Los Angeles… ohhhh Los Angeles. This city not only stole my brother (who moved there for work) but it also stole my heart (when we visited recently). It’s all true what you hear about L.A- it’s truly an incredible place and, as my dad would have said, it really is LALA Land.
It had been many many years since I last visited L.A. The last time I was there was in my early 20s to visit a guy I had met on an airplane. I was a bit more adventuresome 15 years ago… ha! This time around, we stayed at Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica and, my goodness, was that hotel a dream. Everything about the hotel was next level, especially the gardens and the fact that it was just steps from the beach. We also noted on numerous occasions how incredible the service was at reception and in the restaurants.
SHOP MY LOOK:
As soon as we checked in and threw our bags into our room, we headed out to explore. When you have only 3 days somewhere, you really need to maximize your time. And maximize, we did! We walked straight out the front of Fairmont Miramar and hit the Venice Beach Boardwalk– a MUST when you are visitng L.A.! Bring your walking shoes though, because from one end to the other, it’s at least an hour and then you need to make your way back ;).
Stretching about one and a half miles along the manicured sands of the Pacific Ocean, the boardwalk is a large part of what makes Venice unique. On the west side of the “walk” are hundreds of street vendors and performers. You can see everything from break-dancing to broken glass walking. Mimes to musicians, jugglers to jesters and everything in between make up the human landscape. You can have your fortune read, get a temporary tattoo or have your name written on a grain of rice. – VeniceBeach.com
SHOP MY LOOK:
After an amazing day of walking the boardwalk, we headed back to the hotel to shower up and head out to dinner nearby. Early bedtime as we knew we wanted to get in a full day the next day and we had big plans to check out Abbot Kinney Boulevard. which had been recommended to us by friends.
SHOP MY LOOK:
We could have literally spent 3 days exploring Abbot Kinney Boulevard alone. It is the cutest street lined with independent shops that were just so unique. We shopped and shopped and shopped… until we stopped for the BEST ice cream at Salt & Straw. The wall art (and pavement art!) on Abbot Kinney is every Instagrammer’s dream. Reserve ahead for a lunch or dinner at Gjelina and order the sunchoke. It was my first time eating sunchoke and I’m still dreaming about that dish. HEAVEN!
Our second dinner was at The Bazaar in the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills. I can very confidently say that I have NEVER had a culinary experience like that one. The presentation of our meal was art. The flavours of our dishes were unreal. When you’re planning your trip to L.A. book a table at The Bazaar (well in advance) and treat yourself to a dining experience you won’t regret!
The 3rd day in L.A was spent exploring West Hollywood. But first, coffee. 
Alfred coffee, of course!
There’s a lot to do and see in L.A. and I know we merely scratched the surface, which is a great excuse to go back! I’d love to hear your favourite L.A. hotspots and must-see’s in the comments below!
xo Jessica
