Sunshine on My Mind

The dog days of summer are officially upon L.A. I try not to leave town too often during these lazy crazy days, so I can take advantage of all the things that make L.A. special: perfect weather, endless beaches, a laundry list of outdoor concerts at cool venues, and swanky rooftops. The list goes on.

One of my favorite things to do is book a staycation in a neighborhood other than my own, so I can play tourist and discover hidden gems. I like the luxury of exploring leisurely without the sense of urgency to hit the road before rush hour. That, along with my heightened curiosity, always makes for a fun trip.

In this month’s issue we share the latest trends to hit the streets of L.A. Take pickleball, for example. I can’t recall another sport that has soared in popularity the way pickleball has in such a short amount of time. Flip to page 16 to find out where you can find a court to play on. And since it’s picnic season, we share the best sandwiches in town and places to enjoy them on page 20.

I’m partial to any sandwich from Bay Cities Italian Deli in Santa Monica. My go-to order though is a Salsalito turkey sandwich with “the works” stuffed inside signature crunchy bread—it’s the quintessential summer sandwich after a balmy day at the beach. And for those of you that like to be on top of things, this month’s Trend Watch is inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year: Viva Magenta. We hope you look (and stay) cool while you enjoy what’s considered hot, hot, hot .

—LEILA NAJAFI @ARRIVEDLA

Dreaming of the Amalfi Coast

To say that Dante boasts some of the best views in Beverly Hills is a huge understatement. Located on the ninth floor of the Maybourne Beverly Hills, this outpost of the original restaurant—in New York’s West Village—has spectacular city views. You can spot the iconic Hollywood Sign as well as Griffith Observatory perched on Mount Hollywood and the jewel-toned Pacific Design Center. Note L.A. artist Abel Macias’ hand-painted fresco with a nod to the local hummingbirds. Adorned with sapphire booths indoors and lounge seating outdoors, it’s easy to linger at Dante with its crowd-pleasing menu that offers light seafood salads, wood-fired pizzas, and house-made pastas. An extensive craft cocktail menu is centered around the aperitivo like the refreshing Garibaldi, made with fluffy orange juice, and the Limonata reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast. Don’t miss $10 martini hour between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily and enjoy a live pianist. The Maybourne Beverly Hills, 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, 310.860.7989