A Perfect Weekend in LA

Meet (from l to r) Marissa, Adrian, Jan annnd me!

Weeks of not seeing my academy buds had me begging for a group getaway to the West Coast. I'm a sucker for the hills, valleys, beaches, perfect weather and friendly (debatable, but New Yorkers get a bad rep, too) people of SoCal. Living under one roof for a weekend is the friendship equivalent of a romance-crushing trip to Ikea, but we continue to be besties of 15 years and counting.

If you're thinking of a quick trip to LA, here are a few places that made ours memorable and easy on our bank accounts:

Abbot Kinney Boulevard: We scored an awesome Airbnb in this gorgeous neighborhood. Branded "The Coolest Street in America," it's simultaneously charming and trendy, flush with restaurants, boutiques and galleries, each one more dope than the last. Gawk at the dream-like colors, architecture, street flora, and street art. Abbot Kinney is a 20 minute drive from LAX and a short walk from the Venice Canals and Venice Beach. Every morning, Jan and I would get a cup of joe from one of the excellent local coffee shops and enjoy the beautiful serenity and quiet friendliness of a sleepy Los Angeles. Try Abbots Habit for early coffee and people watching, Gjelina for a killer breakfast sandwich or pizza and Lemonade for a healthy, veggie packed dinner.

The Venice Canals: Jan and I traitorously proclaimed Cali to be our new home about 10 minutes after we landed. Marissa and Adrian needed a little more persuasion aka a visit to this unfuckwithable neighborhood. A short walk from Venice Beach, the homes that line these canals are as beautiful as they are varied, from modern, sleek mansions to tiny beach cottages to miniature castles. I was inspired and envious as we walked through my dream barrio. I call the orange bungalow (not pictured, because mine!)

El Matador Beach: A picturesque beach in Malibu with gorgeous cliffside views and rock formations that scream West Coast, El Matador is peaceful and perfect, even on a gray day. The path leading down is a little precarious, so weak ankles beware! You can play it safe and have lunch on one of the picnic tables atop the cliff; enjoy that fresh oceanic air and the breathtaking view. The parking lot costs $8, but street parking is readily available along the Pacific Coast Highway. Ooh and ahh at the nearby Getty Villa (free admission, $15 parking, reserve a time slot) where you can nerd out over the beautiful gardens, art and architecture.

 Wonder View Trail: LA natives are well known for their fit lifestyles so I was excited to try one of their hikes. When in Rome! I chose the Wonder View Trail because it leads to the top of the Hollywood Sign. I'm sad to report that we only made it to the first leg (Wisdom Tree) because, other than Jan, we are despicably out of shape.
This is a moderate to difficult hike meandering up a hillside (mountain to this Bronx baby) with a steep incline and no shade, about 3 miles roundtrip. Insist that your travel buddies dress appropriately (shoes with good traction are a must!!) and carry plenty of water. I enjoy a good hike, but I have to say that this trail was hard going. Most of it was spent worrying that one of us would step right off the path and fall down the face of the hill. 1,690 feet up is no joke, but in the end it felt amazing looking down at all the height we gained. 

Other fun, budget friendly activities include the Santa Monica Pier (Take a ride [$8] on the classic West Coaster), seeing LACMA's Urban Lights by Chris Burden at night (after midnight is your best bet for a clean photo op), stuffing your face at the Farmer's Market (their Brazilian churrasco is out of this world!) and sight seeing in Downtown Los Angeles where you can marvel at the architecture, relax in Grand Park, catch a great, no-fee view of LA from 27 stories up at City Hall, browse books in the magical Last Bookstore or grab a bite at Grand Central Market. 

My favorite memory by far was Jazz Night at the W Hotel, an amazing live show with some of the most incredible singers, musicians and dancers I have ever seen. It is preposterous that admission to such an incredible experience was complimentary, but if you're in town on a Sunday night, this is the place to be. You might even catch a famous guest take the stage, like Justin Bieber, Prince or Meghan Trainor. I was so caught up that I don't seem to have any pictures or videos from that night...ME...the queen of documentation. It was a beautiful way to end our last night, with a rooftop view of twinkling Hollywood. 

Disclaimer: We didn't rent a car because we all packed into Marissa's Prius, but we did make sure to budget for parking and gas. If planned carefully, you can see and do so much in this beautiful city without worrying about going home broke. One big-ticket (ish) item we chose to do was a tour through the Warner Brothers studio which was definitely an interesting and fun experience, but not necessarily a must see. A final word of advice: In-n-Out > Jack in the Box.