Hop off the plane…
Seriously, that might be all it takes.
Though in case you need some more convincing I’ve compiled a list of absolutely must-do’s that will have you falling head over heals for this golden city.
1. Rent a Convertible
If you’re gonna have to deal with LA traffic, you may as well do it in style. We rented a convertible mustang using the app Turo, which is basically the Air BnB of cars. It was half the cost of renting from corporate Rent A Car places, with the exact same perks. Since we did a lot of driving during our 5 day trip, riding around top down and music blasting made every drive an adventure.
2. Venice Beach
We stayed here for the week and having Venice as home base was a total win. Here’s what to do:
★ Walk along Abbot Kinney ★
☆ Eat brunch at Gjusta (Order the Croque Madame)
☆ Get doughnuts at Blue Star Donuts (Try the Matcha Green Tea Donut)
☆ Shop at Principessa (Where I bought my leopard print coat and became fully me)
★ Take a Yoga class at Yoga Nest ★
☆ I bought a week introductory new student special and started every morning with a Yoga ritual. One of my favorite classes spoke about the importance of gratitude which became the theme of our trip. I’ve practiced at many studios in the past and this one had a very particular warm vibe that I was pleased to be a part of.
★ Venice Beach ★
☆ This is where I saw my first West Coast sunset and will never forget the feeling of watching the sun melt into the ocean. You just can’t beat it.
3. Griffith Park
During our trip we were hoping to go hiking at Mt. Baldy or Angeles National Forest though given the fact that the recent forest fires were not fully controlled, we settled on Griffith park. If you can even call it settling. At Griffith there are many different trails to choose from… we ended up on one that began near the observatory. We began the hike in the late afternoon in order to watch the sunset from the mountain-top. I have never in my entire life experienced anything more extraoridnary. We practiced mediation and yoga as the sun radiated its golden glow and then watched as it dissolved into a watercolor dream of pinks and purples and oranges. As we climbed down the mountain, the sun faded into black as we saw thousands of shiny stars begin to light our path.
4. Malibu
Believe what they say about this sun-bathed coast. Malibu is magical. Want a taste of this magic vibe?
★ The Sunset Malibu ★
☆ This sensational beach-side restaurant is a must when heading to Point Dume State Beach. The cocktails are fantastic and the fish tacos are notably some of the best i’ve ever had.
★ Point Dume State Beach ★
☆ When you get to Point Dume, continue driving until you can’t anymore. You’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s where the long strip of parking spots ends and all thats left is mountain. You will typically see people hiking up the mountain. Walk all the way toward the ocean and climb over the rocks. On the opposite side of the rocks, you will discover a secret beach! Make sure to stay and watch the sunset on the ocean. It’s unforgettable.
★ 99 High Tide Collective★
☆ The professionalism, the vibes and the level of knowledge that the budtenders at this dispensary possess are unmatched. When we walked in, we were greeted by the warmest staff members, one of which told us about the secret beach at Point Dume. We spent about an hour speaking to one of the cannabis consultants who gave us a full tour of everything they had to offer. She listened to all of our concerns and made knowledgable suggestions based on our needs. I told her I was having cramps, that I wanted to enjoy my day and be filled with energy, but not anxiety, that I wanted to be relaxed, but not lazy. She recommended a Tangerine Dream/Girl Scout Cookie hybrid, as well as some CBD topical lotions. Getting to know more about alternative medicine options from someone so well-informed was truly life-altering.
★ Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine ★
☆ Make sure to eat dinner at this whole-in-the-wall hidden treasure. Order the Tom Kha soup, the Panang Curry with Shrimp and the Pad Woonsen. The presentation of the dishes only pails in comparison to their taste. YummmMmmmmMm. I’m still drooling over it.
5. Downtown LA
★ The Broad Museum ★
The Broad is a contemporary art museum in Downtown, LA. Unfortunately we weren’t able to snag a last minute ticket to the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibition, so I highly suggest getting tickets to their exhibitions ahead of time. Regardless, the collection itself is exquisite, and definitely worth a visit.
★ Perch ★
This rooftop gem is located in the heart of downtown. Make sure to make a reservation at an outside table. Go for happy hour and sip on a cocktail while watching the sunset over the city. You won’t regret it.
★ SUGARFISH ★
Order the Trust Me (pre-selected menu) or if you’re really hungry order the The NOZAWA Trust Me. They serve their sashimi over warm rice so it melts in your mouth. And don’t even get me started about their hand rolls… MmmMmMmm. Talk about a dream.
6. Bonus: Laguna Beach
Laguna beach is located in Orange County about 1.5 hour drive from LA. I know what you’re thinking. With only 5 days to spend in LA is it really worth spending one of them in Laguna? HYFR it is. And here’s where you need to go:
★ 1000 Steps Beach ★
I reached the height of my life on this beach. I have never been so mesmerized by beauty before. How is this beach different than any other? When you first arrive you’re almost unsure whether or not you’re in the right place. There’s not “1000 Steps Beach” sign, there is only a long narrow staircase leading down to a beach. Once you step foot in the sand, you’ll immediately recognize its allure. You’ll take a look at all the houses on the hill top and dream about what your life would be like to live in one of them. Though it was clearly beautiful, it took a little exploring to figure out what set this beach apart from the rest. As we walked along the ocean, we found it. During low tide (which it happened to be) the ocean creates tide pools by the rocky shore. The water was freezing cold, but we had to jump in and float in them anyway. It was surreal. As we continued to adventure we came across a cave, in-between the mountain and the rocky shore. It was dark and eerie but majestic all at the same time. It’s one of those beaches you think can only exists as a movie set, except it was real. And it was magnificent.
★ Las Brias ★
Order a bunch of cocktails and apps and watch the sunset. The staff was incredible. It was one of my best friend’s birthdays but we didn’t have a reservation–they ended up creating a table for us in this secluded outside area just for her. It was so sweet and so delicious. Perfect way to end a breathtaking day.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Los Angeles has mountains, and beaches and sunsets–it’s like a trifecta of happiness. And there aren’t many places in the world that can beat it. At least not in the United States. Only hours into my trip I was already looking for jobs in the area, trying to figure out any possible way to extend my trip. It is a feeling that cannot be described in words, though resonates deeply in the hearts and souls of all who have experienced it. My greatest advice when visiting is to go with the flow. Leave time for adventure. And make sure to catch the sunset every single day. I hope this list gives you an outline of places to see while you’re there.
Don’t be surprised if I up and move there altogether.
My heart aches for you LA.
💜 Nina
GOOD VIBES STUDIO 
Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience and I totally LOVE and respect how you fully take in the world around you.
LikeLike