LA, California Travel Guide Fall 2021

I knew I wanted to do something fun for fall break and with an itch for sunshine and a desire to shoot some cool content, I decided California was calling my name. It’s safe to say my first time in the golden state was nothing short of incredible. I haven’t felt that alive in ages… actually more like ever. I loved it more than I ever imagined.

My best friend Sam (@soudersam) flew in as well and we met up with our other bestie Jules (@bejulesed). Jules is lucky enough to live in Beverly Hills and was the sweetest for letting us crash with her for half the week + show us all of her favorite spots. We had the time of our lives.

Today I’m breaking down everything from where to eat, what to pack, where to stay, and more. I hope you enjoy this jam-packed post +find some inspo for your next west coast trip!

Where I Stayed 

I quite literally hopped off a plane in LAX and Ubered right to Hotel Beverly Terrace, the chicest Sonder Hotel located right in Beverly Hills. Just twenty minutes from the airport, one mile from Rodeo Drive, and a short walk to West Hollywood this property was in the perfect location.

I stayed in one of their King rooms and the bed was so comfortable. Although the room was quaint, it was perfectly laid out serving me well throughout the trip.

However, the coolest part of this hotel was that right outside of our bedroom door was access to the most incredible garden seating area. With palm trees and greenery everywhere, this is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy your morning coffee. Or grab a cute photo like me! I’ve never seen a hotel quite like this and was blown away.

This property had a rooftop terrace with an incredible view of the Hollywood Hills. There were several seating areas + photo ops up here so you bet your bottom dollar I snapped some pictures while I could. This would make for a magical “date night in”.

Additionally, attached to this hotel is Cafe Amichi, a high-end Italian restaurant. This restaurant has an intimate vibe with moody lighting and incredible food. There’s also a bar here where several guests were drinking a glass of wine before their night ended.

You can book a stay with Hotel Beverly Terrace here.

What To Pack

For every travel guide that I publish, there’s always an outfit guide to go along with it. Click here for twenty outfit ideas for your October trip to LA. In the meantime, here are a few key pieces to pack when visiting California.

• A mask— Masks are still required at every restaurant, bar, and store in California even if you are vaccinated. Make sure you have an extra packed.
• Shorts for the day, jeans for the night— If I’m being honest, everyone told me it would be cold throughout my stay but let me tell you, seventy-five in California is hot. (At least it is when you’re coming from the midwest!). There wasn’t a cloud in the sky here, and the weather was truly beautiful. I brought dresses and skirts for the daytime and went for long sleeves + jeans at night.
• Layers— Because it cools down tremendously at night, I highly recommend packing layers. Throw a cardigan or flannel in your bag to throw on in the evening. However, don’t skip out on your “summer” clothes entirely.
• Funky Pieces— It’s true what they say… literally anything goes in California. Some of my craziest outfits I wore at ten in the morning and people walked past me without giving me a second look. If you have a fun statement piece you’ve been dying to style, make sure to pack it.
• Sunglasses— I never wear sunglasses and hardly ever remember to pack them but you need them here. It’s bright and sunny all day long so unless you want to be squinting in every photo…

Where To Eat 

If I’m being honest, a lot of our days were spent eating. I can’t complain, I’m a major foodie and have always loved trying new places + giving them a rating. We had some major hits and a few misses. I’m giving you the full scoop + sharing links and addresses to make your life a little easier. Thank me later!

The Henry

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Our first stop of the trip was at the cutest restaurant, The Henry. We ate outdoors, surrounded by sweet fairy lights and adorable patio decor. I ordered their chicken sandwich and I kid you not, it was one of the best chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had. There was a sweet honey drizzle that was incredible. Their french fries were super yummy too.

This was the perfect mid-day lunch spot and it was one of the cheaper meals I had while in California which was a plus!

Pump

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Sam was dying to go to Pump after watching the popular tv show Vanderpump Rules, so of course, we had to stop in. This was one of the coolest atmospheres I’ve ever seen. The inside of the restaurant/bar reminded me of a speakeasy but outside was the most magical garden with tables throughout.

There are hanging lanterns + lights everywhere and it looked so magical at night. The girls grabbed drinks and we munched on a Mediterranean board featuring some super yummy hummus and pitas. We sat chatting for hours! Thank God for all of the outdoor heaters because it definitely starts to cool off at night.

