The Best LA Recs—From a Local
A guest post on the city that needs it most. ❤️
If you’re reading this, I’m currently gallivanting around India with my family—so this week, you’ll be hearing from the incredible
. Alexa is an LA-based video editor, content creator, and half of the popular Substack. She’s one of my favorite people online, and I’m truly honored to have her join us for this guest post.When we originally connected about a guest feature on Los Angeles, the devastating wildfires there hadn’t happened yet—but it feels fitting that we’re able to spotlight this beautiful city in this week’s edition. (A fun fact is that I did a hybrid masters program in LA and graduated in Malibu—this feels very close to home for me, too. ❤️🩹) If you’re planning to go (or want to), I hope Alexa’s recommendations resonate with you.
And if you’re able, here are a few organizations we both recommend supporting in the LA area—they’ll need sustained relief for weeks to come:
😷 CORE Response offering cash vouchers, masks, and hygiene kits to those affected
🐕 The Labelle Foundation, a local animal rescue
Now, over to a conversation with Alexa!
A Love Letter to Los Angeles: Q&A Edition
(As an editor’s note: We’ve kept her answers the same as they were before the wildfires, as these are areas that will still need sustained and continued support.)
Q: Alexa, before we get into specific recommendations: Prior to your work now and collaborating with your sister (or should I say seester?), you actually used to be a flight attendant, so you've traveled much of the world in a way. What are some interesting insights or tips you have from that time when it comes to traveling as a solo woman?
A: Gosh, I’m so thankful for that time in my life. Travel has been such an important teacher, especially because I did it in my mid-20s, a time when I was really figuring out who I was. One of the most important lessons I learned came from the fact that I had never been out of the country before. Traveling—especially solo—is such a formative experience. It exposes you to people, cultures, and languages that are so different from your own, and it changes you forever.
One of my biggest tips is to make at least one local friend wherever you go. I had no choice because I was the only flight attendant on these trips, so I literally had no one else to hang out with. But meeting people from those cities gave me amazing insights into their culture and country—not to mention the best food recommendations. I still keep in touch with so many of them!
In the U.S., there’s this mentality that it’s dangerous for women to travel the world, but as long as you stay aware and keep your wits about you, it’s such a fulfilling and freeing experience.
Q: You've lived in Los Angeles for a while now, and it can get pretty busy. When you're in need of a local recharge, where do you go in the city?
A: Malibu—it’s where I met my partner Kendell. The drive to Malibu is always breathtaking whether you’re winding through the canyons or cruising along PCH. California has the best sunsets, and whenever I need to recenter, I head up the coast to Point Dume or Zuma Beach and watch a beautiful sunset.
Q: How about when you need a quick getaway? Where would you head that's within driving distance to LA? What recs do you have in that place?
A: That’s what I love about LA—and California in general—anything you want or need is just a drive away. Personally, I’d recommend two places that are completely different but equally incredible. First, the San Bernardino Mountains: Places like Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear are absolutely stunning and offer a respite from the LA air lol. Kendell and I rented a Getaway cabin up there for New Year’s last year, and it was one of my favorite trips ever.
On the other end of the spectrum is Joshua Tree—such a special place with breathtaking landscapes, unique plant life, and all the vibes. Renting a quiet Airbnb and stargazing at night is the perfect way to recharge and spend a weekend outside of LA.
Q: Any neighborhoods you specifically love for exploring or relaxing in?
A: I’m biased because I live on the Westside but I truly love it over here. There’s so many incredible neighborhood pockets with good vibes, shopping, and food. If I venture out, I love the Valley, specifically Sherman Oaks and Studio City. I lived there for 4 years and the vintage shops and thrifting is top notch. It’s also home to some of the best food in the city. If I had to choose an area outside of the Westside, it would Silverlake/Los Feliz. These are some of the coolest neighborhoods in LA with some of the cutest restaurants and cafes.
Q: You are big on the arts: You make videos and content for a living, you're a huge movie buff, etc. What media-based sights around LA would you tell everyone to add to their list, beyond the basics?
A: I LOVE this question. LA’s combination of art and film culture is unmatched. For the art crowd, there are so many incredible places to explore. The Hammer Museum and The Broad are two of my favorite museums—they always have such cool and thought-provoking exhibits. I’m also obsessed with the Getty Villa—it’s like being transported to Italy, with beautiful gardens and a collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities dating back to 6,500 BC.
For the film lovers, I feel like LA offers endless opportunities. Cinespia is one of my absolute favorite experiences—classic films are screened at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and you get to picnic with snacks and drinks under the stars. It’s seriously life changing.
While they might seem a little cliche, the Hollywood Heritage Museum and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures are must visits. Both are rich with history and filled with incredible exhibits and things like archival costumes.
