A Ultimate Mini Guide To Los Angeles

Latifah Al-Hazza

Someday, you can start taking advantage of everything Los Angeles has to offer again — like belting out your favorite song at a concert, cheering on your favorite sports team from the stands, or mingling over a drink at a beach bar. In the meantime, you can start planning!

The LINE LA

The LINE LA is located in the heart of Koreatown where decades of Korean, Latino, and American heritage converge (authentic Mexican blankets and Korean snacks can be found in the rooms). Originally built in 1964, the LINE LA embraces its mid-century design and heritage, and celebrates the culturally rich neighborhood it’s tucked in. Since the hotel’s opening in 2013, it has become a destination for urban explorers and creatives. The LINE LA also gives back to the community, and has partnered with philanthropic organizations like Alexandria House, a resource for women and children without housing and World Central Kitchen for communities in crisis.

Hotel June

Wood tones and boho décor make up Hotel June, which pays homage to its SoCal roots. Just a stone’s throw away from LAX, the mid-century modern hotel building has a laidback aesthetic, complemented by a soothing color palette. Don’t sleep on viewing the pieces from the artist in residency every month. As part of a Proper Hospitality Hotel, Hotel June’s mission is to donate 1% of their time, hotel space, and management fees toward the betterment of the surrounding communities. In 2021, they are working to fight homelessness in the city.

Best for Couples

Rejuvenate in this luxury modernist retreat with its own private desert-style cactus garden. This eco-friendly guesthouse is equipped for sustainable living via solar electric power, solar radiant floor heating and organic bedding …very on-brand for Venice, CA. The host suggests lighting a fire in the outdoor fireplace and relaxing in a lounge chair under the stairs in the evening.

Grand Central Market

This is the place to find L.A.’s best bites under one roof. Grand Central Market opened in 1917 and never looked back. The Market has always reflected the changing population of downtown Los Angeles. In the 1920s, the Market was an open grocery. The 90 stalls back in the day included green grocers, fishmongers, Jewish delis, and butchers. Today, the Market is a destination dining spot with 40 of Los Angeles’ most exciting culinary concepts. ‘Evolution’ has been a through line for the market’s dynamic lineup of vendors over the decades, as downtown Los Angeles evolves, Grand Central Market evolves with it. Our favorite places to graze at the Market: PBJ. LA, Sarita’s Pupuseria and Sticky Rice.

Night + Market

Night + Market is an animated Thai spot with a menu that features the classics. It’s almost impossible to go wrong at this restaurant, but you may order a dish that’s spicier than expected. As long as you have a cold drink nearby, and you’re not ashamed to sweat a little, all of their dishes are a must-try. The best part about this place is its backstory — a local kid opened his own Thai restaurant attached to his parents’ old place on Sunset. Today, there are three locations around LA.

Milo + Olive

Milo & Olive is a neighborhood bakery and pizzeria created by a husband-and-wife team. The menu is a reflection of the best ingredients available from local farmers and vendors with sustainable practices and it represents the team’s continued commitment to truly seasonal, market-driven cuisine. Additionally, their coffee is from a local artisan roaster. There’s no wrong answer when it comes to pizza at Milo + Olive, but the Burrata & Prosciutto di Parma is a game changer. The garlic knots and homemade dipping sauces are also mouthwatering. Their fresh bread, pastries, coffee, hot breakfast, pizza, wood-grilled veggies, handmade pasta, and more are all available for you to salivate over. Grab a car and venture out a bit. Just don’t leave during rush hour!

Visit Ojai

Ojai is a charming small town located in Ventura county. If you plan on exploring it for a day, don’t forget to hit up these spots. Pop into Bart’s Books, an open-air bookstore (literally) that is a booklover’s heaven. Fuel up at Farmer and the Cook, an organic market and bohemian café with a large patio serving vegetarian Mexican cuisine.

Take a Trip to Denmark

Solvang was birthed after Danish immigrants made their way west and eventually settled in the Santa Ynez Valley. Although there aren’t many Danes in Solvang anymore, you will find wooden windmills and rural houses. You’ll also find an assortment of Christmas shops, Hans Christian Andersen and Little Mermaid keepsakes, and Danish bakeries around town.

Eat a Doughnut that Gives Back

Treat yourself to a delicious donut from Sidecar Doughnuts. They make their doughnuts fresh every hour and claim to have the ‘world’s freshest donuts’. Sidecar fries the doughnuts in small batches all day long, for a warm, fresh treat (we recommend their signature Huckleberry). On the first of every month, Sidecar drop a few seasonal flavor options (in addition to their 11 daily flavors). Gluten-friendly and vegan options are available. The shop also gives back to the community via The SideCares program, which donate leftover sweets to local food banks and shelters.