Planning a trip to Los Angeles can feel overwhelming. This sprawling city offers endless attractions, from iconic beaches to vibrant urban neighborhoods. For our week-long Los Angeles Travel adventure, we decided to focus on the coastal charm of Malibu and Santa Monica, using the latter as our home base to explore further. Having both lived in LA previously, we were excited to rediscover familiar haunts and uncover new gems. Even a week barely scratches the surface of what Los Angeles has to offer, so we curated a list of must-see spots and dived into a few distinct neighborhoods.
Los Angeles Sunset Views
We quickly realized that navigating Los Angeles is best approached neighborhood by neighborhood. Traffic is a significant factor, so choosing a central location and venturing out to explore specific areas each day is key to a relaxed and enjoyable trip. While based in Santa Monica for its walkability and ocean proximity, we carved out time to experience the unique vibes of Silver Lake and Los Feliz, areas we’re eager to explore more deeply on future Los Angeles travel. Downtown LA and West Hollywood’s renowned dining scenes are already on our list for a return visit, perhaps during a kid-free getaway!
This trip also marked our first road trip with our little one. After a few nights in Malibu (explore our Malibu travel guide), Santa Monica provided the perfect balance for our family adventure. Here’s a glimpse into our Los Angeles travel itinerary, highlighting where we stayed, delicious restaurants we discovered, and standout things to do in each neighborhood. Get ready to be inspired by LA’s incredible design, diverse culinary scene, and captivating neighborhoods.
Los Angeles City View from the Hills
Where to Stay in Los Angeles: Santa Monica Proper Hotel and Beyond
Choosing the right accommodation is crucial for your Los Angeles travel experience. For this trip, design and location were paramount. After extensive research, the Santa Monica Proper Hotel emerged as the ideal choice. Its stunning design and strategic location proved to be perfect for exploring various pockets of LA, including Venice, West Hollywood, and Brentwood, all within a reasonable driving distance from Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel Room Interior Design
Santa Monica Proper Hotel: A Design-Forward Stay
The Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a Kelly Wearstler masterpiece, is truly a standout. Wearstler’s signature style, known for its eclectic mix of textures and tones, is evident throughout the hotel. The lobby and Palma, the downstairs restaurant, are incredibly inviting spaces, perfect for relaxing, enjoying a meal, or even catching up on work. Calabra, the rooftop restaurant and pool area, is another must-visit, offering stunning views – reservations are highly recommended.
Our experience at the Proper was exceptional. The hospitality was top-notch, and our room was incredibly comfortable and stylish. It served as a luxurious and well-located base for our Los Angeles travel explorations.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel Room Details
FIND THE BEST RATES FOR THE SANTA MONICA PROPER HERE
Other Los Angeles Hotel Options We Considered:
While the Santa Monica Proper was our final choice, we also considered these excellent hotels for our Los Angeles travel:
- Palihouse Santa Barbara
- Shutters on the Beach
- The LINE Hotel
- The West Hollywood EDITION
- Silverlake Pool & Inn
Los Angeles Travel: Things to Do and Restaurants by Neighborhood
Over four days, we explored a wide range of Los Angeles neighborhoods, perhaps a bit ambitiously! However, it gave us a fantastic overview of the city and helped us pinpoint areas we want to delve into further on future Los Angeles travel. Our explorations were largely driven by our interests in food, design, and architecture. To help you plan your Los Angeles travel, we’ve organized our recommendations by neighborhood, keeping in mind that location is key due to LA’s notorious traffic.
Sidecar Doughnuts Los Angeles
Santa Monica & Nearby: Coastal Delights
Staying in Santa Monica allowed us to fully embrace the downtown area’s walkability and easily access fantastic restaurants. Here are some highlights from our Santa Monica explorations:
Sidecar Doughnuts: Prepare for a line, but trust us, it’s worth the wait! Sidecar Doughnuts is a must-try in Santa Monica. Their unique and seasonal flavors are simply irresistible.
Sushi Tsujita Restaurant Exterior
Sushi Tsujita (Omakase Lunch): Our omakase lunch at Sushi Tsujita was undoubtedly one of the best meals of our week-long Los Angeles travel. Recognized as one of LA’s top sushi spots, their lunch omakase offers an accessible way to experience their culinary artistry. No reservations are needed, making it a convenient and delicious option.
