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26 March, 2022
Explore the City of Angels in style with our Los Angeles travel guide
“Los Angeles is the best city in the world. As a born and raised SoCal girl, I may be a little biased, but there is a special energy to this sun-soaked, palm-tree lined city that draws me back time and time again. ”
It could be the ever-present dichotomy of our Angeleno spirit - slow-paced yet endlessly ambitious at the same time. Work hard, play harder is our motto here. Anything can happen in the City of Dreams.
It could be the people - beautiful, mysterious and diverse. One in six LA residents work in the creative industry, creating the content and culture that influences the rest of the world. From Hollywood stars to budding musicians, it is no secret the people here are unique and special.
Or, maybe it’s the sunshine and beautiful landscape. No matter what time of year you come to visit, the weather is guaranteed to be perfect. Try our food, sourced from lush California farms straight to your table. View the snow-capped mountains peeking over the city, homes tucked away in the rolling green hills and long white-sand beaches all in one landscape.
Spend a night singing Karaoke & eating sizzling Korean BBQ in Koreatown. Enjoy some of the world’s finest Mexican eats outside of Mexico. Surf alongside locals in Malibu or hike over sweeping beach views on a breezy summer day. Or, if you are adventurous enough, ski, surf & hike all in one day. Get a taste of Hollywood at our endless roster of comedy shows, outdoor concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theater & more. The possibilities are endless here.
I am a firm believer that to love Los Angeles you must first know where to go. So, let me be your guide! Here is my list of favorite spots to get the most out of the City of Dreams.
What not to miss
Beach day at Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu
Pack your beach bag and take a scenic drive to one of the best beaches California has to offer, Leo Carrillo State Park. Stop along the way to grab sandwiches from Malibu Country Kitchen to snack on during your day in the sun. The perfect end to your Malibu beach day? A life-changing lobster roll and rack of briny West Coast oysters at Broad Street Oyster or a perfect Greek meal at Taverna Tony.
Relax at Tomoko Japanese Spa Beverly Hills
This might be LA’s best kept secret. From the moment you walk in the door at Tomoko, you are greeted by freshly brewed tea in the pre-treatment relaxation area and transported to a different dimension of zen. The treatment is other-worldly including a foot soak, reflexology and a deep-tissue massage, ending with more tea and sweet Japanese treats. Get the sushi add-on where you can have a traditional Japanese meal seated on the ground after your massage for the ultimate experience.
Go shopping at Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Head over to the heart of Venice, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a palm-tree lined street filled with boutique shops, restaurants and local watering holes. Stop in for one-of-a-kind ice cream scoops like Strawberry Balsamic or Blue Cheese and Honey at Salt & Straw. Shop at Garrett Leight for new sunglasses, Tumbleweed & Dandelion for coastal homeware and Grow Venice for cute house plants. End the night with spicy mezcalitas at De Buena Planta or natural wine at Only the Wild Ones.
Catch a sunset concert or comedy show in Hollywood
The LA Phil does concerts all summer long at The Hollywood Bowl. The trick here is to buy terrace seats and come early packed with snacks and wine. Scoop up a cheese platter at Lady & Larder or Larchmont Wine & Cheese and enjoy your evening listening to sweet melodies tucked away in the Hollywood Hills. Alternatively, check out The Laugh Factory or The Comedy Store in Hollywood to laugh the night away with some of the best comedians the world has to offer.
Visit the Petersen Auto Museum
We love our cars here in Los Angeles for more than just the practical reasons but also for their unique historical, aesthetic & performance capabilities. Visit the Petersen Auto Museum to take a look into one of the largest automotive collections in the world in both the general history exhibit and The Vault, featuring cars like the first Ford Model T, a Porsche exhibit, the original DeLorean from Back to the Future & more.
Where to eat
Kogi Korean BBQ Taco Truck
Few things are more Los Angeles than taco trucks. But, chef Roy Choi takes it to a whole new level by putting Korean BBQ meats into tacos and quesadillas. Check out their twitter at @kogibbq to see where the food truck is located.
Night + Market WeHo
Bright neon signage, posters of Yoko Ono and Thai pop stars and some of the world’s best Thai food - Night + Market is the party you won’t want to miss. Be sure to order the Nam Khao Tod (Crispy Rice Salad), Peek Gai Hay-Ha (Party Wings) & Chicken Pad Thai.
Jon & Vinny’s
There is a reason this all-day red sauce Italian restaurant has a cult-following. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but I like to go for the spicy fusilli, ricotta & orange blossom toast and the chocolate budino for dessert. The restaurant books out weeks in advance so make sure to reserve your spot.
Where to stay in Los Angeles
Venice
Sleeps up to 6 guests
Around ten minutes’ walk from Venice Beach, this contemporary home feels fresh. Straight ahead of the front door you’ll find a dining table for six, and eye-catching floating glass shelves in the raised kitchen. There’s a working fireplace and teal sofa in the sitting room, opposite, and beyond is the second sitting room, where artwork and sculpture sit between full-height bookcases and a wall of windows. Out through the glass doors, the garden has a barbecue and fire pit.
Pacific Palisades
Sleeps up to 8 guests
I wish I could sit on this patio all day long with an Aperol spritz in hand and soak in the sweeping views of the Los Angeles bay. Enjoy the views from the pool, wide windows and garden with easy access to some of LA’s best beaches.
Malibu
Sleeps up to 6 guests
Sublime sea views to one side and rolling mountainside on the other - the spectacular sights from Malibu Vista will sweep you off your feet. It must be mentioned that the location here is prime as you're only a few minutes away from the soft sands of Topanga Beach and Malibu Pier.
Tempted by a sunny Californian getaway?
Whether you plan on staying a week, or relocating for over a month, our Travel Advisors will help you plan the perfect Los Angeles getaway.
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