Los Angeles - A City of Two Tales: Journey to Relaxation or Take on an Adventure
The City of Angels
Los Angeles, known for its entertainment industry, vast urban landscape, and diverse experiences, caters to all types of travelers. For 15 years, I called South Bay near Redondo Beach home before moving to Westwood and West Hollywood. The city holds a special place in my heart.
Rediscovering LA
During a recent trip back to LA to visit loved ones, I eagerly anticipated exploring its beaches, hiking trails, and embracing the glamorous lifestyle synonymous with Hollywood, especially during the Oscars season.
Exploring LA’s Serene Beaches
Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Laguna Beach, and many other picturesque LA beaches offer a peaceful retreat surrounded by natural beauty. Zuma Beach beckons with its expansive sandy shores and clear waters, ideal for sunbathing and unwinding. El Matador Beach, a hidden gem with captivating rock formations and caves, provides a tranquil setting for meditation or relaxation. Manhattan Beach has all the attributes of other beaches with the added charm of village life with great restaurants, shopping, and activities.
Adventurous Hikes in Hollywood Hills and Topanga
Beyond its iconic sign, the Hollywood Hills offer rewarding hikes with breathtaking views of the city. The journey to the Hollywood Sign is a feat worth accomplishing, granting sweeping vistas and a sense of fulfillment upon reaching the summit.
I love hiking through Bronson Canyon to see the Hollywood sign or doing yoga at Runyon Canyon, the former estate of Hollywood icon Errol Flynn.
Topanga Canyon State Park has a wide variety of trails, including waterfalls, espectacular sunset views, and various terrains. Here are a few popular trains.
Where to Stay
Our accommodations in Los Angeles varied from boutique hotels offering personalized experiences to cozy VRBO finds that gave us a taste of local living. This time around we stayed in this beautiful house near the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory parks to take advantage of the hiking for the first few days.
We also stayed a few nights at one of my favorite hotels in Beverly Hills, the Maybourne Hotel Beverly Hills. From the comfortable rooms to the beautiful rooftop pool, it’s a step back into Hollywood luxury.
Restaurants We Loved (And You Will Too)
Los Angeles's culinary scene was a delight to explore, with a particular focus on vegan delights and seafood specialties. Restaurants like Gracias Madre offered inventive plant-based dishes, while Neptune's Net allowed us to savor fresh seafood with ocean views.
Plus, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica attract the best restaurants from all over the world, particularly New York and Paris. This time I went to the newly opened Dante’s restaurant on the roof of the Maybourne Hotel.
Things We Did
We then went across the street to Maestro Lounge to hear some great music from a beautiful singer and piano man. From there we ventured to Soho House West Hollywood where it was jammed packed with celebrities, Formula 1 drivers, and singers. Of course, we couldn’t take pics there, but made some new great friends.
Incredible Shopping
Los Angeles offers an unparalleled shopping experience that caters to every taste and budget. From the luxury boutiques of Rodeo Drive to the eclectic shops of Melrose Avenue, LA's shopping destinations are as diverse as the city itself. Whether you're in search of high-end fashion, vintage finds, or unique souvenirs, Los Angeles provides an array of options that promise to make your shopping adventure memorable.
We recommend a few of the following options:
Beverly Center - After a $500M renovation and makeover, this shopping center in the middle of West Hollywood/Beverly Hills has all the luxurious and contemporary brands, as well as great restaurants. Plus, you’re a block away from the world famous Ivy Restaurant where you can see many celebrities during the weekdays.
Rodeo Drive - Universally acknowledged Rodeo Drive is amongst the most expensive shopping streets in the world. All the major fashion brands have either just finished redesigning their stores (eg IWC, Gucci) or finished plans to start renovating or replacing their stores. The “new” Rodeo Drive will be more over the top than ever before - great news for us, whether you’re shopping or just enjoying the scenery.
Melrose Avenue - There are two parts of Melrose Avenue worth exploring, with very different clientele. From Santa Monica Blvd. to Crescent Heights you will find high end home decor and famous eateries like Urth Caffe. From Crescent Heights to La Brea you’ll find an eclectic mix of restaurants, hipster cafe’s and fashion to hit the old clubs of Sunset Blvd. like The Roxy, The Rainbow and Viper Room.
Century City Westfield - Across the US and world lifestyle centers have become many neighborhoods’ and cities’ main attraction providing not your old-school mall food courts, but instead luxury shops and fine dining. One of the first to pull this off was in Century City and it’s still one of the best in the area.
(And What's Next)
Our trip to Los Angeles was a blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence. While we accomplished a lot, there's still much left for our next visit, including paddle boarding in Marina Del Rey and exploring more of the city's diverse neighborhoods.
As we look forward to our next visit, the City of Angels remains etched in our hearts, calling us back to its vibrant embrace.
