LA Highlights + Travel Guide
I am excited to share some highlights from our recent LA trip, written as a travel guide. It’s always fun exploring a mix of hotels, coffee shops and museums whenever we find ourselves in town. My sister and I both attended college in LA and love seeing the new and changing faces of this city.
Stay | Hotel Figueroa
I was kindly invited to stay at this property and experience what is known to locals as “The Fig”. A revitalized property in DTLA, this hotel is known for its history as a female-founded hotel for female travelers. Now it’s a hip place with Spanish-inspired interior, a delicious continental breakfast, cozy accommodations, and a pool.
Stay | The Nomad Hotel
For a change of scenery, we headed to the NoMad Hotel just down the ways in DTLA. A chic property with moody interiors inspired by Italian influences, the NoMad blends old with new by taking residence in a historical building previously known as the Bank of Italy Building. The accommodations were clean and pleasant, and we were big fans of their heated rooftop pool and bar. I would recommend staying here!
Coffee | Dayglow
Exploring the city’s coffee shop scene is one of my favorite things to do in LA. We were big fans of Dayglow, a chill cafe just down the street from where we had lunch at Pine + Crane. I tried their vegan doughnut (delicious, would get it again) with their Moon Indigo drink, a creative concoction with hibiscus-distilled coffee with coconut cream. Definitely a unique way to caffeinated!
Tea | Kumquat Coffee + tea
We knew we’d like this place just by hearing the name! The area this shop was in didn’t seem too exciting (to us at least, as visitors), but this shop was so cute and had a large selection of teas and coffees. I especially loved this hojicha tea with oat milk. Thank goodness for places with milk alternatives. I couldn’t survive without!
SNACK | BOTTEGA LOUIE
A must stop when in DTLA. This huge patisserie is just kitty corner to NoMad, which was very convenient. I’ve only ever tried their macarons, but their desserts look perfect for special occasions.
EAT | Hatch Yakitori
Stumbled on this place while exploring DTLA. Definitely a fan of their monochrome aesthetic and their yakitori was reasonably priced and delicious. We had a bunch of tapas and I couldn’t take photos of all of them. Would recommend!
EAT | Pine + Crane
Nowadays whenever we’re in LA we have to go to Pine + Crane. My parents are Taiwanese, and so this really reminds me of the traditional Taiwanese home-cooked meals my momma prepares for us. Their Beef Noodle Soup is to die for, as with their seaweed greens, and pan-fried buns. I don’t think you could order a wrong dish off their menu. Plus, their restaurant decor is just on fleek.
Play | The Broad
While we didn’t have the patience to wait to get into the Infinity Room this time, this place was a great place to explore modern art and and installations. Visit on a non-weekend day — it’s obviously a lot less crowded!
Play | Melrose
I always love going to Melrose Place for pretty sights + eats. Home to Alfred Coffee and Tea, Mansur Gavriel, Mejuri, A.P.C., and Lauree, this place has so many fun wanders!
