Out and About: Hollywood Edition

This edition of Out and About is really a no brainer. What would the city of L.A. be without it’s star-studded history and sites? And while there are the obvious tourist options, there are also quite a few hidden gems. So spend a day the L.A. way out in Hollywood!

To start your day…

Runyon Canyon

While it may seem cliche, hiking Runyon Canyon is truly one of the better ways to start your morning whether it be a Hollywood outing or a weekly routine. The trail is pet friendly and offers stunning views of the city as well as a fun workout.

Lake Hollywood Park

If thats not enough fresh air, we recommend venturing to Lake Hollywood Park for a slight stroll as you gaze up at the Hollywood Sign.

Jane Q Cafe

Once you’re finished there, if you haven’t grabbed a morning bite, Jane Q is the ideal pitstop for a dose of AM energy. Tucked in the Kimpton Everly Hotel, the restaurant offers a chic cafe feel with gourmet dining options.

By the afternoon “bell”…

TCL Chinese Theatre

If your inner tourist is up for the crowd a stroll down the Walk of Fame is always an enjoyable outing if not just for the characters along the way. From famed handprints at the TCL Theatre to a bounty of hop on hop off tours, you’ll have no shortage of options.

Hollywood and Highland Center-Hollywood

If you feel like splurging, Hollywood and Highland Center is just down the street with choices that are wallet friendly. For more unique digs, Scout offers a plethora of vintage finds.

Paramount Studios Tour

After you’ve had you fill on the boulevard, why not take part in a tour of one of Hollywoods most famed studios?

Paramount Studios is the only studio still actually residing in Hollywood and it’s tour provides you a captivating glimpse of the silver screen both old and new. Whether you partake in the adventure is on your own accord, but surely afterwards you’ll need an afternoon reprieve.

APL Hole in the Wall

APL Hole in the Wall is the perfect place to refuel before the rest of your day continues. Offering gourmet take-away dishes like the Serious Sandwich- pit-cooked shaved prime New York strip with pickle salad, sweet onions, and freshly grated horseradish. Delicious!

Before the evening sets…

Ai Weiwei Exhibit at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery-Hollywood

A visit to the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery should be next on your list for a necessary dose of arts and culture. Peruse the selection of fine art but leave room for a different style of entertainment. Depending on your general mood, dinner and a show is always the perfect evening with family, friends, or that significant other.

UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT — FYC @ UCB Event at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Sunset, Los Angeles

For those with a funny bone, Upright Citizens Brigade will provide the laughs you so seek having famed comedians grace their stage both past and present. But for a more quintessential Hollywood experience, enjoy a showing at the theatre where most of the city’s blockbusters are premiered.

El Capitan Theatre

El Capitan has rolled out it’s red carpet for a bounty of feature films and still serves as a taste of Old Hollywood glamour. While their show offerings are limited, the time spent there is well worth it.

Aladdin the Musical at The Pantages Theatre

For something more lively, The Pantages offers a season full of broadway hits, with past shows like Aladdin and current productions of Wicked.

Curtis Stone and his team at his famed Hollywood restaurant Gwen.

With your inner tourist pleased and likely tired, our last recommendation is for a night that ends enjoying the culinary wonder of Curtis Stones’ Gwen. The restaurant is one of the famed chefs notable ventures into luxury dining and it does not disappointment. Known for their selection of gourmet meat, it is both a taste experience as it is an evening highlight.

No matter how you chose to spend your day Out and About, we hope you enjoy each moment in the city of stars!!

Out and About: Santa Monica Edition

Santa Monica
By: Samira Murphy

Every so often, at some point in your busy week, it happens–you get to play tourist for the day. Whether its hopping in the car for a scenic drive down the coast or popping into Fred Segal’s for an afternoon nosh, “me time” is so crucial. 

Once a week, we will cut the clutter and provide you with hidden gems in the city of stars and beyond. From Beverly Hills to the San Fernando Valley, take time to explore your neck of the woods!

 

There is nothing more quintessential california than a day spent seaside in Santa Monica. From the famous Pier to splurge Santa Monica Place, SaMo is more than a beachfront city. It’s a way of life. Aside from sounding like an Equinox ad, we wanted to send you off into the weekend with ways to spend your day between rush hour and happy hour.

Pacific Palisades Park-Santa Monica
Pacific Palisades Park-Santa Monica

For stunning Ocean views and classic imagery of LA’s coastline, Palisades Park is the perfect way to start your day with a brisk walk through the bluffs. Start at the Pacific Palisades Adjacent end, keeping between the stately concert sculpture at Wilshire and the colorful totem pole at San Vicente. No this isn’t a scavenger hunt, just your quick route to take in the scenes and skip the tourist march.

Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica Pier

If your spending the day with your family or just feel like kicking back like your childhood days, the Santa Monica Pier is always a great choice! Filled with the classic fairground games of yesteryears along a few adrenaline inducing rides, whats not to love? The centre and focal point of Santa Monica Beach, is also home to a range of outdoor events. If you just so happen to feel intrigued, check out our events of the week for Oct.5-7th, featuring not one but two Santa Monica thrills taking place over the weekend.

Camera Obscura-Santa Monica
Camera Obscura-Santa Monica

Before departing away from the sand, make sure to step inside the iconic Camera Obscura! The perfect spot for peace, quite, and a uniquely peculiar view of the oceanfront. The historic optical contraption is the offbeat place to catch your breath and Instagram shot. Hidden inside an oceanfront senior recreation center, Camera Obscura is a great way to fill your time between sites.

Elephante
Elephante

Alright, so you’ve had your thrills and your fun. Your probably looking for the perfect afternoon pick me up before making your way to the shops. We’ve got that covered too!  For the perfect seaside brunch, head towards the coastline for your pick of perfect california cuisine. Between Ivy by the Shore, Del Frisco’s, and Elephante-you’ll be strategizing how you can tackle all three. No stress! From the cuisine to the ambience you can’t go wrong between the lot, they’re a food-lovers paradise along the sea.

Third Street Promenade
Third Street Promenade

Now that you’ve fueled up, theres no better way to end the day then with a little retail therapy. Depending on your style or actual shopping needs, SaMo is full of some of the Westside’s most charming boutiques and storefronts. Peruse along the Third Street Promenade for a mix of notable and trendy retailers. If your a weekday browser, Wednesdays feature the city’s famed Farmer’s Market! The four block pedestrianized stretch of cobblestone will gove you all the Small Town-Main Street feels.

Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica Place

Needing something more on the High-End? Santa Monica Place is located at the southern end of the Promenade.  The outdoor retail space features a revamped shopping center packed with upscale department stores and designer boutiques. From Barnerys of New York to Louis Vuitton, take in the open air and throw away your receipt.

1 Pico @ Shutters on the Beach
1 Pico @ Shutters on the Beach

So you’ve seen, you’ve sipped, you’ve shopped. The sun is setting and your wondering where you parked your car. Stay to catch the views of day slipping into night and skip the rush hour beat. Stop by 1 Pico for evening fare set in a cape cod style decor. The cuisine is as remarkable as the views at this oceanside spot in SaMo’s Shutters on the Beach.

Santa Monica
Santa Monica

Whether you tackled all our recommendations at once or spread it out through the week, there is no better way to experience L.A. then to venture out and try something new. Get outside your zip code, turn on the “Eagles” and call it a day well spent!