Los Angeles has always been one of those places that shifts in one’s mind. With deep roots in an industry built around fiction, LA can be anything you want it to be. That’s the beauty of it—and also the part that can be overwhelming.
I first went to Los Angeles when I was fifteen for a school trip. While there, our tour bus slowed down and pointed out two celebrities (I use this term loosely). The first was Cesar Millan–yes, the “Dog Whisperer”—and the second was Dustin Diamond from Saved By the Bell. I wasted a lot of battery in my digital camera trying to get the perfect shot of Screech and rode that high well into my junior year.
More recently, I spent a few days in Los Angeles for what was ostensibly a work trip (but, really, was an excuse for a long weekend on the company dime). With the reason for the trip dictated for me, I didn’t have time to pretend the city was something it wasn’t. Instead, I got to explore the patchwork of neighborhoods which ran along the Golden Coast without rose-colored glasses. I rented a car and white-knuckled my way through the itinerary I built by asking locals the same question over and over again: “Where should I go with only 72 hours in town?”
And now, dear reader, I’m sharing that same itinerary with you. Here’s how I spent three days in Los Angeles and where I slept, ate, and shopped along the way.
Day One: Malibu
Malibu is just an hour’s drive outside of the main limits of Los Angeles, making it less an extension of LA than a destination unto itself. If you have the time (and a rental car), make your first day in California a relaxing one.
Where to Stay: The Surfrider might be up there with one of my favourite places I’ve ever stayed at. A 20-key hotel, it’s the perfect size for a more intimate Malibu experience. Originally built in 1953, it has all the characteristics of a Mad Men-era motel, with updated amenities like Grown Alchemist soap, a fully stocked mini-bar, and even a couple Mini Coopers to rent (free of charge) to zip around the coastal highway and hit up Erewhon, if you really need to try the Hailey Bieber smoothie.
Where to Eat: I’m going to say the two most controversial words I’ve ever written here: Skip Nobu. While the views are gorgeous and it has the cultural cachet for an Instagram story, the food is a little too overpriced and tweezered for a proper vacation. Instead, Taverna Tony is a Greek joint recommended by locals for its reasonable prices and filling portions. If you’re hungry for seafood, Malibu Seafood perfectly toes the line between “first search result on Google” and “okay, but the menu looks really good.”
What to Do: Malibu has things to do and places to shop, but save your money for when you’re in LA proper. Instead, spend today at the beach.The Surfrider has boards, towels, and chairs for your use, and the beach is just a minute away. If you are feeling antsy, the Getty Villa Museum is the perfect antidote. While temporarily closed due to the wildfires in January, keep it on your list to see a truly remarkable museum with over 40,000 Greco-Roman artefacts in its collection.
Day Two: Hollywood
Now that you’ve had your day in Malibu, take the 101 into Hollywood to explore what the city has to offer. Of course, there’s Rodeo Drive, the Grove, and a few chain restaurants in between; but if you’re looking for something with a bit more flair, this is how Angelenos spend their weekends.
Where to Stay: The Prospect Hollywood strikes the perfect balance between glamour and eccentricity. With gold accents and bold patterns, it’s a fun boutique hotel that is a welcome departure from the same-ol’-same-ol’ of your standard business hotels.
What to Eat: As you make your way out of Malibu, make sure to stop at Malibu Farm Cafe for a bite on the road. Located right on the pier, it might just be the most perfect location you could imagine drinking a (slightly overpriced) coffee. In Hollywood and the adjacent areas, you’re really spoiled with options. If you want classic Hollywood, go with Musso & Frank for steaks, seafood, and Italian standbys. If you want sushi, go with Yamashiro, housed in a replica of a Japanese palace in the Hollywood Hills. If you want a modern favorite, go with Horses. And if you want a local’s favorite, go with Pace for no-frills Italian.
What to Do: I say this without hyperbole: there are thousands of ways to spend your time in Los Angeles. But, considering this is Cool Material, I’m going to give you the low-down on some of the best menswear shops in the area. Mohawk General Store, Departamento, Wiltmore, and General Quarters are all multi-brand stores with a wide variety of designers, catering to a diverse range of tastes and styles. For vintage, Gator’s Vintage in Little Tokyo has a great set-up with truly vintage pieces. I’m talking button-downs from the 1930’s and denim from the 40’s can be found here.
The only thing I recommend making sure to do is to get a nightcap at the Chateau Marmont, if a bit of celebrity watching is your thing (sadly, Cesar Millan is still MIA).
Day Three: Venice
As your trip winds down, keep it a little closer to LAX and see a different side of California by visiting Venice Beach. A bit grown-up now, there are still pockets of this bohemian area which mix all the best elements of California: coastal charm, seasonal cuisine, and plenty of retail.
Where to Stay: Los Angeles traffic is notoriously bad. Because of this, sticking close to the airport on your final night can save you a lot of stress. The Hotel June feels nothing like those sad, slightly menacing hotels that seem to pop up around airports like black mold.
Where to Eat: With Santa Monica and Venice just a short Uber or car ride away, you have quite a few food options. The number one stop has to be Gjelina, a staple on Abbot Kinney Boulevard and Pinterest boards alike since 2008. With a seasonal approach to California cuisine, it’s delicious, a little overpriced, and will make you feel a little healthy. For a more vegetable-forward meal, go with the playfully misnomered The Butcher’s Daughter. Hit up Sinners & Saints Desserts for a pastry or grab a Japanese craft cocktail at Owa.
Where to Shop: Abbot Kinney is the main drag in Venice and offers a lot of appealing shops. Choose from Todd Snyder, Buck Mason, Madewell, and Faherty for yourself or hit up Huset, a Scandi-inspired home goods store with containers of candy and licorice, a nod to the lördagsgodis tradition.