Sushi Chef at Tsujita
Tsujita Annex (Ramen): Just down the street from Sushi Tsujita, you’ll find Tsujita Annex, specializing in ramen. This spot served up some of the best ramen we’ve had in the US, and we highly recommend trying their dipping ramen.
Palma Restaurant Breakfast at Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Calabra at the Proper (Dinner): A reservation at Calabra is essential for your Los Angeles travel itinerary. Arrive early for sunset drinks and soak in the panoramic views stretching from the Getty Center to the ocean on a clear day. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features flavorful and beautifully presented dishes.
Calabra Bar Area at Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Palma at the Proper (Breakfast): Palma provides a lovely setting for breakfast. Their avocado toast was a particular highlight.
Santa Monica Beach Stroll: Take advantage of sunny days and stroll down to Santa Monica Beach. It’s perfect for a long walk or even spending a relaxing day by the ocean.
Other Recommended Spots (Unvisited): For future Los Angeles travel, we have Little Prince LA, Tartine, goodboybob coffee roasters, Cassia, SUGARFISH, and Birdie G’s saved on our list.
Venice: Canals and Coastal Vibes
A short trip south from Santa Monica brings you to the unique neighborhood of Venice.
Great White Restaurant Venice Beach
Great White (Breakfast): We ventured to Venice one morning for breakfast at Great White. Even shortly after opening, it was bustling. Their breakfast burrito and overnight oats were so good we would have happily returned if time allowed.
Breakfast Burrito at Great White Venice
Venice Canals Walk: Yes, it’s touristy, but the Venice Canals are undeniably charming. The picturesque homes and tranquil atmosphere make for a delightful stroll.
Abbot Kinney Shopping: Abbot Kinney Boulevard is packed with trendy boutiques and restaurants. If shopping is on your Los Angeles travel agenda, this is the place to be.
Other Recommended Spots (Unvisited): Chulita, Dudley Market, Gran Blanco, Gjusta, and The Butcher’s Daughter are on our Venice list for next time.
Los Feliz + Silver Lake: Hipster Havens
Venturing east, we dedicated a day to exploring Los Feliz and Silver Lake, two of LA’s coolest neighborhoods.
Maru Coffee: Maru Coffee was a standout coffee shop during our Los Angeles travel. We especially loved the SANSO LA flower store pop-up located next door, adding to the area’s charm.
Pine & Crane (Lunch): Pine & Crane, a Taiwanese eatery, provided one of the best lunches of our trip. It felt like stepping back into Taipei! Their steamed buns are a must-order if available.
Neutra VDL Studio and Residence Tour: Los Angeles is an architecture lover’s paradise, and several iconic homes offer tours. As Neutra enthusiasts, we booked a tour of his Silver Lake residence and studio. Though brief, it was a fascinating experience.
Other Recommended Spots (Unvisited): Ceviche Project, Kismet, Dinosaur Coffee, Botanica Restaurant, and Silverlake Ramen are on our list for future Los Angeles travel in these neighborhoods.
Don’t Miss: The Getty Center and Shoppe Amber Interiors
Beyond neighborhood explorations, we made time for a couple of other notable Los Angeles experiences.
The Getty Center: We dedicated an entire afternoon to the Getty Center, and it was well worth it. The expansive grounds, stunning city views, impressive art collections, and beautiful gardens make it a must-visit. It’s also a very family-friendly Los Angeles travel destination.
Shoppe Amber Interiors: As fans of home decor, a stop at Shoppe Amber Interiors was essential. We visited their Pacific Palisades location and picked up a few home items. As a partner, you can use the discount code “JWRIGHT15” for 15% off online or in-store purchases.
Plan Your Los Angeles Travel
Los Angeles is a city of endless discovery. While a week provides a taste of its diverse neighborhoods and attractions, there’s always more to explore. From the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice to the trendy enclaves of Silver Lake and Los Feliz, each area offers a unique slice of LA life. Start planning your Los Angeles travel adventure today and experience the best of Southern California!
