“On some summer nights, it [Los Angeles] could feel like paradise.”
Very wise and true words from one of my favorite singers, Lana Del Rey. LA is one of the most iconic cities in the world – one that many people wish to come to. It’s a city that’s adorned with many cultures, has people from various parts of the world, and possesses everything you could want: sunny weather, beautiful beaches close by, great restaurants, and new events and places to go every day! I haven’t even been able to experience every single thing that this city has to offer, and I’ve lived here all my life. I do love to go places and try new things though, and based on some of my experiences, I’ve curated a guide to thrive in LA.
If you are a girl like me – a girl with a license but no car – be glad! This city has loads of ways to get around. Honestly, sometimes even when I have access to a car, it’s better to use public transportation because parking can be quite pricey, if there even is parking available. The best way to get around the city would be through Uber/Lyft. However, another great (and cheap) way is using the LA Metro bus (it’s discounted/free for college students!). Do try to stay safe while using public transportation!
If you’re a film lover like me, I highly recommend the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures close to downtown LA. It’s $15 for college students! They have so many amazing artifacts from many favorite films such as the “Burn Book” from Mean Girls (2004), Andie’s iconic yellow dress from How to Lose a Guy in in 10 Days (2003), Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), and overall the history of film.
On that note, there’s also the Grammy Museum, which I loved! I got to see some Grammy outfits from Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, some Grammys themselves, and the history of the Grammys. Also $15 for students!
Walk or dine, The Grove is also such a fun place to visit. There are so many stores, including a three-story Barnes & Noble, a Zara, a Brandy Melville, an AMC Theater, and also the trending La La Land Kind Cafe. There’s always some kind of pop up such as The Stranger Things and Jellycat pop ups going on right now!
If we are talking food, there’s literally something for everyone here. If you’re looking for a cute cafe vibe for a nice brunch with friends or family, Urth Cafe is for you. Located in the Arts District, Urth Cafe is such a nice place to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast or lunch (the waffles are so good and the coffee art is so cute!). Also, Colette Miller’s Angel Wing art, which was a big trend in 2015, is right around the corner, so you can snap some pics with your friends.
However, if you are coming out of a party, concert, event, etc., I recommend something that is very hard to find on the other side of the country, which is In-N-Out. You can never go wrong with a double-double and some animal style fries after some exploring.
We are so close to the coast that there are many beaches close to us. One of my favorites is Venice Beach. It’s a really nice place to walk around, roller skate, bike, and go for a swim. My friends and I drove from UCLA to Venice Beach, picked up some Mcdonald’s on the way, and spent our day at the beach looking for seashells.
Another great place, if you like being active, is hiking up to the Hollywood sign. On the way there, you pass so many great views of the city and you can make friends with other hikers. It’s rewarding at the end to be so close to the Hollywood sign and take some cute up-close pictures.
Studying in a place with some scenery can definitely make the hours go by faster. One of my favorite spots is in Beverly Hills, and it’s called Pura Vida Cafe. If you want to get some steps in, I like to walk from UCLA to Pura Vida when I have time. It’s nice to admire the neighborhoods close by while making my way there. When I get there, I usually order a latte and a wrap, and then I sit down to do work. It helps me feel motivated to sit in a new environment, and the food is yummy (so win-win!). After, if I have time, I like to walk and look through the stores nearby.
LA is a place where you can find entertainment in almost every corner. While they are not all highlighted in this article, I tried to find something for everyone and talk about some events that I have enjoyed. I hope this encourages y’all to explore different places in LA and have fun!