There are also so many unique theater experiences. Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema is a gem, showcasing classic, cult, and indie films on 35mm or 16mm film. Another favorite is the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo, where you can watch silent films accompanied by live organ music—it’s a truly magical, old-school experience.
Q: Share your high-level itinerary for 2-3 days in the LA area if it was totally up to you.
☀️ Day 1: Westside Food and Sun
Breakfast: Start your day at Gjusta for a fresh, artisanal breakfast, or just grab coffee (specifically the Spanish Latte) at Menotti’s in Venice.
Morning Activity: Walk, bike, or roller skate along the Venice boardwalk and enjoy the atmosphere and people-watching.
Afternoon Fun: Head to the Santa Monica Pier and be a kid again. Play some games, ride the roller coaster or Ferris wheel, and grab a bite at
Late Afternoon Relaxation: Unwind with a massage or facial at Surya Spa—the perfect way to recharge.
Dinner: End the day with a delicious Italian dinner at Ospi in Venice.
🏞️ Day 2: Eastside Love
Breakfast: Start with coffee at Maru Coffee or grab breakfast at Courage Bagels in Silver Lake for some of the best bagels in the city.
Morning Activity: Spend the morning strolling Hillhurst Avenue or Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz. These streets are perfect for boutique shopping and soaking in the local vibe.
Lunch: Stop at Little Dom’s for a cozy, Italian-American lunch in Los Feliz.
Afternoon Relaxation: Take some time to relax with a good book or good company at Lake Hollywood Park, which offers incredible views of the Hollywood Sign.
Evening Drive and Dinner: Drive through the scenic hills, and end the day with dinner at Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks—my favorite restaurant in LA.
🌴 Day 3: Escape to the Bu
Breakfast: Start your morning at Malibu Farm on the pier — fresh breakfast with unbeatable ocean views.
Morning Hike: Choose between a hike at Solstice Canyon or Escondido Falls for some peaceful time in nature.
Lunch: Treat yourself to lunch at Geoffrey’s Malibu, a classic spot with gorgeous coastal views and delicious food.
Afternoon at the Beach: Spend the rest of the day at Zuma Beach. Relax, swim, or just enjoy the sun while unwinding by the ocean.
Sunset and Dinner: Watch a breathtaking Malibu sunset, then end your trip with dinner at Nobu Malibu for world-class sushi, or Soho House Malibu if you know someone who can get you in.
Let’s rapid fire:
Your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant: Anajak Thai (it used to be a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall secret but now it’s award winning)
Your date night destination with Kendell: Uovo or Ramen Nagi
Your go-to for self-care that doesn't break the bank: a hot stone massage at Vela
Your preferred place to enjoy nature: Descanso Gardens
Your one "no one knows about this place but everyone should" destination in LA: Tiny’s, our local dive bar. It has one of the best film photo booths in the city
Your local coffee shop that's perfect for reading, writing, or people-watching: Kiff Kafe
Your place to work when you need to get out of the house (WFH girlies know): Kiff Kafe or the Santa Monica Public Library
Where you'd take your four cats on an adventure if you could: The beach but they would hate me
Q: Last question: Something I really admire about you and Ashley is how you'll often spotlight how to give back or organizations doing good work. Is there any org you'd like to plug?
A: No matter where I travel, I always come back home to the U.S., and I want this country to progress alongside the rest of the world. We’re often told that other countries aren’t safe for women, but honestly, lately, it doesn’t feel like this country is either. Especially with Trump’s second term, it’s more important than ever to invest in ourselves and our communities.
Supporting organizations like Run for Something, which provides resources, mentorship, and funding for first-time candidates to get involved in politics, is crucial. Likewise, She the People, which focuses on grassroots candidates and building political power for women of color across the U.S., plays a vital role in creating lasting change. Now is the time to act and invest in the future we want to see.
🏀 For ballin’ on a budget, CN Traveler shared the cheapest places to travel in 2025 where the USD will go a long way. I always recommend being mindful of over-tourism and gentrifying areas as visitors, but there are some good ones here to consider—can attest to at least five of ‘em!
📗 I’ve been reading The Covenant of Water in anticipation of/while in India, and wow, it is so good. I’m late to the game since it came out in 2023, but highly recommend.
📺 There’s so much good television out right now, perfect for downloading while you travel: Abbott Elementary, Sex Lives of College Girls season 3, Severance, The Traitors…the list goes on.
💊 I’ve been taking these probiotics while traveling and they are fantastic—and much more affordable than the other ~millennial-branded~ probiotics out there.
See you next week! —Henah xx
 | A guest post by
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Hope you’re having the best time in India — sans getting sick 😭😭❤️
This was so much fun to read!!! I looooove when people love where they live! I've never lived somewhere that I've loved (sobs. one day I will) and so it warms my heart to feel the energy of love for where you live! Thank you for this, Alexa + Henah! 🫶