Hiya! I’m back from spending 3 weeks in Los Angeles. My best friend from college has been there for over a decade and I love going out there to visit him any chance I can. I feel super fortunate that I was able to go out there for a long stretch this time around. It was a glorious escape from the deep dark depths of NYC winter.
It’s obvious to say, but visiting LA right now is very than in normal times. I felt that the safety precautions are similar to how things are in NYC right now. LA requires masks and proof of vaccine for anything indoors. I personally don’t feel comfortable dining inside right now but that wasn’t a big deal as many restaurants have outdoor dining options with heaters.
We were still able to cram a lot in and do a ton of fun things. Here’s a roundup of some of the highlights from this trip!
SHOPPING:
The Grove: I personally love shopping at The Grove, both at the outdoor mall and also The Farmer’s Market. It’s not your typical Farmer’s Market where you’d get kale but more so a bunch of small restaurants all in one spot.
Westfield: Century City: Another great outdoor mall. As a girl from the suburbs, I’m a sucker for a mall 😂
Platform: A super cute outdoor shopping area with stores like Reformation and Boy Smells. The day I went they also had a little make your own flower bouquet pop-up. Lots of places to get food and eat outside.
THEATER:
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Ahmanson: I’ve seen this show a few times now in London and am SO excited it’s finally made its way to the states. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is all about Jamie, a teenager in a small town in England who wants to go to his prom in drag. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and you’ll leave the theater uplifted in the best kind of way. The show is running in LA until February 20th.
Cages: My friend demanded we go see Cages while I was in LA. I was not sure what to expect but WOAH was it incredible. It’s hard to explain and fully capture, but Cages is a steampunk musical and love story with some of the most incredible projections and designs I’ve ever seen in the theater. And this is coming from someone that used to design projections for theater. It’s breathtaking, loud, and mind-blowing all at once. A fully immersive theater experience. GO SEE THIS SHOW.
BOOKSTORES:
The Ripped Bodice: I am OBSESSED with this woman and queer-owned bookstore in Culver City. The Ripped Bodice is exclusively a romance bookstore and it truly feels like a magical place. Taylor Swift was playing when I went. Women were talking about their favorite books and recommending reads to total strangers. I spent a solid hour there and had to cut myself off from buying all the books. Go check them out and give them some love!
Skylight Books: I always love walking around Skylight Books and Skylight’s Art Annex in Los Feliz.
Book Soup: No trip to LA is complete without a trip to Book Soup in West Hollywood. This is a great place to find signed copies of books and something new to read.
Vroman’s: I adore Vroman’s. It’s southern California’s largest and oldest small independent book store. I could get lost looking at books there for hours.
WHERE TO EAT:
Bossa Nova: Brazilian food that’s open late. I am a big fan of the grilled shrimp dish Camarão a Brasileira.
Go Get ‘Em Tiger: Great for breakfast and coffee. I always get the overnight oats.
Fred 62: A modern diner vibe with lots of vegan and gluten-free options in Los Feliz.
All Time: Went here for dinner I got the fish. I loved the vibe outside and have heard they have amazing breakfast + lunch. I will say not a ton of options for dietary restrictions or picky eaters and it’s on the pricey side.
M Cafe: A long-time favorite of mine in LA for healthy + vegan-friendly eats. I always get the “Big Macro” vegan burger.
Beachwood Cafe: My friend moved up the street from Beachwood and it became our go-to spot for coffee and lunch. I love the vegan scramble and oat milk lavender latte. And I also love that the cafe is mentioned in a Harry Styles song 🙂
Joan’s On Third: Always a fan favorite. I love the Chinese Chicken Salad and Avocado toast.
Pura Vita: I am OBSESSED with this vegan Italian restaurant in West Hollywood. My favorite dish is hands down the baked ricotta. Amazing.
Spitz: Really tasty Mediterranean street food. Lots of vegan options and easy to customize your order.
Pine and Crane: My new favorite restaurant in LA — I think we got takeout from there three times during my trip. Super tasty Taiwanese food. Highly highly recommend the vegan Mapo Tofu with scallion pancakes on the side for dipping. I miss it already!!
Sugarfish: Okay Sugarfish is in NYC too but there’s something special about it in LA. Incredible sushi but don’t expect certain staples like miso soup or spicy tuna. I always get the “Trust Me – Lite” box.
Gracias Madre: Vegan Mexican food with a gorgeous patio for outdoor dining. My favorite is the Uno bowl.
Goop Kitchen: I have a lot of opinions on Gwyneth Paltrow and her company Goop… but I have to give it to her, Goop Kitchen was SO good. My friend and I kept joking that we hated how much we loved it. I got the Teriyaki bowl and subbed in salmon. It was SO tasty. I hope they expand to New York soon.
Bea Bea’s: Great breakfast spot in Burbank and Glendale. Both have outdoor dining options.
Tocaya: I can’t believe I’ve never had Mexican food at Tocaya before, I LOVED it. Super vegan and dietary restriction friendly. Get the tortilla soup (vegan!!) and quesadilla (I customized mine with vegan cheese but regular). Please come to NYC!
Izakaya by Katsu-Ya: My favorite for sushi in LA. Get the crispy rice and spicy tuna plus a crab hand rolls.
Genghis Cohen: I LOVE their Chinese food so much. I don’t eat pork so love getting the turkey wonton soup. I’m also a big fan of the Queen chicken.
WHERE TO HIKE:
Runyon Canyon: Runyon is definitely one of the more famous hiking spots in LA. It can be super crowded on the weekend (and tricky with parking) but it’s still a must for me every time I’m in LA. You can’t beat the views at the top! I will warn you though, the incline is humbling!
Fryman Canyon: If you don’t want to deal with the stress of Runyon Canyon and want something a bit less intense, Fryman is excellent. You still get great views but the incline is a little less intense and there’s a parking lot that is usually chill during the week
Hollywood Reservoir: This was my first time going to the Hollywood Reservoir. It is spectacular! The path is super flat so great if you’re not looking for a super intense walk. The view of the Hollywood sign is breathtaking and there’s something super peaceful about the loop around the lake. Highly recommend!
