Marie's Tip

Reservations open up a month in advance. It’s hard to get into at peak hours, but you can sometimes score an early (4 pm) or late (9 pm) res and it is completely worth it. I often make last-minute reservations around 4:30 pm since I live close by. They've won countless awards and there are crates of wine bottles everywhere. The chef, who they call grandma, is still there alongside chef Justin Pichetrungsi (her nephew), and the food is absolutely amazing. They have a Thai Taco Tuesday that is walk-in only with just the Thai Taco Tuesday menu available (not the regular) if you really want to try something adventurous and fun. It is worth the drive to Sherman Oaks, I promise it's a lot of reward for a little extra effort.

Marie's Tip

Located in the most unassuming and dated-looking strip mall is a restaurant worth alllllll the hype! It feels very random when you first pull up but behind the double doors is one of the cities best kept culinary secrets. It’s always packed and I would not suggest just showing up without a rez but sometimes you can get lucky with a last-minute day of table right when the doors open at 5:30. I suggest one dish from each course for a party of two (maybe two fresh pastas if you’re starving or just adventurous). The focaccia bread starter is heaven… light, fluffy, and just the perfect pinch of salt on top and you can choose your dipping sauce to pair with it. The interior is so charming and dimly lit making it the perfect date night or catching up with a friend.

Marie's Tip

Betula feels very European in comparison to other Aspen dining experiences. The main dining room is very romantic but they also have a live dj that plays cool mellow house/lounge music in the side room adding a fun ambiance to your dining experience.

Marie's Tip

One of my favorite experiences at Mother Wolf is the Amaro cart that is pushed around by the white jacket wait staff offering an incredible assortment of about 30 different flavors. The somm is able to guide you through them upon request. Don't let it pass you by! Many celebrities frequent this spot, so keep an eye out for some of your favorites! Mark Wahlberg recommends the meatballs and lamb dish.

Marie's Tip

This restaurant is settled in the Arts District near the Soho warehouse crowd, which has plenty to explore. Nearby, you can also explore light shopping, art galleries, and one of my favorite ice cream spots, Salt and Straw on 3rd Street, for something sweet or Death and Co. bar. If you are still thirsty, though, you will need to plan ahead with a rez for that.

Marie's Tip

Reservations are required at this infamous party lodge. The après-ski party starts around 2:30 PM and guests must be 21 or older to enter. If you're staying at one of the higher end hotels, you might be able to tip your concierge generously for an in. If you don't ski, they offer weekly dinners, allowing you to arrive via a public open-snowcat! You can book private dinners with a minimum of 18 people in advance.

Marie's Tip

If you're looking for the best buzzy vibes, I recommend booking downstairs but I strongly suggest making your reservation in advance. You likely will not make it in otherwise as this location is always packed. Reservations for the downstairs dining room can be made up to 30 days in advance.

Marie's Tip

The entrance can be easy to miss as Scratch restaurants are not loud in any way. The experiences are always intimate, illusive, and full of fun twists. The counter itself holds only 12 people and there are only about 2 other tables for parties of 6 max. Each dish changes on a regular basis. However, they always present the food in fun and inventive ways. Feel free to ask the staff any questions... They are approachable, fun to talk to, and know every detail inside and out. The main chef is Philip and his wife, Margarita, is a pastry chef who does all the bread and sweets.

Marie's Tip

Perfect place to end a day spent in WeHo or the Pacific Design Center. Keep your ears open for their nightly DJ to be transported to another world.

Marie's Tip

Because this restaurant is in the open-air center of a building courtyard, you will be outside in the sun, which usually feels really fresh! However, if there is a bit of a chill in the air, they very thoughtfully offer blankets. Don't miss the blueberry ricotta pancakes on the brunch menu, a local favorite recipe brought over from a once-famous LA brunch spot, BLD restaurant.

Marie's Tip

My favorite is the coconut water juice mixed with the "banana manna" blend of almonds and banana - I love how light it is while still filling you up. The blend is so refreshing after a workout or hike, and the coconut water makes you feel rehydrated instantly! If you are visiting, I would recommend grabbing a couple of flavors to leave in your hotel fridge for easy and healthy things to snack on during your visit. They also offer shots of wheatgrass and E3Live. It's a very tiny shop (almost just a counter) with no seating. It's very locals only, with a cult following.

