Los Angeles Travel Guide: Wellness Edition
I have always felt like Los Angeles holds a bit of magic and living there for over two years truly felt like some sort of pixie dust sprinkled dream. The pace of life in LA is just different than the east coast with long sunny soaked days, the percussion of Pacific Ocean waves and the majestic comfort of the surrounding mountains creating a calm and peaceful bubble that surrounds you like a deep exhale the moment you arrive. It is one of the places I feel most like myself in the entire world and a big reason for that I believe is because it is a place that is so laser focused on wellness.
Yes, there’s of course the pricey Erewhon juices and sound baths which are fun to do every once in awhile, but in LA you’ll also find free Spring Equinox ocean plunges with the lifeguard stand number as your only address and hikes where you can touch both mountains and oceans in the same stroll. It simply doesn’t get better than ending your day with your toes in the sand, a beach bonfire in front of you watching the sun dip below the ocean line and the sky fade from technicolor to waves of stars.
Los Angeles is truly the perfect place to visit for a relaxing and wellness fueled adventure and I have lots of recommendations of my favorites from my time there. To me, wellness is anything that fills your cup and so while you’ll find plenty of green juice spots and hikes on this list you’ll also find the greatest tacos, Chinese food and more because sometimes those are wellness needs too. - especially tacos which I consider an imperative to any wellness routine at this point.
Some of my favorite memories from Los Angeles can’t be found in the below recommendations though. Getting lost at the Universal Studio Lot after the Kelly Clarkson show and wandering into restricted spaces. Finding a late night food truck that serves up plates better than any Michelin star restaurant. Stumbling into a beach meditation or a crystal shop or a beachside concert and talking about ‘the vibes’ of everything and anything. All to say that the best part of traveling to LA or any city is to make some plans and leave yourself open to new experiences and paths along the way because you never know what you’ll discover.
As you puruse through this guide, I hope you’ll find some great places to start your adventure. Please remember that Los Angeles is huge and similar to New York or London or any large city you can really have any experience you choose. For the purposes of this guide, we’re focusing on my favorites which tend to be more on the west side (where I lived) and wellness leaning but if you’re looking for other recommendations please do not hesitate to reach out I would absolutely love to help plan any trip!
Share your favorite Los Angeles tips and recommendations below- I would love to hear!
Wellness
When you arrive in LA you are ushered into the land of green juice, crystals and kale salads. But beyond the Instagram sheen of wellness are some great spots that truly help you feel well.
This airy space with high quality massages and holistic skincare products in Santa Monica is great for just off the plane soreness. It’s pretty no frills but provides truly excellent massages.
My absolute favorite infrared sauna spot! Gorgeous infrared sauna rooms with therapeutic light and speakers as well as private showers for when you’re done sweating it out.
A house of healing in Venice that offers everything from energy medicine, massage and tea to cold plunges, saunas and more. Great for a date with the girls or some solo rejuvenation time.
Delicious overpriced juices and dusts you should indulge in at least once located in Venice.
Stop by for a free sample of bone broth, their beef one is especially delicious and you’ll feel nourished down to your bones. (see what I did there?)
Hopefully by now you’ve realized everything good is in Venice. Incredible facials with products made in California and both climate neutral and ocean positive. Definitely grab some products too!
Yes, the one you’ve seen all over Instagram. Is it overpriced and insane? Absolutely. Are their juices unforgettable. Sure are. Go to the one in Brentwood for less of a ‘scene’ and try to choose just one or two things to try. It’s fun but should not be where you do a full food shop.
Restaurants
Los Angeles, despite its reputation of celebrities who never eat, is filled with some pretty incredible food from Asian and Mexican to California Farm-to-Table and seafood aplenty.
My second favorite restaurant in LA with the dreamiest soup dumplings and most mouthwatering bok choy. Din Tai Fung is a global institution and only on the West Coast in the U.S. They have lots of locations but the Century City Mall one usually has plenty of seating and a short wait. Just go, you won’t regret it.
