It started the way all good ideas do: late at night, half joking, saying, “we should go to Los Angeles this summer.” And then, instead of laughing it off, we actually started looking at flights, which is how I ended up fully committed to planning an LA trip that is now taking over my camera roll, my TikTok algorithm, and honestly, my daily thoughts.
I am not even there yet, and somehow I already feel like I am living in it.
Somehow, this trip turned into a 2-person creative project
At some point, planning this stopped feeling like just booking a trip and started feeling like we were curating an entire experience. It’s just me and one friend, but the way we are going about it feels very intentional, almost like we are building our own version of what we want LA to feel like.
Instead of arguing over plans, it has been more like bouncing ideas off each other until something clicks. One of us finds a beach spot, the other finds a café nearby. One of us wants a slow morning, the other suggests a sunset plan. It has been less about strict decisions and more about creating a vibe that actually feels like us.
We have a shared notes app that is honestly all over the place, but in a good way. It is filled with random ideas, saved places, and little notes that only make sense to us. It is not perfectly organized, but it captures the energy of the trip better than any structured itinerary could.
It feels less like planning and more like slowly building something we are both excited to step into.
I fell down a research spiral
At first, I told myself I would just casually look into things. That lasted maybe one day. Now my TikTok feed is basically all LA content. I have saved videos of Santa Monica sunsets, Venice Beach bike rides, rooftop dinners, and aesthetic coffee shops I absolutely don’t need but will somehow convince myself I do.
I did not realize how big LA actually is until I started planning. Everything looks close on a map until you realize it can take 40 minutes to get anywhere. That’s when it hit me that this trip actually needed some structure, or we would spend half of it in a car.
Choosing where to stay was harder than expected
This might have been the most stressful part so far. Every area has a different vibe, and suddenly it felt like the entire trip depended on this one decision.
After way too much back and forth, we started narrowing it down based on what we actually wanted to do. We kept coming back to beach days, so being closer to the water made sense. At the same time, we did not want to feel too far from everything else.
I have probably looked at the same listings 20 times, comparing locations like it is my job. But I can already tell that picking the right spot is going to make everything easier once we get there.
I am trying not to over-plan, but it’s hard
I am the type of person who wants to have everything figured out ahead of time. Outfits, restaurants, day-by-day plans. And LA is not really that kind of trip.
I keep reminding myself that I do not want every second scheduled. I want time to just exist there. To wake up and decide to go to the beach. To walk into a random place because it looks good. To not feel like I am rushing from one thing to the next.
So instead of a strict itinerary, I am building a list of options. Things we can do if we feel like it. It makes me feel prepared without feeling boxed in.
outfits are obviously part of the planning process
I would be lying if I said I was not already thinking about outfits. LA just feels like the place to have fun with your style: effortless, but still put together.
I have a whole mental list going. Beach fits, casual daytime looks, something a little nicer for dinners. It is not about being perfect, but it is part of the excitement. It makes the trip feel real.
the anticipation is the best part
Even though we have not gone yet, this whole process has been so fun. Every time we finalize something, whether it is flights or just agreeing on a place we want to try, it feels like we are getting closer to our trip.
There is something about having a trip to look forward to that makes everything else feel a little easier. It gives you something to be excited about in the middle of everyday routines.
I know once we get there, things will not go exactly as planned. Something will probably go wrong at some point. But that is part of the journey. Those are the moments that end up being the most memorable anyway.
Right now, I am just enjoying this stage. The planning, the anticipation, the feeling that something really fun is coming.
So if you are thinking about planning a trip this summer, do it. Start the group chat, open the notes app, and let yourself get excited. Because honestly, half the magic is in the build up.