Marie's Tip

As a health-conscious person, I often struggle when traveling to find places to eat that have simple and healthy ingredients. If you're tired of eating out and need a break from the butter, oil, and alcohol but are still away from home, this is a great place to break up your meals, especially if you have a big dinner planned for later in the evening. The quality of the vegetables and meat is outstanding, rivaling some of the best farmer's markets in LA. The salads are large, super clean, and flavorful. They also have amazing vegetarian and vegan options. I would recommend ordering to go or delivery so you can keep your day rolling, but you can eat there as well.

Marie's Tip

There is a lot to unpack with this restaurant, and it will leave you thinking about every detail long after your visit. The grand structure is a vision, and I was told that the waffle-like steel piece does not even attach to the building but is more like a sheet atop it. The brutalist garden is also a very cool place to start your experience and is revisited later in other forms. It was really beautiful to witness this interior upon sunset as the changing light in the space created so much natural mood and emotion. My favorite drink was a white carrot, lychee, and sake yeast concoction, which was mind-blowing. The director of hospitality, Cody, is also there to walk you through bottle selections should you want to go that route. Note there is no wine list, just curated options pre-chosen to reflect the most important part of the experience: the food! Plan to get there slightly before your reservation, and take your time with EVERYTHING!

Marie's Tip

I consider it a total win when I can eat pizza this good and not feel bad about my decision afterward. This place was so great, I went back a second time within a week of my first visit! With such fresh ingredients and thoughtfully designed dishes, you can actually leave feeling just the right amount of full before checking out the funky shops around you at the Row if you come for lunch. Dinners can be harder to swing a rez so make sure you plan ahead before driving downtown. If you want to slip in last minute, you can usually land a table for lunch right when they open, weekends included. They also have a few menu additions beyond what is listed on their site.

Marie's Tip

Horses is an LA hotspot where the food and the crowd are both the highlight. It definitely draws in the celebrity and entertainment powerhouse crowd into the later part of the evening. The endive Ceasar salad and Burger are what they are known for (which you can also get the burger protein style) but you really can't miss just the simple bread and butter either. The butter is made in-house daily from a local dairy farm and the bread comes from the new local superstar bakery Bubs and Grandmas. Every dining room is super unique if you're looking for a cool vibe and the cocktails are fantastic. I strongly recommend reservations in advance as this place gets super busy!

Marie's Tip

A wonderful spot for a super indulgent lunch with the girls during your Rodeo shopping day. The experience is truly immersive into the world of Gucci above the flagship store on a private open-air terrace. If you enjoy top-notch service, this place will not disappoint. The meal is full service and has some wonderful cocktails and an extensive wine list. You can order both a la carte if you want a light lunch, or enjoy a full chef's tasting menu if you want to go all out. The menu is super approachable but truly delightful. If you happen to have one of your minis with you, I would suggest one of their fun mocktails and the hamburger and fries that are served playfully in pink to-go box on a decadent porcelain plate that is super fun for any little girl. I would recommend making your reservation in advance as they can book out quickly, particularly on weekends.

Marie's Tip

The penne vodka pasta is their signature dish and not only have critics writing about its rivally to Carbone's, but I can confirm this as well. It's absolutely outstanding! Also, another personal favorite is the stuffed peppers. This year-old neighborhood hotspot has truly captured the hearts of locals. From the super cute interior design to the quality of every dish, Donna's is the epitome of a perfect meal. Reservations can be difficult to get so be sure to be on it at 10 am two weeks before your desired res date. While it says on their site that they accept walk-ins, the wait can be up to two hours and people are just crazy enough to do it. A sneaky way to secure a spot is to line up around 4:30 just before they open to snag a first seating walk-in table. This place is something special.

Marie's Tip

This is definitely one of the BEST brunch spots in LA. The food and ambiance are equally amazing! They have an incredible selection of American whiskeys and other spirits with one of the best-curated back bars in Los Angeles called Old Man Bar which is located on-site. There is a highlight on both current and sought-after releases from different distilleries and the lodge-esque vibe is met through all vinyl music, a fireplace, and taxidermy adorning the walls.

