48 Hours in Los Angeles

I recently traveled to Los Angeles for a business trip, and it was the perfect escape from NYC's fickle winter weather. I've been to LA many times and chances are, so have you. We've all completed the overdone and overrun Hollywood itinerary, a limited view of what this eclectic city truly has to offer. If you're ready to look beyond the stars and tacky piers, this is how to spend 48 hours eating and living like a local Angelino.

*I recommend staying near the water, away from the downtown traffic. This will also help with minimizing traffic time, the most significant deterrent in LA for a traveler on a time crunch.

Higher-End: Ritz Carlton (Marina Del Ray), Hotel Erwin (Venice)

Budget: Bayside Hotel (Santa Monica), Venice Breeze Suites

Friday (6 Hours)

To maximize your weekend without committing to days off, take a late afternoon flight on Friday that will have you arriving in LAX by evening/nighttime. Head straight to dinner at Santa Monica's newest beach bar obsession, Elephante, for the perfect whipped eggplant and overpriced drinks with a view of the ocean to boot. For your evening nightcap, walk a few blocks to Bungalow, a Hollister themed beach house with a patio just steps from the ocean.

✈️LAX

📍Dinner: Elephante

📍Drinks at Bungalow

Saturday (24 Hours)

If you're visiting from the west coast, the time zone change will have you up and ready to conquer the day by early morning. Begin the day with a matcha boba tea at Urth Cafe and a light breakfast. Drive to the beautiful Pacific Palisades, just outside of Santa Monica, where you will conquer Los Leones trail, a light and airy climb, ending with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. On a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Catalina Island. After a quick descent, you're ready to continue your drive west to Getty Villa, an extravagant museum just off the Malibu coast featuring ancient Greek and Roman art. At this point, you've likely worked up an appetite. Drive 15-20 minutes to Malibu Farm, the perfect organic cafe with unobstructed views of the coastline. Continue driving along the Pacific Coast Highway to one of the most beautiful points in Malibu (and questionably the Pacific coast), El Matador Beach. This beach is so secluded that many locals haven't even properly explored it. With a spectacular sunset under your belt, head back to your hotel and end the evening with a high-end dinner at Redbird or Bestia. If you're up for a more cultural experience, try the famed Raffi's Place in Glendale for Persian kebabs. The newest Culver City addition, Margot, is the perfect place for a nightcap (both in the summer and winter).

📍Breakfast: Urth Cafe

📍Los Leones Hike (Palisades)

📍Getty Villa

📍Lunch: Malibu Farms

📍El Matador State Park

📍Dinner: Redbird/Bestia/Raffi's Place

📍Drinks at Margo (Culver City)

Sunday (18 Hours)

Begin the morning with a breakfast sandwich at the trendy Eggslut in Grand Central Market, the perfect place to grab and go while perusing the other vendors in the market. Drive across town to Santa Monica and rent a bike (either through a local pier shop or Breeze rentals) and cycle the iconic Strand from Santa Monica to Venice for beautiful views of the beach and great people watching. Once in Venice, talk a walk or bike ride down one of the most eclectic streets in LA, Abbot Kinney, and end with the perfect lunch at Gjelina. If you still have a few hours before your flight, make the long drive out to the Griffith Observatory. Otherwise, catch a sunset drink downtown at Perch or back TO Bungalow in Santa Monica before heading to LAX.