Did you think I was done sharing details of our California trip back in October? Nahh. Three months later & I’m still dreaming about that west coast vibe. Plus, I like to spread out travel content because, well, why not. And even if I’m not actually traveling, you bet I’m dreaming up the next getaway. So… yes, it’s still relevant.
We had a full week of adventure on our trip to California and we covered a lot of ground. So much that I’m not even sharing every single detail with you. That’s impossible. But I’ve already shared the cuteness that is Catalina Island. I shared our pier tour of Venice, Santa Monica & Malibu. I also posted about our short stay in Palm Springs – a personal fav. What you may not have realized, was how much time we actually got to spend in the city of LA. We didn’t plan to, but our flexible schedule allowed us to venture way more than originally thought. Having a rental care helped, too. And based on our experience, I rounded up 4 fun things to do in LA if you ever get the chance to visit. Psst… it doesn’t include Hollywood.
Runyon Canyon
One of the things I knew I wanted to do – and made sure we had room in the schedule for – was hiking in or somewhere around the city. Yes, it’s a pretty common thing to do in LA and most websites offer it as an option. But let’s be real, I mostly got the idea from reality TV. Watching the Kardashians and the Rich Kids hike to places where the city sprawls below made me want to do the same thing. Escaping the crowded streets and taking in the view didn’t sound bad either. After a little research, we decided on Runyon Canyon.
Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the entrance is easy to find and the hiking distance works for pretty much any skill level. We did the short route which ends up just under 2 miles. The first half is definitely uphill & leaves you gasping for air in spots, but the view is oh-so-worth the little trouble. It helps that we had a pretty clear day and could see everything from downtown to Beverly Hills and could even spot the Pacific. I loved that we had driven the city already, so we could navigate from above. Not only are the cityscape views amazing, but it’s a great spot to view the Hollywood sign and get a closer glimpse at some beautiful Hollywood Hills homes.
“Urban Light” Installation
When we realized we’d have more time in the city than originally planned, I immediately knew I wanted to go see “Urban Light”. An art installation by Chris Burden located outside the LA County Museum of Art. I had seen so many photos taken around the installation and even shown on highlight reels of the city before Lakers games or, of course, reality TV shows. Anyway, it was so worth the stop. 202 restored light posts from around SoCal are lined up in perfect lines, creating this stunning visual display. Even T was impressed (and counted to make sure there were in fact, 202). I’m dying to visit at night when the lights are all lit up, but timing just didn’t work for us this trip. If you’re in the Beverly Hills or West Hollywood area, “Urban Light” is an easy stop-by.
Griffith Observatory
I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but we had absolutely no idea about the Griffith Observatory. Google actually pointed us to it and we ended up there after our hike in Runyon Canyon. The two ended up being the perfect pair. Griffith Observatory is really easy to get to from Runyon Canyon – literally straight down Hollywood Blvd (or Sunset or Franklin to avoid traffic) with a couple turns. You do climb a ways, so take your time and enjoy the sights of Griffith Park. Once you’ve ascended, cars will start to pull over & park. We ended up in a pretty good spot, being a weekday, and hiked up a little less than a mile. Another reason I liked doing this after Runyon Canyon – prepared! On a busy day, I could imagine the hikes get pretty long and good shoes would be necessary. Anyway, once you reach the structure, you can enjoy more cityscape views and go inside, free of charge.
Not having any idea what the Observatory had to offer, we were completely blown away. T and I are regularly amazed by space. Ok, maybe it’s mostly me, but learning about our galaxy amazes me. And that is what Griffith Observatory is all about. A planetarium, telescopes and a gift shop where you can buy an astronaut suit.
(photo taken on my disposable camera)
LA Farmers’ Market + The Grove
We always end up at local markets of some kind, so I was really excited when the LA Farmers’ Market was across the street form our hotel – The Farmer’s Daughter (fitting, right?). We had planned to go to The Grove to do some shopping and the Market is right next to it. Literally, it’s difficult to go to one and not the other. However, this Farmers’ Market is the LA original. So it’s a sharp contrast to the modern & trendy Grove. We had fun dipping in and out of both – scouting out some food vendors, watching locals grocery shop and the fashionistas run into Zara for a last minute outfit. This was probably one of our favorite mornings – relaxed, and so LA. Or so we imagined.
Other LA things on our list for next time
The Broad
The Last Bookstore
“Urban Light” at night
Staples Center for a game
A studio tour/show
Have you ever been to LA? If so, tell me what you loved most!
xoxo. B
