, I retire to bed by 10:30 or 11 at night.

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2024-11-22 14:34

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