DAY 1
Do as the locals do and sleep in, after all, you are on vacation. Once you’re up and ready to go, head over to the Grand Central Market. With tons of vendors, this establishment is serving up some of L.A.’s finest cuisine. Our recommendation? The BEC from Eggslut and a quick cup of coffee from G&B Coffee.
After filling up on some breakfast, take a stroll over to The Broad Museum (only 7 minutes away) where you can see some of the best contemporary art from the 1950s. Notable artists include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Bradford, and Jeff Koons. Also, The Museum of Contemporary Art is right next door so if you’re looking to fill your museum fix, you should definitely check this one out as well.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite for lunch, go to Guerrilla Tacos, Wes Avila’s celebrated taco truck you have a variety of options from smoked cauliflower tacos to the ahi tuna tostada. For another option, drive over to Porridge & Puffs in the Historic Filipinotown for delicious rice bowls.
For more sweeping gorgeous views and drinks before dinner, reserve a spot at Elephante Beach House in downtown Santa Monica. Press materials state, “The buzzing rooftop bar and restaurant from seasoned designer and restaurateur Nicholas Mathers aims to transport guests from Los Angeles to the Southern Mediterranean.”
After cocktail hour, head to Bestia, a multi-regional rustic Italian restaurant focusing on a “from scratch” approach, offering house-made charcuterie, in addition to handmade pasta and pizza made in an Acunto oven.
DAY 2
For your second day in sunny Los Angeles, go for a drive by the ocean to Malibu. Once, in Malibu, you’ll want to immediately go to Malibu Farm Pier Cafe, a prime waterfront spot that’s serving up unique and tasty farm-to-table dishes. Amazing brunch options include the brussel omelette and larry’s berries coconut baked french toast. After, take a long stroll along the pier and feel the breeze while you soak in the view.
Spend the afternoon getting in your shopping fix at the Palisades Village, a 40 min car ride from Malibu. Popular shops include Serena & Lily, The Little Market, Cynthia Rowely, and much more. From there, you need to grab lunch from Guerrilla Tacos, an insanely delicious food truck that’s parked at Venice’s Blue Bottle.
Ring in your last night in L.A. with dinner at Madeo. This upscale restaurant is serving up traditional Italian cuisine in a white-tablecloth dining room where you may or may not glimpse a high-profile customer. Incredible options include Risotto Ai Porcini, Spaghetti alla Bolognese, and Cacciucco. For a nightcap, you won’t want to miss the stunning views at the ONYX rooftop bar at the Shangri-La Hotel!
