Mike and I just came back from a trip to Los Angeles, Cali! We went with our favorite couple to travel with, which already started the trip off on a good note. It’s important to always travel with like-minded people! We saw some cool sights, ate some unique meals, and drove past some of the most expensive homes in the country. Though we couldn’t visit everywhere we initially planned to, it was still an awesome vacation!
Must-see
Hollywood sign
Although you can get views of the Hollywood sign from many different locations, I think it’s best to take the 3-mile hike up to the top of the sign. We didn’t opt for this due to an injury I sustained from riding L.A’s electric scooter, Bird. It would have been much more satisfying if we got up there! If you can’t do the hike, your second best option is the Griffith Observatory.
Venice canals
Beautiful views of the historic canal, built by Abbot Kinney.
Beverly Hills
Rodeo drive, pretty sights, and cool art! Definitely a great spot to sight-see. Also a great area for beautiful pictures!
Skip it
- Hollywood: a tourist trap. It’s just a bunch of vendors and souvenir shops.
- Venice beach boardwalk: another tourist trap. It is just like any other boardwalk and there’s nothing special about it!
Eats
Verve – Downtown
Such a beautiful, scenic little spot! There are plant backdrops everywhere. HIGHLY recommend for a quick bite!!
Lasa – Chinatown
Filipino cuisine with a modern twist. We were amazed by all of the unique dishes being served to us. The presentation and service was impeccable. This was our first time trying Filipino food so it was an adventure for all of us. The flavors were unlike anything I’ve ever tried. All of the dishes were so tasty and flavorful. Definitely check it out if you aren’t a picky eater!
Raffi’s – Glendale
Armenian cuisine, what I was most looking forward to!! There aren’t many Armenian restaurants in Philly, so I was really excited to see what this place was about! Huge portions were served to us, all SO SO delicious. This place is great for big groups. The service was so fast and friendly!
Urth Caffe – West Hollywood
This is where I had what was probably the best latté I’ve ever tasted. Avo toast was pretty amazing too. This is a great breakfast spot.
Blu Jam Cafe – West Hollywood
One of the most popular brunch spots in town. When my group arrived, we were 19th on the waiting list. We only waited about 15 minutes to get seated, I was astounded! They have lots of great healthy options and pretty food presentations. Breakfast is served ALL DAY.
Geoffrey’s – Malibu
The ambience here is incredible with stunning ocean views. As the sun sets and it gets darker, the fire pits warm you up and the lights add a cozy feel. This was the only place we planned to go to in Malibu, so we had to choose wisely. This spot was definitely worth the price.
Pink’s – West Hollywood
Famous hot-dog spot. Get a little interesting with your order, don’t get a plain hot dog! They have hot dogs named after celebrities, sports teams, locations, and more! The best part: high quality, super cheap.
Jist – Downtown, Little Tokyo
Low-key brunch spot downtown. Food was really good, prices were fair, and the service was quick!
Takami Sushi – Downtown
Ritzy spot downtown, with gorgeous cityscape views. We chose this place for its atmosphere, the sushi was a bonus. If you’re a lover of rooftops like me, you’ll enjoy this spot.
Museums
We planned to hit up some really cool museums on a day when most of them were CLOSED! I was very upset about this. The museums we did not get to see were The Broad and The Getty. We checked out the Peterson Automative Museum, and a little bit of LACMA.
Overall, it was a great trip (despite the poor air quality). Lots to do, lots to eat, and definitely lots of art. I love going on mini vacations in the US. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive and grand all the time. We got an air bnb, rented a cheap car, and had a fantastic time.