{travel guide} Los Angeles
Posted: November 10th, 2010 | Author: Jennifer | Filed under: The Travel Bug, Travel Guides | Tags: hotels, LA, Los Angeles, restaurants, stores, USA | Comments Off
{Image by Kevitivity}
LA is often misjudged. This sprawling city is more than just Hollywood and fro-yo but it takes a little digging (and driving!) to get to the good stuff.
Where to Stay
LA has no shortage of wonderful places to stay. A brief sampling of West Hollywood’s offerings:
1 – Farmer’s Daughter – 115 South Fairfax Ave.
Quirky and totally LA cool, the Farmer’s Daughter is one of the current contenders for the hippest place to lay your head in LA. The location isn’t the greatest for nightlife, but close proximity to the Farmer’s Market and the Grove shopping centre make this one a perfect locale for those looking to get their shop on. Bonus: the Wine Hour!
2 – Palihouse – 8465 Holloway Dr.
An off the beaten path location in West Hollywood is where you’ll find these. Large suite rooms (complete with mini-kitchen and washer/dryer!) are the big draw here. The decor is British-quirky and indeed a lot of the guests are long-term and from abroad. The staff tend to be formal and the restaurant pricey, but if you are looking for a large and comfy place to stay this is it.
3 – Standard Hollywood – 8300 Sunset Blvd.
The Standard brings sleek and affordable rooms to a chi-chi section of the Sunset Strip. This is a very LA experience, complete with bubble chairs in the lobby and carpetted walls. This is a place see and be seen and it’s super-cool staff and clientele make that pretty evident. However, if you are seeking luxurious digs it’s probably not for you! What I like: basic but cool rooms, great location, good and healthy food at the diner downstairs. Be sure to ask for a room that has city views!
Where to Eat
Yeah you could just go to Joan’s on Third and order the damn crabcakes but that is just so boring…
1 – Cleo’s – 1717 Vine St
Located in the Redbury Hotel at Vine and Hollywood, this place serves up reasonably priced and excellently executed Mediterranean style tapas. Great for large groups.
2 – Mozza – 6602 Melrose Ave.
Incredibly popular and Batali-owned Mozza brings tasty neopolitan style pizza to LA. But never mind the pizza (which is fantastic). What gets me most excited is the mozzarella-tasting plate (smoked bufala, burrata, flor di latte). Yum.
3 – Food trucks
In this car-centric city, is it any wonder that some of the best meals are literally on wheels? LA is know for it’s abundance of delicious and interesting food trucks.
However, these can be tricky little things to track down, being that they often do not have a fixed location. Check this Zagat Buzz Twitter for current details. Recommendations:
Kogi BBQ (Korean-Mexican), Don Chow Tacos (Chinese-Mexican) and if all that sounds much too exotic, try the good old Sprinkles Bakery (cupcakes). Bring cash.
Where to Shop
Sleek Californian design is everywhere and if the brand-spanking new bores you, check out they myriad of regular flea markets…
{Image by AT}
1 – A+R – 1121 – 1 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice
This husband-and-wife operation brings the best of international design be it Japanese, Scandinavian or Brooklyn-bred to it’s Venice location (they used to be located in Silver Lake but have since expanded). With lots of great totchkes, this is a stand-out location for gift shopping.
2 – Suburban Home – 101 West 5th St
Sleek custom furniture and glam accessories ranging from modern art, to glass decanters to small pieces. Great room-like displays give you plenty of inspiration.
3 – Ok – 8303 West 3rd. St
An LA-institution, this carefully curated shop has something for everyone. From furniture to books, every item is been hand-picked by the ultra-stylish owner to form a truly eclectic collection. Friendly staff!
What to Do
LA nightlife is known in particular for being rife with pretentious patrons and over-hyped establishments. Stay well away with this guide.
1 – Bar Covell – 4628 Hollywood Blvd.
A cozy and relaxed wine bar with knowledgable staff and small plates. Very popular.
2 – Villains Tavern – 1356 Palmetto St.
See the other side of LA with steampunk decor and top-shelf cocktails at Villains.
3 – The Village Idiot – 7383 Melrose Ave.
A buttoned-up English style pub at a crossroads with it’s Melrose location. Great for beer and food
enthusiasts alike. Save some room for the deep fried peach pie.
What to See
Sure there is always Disneyland and the beach but there are other treasures to be had here…
1 – The Getty – 1200 Getty Center Dr
An overwhelming and rotating art collection, free admission and a great view to boot – The Getty always deserves a look even if you’ve been before. (Alternate option: gallery crawl in Noho.)
2 – Whale-watching – 100 Aquarium Way Long Beach
Whale watching is not likely to spring to mind when you think of LA activities. But the Aquarium of the Pacific and Harbor Breeze Cruises have combined forces to bring whale-watching here. Catch a glimpse of a blue whale! Tours are $63 for 3 1/2 hours and leave twice daily.
3 – Grand Performances – 350 S. Grand Ave.
Excellent quality, free (summer) shows in downtown LA. Check the schedule before you go (past performances include Placido Domingo). Feel free to bring a picnic and wine – it’s allowed! Show your satisfaction when the donation bucket comes around.
If you are looking to give your space a dose of fabulosity – whether you are splashing out or on a budget – drop me a line. Check out my Hire Me! page for more details.
