LA has an electric energy the moment you arrive. The Californian sun warms your soul and with the iconic palm trees on display you can’t help but feel relaxed, however still very much having the international city buzz to it. When you arrive, put your active wear on, sign up to a yoga class, drink a kale shake and be prepared to watch the movie capital of the world go by.
Please forget anything negative you’ve heard about LA such as 'it's soulless, superficial and has large freeways'. It's none of that (well the freeways yes) but it has such a personality! Stay a few days and you’ll automatically understand.

Here are my best tips:

West Hollywood (or known as WeHo to locals)

• Farmers Market & The Grove – all the locals shop here and you are sure to bump into a celeb or two.
• Melrose Blvd – loads of boutique shops (make sure you take a coffee break at Alfred’s in Melrose Place).
• Hotel pools along Sunset Blv are a great way to kill time (Mondrian Hotel is a good place to start).
• Breakfast or lunch at the very glamorous ‘The Ivy’ an institution (you’ll even receive a complimentary champagne on arrival).
• Spend an afternoon shopping in a large mall called The Beverly Center for all your key brands.
• EP LP – is owned by some well-known Aussies, Australian DJ Grant Smillie, model Ash Hart and her husband Buck Palmer. A good place to have a meal / drink when you first arrive.

Silver Lake
Previously this was not a happening suburb however it's recently been cleaned up and gentrified. Now this is the home to the hipsters of LA filled with great art galleries, coffee shops and restaurants.
I was lucky enough to experience a true LA activity while I was there, a Barre class at The Bar Method with Aussie expat Ash Hart - Felt very much a ‘local’ Cali chick!

Venice Beach / Santa Monica / Malibu

• Hire bikes and ride along the shoreline. Be sure to stop on the way to listen and watch the buskers at work.
• Smells and tastes are to die for on a Sunday at the local Farmers Market in Santa Monica.
• Abbot Kinney is the street to be in at the moment – spend the day visiting the stores, cafes or just chilling.
• Rose Avenue - a very trendy place to hang out. I suggest ‘bulletproof coffee’, Kippy’s Ice-Cream to visit, or a favourite is the Rose Cafe

If time permits a lunch trip to Nobu in Malibu is a must. It had been on my bucket list and I was blown away. It is a 30-minute road trip from Santa Monica Beach along the picturesque Pacific Coast Freeway.

Hollywood Hills / Beverly Hills

• Locals may suggest to you ‘let’s do a hike’ however don’t stress, this is not a strenuous hike, and In fact, it's quite an enjoyable walk. You see great views of LA too. Runyon Canyon at sunset is a special favourite of mine.
• Aussie celebrity chef, Curtis Stone has recently opened his second restaurant called Gwen.
• Teddy’s Bar in The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood is very exclusive and then later turns into a nightclub. Worth a cocktail or two here!​
• Sip on an afternoon vino at The Beverly Hills Hotel ‘The Polo Lounge’

Downtown LA

• Previously this was a dangerous part of town, one where you wouldn’t  walk the streets. It's now clean and a very cool scene. Worth heading to for a sunset drink at the cosmopolitan Ace Hotel.
• Should you feel like some pampering then try the Wi USA Spa (Korean) open 24 hours and shouldn’t cost you more than $70. NOTE: It is quite a different experience but one you won’t forget!

Los Angeles makes you feel like you can make your dreams become a reality. Think big and things do happen in this city! You’ll immediately feel energised by the positive vibes and relaxed by the chill factor. The Hispanic influence over the city excites me and you’ll notice what I mean when you're there. Give LA a go – it won’t let you down and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Keep on adventuring,

By Georgie Cavanagh
Traveller + Head of Creator Partnerships at Tribe Group
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