Le Pain Quotidien

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We stopped in a cute french cafe while strolling through Rodeo Drive. I ordered their pesto flatbread and it was essentially an open-faced sandwich. I’m not a huge fan of arugula on sandwiches (or anything for that matter, lol) so I took it off. I didn’t think this lunch was anything special but it was under $15 which for Rodeo Drive is unheard of. Food options are limited here so try eating beforehand/finding something on a side street.

Tower 12

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Tower 12 was recommended to me by dozens of people on the Hermosa Pier boardwalk. Apparently, this is a popular sports bra/restaurant amongst 20 somethings with a laid-back atmosphere. It’s safe to say that was true. The crowd was very lively as the Dodgers played their playoff game so there were people my age everywhere.

I got the chicken pesto pizza and it was the best pizza I think I’ve ever had out. Either that or I was starving but regardless I demolished five pieces, lol. Their truffle fries were delicious and of course, I had to try Sam’s sandwich. She got the crispy chicken and although it was good, the pizza was definitely better. I hope to visit Hermosa again so I can check out some of the other seafood favorites along this strip.

Malibu Farm 

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Malibu Farm is a gorgeous waterfront restaurant in Malibu, California. They have a few different locations—one of them being in Miami. We went during Miami Swim Week and had some super yummy shrimp tacos so I had high hopes for this lunch. Sadly, they had a very different menu here with fewer options that sounded appealing to me.

I ended up getting the loaded nachos and despite them looking delicious, they were super disappointing. Especially for $27. They were soggy + not as flavorful as I had hoped. I will give Malibu Farm points though, part of what you pay for is the incredible view. If you come to this location, walk to the end of the pier. There is another kitchen out there with a seafood menu that we didn’t discover until after. Everything sounded better at that one, lol!

EP&LP 

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The next dinner we got dolled up for was EP&LP—a chic spot in West Hollywood. We had a comped dinner here with three different courses. The bread was delicious but admittedly, I’m not much of an oyster girl. Although, I did give them a try!

For dinner, I got the steak and fries. My steak wasn’t the best I’ve ever had but it was still steak which is always a treat in my eyes. Their fries were amazing and the desserts, super light and airy.

Alfreds

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Alfreds is the cutest coffee shop that the girls stopped in several times throughout the week. I don’t drink coffee and am selfishly grateful as an iced coffee never seemed to cost less than $6. I did grab a bacon cheese bagel for breakfast though. I’m pretty picky when it comes to bagel sandwiches so I only rated it a 5/10. Skip out on the toppings and just get a bagel with cream cheese—the bread itself is good!

Neighbor 

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Jules wanted to make sure we saw Venice and thank God we did! It was one of my favorite areas she took us to with a cute beachfront vibe and adorable shops mixed in with restaurants. I had some of the best shrimp alfredo here with a creamy sauce and super fresh meat. For appetizers, we tried the avocado toast and their in-house bread. Both were delicious. It’s safe to say we carbed up big time here.

This too had more of an outdoor seating situation so bring a jacket! I found this to be the case for a lot of restaurants here as eating is definitely where the social scene surrounds itself.

Zinque 

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We stopped for a quick breakfast before the farmers market on Sunday. Zinque’s menu looked yummy so we ordered at the counter and had our food delivered to us outside. I’m never one to order french toast (like ever) but the picture looked too good to resist.

It was so yummy! The berries were so fresh and this bursted with flavor. The potatoes on the other hand were a waste of money. Nothing special + lacked flavor.

Cantina Frida 

click here for menu // click here for directions 

I was dying to try California tacos. Although real, street style would have been ideal, Jules is definitely more of a ~chic~ eater so she brought us to Cantina Frida. This was more of my usual restaurant vibe with indoor, high-top seating and authentic Mexican music playing.

We got the $18 guac and honestly, it was worth every penny. Their chips + salsa were delicious. Their tacos are sold individually so I got one chicken and one shrimp. The chicken was less than impressive and I wished I had gotten two shrimp. Jules had the fish and said it was some of the best she’s had on a taco! Would def come again.

Where To Go 

This was my first trip with the girls where we didn’t have fashion shows + events to run back and forth to. We had all kinds of time to sightsee, shoot content, and eat. Although Jules has lived in Los Angeles for four years now, we dragged her to all kinds of tourist spots since it was our first time visiting.

