Out and About: East L.A. Edition

We know what your thinking, East L.A. edition? Isn’t that a bit broad. And where is East L.A.? Isn’t everything past WEHO just L.A? This edition is for the locals, your where’s where of places to dine, shop, and see as a true Angeleno would care to do.

On the list of up-and-coming neighborhoods you can relocate to, we share with you East L.A.’s most noteworthy stops to the best restaurants in Los Feliz. You’ll wonder why you don’t step outside your zip code more often.

Morning

Swing by the airy Skylight Books and peruse the independent shop’s well-curated staff picks for some morning reading material, then take your paperback of choice up the street to the small patio at caffeine-fix mainstay Bru Coffeebar. If you’re after a decadent breakfast, claim a booth and order up something from the griddle at 24/7 throwback diner Fred 62. Wait out your inevitable food coma with a $6.50 early matinee in the plush, Egyptian-style Vista Theatre.

Afternoon

Work your way down Vermont Avenue and its collection of shops, from radical decor courtesy of queer feminist-owned Otherwild to an indescribable assortment of pop culture at Soap Plant Wacko. Then cross over Hollywood Boulevard and climb up to Barnsdall Art Park for a tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s landmark, the temple-like Hollyhock House.

Make your way back to the other side of town and into Griffith Park for a sandwich and slice of pie from the Trails Cafe, which overlooks the lovely Fern Dell, a shaded, rustic oasis equally stocked with relaxing strolls and hiking trailheads.

Evening

Feeling intrepid? Hike the two-mile trail up to Griffith Observatory. Otherwise, drive up and settle in for a sunset with shimmery city views from the Art Deco hilltop observatory.

Trek back down for dinner on one of L.A.’s most idyllic patios at Alcove Cafe and Bakery, which serves up large, unfussy plates in its twinkle-lit courtyard, with top-notch whimsical cocktails at the adjoining Big Bar. Afterward, make sure to visit lounge legends Marty and Elayne at the Dresden before swinging by House of Pies for a midnight slice of banana cream pie.

Courtesy of: Time Out L.A.

October 16, 2018October 23, 2018

Treat yourself: Top 5 Spas in and around L.A.

You’ve worked hard, whether your on the 9-to-5 or somewhere in between, pampering is more a necessity then a treat. With the year winding down and the workload ramping back up, we decided to round together the top 5 places to treat yourself this fall. Whether your needing a rejuvenation or relaxation, the spas below are sure to help in achieving the most zen like state.

THE RITZ-CARLTON SPA, LOS ANGELES

Downtown Los Angeles get its on own oasis of calm at this 8,000 square foot luxury spa. There are nine treatment rooms and a luxe couple’s suite, relaxation spaces and aromatherapy rooms with private plunge showers. Neutral tones accented by gold and silver embody the classic Hollywood theme. This spa sparkles, and so will your body. Take the Champagne and Shimmer Body Treatment, which begins with with an organic scrub made from the seeds of champagne grapes, followed by an application of 24- karat gold shimmering powder.

Click here for more info.

TOMOKO JAPENESE SPA

There are some spa experiences so unforgettable, it’s hard to imagine having a better experience elsewhere. Tomoko Japanese Spa in Beverly Hills is one of those places. Founded on the principles of Japanese healing and renewal of the spirit, Tomoko offers treatments that aim to not only release tension, but renew the body with “khi” (energy). Couple treatments include sushi from Sugar Fish, a well-loved restaurant chain in Los Angeles. After treatments, guests can retreat to the main room to enjoy tea and mochi.

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LARCHMONT SANCTUARY SPA

Though not as showy as its counterparts, Larchmont Sanctuary and Spa is just as special, with treatments to match. Located in a 90-year-old building under a beautiful tree, the spa feels like a cabin retreat in the heart of the city. Eight treatment rooms (2 outdoor) offer guests an opportunity to experience truly impressive pampering with all organic products. Wood tones and vibrant orange color accent the property, giving its outdoor spaces the feel of a chic cabana on the beach.

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CIEL SPA at SLS Beverly Hills

From its plush white furniture to minimalist yet welcoming decor, visitors are whisked away at Ciel Spa by Pearl Wellness in the SLS Hotel. Located on one of Los Angeles’ busiest streets, the 5,000 square foot getaway provides ample opportunity to forget city life. The signature Ciel massage is otherworldly, and you can be assured that every tense spot will not stand a chance.

The Spa by Joanna Vargas at The Sunset Tower Hotel

The Spa by Joanna Vargas at Sunset Tower hotel is 2,025 square feet with six treatment rooms and five aestheticians, led by Vargas veteran Asia Vereline. Along with a celebrity clientele that counts the likes of Elizabeth Moss, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Naomi Watts as patrons, the services offered reach new heights of luxury skincare. On the menu are LED light therapy sessions, which are said to boost collagen production and promote healing; eight types of facials that use tech gadgets; green tea-spiked oxygen; and body treatments, including microdermabrasion, sunless tanning, cellulite-targeting radio frequency and L.A.-exclusive scrubs, wraps and bath soaks; as well as massages.

