Where am I – the City of Angels!
I’ve always been a fan of LA - what’s not to love; great weather, shops, (a surprising amount of culture) and super food!
Destination – LA
Duration – Five nights (spread between West Hollywood & Venice Beach)
Suitable for – There’s certainly something here for everyone
Highlight – The collection of art on display at the LACMA (LA County Museum of Art) is astounding - and in 2024 it’s set to get even more impressive with a significant expansion project currently underway. Just next door is the Academy Museum, La Brea Tar Pits (and for car enthusiasts, the Petersen Automotive Museum - one of the world's largest automotive museums.)
A highlight of every visit of mine to LA is also the fantastic Getty Center. And this time we also made it up to Runyon Canyon and the Griffith Observatory to join the throng of locals and tourists alike, taking in the amazing views across the whole breadth of the city and getting a little early morning fresh air.
Recommendation (fav meal / drink) – We had a lot of great food. From elevated Mexican at Gracias Madre, fine Italian at Bacari W. 3rd to some truly great tapas at Teleferic Barcelona (Brentwood.)
One real standout for me though was Downtowns ‘Grand Central Market.’ Especially the handmade pupusas from Sarita's, well worth joining the queue.
Lost in translation moment – Venice Beach boardwalk on a sunny afternoon (any day of the week)…an immersive, uniquely Californian experience. The parade of true neighborhood characters has to be seen to be believed. It’s wonderful!
Insider tip – There are nearly 16 million people claiming Hispanic heritage in the State of California - so you won’t struggle when trying to find authentic, reasonable and delicious Central and South American cuisine. We loved El Carmen in West Hollywood for it’s very buzzy atmosphere (and $13 Margs!)
Though it’s certainly easiest to make the most of your time here with the use of a car, it is possible to get about without one. We were based in West Hollywood and Venice Beach - two locations that are easily explored on foot.
Fun fact – For a city that experiences a fair amount of derogatory comments on it’s lack of culture, it’s actually home to more museums than any city in the U.S, including New York!
