Loving the L.A. life with late-night clubs and daytime movies

After first coming on the scene as a replacement for oldest daughter Becky Conner on TV’s “Roseanne” in the early ‘90s, Sarah Chalke has come into her own as the clumsy, quick-witted Dr. Elliot Reid on NBC’s warped medical comedy “Scrubs.”

When not visiting her native Canada, Chalke enjoys some of the many benefits of living in Los Angeles: namely, hiking, hunting for antiques and ultimately feeling free to soak up our beautiful sunny skies -- or not.

Mojitos and music

For my ideal Friday night I’d head to Tantra in Silver Lake. I love Indian food, and they have the best naan bread, and saag paneer is my favorite dish. It’s this tofu in red masala sauce. And they make the best mojitos.

Then it’s off to Largo for some live music. I love the Jon Brion show. He always calls up whatever musicians are in the audience and has them come up to join him, it’s so fun to watch. You never know what to expect. Plus they always have some good comedy there.

A dog’s life

Saturday I would start off with sleeping in, but then I’d wake up and make coffee with my espresso machine. If I wasn’t an actress I swear my other dream job would be a barista. I use these beans from the Urth Cafe called Manhattan Mud. They’re amazing.

Afterwards I love going hiking with my dog. I have the cutest little chocolate lab. I named her Lola because she walks like a woman and talks like a man. She’s this beautiful little girl, but she’s got the deepest bark you’ve ever heard.

My favorite hike is Paseo Miramar out by Will Rogers State Park, but I almost got a $500 ticket last time I was there because they recently stopped allowing dogs. So I guess I’m in the market for a new hike.

Treasure hunting

Sunday my favorite thing is to wake up and go to the flea markets at the Rose Bowl or Pasadena City College. I love just wandering around, there’s such interesting people-watching, and you always find such great stuff. That’s how I furnished my whole apartment.

My favorite thing is to find antique floor lamps from the ‘20s and ‘30s; they just add so much character to a room. I also collect vintage martini shakers so I’m always on the hunt for more of those.

Fair-weather films

After that I love going to a matinee in the middle of the day. To me it just seems so naughty because I grew up in Vancouver where it’s always pouring rain every day -- you would never think of going inside a movie theater when it was nice out. Of course, here it’s always sunny and beautiful so you’re free to be inside whenever you want.

I love the ArcLight too; it’s probably the best movie theater of all time. They have assigned seating, but you can kind of cheat. Usually the theater’s not full, so you can still get an entire row to yourself or a spot where there’s no heads in front of you. I just saw “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”; what a great movie.

And since it’s right across the street, I love going to Amoeba afterwards. I have to really try and limit myself -- it’s dangerous in there. I walk in looking for one CD and then I look down and suddenly my basket is full.