EAT
Cecconi’s: A must go when visiting LA located in West Hollywood.
Craig's: Looking for an Entourage experience. Spot the celebs and have a great time at this bustling Melrose hotspot.
Malibu Farm: Quintessentially Southern California. Brunch/Lunch in the sunshine on the pier with a view of the Malibu coastline.
Nobu: In Malibu – All the cool cats go!
Cassia: Santa Monica doesn't have a lot of places to eat but this one came into town and knocked it out of the ballpark.
Gjelina: Great restaurant, great neighborhood - Abbot Kinney. Good luck getting a table!
Bestia: Highly recommended in Downtown LA
The Ivy: You know the drill.
Joan’s on Third: In West Hollywood – ideal for coffee and pastries and even grocery shopping. Great for lunch.
Sur: On Melrose and Robertson. Eclectic menu and a cool hangout.
Catch: West Hollywood spot of the moment. Sleek and hip.
Scopa Italian Roots: In Venice looking for a neighborhood gem with outstanding Pizza/Italian? Go no further.
Wabi Venice: Everything in the Abbot Kinney hood is A list. This modern sushi spot fits the criteria.
Madeo: Italian, white tablecloth, A List celebs and paps to push past. Be a movie star for the evening.
EP & LP: West Hollywood hotspot. Asian fusion. Stick around after dinner and hang out at the awesome rooftop bar.
Gracias Madre: Mexican plant based hotspot. Trust me the formula works. Located on Melrose.
Butcher's Daughter: One of my favourite places not only in Venice, but in all of LA. Come here for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Salt & Straw: Best artisan ice cream in LA. Located on Abbot Kinney. The line ups are long and the flavours are extensive. Worth the wait.
The Nice Guy: Good probability for a star sighting at this popular A List Italian restaurant.
Delilah: Is that a Kardashian at that booth? Drake hosted his NYE party here
Brunch:
Butcher's Daughter: One of my favourite places not only in Venice, but in all of LA. Come here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Venice)
Joan’s on Third: In West Hollywood – ideal for coffee and pastries and even grocery shopping. (West Hollywood)
Gjusta: Bakery, cafe, deli and a cool vibe. What more do you want!
Republique: Best French in LA. They have excellent house made pastries and a fantastic brunch. (West Hollywood)
The Butcher, The Baker & The Cappuccino Maker: Put this on your list. Outdoor seating is a gret place to have brunch. (West Hollywood)
A.O.C.: James Beard winning brunch? This is your spot. (West Hollywood)
Bottega Louie: Such a classy and cool place. Come for coffee, lunch or brunch which is excellent. (DTLA)
STAY
Chateau Marmont: Classic Hollywood. You can't help but feel like a movie star or imagine how it would be like to be one.
Hotel Bel Air: Elegant and sophisticated
Shutters On the Beach: Something about waking along the beach in Santa Monica.
Mr C: If its privacy and luxury seclusion you want.
Beverly Hills Hotel: Very A-List! The ambiance at this hotel oozes Hollywood.
The Edition: Its a Marriott property and its cool! Perfect for those people wanting to cash in those Bonvoy Points.
La Peer: Prime real estate near Melrose and Santa Monica Blvd. Also a prime hotel.
1 Hotel: The best hotel in West Hollywood. Sure bet property on Sunset
SLS: If you want the party at your hotel – this is the spot
Viceroy L'Ermitage: Such a great place to getaway and its steps away from Rodeo.
Sofitel Hollywood: Nestled in between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. In my books the hotel with the best location with access to all the cool parts of LA
Fairmont Miramar: Located in Santa Monica. Convenient location to the pier, the promenade as well as the PCH if getting up to Malibu.
The Hoxton: Wanting to stay in DTWN LA? Look no further than this place.
Proper Hotel: This property just made Santa Monica a cool place to stay.
Coffee in L.A.
Verve Coffee: Hard to describe but a true SoCal/ L.A. feel to this popular yet quaint cafe. I particularly like the Melrose location.
