From guest contributor: Nikki Lazaran of Resfeber Junket

Planning a California Coast road trip? If you’re not, you should be. From the sunbathed shores of San Diego to to the thick groves of NorCal’s redwoods, California is arguably one of the most beautiful and diverse states in the contiguous United States.

I’ll be sharing my favorite spots all month, so stay tuned to read up on what gives “The Golden State” its signature sparkle!

LET’S EXPLORE: LOS ANGELES

VENICE BEACH

If you’re cruising the California coast, you’d be remiss to skip over Venice Beach. This LA-adjacent beach brings the slower-paced Beach Boys vibes to the big city. Start your day by munching on LA favorites for breakfast or brunch, like avocado toast and grain bowls at The Butcher’s Daughter, the blue açaí bowl at Great White, or pretty much everything on the menu at Gjelina. Once you’re fed and caffeinated, make your way to the famous Venice Sign!

Pro tip: Wait for the crosswalk to allow crossing in all directions to snap the perfect photo without getting hit by public transit. Had to learn this tip the hard way…

Once you’ve snagged your sign photo without getting hit by a bus, head down to the boardwalk and take a leisurely stroll to visit Muscle Beach, the rainbow lifeguard tower, and skateboarders and bikers frequenting the beach. If you’re over the chaos of Muscle Beach, it’s time to head to the Venice Canals to take in the views and window shop for your dream vacation home.

SANTA MONICA

Bike along the beach or jump in a car to head up the coast to Santa Monica. First stop is walking Third Street Mall to take in the street performers and peruse the shops. Feeling the need for a reprieve from the crowds? Head up to the top of the Hotel Shangri-La and enjoy a refreshing drink on their rooftop. If you’re looking for a sea view with all the vibes, try Elephante - make a reservation before you go to ensure you get a table. 

Grab a bite while you’re there or venture to Flower Child for one of my favorite healthy alternatives. End the day with a sunset stroll down Santa Monica Pier for treats, rides, and subpar restaurants.

DOWNTOWN LA

Los Angeles is one of those rare cities where downtown seems to have less going on than the outskirts of the city, but in recent years there has been a veritable culinary resurgence. While it shouldn’t comprise the majority of your trip to LA, it is absolutely worth a stop. Kick off the day with breakfast hopping at Grand Central Market. You need coffee from G&B and an egg breakfast sandwich from Egg Slut. Go early to avoid long lines, bring a camera for pics of all the neon signs, and come hungry. Also parking is a nightmare - take a rideshare if you can.

If museums are on the docket, a pre-booked visit to The Broad art museum downtown is a must.

Once you’ve refueled, make your way to adjacent Hollywood…

HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood is known for well…the Hollywood sign, actors, and the Walk of Fame. The best way to experience the he Hollywood sign is to get out and hike! Hollyhock trail head offers a leisurely climb up the mountains with views of the sign. The Wisdom Tree trail head offers a more rigorous route to the top with equally stunning views. And if hikes aren’t your thing, drive right up to Lake Hollywood Park for views sans incline.

From there, it’s just a short drive to the Walk Of Fame to see the handprints of your favorite actor or actress. Maybe consider not touching them because, well...I’ve personally people pee on that sidewalk. If the mood strikes, catch a movie at the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Post movie, take a late afternoon cruise down Mulholland for those La La Land views - you can even stop at several of the turnouts they used to film the movie! During your time in Hollywood, if you plan in advance, you can also book tickets online to The Stahl House (Case Study #22), an architectural marvel and LA icon with unreal sunset views. Start looking into these tickets more than a month in advance to secure them and Uber to the house to avoid the parking nightmare.

That night, rest your weary had at Hollywood’s famous Roosevelt Hotel or the iconic Chateau Marmont. If you’re staying closer to Hollywood, sample old school Italian at Dan Tana’s, rocker themed Thai at Toi On Sunset, or a martini (and Hollywood glam eats) at Musso and Frank’s.

