Los Angeles Guide
HOTELS
The London - West Hollywood, one of the best rooftop pools.
Beverly Hills Hotel - the iconic pink & green branding, super instagrammable, Nice big pool with cabanas, really good restaurant.
The Mondrian - good restaurant inside & great location in weho. They throw lots of parties here, so if you are staying in one of the rooms looking towards the pool, expect to hear loud music late night.
Shutters on the Beach - Santa Monica, small pools, but the property is literally right on the edge of the sand.
Surf Rider Malibu - tiny but great ocean views, across the street from Malibu Farms.
Sunset Marquis - Celeb Hotspot, nice pool
Sunset Tower Hotel - iconic LA building, perfectly located, good pool & bar.
W Hotel - go to the one in Westwood, NOT Hollywood!!! Near UCLA, has a nice pool, and cute downtown area.
The Hollywood Roosevelt - another LA classic, filled with Hollywood history, nice pool, not my fav area of LA, but cool hotel.
Chateau Marmont - bougie as hell but iconic.
Four Seasons - Beverly Hills, Posh Spa
The Line - pretty pool, The Commissary (the restaurant) is in a cool greenhouse in the middle of LA.
The Nomad - just opened, gorgeous interiors, cool views at night at the rooftop pool.
Dream Hotel - new with nice pool, has Tao & loads of other super popular restaurants in it. It's in Hollywood which isn't my fav location to be in, but its one of the nicest in the area.
Hotel Bel Air - a staycation away from all of the hustle & bustle of LA, gorgeous & super peaceful.
Petit Ermitage - kinda odd decor on the inside, cool neon, nice small rooftop pool to lounge.
THINGS TO DO
LACMA - classic museum in LA, near the famous Urban Light, which you have probably seen in loads of movies including La La Land. There’s also the La Brea tar pits which is a random but cool thing in the middle of LA
Rent a Bird Scooter to ride all over with friends
Grand Central Market - cool walkthrough of shops & restaurants, go to Eggslut there
Platform - massive rainbow wallart, cute shops (Reservoir, Reformation, Freda Salvador), & restaurants
Olive & June - adorable & super popular nail salon that specializes in trendy designs.
The Grove - also in tons of TV shows & movies, shopping, sprinkles cupcakes, Dominique Ansel, & more. Check out the farmers market at the back of the Grove for snacks & tiny shops.
Abbot Kinney blvd - cool shops & restaurants
3rd Street Promenade - touristy street mall with multistory mall at the end of it. This is where the "instafamous" Brandy Melville is.
Malibu Country Mart - cute shops & people watching
Museum of Ice Cream - you have to get tickets ahead of time
Melrose Trading Post
Fairfax flea market
Calabasas Country Mart - has Froyo, Starbucks, William sonoma, movie theater & just a locals center, always featured in the Kardashians, also visit the Mainstreet in Calabasas to see Kardashian filming areas.
Griffith Observatory & Griffith Park
Cinespia - during the warmer months they play classic movies in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Sign
Hollywood Bowl - one of the most iconic concert venues.
Runyon Canyon for a hike
Getty Center for iconic art
Santa Monica Pier - touristy but fun to see it all at least once, the iconic Hannah Montana birthday party for Lily was filmed here.
Grammy Museum
Hollywood Boulevard - check to see if any movie premiers are happening or if any celebs are getting a star on the walk of fame. Walk by the TCL Chinese Theater, that is where all the celebs put their handprints in the cement.
The Broad
Universal Studios to see Harry Potter World
Go on 1iota.com to get free tickets to live shows & tapings like James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel, & sitcoms etc
Venice Canals / Venice beach - gorgeous homey area to walk through, and then Venice Beach is funny but overwhelming, check out the muscle beach to see all the bodybuilder types working out. Also, check out the skatepark - tons of hot guys.
Downtown LA Art walk to see cool murals
Rodeo Drive for the bougiest shops
Uprights Citizen Brigade for hysterical cheap comedy shows. Tons of celebs started out here & occasionally come back for shows
Echo Park Lake - pedal boats
Point Dume & Zuma beach in Malibu
LA Zoo - pretty lights during the holidays
Beverly Center or Westfield Century City for mall shopping
Urban Outfitters Surplus store in Sherman oaks
Rosebowl Flea Market
Chandelier Tree in Silverlake
The Now - best place for a massage.