Intelligentsia: Their cafes just always do it right. Two locations - Silverlake and Venice on Abbot Kinney
Blue Bottle: My favourite! FInd a cool neighborhood in LA and you'll find a Blue Bottle.
Alfred: So unique, so WeHo. Only one cafe in LA.
DRINK
Beauty & Essex: Much like its New York Sibling. Dinner then Drinks – you can spend the whole night here.
Cleo: Want a night out in a fun spot – here’s your place.
The Everleigh: Its like being in your best friend's backyard in LA.
The Bungalow: Located at the Fairmont in Santa Monica. A unique setting and location for a super popular place. The line ups are long and the party gets loud at night. Trust me, I stayed at the hotel and heard it ALL night!
HANG
Abbot Kinney: Must go in Venice. Just soak it all up. Fantastic area. (Venice)
3rd street Promenade: Stroll, browse and shop in Santa Monica. A little "meh' in my opinion. Lulu, Nordstrom and Nike are the only worthy places to visit. (Santa Monica)
UCLA: Maybe even go for a run in and around the campus. (Westwood)
Melrose Avenue: Can't go to LA and not make a stop on Melrose. (West Hollywood)
The Grove: Shopping mall – quaint and cool (Beverly Hills)
Run/Walk: Boardwalk along Santa Monica and Venice is a favourite.
Brentwood Country Mart: Love this place! A great stop to shop, browse and eat. (Brentwood)
Malibu Coutry Mart: Vool shops, great place for a casual lunch. Hang out with local Malibu folk. (Malibu)
Grand Central Market: What a great place to visit. I'd go to downtown LA just to come here. (DTLA)
Tips
Transportation:
I can not emphasize enough how essential it is to have access to a car in Southern California.
It really offers a dilemma: Rent a car and pay the exorbitant hotel parking fees on top of the rental charges or rely on Uber. Let me just say: Uber adds up
Uber: LAX to Santa Monica or West Hollywood: $40 to $55 Depending on time of day.
Workouts:
Barry's Bootcamp: Full body workout the original is in West Hollywood.
SoulCycle: Several locations across Southern California.
Lululemon: Stores in Brentwood and Santa Monica have running clinics.
Temescal Canyon: Great hike overlooking LA and Pacific Ocean near Santa Monica.
Runyon Canyon: Most popular in between Hollywood and Santa Monica.
Neighbourhoods:
The most common asked question that doesn't have a right answer is: Which part of LA should I stay in?
West Hollywood: If you are on a group trip i.e.: bachelorette party or just with a bunch of friends. I'd recommend staying in this area. Lots of fantastic restaurants, the nightlife is vast and good, shopping galore and close to Melrose Ave, the Sunset Strip and other hotspots. (I'd categorize Beverly Hills here as well).
Santa Monica: If you want a coastal or beach trip, this is your area. For me, if I want to go for a weekend and focus on Malibu and Venice - then stay i'd stay in Santa Monica. In addition, if you are going to a Lakers or Kings game: The Metro leaves Santa Monica and takes you five minutes from Staples Arena. All for $2.25 and you avoid traffic.
Silverlake: Closest to WeHo but a must visit if you want a true feel of how locals live. Some of LA's finest restaurants are here. Hipster have.
Downtown: Revitalized area with Staples Arena and LA Live. JW Marriott is the place to stay if downtown is your location.
Disneyland: Yes, I categorize Disneyland as a neighbourhood. Do yourself a favour, if you are going to Disney, stay at Disney. It will make life really easy for you. Staying in Newport or LA just doesn't make sense, especially when travelling with kids.
Newport Beach: Love this area, specifically Fashion Island and Balboa Island. Weather is always fantastic and a SoCal lifestyle at its finest. About 60 mins from LA.
Laguna Beach: Should be a trip on its own. Pristine oceanside community. About 20 mins from Newport Beach and best to land at John Wayne Airport.