LA Lovin
I am definitely enamored with LA. It’s no New York City, but it’s not too far off. In my mind, it will forever be the land of sunshine, brunch and beautiful people. It does of course have it’s flaws (looking at all you TERRIBLE LA drivers & your atrocious traffic). However, over the course of at least a dozen trips in the last 5 years I have a solid list of favorite spots. From family trips, to weekend getaways, to bachelorette parties, I’ve gotten very varied experiences but I know it’s just the tip of the iceberg because each time I go out there I find new places to discover. This list is on the basic side for anyone who’s done LA but it’s a pretty good place to start if you’ve never gone. If you’ve been before, let me know where I should explore next time I’m out there!
"When in Cali" First Stop: In & Out
In & Out is the most “When in Cali” food I’ve ever had. It’s insanely hyped up and while I agree, you should definitely make a stop, it’s because I think it’ll only reinforce to you the fact that Shake Shack is better. Californians are obsessed so there’s probably an In & Out within 5-10 minutes of where you are. Make sure to get your fries animal style, the only thing that really differentiates In & Out from anywhere else. Ok, I’m hating a lot for someone who always stops in on my Cali Trips, heh.
Ultimate Sunset: Santa Monica
Really every sunset on the west coast is dreamy but something about watching it in Santa Monica with the pier in the background is just magical. Wander the boardwalk if you want to brave the heat, then kick off your shoes and find a spot on the beach. Bring a book, a speaker or a good friend to be the background to the sunset show. I like the juxtaposition of the man made pier with enchanting backdrop Mother Nature created for us. There’s just something so peaceful about watching the sun set slowly over the ocean that goes on for as far as the eye can see.
Fave Foods: Kazu Nori, Oo-Kook, Roscoe's
Kazu Nori is my favorite hand roll place on both coasts. It’s simple and uncomplicated food with delicious sake. It’s a casual and laid back sister restaurant of Sugar Fish (which I also love).
I’ve been to a couple of all you can eat Korean BBQ spots in LA’s Ktown and I really have yet to be disappointed. Oo-Kook has allllll the banchan I could ask for, which is what really set apart. The meat was good quality, service was fast and the vibes are just right, though the wait might kill you.
Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles is a no frills joint where you can get bangin fried chicken and fluffy waffles. Need I say more? I guess I should because some of the locations are not in the best areas so be careful when selecting which one you go to, though the food is always delicious.
Most Underrated LA Activity: Hiking
I guess this really depends on what season you go in. The couple times I went hiking were in early spring and late fall, so it wasn’t too hot. I know when most people think Cali their mind immediately goes to beach, and I don’t blame them. However, there are some pretty cool hikes in and around LA. I love when nature is interspersed in a city and LA has plenty of hills and trails. You can hike behind the Hollywood Sign, around Griffith Observatory, or to a cool vantage point of the city. It doesn’t really matter as long as you’re working those glutes and having fun with the person you’re with.
Most Instagramable Spot: LACMA Lights
I’ve been to LACMA, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, twice and never actually been inside and that’s how you know it’s an instagram spot. There’s a thousand people there at all times so it can be hard to get a good picture. On one Coachella trip our itinerary brought us through LA for a quick 12 hours. We figured no one would be around at 3am and we were right. Go at the unusual times for the best pictures. Note: If you climb the poles like me, you will get yelled at if you’re not me ( :p sorry Jenn hehe). Next time I go, I promise I’ll actually go to the museum and let you know if it’s worth a better superlative.
When You're Feeling Artsy: The Broad
The Broad made me feel like a child, in the best way. I don’t know what it was, but the entire museum is playful and evokes nostalgia of the carefree days of my youth (yes, I am aware of how old that made me sound). Tickets are free, you just have to reserve them online ahead of time, usually at least a few weeks out. It’s not a very large museum, so you should put your name down for the infinity mirror exhibit and then roam around while you wait to be called. I know some people are intimidated of art, sometimes I feel that way too, but this is an easy museum to simply get lost wandering around. Some pieces are political and make you think, others made my head spin and some I just thought were pretty. I don’t think there’s any right or wrong way to experience art as long as you have an open mind.
Super Quick Getaway: Malibu
Ok, sure this is supposed to be about LA, but Malibu isn’t that far of a drive and it is worth the trip. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t that interested in driving up but we went because my friend wanted to go check out all the really expensive cars, ha, but then of course I fell in love with it for so many reasons. First, you get drive up the PCH, which is just a once in a lifetime road. It’s winding, it’s airy and it’s perfect for windows down and good music, Second, there’s a lot less tourists in Malibu than the beaches closer to LA. You can find so many secluded spots without another human in sight. Third, mother nature reminds you just how freakin beautiful she is. You can cautiously climb the cliffs up to overlooks to see the blue water for hundreds of miles or make your way down to the empty pebble beaches. If you have a car and the time, definitely worth the drive up.
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