Los Angeles In A Day

I was in Los Angeles a few months ago to shoot photos for my website! It was quick trip but very entertaining nonetheless. I stayed in Silver Lake at the Silver Lake Inn and Pool where my photographer/website designer recommended I stay because it matched the color pantones we choose for Lavi Travels branding. It was my first time staying in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, which is located East of Hollywood between Los Feliz and Echo Park. After a quick, yet amazing time in LA, I discovered some amazing things to see and do.

If you are a newbie looking for a tourist vacation I will give you a quick glimpse into a few popular tourist attractions. However, keep reading for my personal recommendations for visiting LA like a local.

For The Tourist:

1. Visit the Griffith Observatory for a panoramic view of Los Angeles! It’s breathtaking.
2. Take a walk down Hollywood Boulevard and snap pictures of the star-studded sidewalk.
3. Enjoy the Venice Beach boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier. Sunsets on the sand are the best!
4. Spend the afternoon in downtown LA, checking out the museums and shopping districts.
5. Enjoy some of LA’s famous restaurants like Musso and Frank Grill , Pace, Craigs, Koi and Dan Tanas.
6. Visit Pasadena and spend a day at Huntington Garden Library
7. Go to the Grove for dining, movies, picnics, farmers market and shopping.
8. Rent a guided tour bus to see some of your favorite celebrities houses
9. Enjoy a day at universal and tour the Hollywood movie sets
10. Watch the sunrise or sunset on Mulholland drive.

For The Local

There are so many beautiful things to do in Los Angeles it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few. However, if you want the true local experience enjoy coffee with your laptop, or dog, at Intelligentsia, Verve, Blue Bottle or Alfred Coffee. Then, go for a hike in Malibu or Topanga Canyon. If you are a beach person, take a drive up the coast and stop for lunch in Malibu. You can stay at the Surfrider hotel if you book it early enough. The Malibu Cafe on the pier is great for having water near the ocean and whale watching, or there is Nobu. So good! The Malibu Country Mart has both shopping and dining so it’s a must-see!

If you have time checkout the local exhibits happening at the LACMA, Getty Museum and Broad. However, if you want to explore more of the outdoors take a trip to the Getty Villa. The gardens are gorgeous.

There are several restaurants that are great and worthy of trying. I noticed a lot of the locals loved: Gracious Madre, Zinque, Gjelina, Cafe Gratitude, Urthe Cafe, Fig Tree Cafe, The Market Venice, Oste, Mozza, Toca Madera, Cara, Atrium, The Guest House, Cafe Stella, Catch and more!

For shopping you can visit downtown Santa Monica, Culver City, The Grove, Americana or the famous Beverly Center. Honestly I really like the vintage shops in Silver Lake and on Melrose.

One day in Los Angeles was not long enough to explore all of LA, but I am planning a trip back soon. If you get the opportunity to visit for a day or longer it is definitely worth a trip! Leave me a comment if you need more recommendations or have suggestions. Enjoy your travels!!