Vegan Mexican food in West Hollywood that doesn’t taste vegan. Find yourself here under twinkling lights in a bit of a scene-y spot where you might see an Instagram model or other celebrity. This is a great spot for a girls night and their food is fresh and interesting, I’d recommend their hearts of palm ceviche or roasted cauliflower mole.
Rooftop dining may be associated more with New York than LA but Margot in Culver City gives New York rooftops a run for their money. The open air chic space has awesome views but more than that their food and service is simply outstanding. Try any of their fresh fish dishes and don’t forget to get their wild arugula salad - delish!
In a little area on the west side called Sawtelle sits LA’s best ramen place which always has lines around the corner. They serve a type of ramen here that’s tsukemen-style which is a dipping broth (stewed for 48 hours) with noodles and toppings galore. It is hands down the best ramen I’ve ever had,
Though the Butcher’s Daughter is a chain, it doesn’t really get more LA than sipping a juice flight here and watching Angelenos go by on Abbot Kinney. The space is green filled and fashionable and the food especially for brunch is truly delicious though a tad bit pricey.
Another quintessential LA spot on Abbot Kinney, Great White has delicious brunch from avocado toast to yogurt bowls and is a very aesthetic experience.
I was devastated when I heard this fish shack on the side of the Malibu highway was impacted by wildfires. Luckily, they’ve rebuilt and are serving incredible seafood to everyone from celebrities to surfers to bike gangs. The fish is truly exceptional and the experience is a fun way to enter Malibu without all the pretense.
A little outside of LA whether you go to Malibu or Newport Beach is this little gem which is probably what you envision when you think of LA. Rattan lights sway against the ocean breeze and bright juices and acai bowls dot the tables around you. Great vibes. Great food. Pick up the cookbook if you can!
Gjelina has been around for quite some time and earned a serious reputation for unfussy California fresh food and baked goods that will have you coming back for more. Come for brunch or even better for sunset which transforms the space to something akin to magic.
In the heart of West Hollywood, Norah is definitely a fancier spot but one that is worth the trip. I came here for my company holiday party and have been dreaming about it ever since. The eclectic menu features a strong mocktail lineup as well as veggie and fish forward dishes like whipped ricotta and asparagus and yellowfin crudo that will leave you more than satisfied.
Named one of Eater’s best new restaurants in America, Felix in Venice deserves the title with unfussy and unhurried service and Italian dishes that are superbly, insanely good, that simple. I ate here when I was still eating gluten and their focaccia and pasta are dreamy.
This is the only spot on my list not really on the west side but Burbank, which is home to all the Hollywood studios, is hiding this incredible spot way way up in the hills. Castaway gives you a total 360 view of LA with cozy firepits and warm mocktails to keep you warm on chilly LA nights. The food is good but the views are absolutely spectacular and once in a lifetime.
I knew about Sweet Laurel long before I ever visited the shop in Pacific Palisades. When I first became gluten free & dairy free, Sweet Laurel cookbooks gave me hope that this GF/DF life could be just as good if not better than my life before. Their baked goods are absolutely dreamy and I would highly recommend both of their cookbooks which can be bought online or in the store.
It might be a chain but Van Leeuwen’s in Culver City is a must stop for their vegan ice cream and prime location on The Platform which has tons of cute boutique shops and almost feels like a slice of New York in the heart of LA. Try their vegan mint chip with a chocolate drizzle or their honeycomb.
Tacos
Yes, there is a section just for tacos. Los Angeles tacos are just that good and deserve a dedicated space to celebrate and appreciate their absolute greatness.
Two words: puffy tacos. Brentwood can be a fancy place but Thunderbird has a fun and casual atmosphere with the best puffy tacos that are addicting. Try their crispy chickpeas too!
A walk up taco shop right by UCLA’s campus with a playful and inventive menu like Vegan Bahn Mi or Korean BBQ. There space is cute but small so best for walking around or ordering for delivery.