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June 25, 2014

Peter Maurice of Rodeo Realty Helps Buyer Land Buzz Aldrin's Condo

Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sold his Wilshire Corridor condo. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, Rodeo Realty’s Peter Maurice represented the buyer. The three-bedroom condo has an open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows with fantastic views of the city, the Wilshire Country Club golf course, and beyond. Aldrin, who is now 84, was the second man to walk on the moon in 1969.

June 11, 2014

Rodeo Realty Sells Jayceon Taylor's Home

Rodeo Realty’s Ed Dolce and Kenneth Marker have sold the Glendale home of Jayceon Taylor, the rap musician and reality TV actor known as Game or the Game as reported by the LA Times. The home sold for $1.63 million.

The four-bedroom house was built in 1958 and has an open floor plan that includes a gourmet kitchen with maple cabinets. The master suite includes lots of closet space and an entertainment center. The family room has custom built-ins and there is also a game room. The entertainer’s backyard includes a pool and custom barbecue area. Congratulations to the new owner!

June 7, 2014

Rodeo Realty Lists Jack Black's Former House

This gorgeous architectural newly listed by Joe Babajian and Stephen Walton of Rodeo Realty has quite the celebrity history. As Zillow reports, the modern home on a private cul-de-sac in Los Feliz was previously owned by actor Jack Black and his wife Tanya Haden. Black bought in 2006 and he and Hayden did a major remodel. They sold the home once they had children.

The home has walls of glass, steel commercial beams, and concrete floors. The gourmet kitchen opens to the great room. The master suite includes a spa-like bath. Outside there is a large swimmer’s pool, water elements, and outdoor dining pavilions that are the perfect spot to entertain. It is listed for $2.899 million.

May 9, 2014

Rodeo Realty's Geri Berger In Zac Efron House Sale

Rodeo Realty’s Geri Berger was the buyer’s agent as young heartthrob and mid-century design aficionado Zac Efron sold his home in Hollywood Hills West for $2.775 million as reported by the Los Angeles Times. This angular beauty was designed for the famous Case Study Program by Rodney Walker but built after the program in 1947. The stylish home has walls of glass, hated concrete floors, two bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 2,424 square feet of living space. Outside there is a lush flat lot with an infinity pool with an ozone system and an outdoor living room area.

May 2, 2014

Rodeo Realty's Tom Otero Leases Adam Carolla's Lake Hollywood Compound

Someone just scored a great place to spend the warm weather! Reality TV show star, podcaster, and comedian Adam Carolla has leased out his expansive Lake Hollywood property through Rodeo Realty’s Tom Otero.

As Trulia reported, the Spanish-style home in Hollywood was one of the first homes in the Lake Hollywood area. It was built in 1928 and later restored with traditional Spanish-style elements, including arched doorways, leaded glass windows, hand-carved wood beams, chandeliers, and tile floors. The four-bedroom home has a custom-built entertainment room with a bar, pool table, and porthole windows that look directly into the pool. The home also has a large garage with room for 10 cars and a hoist.

April 2, 2014

Anjelica Huston Sells Legendary Venice Property With Rodeo Realty

As the L. A. Times reported this week, Anjelica Huston has sold her home in Venice for $11.15 million. Huston shared the one-of-a-kind five-story contemporary with her late husband, sculptor Robert Graham, who had his studio there. The home is steps away from Venice Beach and includes 13,796 square feet of loft-like live/work space with a dance studio, a gym, a library/study, a media room, an office, three bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Gregory Bega of Sotheby’s International Realty and Mary Kay Nibley of Rodeo Realty were the listing agents.

March 11, 2014

Rodeo Realty Agent Helps Buyer Acquire Venus Williams Home

Rodeo Realty agent Peter Maurice helped a client pick up a desirable property in the Hollywood Hills West area. The LA Times Hot Property section reported the news that Venus Williams has sold her mid-century home for $1.7 million. The three-bedroom home was built in 1955 and has an updated kitchen. There is a swimming pool and deck area as well as a lawn, all with canyon views. Congratulations to the new owners on the purchase of a lovely home!

January 2, 2014

Rodeo Realty Agent Ben Bacal Helps Megan Ellison Make A Big Buy

Film producer Megan Ellison (she’s a producer on “American Hustle” among many other credits) is also a mover and shaker on the real estate scene and Rodeo Realty agent Ben Bacal helped her with some of the biggest transactions in the Los Angeles area. As the Los Angeles Times reported, first Ellison sold her three-house compound in Hollywood Hills West for close to $47 million, and now she has spent $20 million on a mansion and $10 million on adjacent land to create a nine-acre mountaintop estate in the same community. Ellison’s new retreat includes a contemporary house built in 1990 that has over 10,000 square feet of spa.