And, of course, we let her drag us to the hidden gems too! It was awesome having someone to show us around who knew their bearings. Here are a few fun things you def shouldn’t miss out on.

 

Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is one of the richest areas in Los Angeles. With high-end shopping and the most incredibly designed buildings, this strip is a must-see. I’ve never been out of the country, but little pockets of this area seemed so foreign to me. I cannot wait for Europe (eek!!!).

We popped in and out of a few designers stores + saw James Charles being interviewed right outside of the Prada store. Everyone here looks and feels expensive so put your best foot forward on this day!

 

Santa Monica Pier 

Of course, we had to stop by Santa Monica Pier. This was probably the most touristy spot we visited so the vibe was definitely different. Essentially this is a long boardwalk/pier right along the water with all kinds of fair food, rides, and arcade games. I begged Jules to go on the ferris wheel and it was some of the best $10 I’ve ever spent. The views from up top were absolutely incredible and pictures truly don’t do it justice.

 

Hermosa Beach 

Hermosa Beach is a hidden California gem located right next to Manhattan Beach. It too is a pricier area but you wouldn’t know it—the people here were so incredibly friendly and the relaxed, surfer vibe was unmatched. We popped in a few of the shops, making sure to stop in Details boutique to grab some new jewelry. We walked the pier, caught the most amazing rooftop sunset, and ate dinner at one of the local hotspots.

This was my favorite part of the trip and I’m eager to pursue an internship opportunity here so that I can return to this carefree twenty-something life that was radiating throughout my visit!

 

Malibu Beach

Everyone says to skip Santa Monica and go to Malibu. Thankfully we got to do both but it’s true Malibu is a much cleaner, calmer area. Just the drive alone is incredible—water on one side and mountains with the most luxurious homes on the other.

We popped in a local beach access and I touched the water for the first time! We sat and watched the surfers catch waves and enjoyed the sunshine. The water was cold but nowhere near as cold as I expected. There are also a handful of waterfront restaurants in the area with amazing views.

 

Venice 

We went to Venice for dinner one night and I so wish we had had more time to explore. This was another beach-like town however we didn’t get to see the water here. This was a palm-tree-lined strip with a mix of shops and restaurants. This shopping was definitely more my price range and the vibes here were incredible all around.

Hollywood Sign + Stars 

Sam begged to walk the Hollywood sign and although I wanted to see it, there was no chance I was going to last a three-mile hike (the shortest hike to see it). So, we asked a park ranger where the closest drive-up spot was and immediately went there.

For this view, head to Lake Hollywood Park. It wasn’t crowded at all and the view was awesome for no hike. On the way out, we stopped to see the Hollywood stars. I wasn’t expecting this to just be on the side of the road but they are—no special tunnel or anything like I envisioned lol.

This part of LA reminds me a lot of NYC—it was much rougher and dirtier, unlike the rest of LA. Not a fan of the Hollywood area.

West Hollywood Farmers Market 

A few miles from Jules’s house there’s a cute farmers market every Sunday morning where the locals go to get fresh produce, handmade jewelry, and more. We didn’t buy anything but it was fun to walk through.

Trading Post 

One of the last things we had the chance to do was walk through the West Hollywood Trading Post. This was a huge pop-up with dozens of tents. There were so many vendors here selling vintage clothing, cool jewelry, picture frames, old cameras you name it.

Sam got tons of vintage clothes and I picked up the coolest cowboy boot ring to match Jules! It costs $5 to get in here and if you’re anything like Sam, you could spend hours here.

Watch The Vlog

Of course, I had to bring my camera along for the ride. I vlogged the entire trip—from outfit details to food reviews to many, many shared moments laughing with my girlfriends. This was one of my favorite travel vlogs to date… be sure to give it a watch and hit that subscribe button for more travel content.

There were so many more things I would have loved to see + do during our stay. I suppose that means I’ll just have to plan a trip back. I cannot get over how fun this week was and truly am so blessed to be able to capture it all for you!

Counting down the days until winter break so I can bring back the regular travel guides. Until then…

With love, McKenz 

Latest Post: Weekly Wrap Up #44 2021
Related Post: 20 Outfits To Wear In California This Fall
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