For a more modern look in one of LA newer properties, head downtown to The Ace Downtown, The Freehand, or The NoMad Hotel for the night. Enjoy dinner downtown at one of the many amazing establishments nearby, from The Exchange at The Freehand for delicious mediterranean, 71Above for 360 downtown views, and Preux and Proper for southern fair, to Bar Ama for elevated Tex-Mex.

EAST LA

If you’re in the area, grab breakfast at Little Dom’s (their french toast skillet is a must) or brunch at Trois Familia. The best coffee can also be found nearby at Eightfold, Dayglow or Woodcat, if espresso is your jam. For delicious pour-overs, Dinosaur has got you covered. Closer to lunch time? Night Market + Song is a on of my all-time favorites when I’m craving Thai.

If you have it in you, consider another hike - this time to the Griffith Observatory. head to the Fern Dell Park (near Trails Cafe) to begin your hike. Take the leisurely hour walk up to stunning views of the city below and the free planetarium! Head out early to avoid crowds.

BEVERLY HILLS, MIRACLE MILE & WEST HOLLYWOOD

A mere hop, skip, and a jump from East LA is Miracle Mile and a cluster of some of LA’s best museums. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art regularly features fantastic interactive exhibits from the likes of James Turrell and is recognized by it’s signature street light display out front. If there is a popular exhibit you’re looking to see, check online a few months in advance to purchase tickets. Plan on a few hours at the museum before grabbing lunch.

Try Cecconi’s for Italian and all the decor. Need a quick bite? Try Potato Chips for sandwiches, Mainland Poke for…well..poke, or Backyard Bowls for acai bowls.  Something cute, but still sit down? Joan’s On Third, Croft Alley, Republique, or Gracias Madre (vegan friendly) are all safe bets.

Post-meal, it’s time to do what we Angelenos do best – drink coffee and shop. Hit up Melrose for vintage or eclectic clothing, Rodeo Drive for designer, or The Grove and The Beverly Center for a traditional mall with a potential celebrity citing. If it happens to be a Sunday, pay $3 cash to check out the Melrose Trading Post for everything from vintage furniture and succulents to records and handmade jewelry.

Some of my favorite cafes in the area include Verve Coffee Roasters, Coffee For Sasquatch, Smith & Tait, Coffee Commissary, and King’s Road Cafe. It may not be the best espresso in the city, but Carrera Cafe’s is known for their Ryan Gosling’s lattes, if that’s your jam.

MALIBU

It’s time to get out of the city and back to the beach, where every California dream begins. Head up the coast to Malibu and straight to the pier to enjoy lunch at Malibu Pier Cafe before jetting to El Matador Beach. If it’s too crowded for your taste, Zuma is also quite beautiful and slightly less popular.

For wine and some gorgeous Santa Monica mountains views, purchase tickets several weeks in advance online for the Malibu Wine Safari giraffe tour. You’ll spend the afternoon feeding and viewing exotic animals, including a giraffe named Stanley, and sipping wine in some of the most picturesque spots in Malibu wine country.

Spend the night at the newly opened boutique property, The Surfrider Malibu for all the California vibes you can handle or grab one of the many unique AirBnB’s in the area.

Have you been to Los Angeles? Comment below and tell us what your favorite place is! Or use #estcalifornia on social media to share with us!

Meet Nikki

Hi, I’m Nikki Lazaran, travel TV producer, avid wanderer, and the creator & author of Resfeber Junket. I plan extravagant dates and exotic travel for a living as one of “The Bachelor” franchise producers. On my occasional days off, I like to help you do the same.

“Resfeber” is a Swedish word which describes the “jitter” before an impending trip or “travel fever.” Pronounced, “res/feb/ə(r).”

I chose “Resfeber Junket” to encapsulate the travel fever I hope you experience when you join me here for your curated travel and romance content. I aim to help you feed that hunger to explore and point you towards what you need to live an intrepid life, whether you are fearless in your pursuit of travel or love…or both!

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