I really do love LA. A different beast from the City that Never Sleeps, my hometown, NYC, LA is still a great place to live. With the ability to be outside year round and all the activities constantly taking place around the city, there is always something you could do. It is also a great place to live partly because it is so spread out. Yes that can make it a hassle to travel from place to place with traffic, but it also allows you to experience a number of different cultures all over the city.
With this in mind, I wanted to share my list of favorite LA hot spots from all over the city.
Adventure
Trapeze School New York in Santa Monica: My sister in law and brother in law treated the whole family to trapeze lessons a few Christmases ago and it was a huge hit. Dan and I actually signed up for another class and got one free in the process (its called their catch and return program). It is a great way to get your bodies moving and have a different kind of date night. We still have our free class to use (We are planning on using it post baby as a date night!)
Scuba Diving with PCH Scuba: Getting open water certified is a great way to take advantage of all LA has to offer. Over two weekends you can get your certification, which includes your second weekend at Catalina Island diving off Casino Point. I have been sidelined for about 2 years now due to 2 knee surgeries and pregnancy, but I cannot wait to get back in the water. I've worked with PCH as a divemaster in the past and cannot recommend them enough!
Segway Tours: We did this for my birthday when my mom visited us a few years ago and it was a blast. You get a chance to play tourist in a part of your city that you never have had the chance to before and riding a Segway is pretty fun. We took our tour with
Another Side of Los Angeles Tours and I cannot recommend them enough!
Jetpack America: A little outside of the LA bubble in Newport Beach, Jetpack America actually gives you the opportunity to fly your own jetpack powered by water. After a short training session you are out in the water and flying high. Depending on how quickly you pick up the controls, your instructor will let you get 20+ feet in the air!
Beaches
Hermosa Beach: Hermosa is my favorite with super wide beaches, tons of volleyball courts, clean public restrooms, a popular walking/bike path, decent surf and a wonderful pier with food and drink options readily available. There is a large mix of young singles and families out here, but the beach can get crowded quickly.
Manhattan Beach: A little quieter with more families and less singles, this is a nice change of pace. The pier is uphill from the beach so it requires a bit more walking but the beach is wide like in Hermosa and has the bike path and public restrooms easily accessible as well as some more volleyball courts.
Redondo Beach: This beach is not as wide as Hermosa but is walking distance. It gets more crowded faster so I typically head here during the week after hours for a sunset or to read my book. It has easy diving off the coast here and the bike path continues to the end of the beach. There is also a pier here with some more quick food options than Hermosa or Redondo's restaurants.
Culture
The Getty Center: Beautiful Architecture, up in the hills of Los Angeles, the Getty has amazing views and an even better garden.
La Brea Tar Pits: Something unique to LA and fun for kids and adults alike. There are also some museums on site in addition to the park. There is a lot to learn and its pretty hands on.
LACMA: This museum has so much to boot and exhibits change pretty frequently. We were members for a year and got all the exhibits free as well as free admission any time. It is a fun place and great for different date nights to get you out of your bubble.
LA Zoo: In Griffith park, the LA Zoo is a really fun afternoon, especially if you have kids to bring along!
Staples Center: Between concerts, Kings games and Clipper Games, there is always something going on.
Dodgers Stadium: Who doesn't love catching a game come Spring and Summer?
KTown: Korea Town is a great place to get some Korean BBQ and/or hit up some karaoke with friends. Most karaoke bars are ones where your group gets their own room and can make a fool of themselves with each other.
Food
Farmer's Market at the Grove: I love the Farmer's Market, especially when I have a group visiting, since everyone can pick their own meal. With tons of options to choose from, everyone will be happy.
Bottega Louie: In downtown LA, Bottega Louie serves up delicious Italian fare and perhaps even more delicious deserts. You can't really go wrong with what you order. Just keep in mind that the place can get pretty loud and busy, especially on weekends.
Ortega 120: My favorite Mexican restaurant in LA, hands down. The food is Mexican with a finer hand but everything, including the drinks are to die for. Go for the Tilapia 120 if you like fish, it's my favorite thing on the menu. Brunch is also a great option here and a really great deal!
In and Out Burger: So good and fresh. Just find one and go.
Diddy Riese: This Brentwood staple is a go to for desert. You get to choose your own ice cream and cookie for a wonderful handmade ice cream cookie. Lines can get long but its worth the wait.
Handel's Ice Cream: Family owned, this South Redondo Beach shop has been around for years and has lines year round. Homemade ice cream flavors make this a great stop. Graham Central Station is my favorite (its a graham cracker ice cream with chocolate pieces). When Girl Scout cookies are out, they also make flavors around the cookies. If you go with a group, get a sampler. It's four scoops for $5.
Outdoors
Malibu: There are tons of great hiking spots in the Malibu canyons. Parking can be challenging on the weekends, but the views of the ocean are worth it.
Hollywood Sign: Almost always hot as most of the trail is in the sun, you still get great views of the city and get get pretty close to the sign. The biggest pain here is parking.
Palos Verdes: PV has some beautiful cliff side trails and some that go down to the ocean. A little quieter than the Malibu trails, PV has some great views of Catalina on clear days.
Griffith Park: LA's version of Central Park, Griffith Park has tons of green space as well as the LA Zoo and Observiatory.
Shopping
The Grove: One of my favorite places to shop, the Grove is an outdoor mall with some of my favorite stores including, J.Crew, Banana Republic and Nordstrom. It can get crowded because its not a huge space. But it is really pretty and the Farmer's Market is next door!
3rd Street Promenade: I think I love coming up to Santa Monica to shop because it reminds me so much of shopping in NY. I love that the promenade is just a few city blocks packed with stores. It feels more like home to me.
Del Amo Fashion Center: Undergoing major renovations, this mall will be beautiful when it is all done. The renovations are going through stages and the new Nordstrom is being built. It's super convient for me travel wise, but it also has a ton of selection.
South Coast Plaza: Not technically in LA, South Coast Plaza has pretty much any store you can think of. It is great for Christmas shopping as even though it gets crowded, there are so many stores, you don't feel like you will never get helped.
Fashion Island: This is also in Orange County but I love that the entire shopping center is outdoors. It also has one of my favorite stores, Vineyard Vines.
Nearby
Las Vegas: About four hours by car or an hour by plane, Las Vegas is a frequent weekend getaway for LA residents.
Temecula Wine Country: Much closer than Napa, Temecula is a great getaway for a day with friends. A lot of vineyards are here, making it a much closer wine tasting trip.
Catalina Island: Just a short ferry ride away, Catalina is like going back in time. Great for a day visit or maybe one night, there is a lot to do in this little island.
Orange County: About an hour from LA, Orange County has some great beach towns, including Laguna Beach.
San Diego: About a 2 hour drive, San Diego has a lot to offer including great diving, fun nightlife and beautiful beaches.
Disneyland: Not too far from the original Happiest Place on Earth.
Big Bear: Skiing is just a few hours drive.