Disneyland - but technically this isn't in LA, this should be a separate trip. Its in the Orange County.
RESTAURANTS
Jon & Vinny’s - Italian, one of my top favorite meals ever!!!!!!!! Reservations only, it’s super small. Celeb hotspot. Brunch early for possible celeb spotting.
Cecconi's - Weho - one of my favs for every meal, ask to sit in the front patio area better people watching, meatballs, gnocchi, truffle pizza are my fav. Fantastic cocktails.
Gjelina - Really good pizza in Venice
Malibu Farm Cafe - (ALL-TIME FAV!!) - the pier is the more casual daytime, the restaurant is better at sunset. This is the ultimate California restaurant, everything is really fresh.
Cafe Habana - Malibu - really good food & margaritas, one of my family favs. Owned by the Crawford family, it’s in the country mart which has fun shopping.
Nobu Malibu - right on the ocean, the most beautiful setting for a restaurant, make a reservation & ask to sit outside. Get the rock shrimp, & go at lunch or before sunset for the prettiest views.
Felix - some of the best pasta in LA, dont miss out on the meatball appetizers.
Egg Slut - Breakfast in the Grand Central Market
The Butchers Daughter - Vegan, also in NY. Cute decor.
Shake Shack - Better than In N Out, Weho has a cute patio.
In N Out - all over LA, there is one right by LAX, but the line is insane, go deeper into the city & you will find another one.
Gracias Madre - vegan Mexican food, well-designed bar, good drinks (get snow cone marg)
Catch LA - seafood & instagrammable "hit me" dessert
The Nice Guy - cool bar, celeb hotspot, save room for the donuts & cookies
Pizzeria Mozza - one of Rihanna’s fav places, it’s pretty small, not too dressy.
Katsuya Sushi - always amazing
Mr Chow - Kanye used his one phone call from jail to order Mr Chow, kinda touristy now though
Pizza Antica - for when you go to 3rd street promenade in the mall for shopping in Santa Monica
Hillstone - in Santa Monica, big portion meals, save room for dessert & get the ice cream sundae
R & D Kitchen - Santa Monica, burger & steaks
Beso - def needs reservations
Joan's on Third 🙌🏼 - super cute instagrammable shop with sandwiches, salads & coffee. The chicken salad is my favorite.
The Ivy - on Robertson (good shopping on this street - there's an All Saints!!!) - they serve champagne as you sit down, the pasta is really good & fresh.
Cabana Cafe - in the Beverly Hills Hotel
Sugarfish - really fresh bento box sushi
Baco Mercat - the cauliflower is my all time fav, Caesar brussel sprouts is surprisingly good.
Craft LA - always has the best music playing, the sausage pasta is the best
Craigs - Celeb hotspot, Exclusive, make a reservation, dressier on weekend nights, get the cookies for dessert.
Sqirl - good toast & avo / jams
Mauro Cafe - LA classic, solid brunch & lunch
Bottega Louie - better macarons that Laduree, cute interiors, yummy lunch
Cafe Gratitude - vegan
Sotto - the pizzas live up to the hype
Bestia - the best pizza & pasta, make a reservation
Urth Caffe - super casual cafe, it’s always packed. Known for boba, salads, coffee, pastries
Factory Kitchen - dinner place, nice but casual. It’s def a locals place, kinda hidden, in a sketchy area in downtown LA (don't be alarmed), but once inside super cute & popular, the pesto pasta is some of the best I’ve ever had. Truffle pasta is great too. Dont miss out on the prosciutto appetizer.
Herringbone - inside the Mondrian hotel - get the carne asada fries.
Church & State - the gruyere mac & cheese is to die for
Pitfire Pizza - casual chain restaurant, the one in Manhattan beach is good.
Lucifers - pizza where you pick your sauce based on spice level, super casual
Little Dom's - los feliz, pasta
Sushi Park - it's oddly in a strip mall, but fantastic, don't come here for a california roll though, its all higher end. Really expensive.
