Top 5 Places to See in Los Angeles

Whether you live here in sunny California or you are just visiting for a summer vacation, Los Angeles is arguably the most desired destination for the season. With all of the traffic, you want to make sure that you are hitting all of the local spots in a timely matter. So, I have put together this amazing list of places to see in LA.

At the top of my list is the Venice Canals. It might be a little rough to find parking, but it is so worth it. The canals are full of picture-perfect houses and adorable bridges. The area feels like a quiet oasis in the middle of bustling Los Angeles. Grab a cup of coffee at Menotti’s Coffee (my favorite!) just down the street, and don’t forget to stop by the famous Muscle Beach as well! You’ll enjoy a nice stroll along the canals, but don’t forget to bring a jacket because (despite popular belief) it gets chilly down by the coast!

The second destination on my list is Abbot Kinney, which is also in Venice Beach. Here you will find all of the cool and trendy restaurants like The Butchers Daughter, Lemonade, The Tasting Kitchen, and even Kreation Cafe. You can find fun and unique outdoor murals to take your Instagram pictures in front of as well. And, I’d recommend ending the day with a tasty ice cream from Salt and Straw. This is the perfect place to bring a retro disposable camera or Polaroid. You’ll love having hard copies of your photos that you can put on your wall and remember forever.

Next up… unless you’ve been living under a rock for a year then you have definitely heard of the famous Paul Smith Limited Pink Wall on Melrose Ave. This is a must see on my list. Just around the corner is an Alfred Coffee location and a couple blocks up is the incredible Alfred Tea Room. Melrose is filled with high-end and low-end stores including some amazing vintage shops like American Vintage.

My next favorite is Griffith Observatory. You probably saw it in La La Land, but let me give you the inside scoop: it is worth the hype. As you drive up the winding road, you end up at the top of a beautiful hill where you can see all of Los Angeles. This is the perfect spot to stop for a picnic or just watch the stars at night.

Last, but certainly not least, is my all-time favorite: The Commissary at the Line Hotel. This beautiful brunch spot will not do you (or your Instagram feed) wrong. The food is always impeccable, the coffee is always strong, and the terrarium is always on point. I would recommend The Commissary to any and every brunch and plant lover.