I cannot express how much I love Tocaya. I would write poems to it. I love it so much that both work and my friends told me we needed to stop going there because it was my choice every single time. Absolutely delicious mexican food - their guacamole with pomegranates and plantain chips is absolute chef’s kiss. Great with allergies. If you only go to one place on this whole list let it be here.
Many locations but I love their Culver City one. Loqui is great for a quick bite with friends in a ‘central’ location (or as central as you can be on the west side of LA). Their spicy garlic shrimp taco is delicious.
At the Brentwood Farmers Market every Saturday there are the most incredible fresh fish tacos Ensenada serves up all day. I still dream about these tacos as well as the fresh pressed orange juice right across from them.
Things To Do
My favorite thing in the world to do in LA is go to the beach and while I put that on the recommendations below - I suppose I should also suggest some other things to do than be a total beach bum so here you go.
The Getty Museum might be on your LA list but don’t forget its sister property the stunning Getty Villa. The Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities are all really interesting but the show stopper is the gorgeous Roman-inspired grounds, great to spend an afternoon or stop by on your way to Malibu.
This is one of my favorite places in Los Angeles. These canals are over a century old and were an attempted recreation of the ones in Italy. The houses here are absolutely charming and you can spend awhile seeing all the unique touches homeowners put along the path. Pro tip: Follow the bridges through the canals toward the street closest to the ocean - it’s a great way to get an uncrowded spot on the beach.
My favorite farmers market in LA, not only does it have delicious produce and awesome food stands but it’s great for celebrity spotting, checking out the stunning homes that surround it and is probably the only farmers market you’ll see a Nordstrom Personal Shopping stand at. As stated above, the fish tacos and orange juice are the stars here.
While not technically in Los Angeles, Zuma Beach in Malibu is well worth the short trip. The views are stunning here from the mountains to the sea and there’s usually plenty of space to lounge or take a small hike. Don’t forget to stop by the Malibu Country Mart and Neptune’s Net while you’re there.
I’m not really an art museum enthusiast but I loved LACMA which in addition to its light installation outside its doors has some incredible experiential and modern art that is worth spending a hot or rainy afternoon to see.
Nice and fairly easy hike to the observatory where you can explore the planetarium and many exhibits of the most visited public observatory in the world. It’s also a nice spot for a picnic.
Shopping
California is expensive and so is the shopping. However, there’s a few great shopping experiences to recommend if you’re looking to do so.
I generally avoid malls as much as I possibly can but Century City is completely different. It’s beautiful with greenery and lounge space and a peacefulness that makes me crave going back again and again. Really any store you’d want here in addition to a lot of celebrity pop ups and activations as well as the GOAT Din Tai Fung but simply go for the experience- you won’t regret it.
So many of the recommendations on this list sit on Abbot Kinney in Venice and it’s where you can find chain stores like Farm Rio and All Birds as well as amazing boutiques like Tumbleweed & Dandelion. It is the best of all worlds here with a great food truck scene as well.
In Culver City (and other locations), this incredible greenery shop feels like you’ve stumbled into a magical forest. With flower arrangement bars, venue space and more this is a favorite among celebrities and I really enjoy all the unique plants they have in this space as well as antique items (for national shipping!)
Day & Weekend Trips
If you’re in Los Angeles a little longer there are some great spots driving distance away for an easy day trip or full weekend. If you can only choose one, my vote would be Santa Barbara, it has my heart.
Head along Highway 1 for about an hour and a half to reach a gorgeous city that is brimming with insane houses, great fresh food and beautiful beaches and blooms. I love Santa Barbara and would highly recommend Arroyo Burro Beach (and the hike right above it), Olio e Limone for dinner and McConnells for dessert!
