So what to do next after one has been to Disneyland, to California Adventure, to Universal Studios, to Hollywood Walk of Fame, to Citadel Outlet, to Griffith Observatory, to Santa Monica, to Manhattan Beach and to imaginable reunions? Let me count the ways!
Watch NBA Game at Staples Center. We were gifted with free tickets to watch the Clippers and Pacers play. The boyfriend would have been more delighted if it were LA Lakers. Unfortunately, they were on the road on the time we were there. But the experience is one for the books!
Have breakfast at one of LA’s quaint cafés. Choosing where is a tough task as there are a lot. I was, by chance, following Fratelli Café on my Instagram and I didn’t give much thought on this anymore so we head here for one breakfast.
Fratelli Café serves all-day breakfast and is actually friendly to vegetarians. From wraps, omelets, croissandwiches, French toasts, bagels to crepes, they quite have everything. They also have wide selection on coffee, tea, fresh juice and smoothie.
Go back to favorite place. And that is Manhattan Beach as I’ve shared here.
Have coffee and pie. I’m no coffee connoisseur. I just love good coffee and discovering cafes offering one! So apart from coffee, pies are also good here at Republic of Pie. I tried both sweet and savory ones and I like them. They also serve sandwiches, pastries and breakfast food.
Inspired by European culinary excellence and the warm inviting appeal of reclaimed wood, metal and glass similar to a Northwest cafe, Republic of Pie + Coffee has found a home nestled in the heart of the NoHo Arts District. “The Republic” was intuitively born from a love of baking, a passion for coffee and a strong sense of community.
Moreover, this place offers a space for your creativity, for your peace and quiet (except on nights they invite artists to perform), for your socializing (communal tables makes for good conversations with the local!), for catch ups and for just everything!
Go to museums. Getty Museum is a popular one and it’s free. It’s founded by the richest man in the world in 1957 that is Jean Paul Getty who wanted to share his art with the public. The Getty Center houses European paintings, drawings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, decorative arts, and photography from its beginnings to the present, gathered internationally to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts.
LACMA or Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western United States. Among the museum’s strengths are its holdings of Asian art, Latin American art, ranging from pre-Columbian masterpieces to works by leading modern and contemporary artists; and Islamic art, of which LACMA hosts one of the most significant collections in the world. Here, I only visited the light sculpture at LACMA entry plaza — the installation of 202 restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s.
Hike the Runyon Canyon Park. Hiking is a popular activity in Los Angeles and this one is a popular park even to celebrities such as Amanda Seyfried, Orlando Bloom, Channing Tatum and among others. This is definitely the highlight on my Los Angeles trip!
Shop at Camarillo Outlet. I think it’s a general rule no outlet carries exact same brands. Only here I found Tory Burch and Lululemon! Happiness lol
Check out Target and Whole Foods Market. I always make time to visit these two to check out nice bargains and novelties which I won’t find at home. And I also get my Tres Leches cravings at Whole Foods!
Refuel the body. Drop by to any of Los Angeles juice shops. There are a lot! Juicing is the best way to consume huge amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants which our body needs for all the traveling and (un)healthy eating. I suggest drinking one (and hydrating well) the day before the long haul flight back home.
Last but not the least, drop by Porto’s Bakeshop. Do buy the famous cheese roll. It won’t disappoint. For me, it lives up to its hype and popularity! Problem is craving for one. It’s only available here! Anybody going to LA soon?
Next is the list I missed which gives me reason to come back! 🙂 Read it here.
Any more suggestions?
Abby Ochoa 