Have you ever been so excited for a trip only to realize you have a limited amount of time to explore? I’ve been waiting years (I mean 10+ years) to visit California. So what happens when you only have a few days? You have to visit the highlights. Read below for some of my L.A. favorites!
Runyon Canyon
This may seem like such a touristy thing to do, but there are lots of locals that also do this hike! It has everything you could want from a trail… a challenging incline and a beautiful view. There are two separate hiking trails you can pick from. One is a bit longer than the other. We didn’t choose the long one, so I can’t vouch for it, but it looked like a good workout. The trail we picked had quite a steep incline from the get-go, but was about 45 minutes long. The view from the top was beautiful! You could see all the buildings downtown and the Hollywood sign (albeit very small). I definitely recommend trying this hike if you want to explore some nature while getting a workout.
Venice Beach
Home of the legendary Muscle Beach. I’ve heard of Muscle Beach… but I guess I never really put two and two together. I mean, there is a gym at the beach. Where people work out at. (This is mind blowing to me.) I mean, the most exercise I want to do is walking from the water to my beach towel (walking in sand is no joke people!). Anyways, beyond the gym, Venice beach has shops and local artists galore. There are also quite a few delicious looking restaurants along the boardwalk. We had brunch at The Waterfront and it was an enjoyable way to start our day and our trip! There’s even a fun outdoor area with different games and it looks like they have themed parties often. If we were around longer, I know we would’ve gone back!
In-N-Out Burger
The great debate… Shake Shack or In-N-Out Burger? Spending several years in NYC has made me no stranger to Shake Shack. I’ve had lunch, dinner and the occasional post workout snack (yep, this has happened far too often).
Am I going to reveal my opinion on this…? I think no, only because I want you to form your own opinion! What I will say is that it’s definitely worth checking out. I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below – Shake Shack or In-N-Out?! The great debate continues…
The Venice Canals
I have to say Venice Beach and the Venice Canals are completely different in feel. If you’re looking to see some eclectic houses and stroll through picturesque sidewalks, then definitely stop by the Venice Canals. It’s so serene, you won’t believe you’re still in L.A.
Also, don’t get too excited on renting or buying one of these beautiful houses. We looked one house up and it was renting for $18K/month. Yes, you read that correctly. That’s per month (insanity people)! But like they say, it’s good to have goals!
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve
This suggestion is only for the spring and if you’re a nature lover. The poppy reserve is a magnificent sight – neon orange poppies blooming everywhere! This was definitely one of my favorite spots we visited. This year was what they call a “super bloom” and if you’re on social media at all, I’m sure you saw a few photos.
The fields are a truly magically sight, but please tread with caution! When we visited, we knew to stay on the trails and not pick any flowers. The poppies are for enjoying and the reserve wants to make sure they are enjoyed for several years to come. However, we thought a trail was a trail and as long as we were not stepping on any poppies, we were fine. Since visiting, I did more research and found that even stepping on the dirt pathways is damaging to the poppies. I wish I had known this before hand, so just an FYI for anyone visiting in the future. Please stick to the concrete paths and enjoy the beautiful landscape!
This is just one of the many beautiful flower fields California has been gifted with. I’ve also heard Carlsbad has a stunning field as well, but will visit another time!
*Not actually walking, just standing on a dirt patch*
Santa Monica Beach / Pier
The last place I’d recommend checking out is Santa Monica Beach and Pier. The pier can be a little crowded with tourists and children, but if you walk all the way down to the end it has a beautiful lookout point of the ocean.
The beach is also great and not too crowded if you walk a ways down. I’m used to NYC beaches, so this one was heavenly. Also, once you start getting hungry, all you have to do is walk up to the boardwalk for a bite to eat. There are several delicious restaurants lining the boardwalk (you may have trouble picking just one)! The restaurants and shops are also all so unique looking! One day I’ll stay at the Georgian Hotel – talk about gorg!
Now I’m not even going to pretend that we hit all of the major spots. I’d say we barely scraped the surface. But, if you’re visiting for a few days, I would definitely recommend checking out some of the above!
Also, if you’ve visited L.A. and have suggestions of must-see places, please drop them in the comments below! I’m going to start making a list for the next time I visit!
Thanks for reading and keep exploring!
xoxo,
Katelynn
