[trip style = urban + sun ]
LA gets a bad rap. Sure, the traffic and pollution aren’t great, but the sunshine and beaches are pretty fantastic. Plus, LA is more than Hollywood; there are fabulous restaurants, rich culture and shopping galore. This week we’ll focus on food and fun. Next week, shop & stay.
Food
Coffee
Intelligentsia Silver Lake location: 3922 W Sunset Blvd,Los Angeles, CA 90029 Venice location: 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
*The best coffee in LA – and the best looking coffee shops (in both design and customers). Don’t be discouraged by the line!
Sushi
Sushi Katsu-ya Original location: 11680 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 *Incredible sushi in a strip mall in Studio City? YES! Order off the specials board. You MUST order the crispy sesame tuna and spicy tuna on crispy rice. Worth. The. Wait.
Casual Chic
Gjelina Location: 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
*This might be my favourite street in all of LA, and this might be my favourite restaurant on that street. Great thin-crust pizza, people watching (sit at the communal table), brunch and bloody beer.
Frozen Yogurt
Pinkberry Various locations
*It’s an LA institution, only a few years in the making. I like the original flavour with fruit topping, but you can choose your own – that’s the beauty of it!
Café
Joan’s on Third Location: 8350 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
*Eat in or take out, this adorable café has baked goods, deli items, sandwiches and specials, plus a gourmet market. Don’t miss out on the caramel-covered marshmallows – they’re to die for!
Bakery
Mani's Bakery 519 South Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
*Healthy, chocolate-stuffed heart cookies. Enough said. The cafe only uses natural and alternative sweetners.
Cupcakes
Sprinkles Various locations
*Great selection with flavours like banana, red velvet (vegan or gltuten free options), peanut butter chocolate, chai latte or good ol’ vanilla. Check the cupcake calendar online to see if your favourite flavour’s in that day.
Indian
Bollywood Cafe Original location: 11101 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 Second location: 737 Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
*The vegetarian samosas, complimentary papadums and courteous service keep us coming back.
Italian
Il Pastaio Location: 400 N.Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
*Not only is the location fabulous, but so is the people watching. Start with the appetizer platter.
Fun
Griffith Park 2800 East Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
*Stunning city views. Stroll around the observatory and hike the trails. It will feel like you’ve left the city!
The Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
*Another spot for city views, but this one comes with world-class art, architecture and a groovy tram. Admission is free, but parking is $15, except on Saturdays when it’s free. Beautiful way to spend a beautiful day.
Hollywood Bowl 2301 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 9006
*Home of the LA Philharmonic and seasonal concerts. Box seating down low and bleacher seating up high. Come early and bring a picnic – it’s BYOW(ine)! Oh and don’t park in the overpriced parking at the Bowl – it’s stacked and takes forever to get out.
Venice Canals Between Ocean Ave & Pacific Ave / S Venice Blvd & 28th Ave
*Stroll along the lemon tree-lined canals and peek into people’s modern homes or kitschy bungalows you just WISH were yours.
Scenic Drives
1/ Drive up the PCH to Malibu, take off your shoes and dig your toes in the sand.
2/ Drive along the Sunset Strip at night for a whole different kind of scenery.
Post by Heather, pop-culture-ista and writer of heatherlovesit.blogspot.com