Slightly north of Santa Barbara sits a little town called Los Olivos famous for olive oil and at the start of what is known as Southern California’s Napa. Cute restaurants and wineries dot downtown and the revived Inn at Mattei’s Tavern now owned by the Auberge is a great spot to stay overnight or for the weekend if you choose with olive oil making classes, fresh dishes picked from the garden and the dreamiest rooms.
For a day trip or a full weekend, Malibu is as fantastic as Malibu Barbie and Miley Cyrus has made it seem. Recommendations above for Zuma Beach and Neptune’s Net but from celebrity spotting at Nobu to watching surfers at sunrise on the beach there’s plenty for everyone to do no matter what you’re in the mood for.
Ventura, Irvine, Costa Mesa and a few other small towns make up Orange County (yes- Seth and Summer’s home) just south of LA. Head to the shopping center around Malibu Farm Pier for some great boutique finds or head to the beach for a bonfire to watch the sunset.
I’ve never been to Joshua Tree - the pandemic shut down my planned trip but every single person who I know who has been said it is unforgettable, especially the stars at night. Natural Sisters Cafe for brunch, Untamed Yoga Studio and Method Ritual + Spa are on my wellness list to visit once I can get here.
It takes about 3 hours to get to San Diego on Amtrak but you speed by the ocean nearly the whole time and it’s just beautiful. I came to San Diego early in my LA days for a school trip for Nick and loved the experience. Definitely try to take a catamaran out on the water and stop by Flower Child a favorite for healthy eats.
Unique Experiences
From the weird and wonderful to the wellness wild, here are a few experiences I’d recommend if you want to go a little bit off the beaten track.
Stay with me here. If you are there during the season and can get a ticket, UCLA Gymnastics is a way to see former and current gold medal winning Olympians at a fraction of the cost. They are absolutely incredible and a day on UCLA’s campus where they filmed pretty much every school scene ever in Hollywood is simply spectacular.
This collective offers unique music experiences anywhere from the top of a mountain to the middle of a lake. The concert I went into was in the mountains of Malibu at a private ranch at sunset and it was a completely unforgettable experience.
Don’t Tell Comedy is actually located across the U.S. but I love the shows in LA. Essentially you sign up for a secret show and get sent the location the night of the performance. Ours was on the rooftop of Madame Tussaud’s in Hollywood and was a secretive and hilarious night.
I haven’t been to this but desperately want to go. Reiki master and intuitive Jessica Stone offers equinox beach meditations and ocean plunges at the turn of every season and they look unforgettably awesome.
General Tips
Los Angeles is such a dreamy place to visit if you know how to do it correctly. Here are a few tips that will help your stay there be even more seamless and wonderful.
Rent a car: Los Angeles is not a walking city and there is no ‘center city’ to speak of so I would highly recommend a car to get around. Ubers can get quite expensive, especially in traffic and public transportation is pretty limited so a car will make it a lot easier to go see all the places you want to for the most minimal cost.
Time your exploring: A short 20 minute drive can easily become 2-3 hours in LA traffic. Use Google Maps to estimate how long it will take you to get from place to place at a certain time and then time your adventuring accordingly so you don’t spend too much time sitting in traffic (although it is kind of an LA right of passage).
Know your non-negotiables: LA is so so much bigger than we think it is and I say that after living there for over two years. There’s no way you can do everything you want in just one trip so be laser focused on your non-negotiables and stick to them!
Be prepared: Though unlikely, earthquakes and wildfires are a possibility in LA. Know what to do for both of them just like you’d prepare for a snowstorm or a hurricane at another location.
Celebrity spotting tips: I’ve definitely seen more celebrities in New York than LA but if you want to celebrity spot you’re best off going to celeb hot spots restaurants or hanging out in Burbank during a workday rather than taking one of the celebrity spotting tours.
Get lost: Los Angeles is a place of true adventure and getting lost is part of the fun! Ditch the map, explore a new neighborhood and see what you can find. So many treasures await!
Health coach, meditation teacher, reiki master and woman on a mission to help you live life on your terms.
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