TRAVEL GUIDE: LA GIRLS’ WEEKEND
Nothing beats escaping the cold for some sun and fun right?! I luckily escaped the NYC snowstorm this past weekend with my girlfriends to visit our friend Kate in LA and we had the best time. Thanks to Kate’s great hosting skills, excited to share some of the spots and things we did to help plan any of your future trips to LA too! I came to LA for work a few years ago but this trip was so great to visit a local’s favorite spots and can’t wait to go back!
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Broad Street Oyster Company
All the fresh seafood is a must when in Southern California and Broad Street Oyster Company is a must stop. Located in Malibu within Malibu Country Mart, the line is crazy so order early online to grab and go. We had the lobster roll, ceviche and clam strips and everything was so fresh and delicious.
Botanica
We had brunch here on our first morning and it was the perfect place to kick off a California weekend. The farm-to-table menu was fresh and delicious and the market out front is great for grabbing essentials for the weekend.
Damian
For a true LA experience, head to the Arts District and dine at Damian. Their modern Mexican menu was so fun to try and share and their cocktails are incredible. Make sure to get their version of the espresso martini for after dinner!
L&E Oyster Bar
This cocktail bar is perfect for happy hour thanks to their seafood focused menu, fun cocktails and chic vibe.
Intelligentsia Coffee Bar
LA has a great coffee scene and this spot in Silver Lake has a great big patio to sit at and of course, great coffee and pastries. I had a strawverry almond croissant that was unreal.
The Dresden
This old school bar in Los Feliz has been around since 1954 and we loved the vibe for late night drinks. Classic cocktails, big booths and moody lighting, one of my favorite spots of the weekend.
Grand Central Market
If you can’t decide what to eat, this huge market in downtown LA has every cuisine you can think of. Come hungry and try everything!
Pinky’s
We came to this fun spot in Los Feliz for after dinner drinks and dancing. It’s a tiny spot but loved this music and tropical drinks.
Kismet Rotisserie
Kate had takeout waiting for us when we arrived and it was so good! Their main restaurant Kismet is a LA favorite and this to-go spot is known for their rotisserie chicken and mediterranean side dishes.
LAMILL Coffee
Another great coffee spot in Silver Lake, they had some of the prettiest and most delicious pastries I’ve had in a while.
Homestate
On our way to Malibu, we picked up breakfast tacos from here and they were incredible. The perfect size, they were the ideal California breakfast.
Go Get Em Tiger
Another great coffee spot next to Homestate, LA knows their coffee shops!
In N Out
A West Coast must, you can’t beat a classic In N Out meal. My order? Cheeseburger and fries animal style please!
WHAT TO DO
Walk The Silver Lake Reservoir
Kate lives in the Silver Lake neighborhood, which was such a cute area and filled with so many great spots. We started our morning with a walk around the neighborhood reservoir which is a great way to kick off the day if you’re staying nearby!
Visit Griffith Observatory
For amazing views of LA, head to the famous Griffith Observatory. The area is surrounded by great hikes and beautiful parks but this free observatory gives you the most incredible views of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and more. The observatory is also a great activity for a rainy day!
Drive Down Sunset Blvd
We wanted to avoid the tourist spots but it was fun driving down Sunset Blvd and seeing some famous spots without the crowds. We also drove down Rodeo Blvd and it was a stress free way of seeing LA!
Malibu Hike and Beach Day
For an active day, head to Malibu for a hike. We did the Zuma Canyon Ocean View Trail which was a moderate 2 hour hike and had amazing views of the ocean and Malibu. After we picked up lunch and headed to the beach, a Malibu must!
The Huntington Gardens
On our last morning, we spent it at The Huntington in Pasadena and walked through their incredible gardens. It takes about 2ish hours and you can see everything from their rose garden, citrus trees, desert garden and also Japanese gardens. A gorgeous and relaxing way to end the weekend!
Drive By The Father Of The Bride House
Father Of The Bride is my favorite movie of all time so when I found out the home they used in the film was right near us on our last day in Pasadena, a drive by was a must! Someone lives in the home still today so we quickly drove by but it was still as magical as I imagined!
WHAT I WORE