Marie's Tip

Few places in LA are as iconic as the Ivy and it has become an essential part of the evolution of dining in the city. Its legacy for power lunching and celebrity sightings makes it fun for locals and visitors alike. It's a place you should come to at least once. The menu is less focused but in an easy, something-for-everyone kind of way. I love the grilled vegetable salad for a light mid-day meal with no fuss which has been on the menu since the restaurant opened. They have a wonderful front patio which is my preferred place to sit and soak in the sun and maybe enjoy some light eavesdropping ;)

Marie's Tip

This is my super cute WeHo caffeine pitstop! Their most popular drink, which is also my favorite, is the Purple Drink with lavender which you can add matcha on top of that cuts the sweetness nicely for a balanced drink. In addition to dairy milk, they also offer an array of dairy-free milk options (coconut, macadamia, almond, oat) which your barista can walk you through when blending your drinks that can change the flavors dramatically. It’s super fun to try new things every time you go! They also have a soft serve machine which is super refreshing on a hot day and a few fresh toasts if you want a lighter snack. There is a cute patio to sit at if it’s a nice day and you aren’t in a rush!

Marie's Tip

Whether you enjoy antiques and new modern decor, there are plenty of interior design stalls to gain inspiration from, so be sure to check out each individual building for everything they have to offer!

Marie's Tip

Dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they’re leashed! So feel free to bring your furry friend along for the adventure.

Marie's Tip

Hauser & Worth Art Gallery is super cool with a great cute date night restaurant in the middle called Manuela. The food is farm to table and culinary garden people can walk through. It’s very clean and nice so it doesn’t have that typical gritty feeling you get downtown.

Marie's Tip

Featured at The Row every Sunday that features different vendors and a produce market. I like going and trying a bunch of different things, there’s a ton of cultural food and everything is bite-sized so you can try a bunch of different things.

Marie's Tip

Drive through a quiet neighborhood of beautiful homes until you end at the nature preserve where you can walk down to a remote beach. It's way more private than most beaches in Malibu because you have to know it’s there since it’s in a neighborhood. The more north you go in Malibu, the more beautiful it gets because it’s more rural. There’s a small area for public parking. It’s all cliff-lined and offers a completely different experience between the bluffs vs. the stretch of sand. You can see up and down the coast, it’s a cool vantage point. There are four private gates to get down to even an even more remote and locals-only beach called Little Dume but you can only get access through the HOA. The Big Dume nature preserve is the only public access down but once on the beach, you can walk along the shoreline.

Marie's Tip

They have the best farmer's market in the mornings every Wednesday and Sunday that features lots of organic farm products and tons of variety to sample. Other highlights of the area Larchmont Wine and Cheese which makes an incredible deli sandwich that is super popular among locals as well as Credo, a clean beauty boutique. If you're looking for a more upscale food experience, I would suggest Great White or Bettola for lunch.

Marie's Tip

One of the best boutiques in LA is on this street and is a destination in itself, Just One Eye. The space holds some of the most prestigious designer collections, jewelry showcases, and incredible art and furniture. For food, there is a cute little restaurant with a great bar called Gigi's just across the street. It's the perfect place for afternoon drinks and shopping! Tartine Bakery also has a location here for a quick bite, or head to Siteglass Coffee for a pick-me-up!

Marie's Tip

You can always bring food to the Hollywood Bowl. My favorite spot nearby is The Oaks Gourmet Market where you can order a picnic basket packed to perfection. Order a day in advance to avoid the crowded food lines and eat better food during your show! You can also bring your own wine and beer to LA Phil-presented events, which you can check on their website for which those are.

Marie's Tip

I've grown up in Malibu, and it’s changed a lot, but I would totally recommend people go there for the afternoon. There’s a playground in the center where you can have a glass of wine while watching your kids play. Head to John’s Garden, Sun Café, and Café Habana for fun Cuban food. Taverna Tony is a staple Greek restaurant that’s been there forever and they have Greek dancers and music at night. It’s very much a local thing to do. Nobu is across the street for a date night, and Soho House is next door if you’re a member and need to work or grab a drink.

Marie's Tip

Grab Alfred Coffee or Moon Juice for a quick pick me up and get a quick facial at Kate Summer. Maxfield is the competition to Just One Eye, and it's really special. There is a very curated assortment of high-end apparel that includes big designers with an avant-garde vibe that's great for window shopping if it's a little out of the budget.

Marie's Tip

Truly an amazing experience to see a performer you love (if you're lucky) or get turned on to something new! I discovered a couple new bands just going in with an open mind and ear. The space is the perfect size for that intimate club feeling and the crowd itself was a highlight of the experience. Not a single person on their phone recording, just people of all ages fully immersed in a genuine experience and having fun. If you love live music, Belly Up is a must! The VIP section will give you the best view and has the only reserved seating. It is set back in the middle of the club raised about stage level behind the main floor. Worth the splurge.

