You’ve landed.  You’ve got your very necessary rental car and are ready to enjoy a lifestyle of the rich and famous!  Let’s skip over the obvious tourist attractions; Santa Monica Pier, Chinese Theatre, Disneyland.  Try living it up like the locals do and explore all that makes Los Angeles the best of the West Coast! 

Day One: 

No matter where you are staying, hotel or Airbnb, you should treat yourself to dining along the golden coast your first night.  Dine ocean front at Moonshadows Malibu, located along the famous Pacific Coast Highway,  where you can dreamily out as you exhale into the laid back vibes of Southern California.  Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Moonshadows might be at the top of your budget, but if you’re gonna splurge, do it night one.  The pan seared scallops are a triumph, along with the burrata cheese to start. For main courses, try out the Thai Curried Tiger Shrimp or the California Style Bouillabaisse, which is well worth the $40 price tag.  

Looking for a similar option on a tighter budget?  Not too far from the sea is the dazzling Broad Street Oyster Company.  While you can’t directly view the ocean from the dining area, you CAN smell the salty air and stroll down to the beach after.  Their menu boasts everything from Lobster rolls to fresh clam chowder that will have you dreaming of selling your soul to buy a beachfront house where you can live out the rest of your days by the Pacific. 

DRINKS 4 LYFE:  

If spending your evening in Malibu isn’t your jam, head to Hollywood and get in line for Good Times at Davey Wayne’s. GTDW lives up to the hype, especially with its secret entrance via an old fridge, and is perfect for a few hours to grab a drink, sit on a couch and imagine that it’s 1975 again. With cool dj’s spinning smooth tunes, alcoholic snow cones on the weekend, and all around classic LA Vibes, this spot is a necessity for starting your night out.

If you’ve sufficiently unwound but aren’t ready to call that Uber, head down the street to my favorite place in all of LA, Three Clubs.  The bar is steller, it’s quietly understated and isn’t too loud. Bonus: If you need a snack to soak up that liquid diet you’ll find one of the best taco trucks in Los Angeles parked right outside! 

DAY TWO:  East Side Adventures!

Between Silverlake, Los Feliz, & Echo Park, you can have the time of your life in a single day exploring all three “boroughs’ ‘ of East Los Angeles.  Start off strong with breakfast at Millie’s Cafe, literally everything there is perfection.  Healthy, un-healthy, vegan, or heavy on the meat, their menu will leave you wondering if you should order their milkshake.  The answer is always yes, for theirs are out of this world.

Looking for something a little less casual, serves alcohol,  and is a little more “LA?”  All Time, located in Los Feliz, is just the spot.  Slightly more pricey than Millie’s, this is the place to be seen on the weekends.  All Time curates fresh ingredients with a lovely wine list so you can relax on their stunning outdoor patio with and a “Good Ass Salad”, which is an item on the menu!  Grab a stacked breakfast sandwich or Steak bowl and live it up before heading out to wander the streets and drop some serious cash! 

Shop till Ya Drop!

Head on over to Sunset Blvd. for some cool threads.  With all the vintage shopping and fun stores along the way, it’s easy to park on a side street and just wander around.  First stop is Supergoodie, a high-end yet second-hand oasis. With TWO stores only a few blocks from each other, you’re sure to find that special piece you can take home and brag “Oh, I got it in LA.”

From there, take a short drive over to Atwater Village to visit Dresscue, a size-inclusive consignment store. Clients rent racks to showcase their wares so the store has everything from dresses to shoes to matching sets.  But remember it is consignment, so it’s the luck of the draw.

Mid-Day Snack:

Just across the street from Dresscue, you’ll find the incomparable Bon Vivant Market & Cafe. Upon arrival, ask their friendly and knowledgeable cheesemonger, Patrick, to design a cheeseboard for you. Pair it with a glass of Sancerre while you revel in your amazing local purchases. Their happy hour menu can’t be beat and is available from 3-6pm M-F and ALL DAY SUNDAY. 

Afternoon Adventures!  

Jeffrey Deitch gallery projects are a great way to escape the Southern California heat and most importantly, are FREE!  These fantastic modern art exhibits, filled with thought provoking pieces on a rotational basis, are sure to start a fun conversation.   It’s the ideal place for a solo afternoon of reflecting or a unique first date activity.

Bonus:  Just next door is the delightful Tartine Bakery at Sycamore, where you can enjoy their world famous pastries and rectify your afternoon caffeine slump. 

Dinner to Die For!

Lately, the EastSide of Los Angeles has been crushing it with in demand restaurants that are well worth the wait.  Pijja Palace and Donna’s, both located in Echo Park, are two standouts.  

Can’t seem to get a reservation?   No worries, head over to RESY, select the date and ask for them to NOTIFY when a reservation comes available.  You might not get a prime dining slot at 7pm, but if you’re open to eating at 5:30pm or 9:45pm you’ll get in, no problem!  Walk-ins are welcome, but you’ll be at the mercy of waiting for an unfilled reservation if you aren’t at either location by 4:30pm.  

Everything at Pijja Palace and Donna’s is mouthwatering; especially the Dosa onion rings (Pijja Palace) and the peach bruschetta (Donna’s). No matter where you choose to dine on the East Side, you can rest assured that you’re enjoying a meal far more special and unique than several of the more well known restaurants in the city of Angels.

Dance the Night Away!

Not ready to head back to your quarters for the night?  That’s okay!  I’ve got a list of fabulous places to shake your bootie located throughout greater LA.  5 Amazing Los Angeles Places to Bust a Move! 

Day Three:  Time to Say Goodbye…though not quite yet.  

You need to close out your LA trip in STYLE before heading to the airport! So grab those sunglasses and threads you picked up yesterday, and head on over to SQIRL.  Trust me, it’s worth it, even if you only end up buying the JAM! It’s jam you could swim in forever.  Their savory and sweet bowls are all delectable and their classic Ricotta Toast is an instant classic.  

Have a later flight and time for ONE more unparalleled activity?  

Hit up the Melrose Trading Post, open every Sunday rain or shine. Jewelry, art,  clothing, and interesting antiques are all available while you wander around in the midday sun.  It’s just the place to pick up one last souvenir before you head back to LAX, or hopefully Bob Hope in Burbank! 

Here’s to you having the best trip ever in Los Angeles, until then, go out and be awesome!