Sunlife - bougie acai bowls
Matsuhisa - tiny, nothing special about decor, fresh sushi
Le Pain Quotidien - avo toast & the chocolate spread.
Lemonade - chain restaurant, sorta cafeteria style, my fav is the chicken arugula sandwich, & side of cauliflower with the OG lemonade.
Bruxie - chicken & waffles
La Scala - I could eat every pasta dish on this menu
Republique - well-designed interiors, communal tables, french bistro, bakery & craft cocktails
Perch - rooftop restaurant in downtown LA, pretty at brunch or sunset
Croft Alley - Breakfast / brunch
Rose Cafe - in Venice - newish restaurant from a NY company.
Sweetfin - poke & cute outdoor patio.
Zinque - adorable patio & solid food.
Tacos Tu Madre - Chain but good
Sweetgreen - chain restaurant, salad bar.
The Butcher, The Baker, The Capuccino Maker -
amazing latte art, & fresh food
Umami Burger - at the grove, chain restaurant, casual
Hayden - gorgeous interiors, yummy pizza & breakfast
Escuela Taqueria - cheap tacos
Pizzana - worth the cheat day, the pepperoni is so good
Tallulah's - straight forward tacos
Carbon Beach Club - in malibu, avo toast & waffles
By Chloe - in Silverlake, originally from NY, casual vegan food
DESSERTS
Carmela - ice cream & sorbet
Magnolia Bakery - cupcakes & baked goods, get the banana pudding.
Diddy Riese (crazy cheap ice cream sandwiches) so crave-able, UCLA hotspot
Cake Mix (run by Duff from Ace of Cakes tv show) - you can decorate big cakes here or buy cupcakes
The Bigg Chill - froyo, massive neon sign
Milk bar for macaron ice cream sandwiches
Jenis Ice Cream - Chrissy Teigen fav
Salt & Straw - unique ice cream flavors
Sprinkles in Beverly Hills has a cupcake ATM, Sprinkles Ice Cream also does ice cream cupcake sandwiches which are to die for.
California Donuts - in Korea town, yummy flavors, unique donut designs, pretty cheap
Sidecar Donuts - BEST fresh higher-end doughnuts!
Dominique Ansel at the grove for chocolate chip cookie shots (do not miss - there will be a line but it’s worth it!)
Churro Burroughs - Churro ice cream sandwich
Pie Hole for mini pies
Van Leeuwen - homemade ice cream & pastries
Susie Cakes - chain, super sugary frosting & moist cupcakes
COFFEE & JUICE
Alfred Coffee - there are a few locations, they have good fancyish pastries. While there, stop for a bagel at Yeastie Boys.
Alfred Tea - Kourtney Kardashian fav, known for matcha & the pink drink. Adorable inside with a fun neon sign.
Intelligentsia Coffee Bar
The Fountain Coffee Room - at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Pressed Juicery
Go Get Em Tiger - Coffee & Avo toast
Verve Coffee Roasters
Juice Served Here
Copa Vida
Kreation
Great White - venice - coffee & small breakfast eats
Little Ripper Coffee - good toasts
Blue Bottle Coffee
Carrera Cafe - as seen on Kylie Jenner's show, you can get a picture printed on to the foam of your coffee.
Phillz - get the mint mojito coffee
Roo Coffee - opening soon, but from the looks of their tasting menus, I'm already in love.
DRINKS & MORE
EP & LP
Delilah - cool bar & jazz room some nights, another celeb hotspot
Mama Shelter - rooftop Bar
Shore Bar
Broken Shaker - on the roof at Freehand Hotel, prices aren't cheap, but the view is gorgeous.
Perch Rooftop
Sky Bar at Mondrian
Upstairs at the Ace by the pool
The Varnish - bougie famous for Cocktails
INSTAGRAMS TO FOLLOW WHEN IN LA
@infatuation_la
@infatuation
@whitneybearr
@kimgenevieve
@jessicankane
@overheardla
@pasta
@tacos
@sfgirlbybay (she lives in LA now)
@cammymumu
@designlovefest
@heathercatania
@tarasowlaty
@laurenmumu
@alilabelle
@devinbrugman
@tashoakley
