I grew up in LA county right on the border of Orange County, but I went to school, danced at a dance studio, and had friends who all lived in OC. I rarely went up to LA, but the times that I did I always had a blast being a tourist in my own city. The city is full of life, and there are so many things to do! But I am just going to share some of the fun things I have done in LA that attracted me and my fun and girly taste!
1: Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel is rich with Hollywood glamour and history. Its trendy vibe is timeless and makes me feel like a star as soon as you walk in. The exterior is pink and fun with green accents and a red carpet in the main doorway. When I visited I knew I had to go to the Cabana Cafe for brunch! This poolside cafe under the bright summer sky had great views, eats, and service! I had a delicious wood-fired pizza, a side of fruit, and a Pink Palace Juice. This is such a fun and unique spot to take pictures and relax!
2: Cha Cha Matcha
While doing my research on trendy cafes in the area I could not resist going to Cha Cha Matcha. The bright pictures of matcha green ice cream and pink and blue drinks are 100% my weakness, and I knew I just had to make a stop here. I ordered their matcha soft serve, the Pink Drink, Purple Drink, and Blue Drink. I personally liked the Pink Drink the best because it was the sweetest and the matcha complimented the hibiscus and rose nicely.
3: Rodeo Drive
I feel like this is such an iconic LA spot to visit because it is one of the most famous streets in the world. This street is lined with high-end designer shops from Louis V to Tiffany to Chanel! And even if you are not shopping, it is just fun to stroll down and see the gorgeous architecture, lights, and sights. This spot made me feel like I was straight out of a movie, maybe because it was featured in a couple of films!
4: Museum of Dream Space
The Museum of Dream Space, or MODS, exhibits digital art and is an immersive art experience. I did not know what to expect at first, or how the technology behind the lights, colors, and sounds worked, but I was completely blown away! This museum was like another world, and I felt like I could stare at each light exhibit for hours! There are multiple rooms you can walk in with different lights hanging from the ceiling or lining the walls, and they would change colors and really bring the viewer into the art.
5: Urth Cafe
Now, this eatery is for sure a staple in my book. Although it has many locations elsewhere, there is one in Santa Monica and Melrose Ave. The food, drinks, and pastries at Urth are crafted with care, such as shade-grown traditional coffee beans and sustainable ingredients. I personally love their salads, paninis, pizzas, Spanish lattes, and MATCHA, but there is definitely something for everyone to eat there. I have taken my family there and they love it, especially the pies, and I like to bring all of my friends to try it! Urth is for sure one of everyone’s favs now!
6: Paul Smith Pink Wall
On Melrose Ave stands the pink wall that is so well known on Instagram. You probably have seen people posing and posting photos in front of it. I mean how could you not, it’s a perfectly painted bright pink wall under the sunny California skies! Something I actually did not realize until I went there is that the pink wall is actually Paul Smith, a clothing shop with trendy, Indie style clothing.
7: Skyspace LA
Skyspace is a huge 360 air deck at the top of a building with a beautiful view of LA’s skyline. It is a great place for tourists and LA adventurers alike, especially if you like heights. The Skydeck even has a glass-bottom slide that takes you around the building. It is a great thrill experience as you slide above the city. I went on the slide in the daytime, but it sounds spectacular to imagine sliding down with the city lights at night!