California - Venice, Santa Monica, Los Angeles
California warms my heart in so many ways - the people, the juice bars and avocados, the healthy lifestyle, the pace, the sunny outlook - and Southern California especially since it's almost always sunny and warm. Santa Monica and Venice are the ideal destinations, and Malibu if you have a bit more time. In Santa Monica, you have the pier, the beach, the amazing restaurants and the shops along the 3rd street promenade. My favorite to date is Huntley hotel roof for cocktails at sunset and then heading over to Venice for dinner - the restaurants along Abbott Kinney are amazing and much better than commercial Santa Monica. While Santa Monica is more scenic and has better beaches, Venice is a must-do for dinner, shopping and a casual weekend.
Other than the touristy things to do in Los Angeles, I don't venture too much into the city unless it's for a great restaurant or some shopping, but I do recommend going to the Beverly Hills Juice bar by the Beverly Center - it's amazing. The Polo Lounge for an afternoon lunch is worth the visit too. And once you land head to the In N Out Burger by the airport on the way to the beach!
The Essentials: Santa Monica
1) Restaurants - Fig at the Fairmont for lunch or dinner, Blue Plate Oysterette for lunch.
2) Yoga/Spa - Power Yoga on 2nd street, by donation and will make you sweat, love it. Exhale at Fairmont is also a good option - the location in Venice has a better studio.
3) Hotels - The Huntley in Santa Monica or commute in from the W Westwood or London Hollywood, my two favorite hotels in Los Angeles. Or rent a house in the hills for a true local experience.
The Essentials: Venice
1) Restaurants - Piccolo is one of my favs, tucked away by the beach, warm cozy and great food. Ado is also hidden and looks like a plain old house but is candlelit only and has great food.
2) Abbott Kinney restaurant hits include Gjelina and The Tasting Kitchen - so many new ones so you can't go wrong but those are always my two favorite. Gjelina I go back to every time!
3) Shopping is lovely around Venice and the coffee shops are a great place to linger and meet the locals for the day - you can even go into Marina Del Rey for less touristy options and the Baja Cantina for some pretty delicious Mexican food.
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| Rent a House in the Hills for a true escape |
Other than the touristy things to do in Los Angeles, I don't venture too much into the city unless it's for a great restaurant or some shopping, but I do recommend going to the Beverly Hills Juice bar by the Beverly Center - it's amazing. The Polo Lounge for an afternoon lunch is worth the visit too. And once you land head to the In N Out Burger by the airport on the way to the beach!
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| View of LA |
The Essentials: Santa Monica
1) Restaurants - Fig at the Fairmont for lunch or dinner, Blue Plate Oysterette for lunch.
2) Yoga/Spa - Power Yoga on 2nd street, by donation and will make you sweat, love it. Exhale at Fairmont is also a good option - the location in Venice has a better studio.
3) Hotels - The Huntley in Santa Monica or commute in from the W Westwood or London Hollywood, my two favorite hotels in Los Angeles. Or rent a house in the hills for a true local experience.
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| Santa Monica Beach |
The Essentials: Venice
1) Restaurants - Piccolo is one of my favs, tucked away by the beach, warm cozy and great food. Ado is also hidden and looks like a plain old house but is candlelit only and has great food.
2) Abbott Kinney restaurant hits include Gjelina and The Tasting Kitchen - so many new ones so you can't go wrong but those are always my two favorite. Gjelina I go back to every time!
3) Shopping is lovely around Venice and the coffee shops are a great place to linger and meet the locals for the day - you can even go into Marina Del Rey for less touristy options and the Baja Cantina for some pretty delicious Mexican food.
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