Marie's Tip

If you're staying at the Little Nell or any other Aspen Skiing Company lodging property, you can reserve First Tracks at Aspen Mountain for the first run of the day on fresh powder! Space is super limited though, so make sure you reserve well in advance to break in the day.

Marie's Tip

This venue is home to the LA Philharmonic but other great acts pass through here as well. The concert room is really well designed and there isn't a bad seat in the house, so don't be dissuaded from going thinking you have to get the expensive seats to have a nice time. I do prefer the first terrace level/center for seating as you see everyone below and just look onto the stage. Parking is also super easy underneath the venue and only $10. If there is a long line at the bar and you are only looking for beer or wine, you can also purchase these in the food store as well to avoid the line but do know that you can not bring them inside during the performance! Give yourself enough time to enjoy them before.

Marie's Tip

Take the founder's masterclass for the best intro to the workout. Lauren Kleban is the ultimate idol for getting in shape, even with three kids. She's incredible!Your first class is free, and there's no need to feel nervous. The non-stop movement keeps the pace challenging in a super fun way, with all the focus on the instructor. It's super fun to do with a friend or solo. The community is friendly, supportive, and great for networking. You can book classes via their website, and I recommend going about 20 minutes early your first time so they can show you the space and all the how-tos. You can rent equipment for $5, so just show up with a bottle of water, sneakers, and a towel. The room is heated, so be ready to sweat. The facility is super elevated, clean, and zen - hang out on the cushioned benches outside before and after on a private patio with olive trees.

Marie's Tip

Such a fun thing to do with the girls! My friends and I had such a great time creating our custom-designed hats that we wore the entire trip, which of course enhanced every photo op. I recommend getting one in beaver as it is durable in all weather, including rain and snow, without warping or damage. They also pour you great wine during the experience!

Marie's Tip

Of all the amusement parks in Southern California (I have been to them all), Universal Studio has the best VIP experience for the price of what you actually get. There are two tiers (VIP and Express), but I always find that the Express pass is a great middle-ground without breaking the bank. It allows you to do every attraction one time, and lines are usually never longer than 10 minutes. At this rate, you can typically do the whole park and start your day around 2 pm if you want to save your feet (or start early and leave early). It does exclude Mario World though, so if you plan to do that without a crowd, I would arrive at opening and head straight there. My last tip is if you find yourself getting a little tired, take the studio tour ride mid-day for a little relaxation. It's still fun for the whole family, but it will get you off your feet for about 40 minutes, and you can even bring a cold beer on the tram.

Marie's Tip

Play hard to get and then ask for 10% off ;) you just might get it! They also usually stock a bunch of cute gifts like beanies and socks that are free if you ask!

Marie's Tip

The quintessential experience for the ultimate film lover. I can't really think of anything more cool and authentic in LA than visiting the Vista if you love the movies. Seating is first come first serve so be sure to get there a little early if you want a good spot. They do not show previews or commercials like traditional theatres, but instead show old curated clips from times past that are super artistic and should not be missed, so don't plan to show up a little late thinking you are going to skip the ads! They also offer beer and wine and the BEST popcorn of any theatre in LA.

Marie's Tip

The Marciano Art Foundation is for the true contemporary art lover. Note that no classical art pieces are housed here and I would approach it more as a gallery than a museum as it is not super large but it is highly curated. You can get through the space in about an hour and a half. As an avid gallery and museum-goer, I love that this collection gives such a profound voice and platform to current living/working artists. Large-scale installations change over on the bottom floor and are built on-site a couple of times a year. I recommend going when these are open and available to view for the complete experience. When you make your reservation, you can arrive before the selected time with no trouble as long as it falls on the same day if your schedule is running behind or ahead.

Marie's Tip

The hiking trail opens as early as 6:30 for early risers looking for a calm and healthy way to start your day. It's a fairly easy trail with gorgeous views of Universal and Studio City and at a good pace, you can finish it in about 45 minutes. Part of the path leads through a beautiful neighborhood in Laurel Canyon which is equally stunning with beautiful trees and homes. If it is your first time, I would recommend taking a screenshot of the path on your phone or at the start of the trail. There is a bathroom located halfway at the Lauren Canyon entrance but I would recommend starting at the Coldwater entrance as it is less crowded and you move against the busier direction flow of hikers.