Travel

Westside Story

Travel

It used to be said that Los Angeles was a series of suburbs in search of a city—but then a funny thing happened. Those suburbs blossomed into vibrant neighborhoods with distinct personalities and residents who love them. Santa Monica has a family-friendly vibe—think bike rides along the shore and its famously fun pier—and Venice is where tech-boom types shop and eat at the cutting edge of hip. Downtown has retained its diverse urban flair, while the Eastside—Silverlake, Echo and Highland Parks—is where the arty crowd drinks coffee and parties late. There’s so much to do in the City of Angels, we decided to focus on a swath of the city that has a little bit of everything: the Westside, from Westwood through Beverly Hills into West Hollywood and Hollywood. And don’t let the traffic get you down, just enjoy the ride.

STORY BY STACIE STUKIN

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JONAS JUNGBLUT

STAY

W Los Angeles

wlosangeles.com

► With a $25 million renovation and a Westwood Village location that that gets you to the beach or into Hollywood in less than half an hour, this sleek, contemporary hotel offers affordable luxury with a dash of clubby fun, all surrounded by lush greenery. You can dance the night away at the hotel bar or indulge and de-stress at the BLISS spa. You don’t even have to sacrifice your fitness goals—yoga poolside, anyone?

Mama Shelter

mamashelter.com

► The first foray of Parisian boutique hoteliers in Los Angeles, Mama Shelter isn’t your mother’s hotel and the price is right. Located in an artfully renovated 1930s building in the heart of Hollywood, the inspired design is full of whimsy and color, with the just-right mix of vintage and contemporary. Make some friends in the lobby at the communal Foosball table—and don’t miss some of the best views of the city from the rooftop bar.

POSE

Wanderlust Hollywood

wanderlusthollywood.com

► Los Angeles has long been the capital of all things yoga, and one of newest additions is the luxe Wanderlust Hollywood studio. Opened by the Wanderlust Festival team— husband and wife Jeff Krasno and Schuyler Grant along with their friend Sean Hoess —the seed of the idea started with the success of the four-day festivals which take yoga, mindful living and music on the road. So it made sense to give that community a permanent home in a city where wellness is paramount. Wanderlust Hollywood is not only a pretty place to grab lunch or sip some tea in the library, the large well outfitted studios are also a great place to practice National Yoga Director Grant’s alignment-based practice that emphasizes technique with a playful, creative approach.

HIKE

Franklin Canyon Park

lamountains.com

► L.A. may be an urban hotspot, but natives know that hiking is as big a part of city living as navigating the traffic. At Franklin Canyon Park
in Beverly Hills, there’s 600 acres of national parkland with trails for intermediate and novice hikers alike. Bird lovers, don’t miss the Heavenly Pond where you can see migrating birds taking a flight break along with the local duck population.

EAT

Veggie Grill

veggiegrill.com

► It’s easy to be enthusiastic about The Veggie Grill because vegan fast food served with sustainable ethics never tasted as good. Launched in Southern California, the Santa Monica-based company now boasts 28 restaurants and
has plans for national expansion. It may be a chain, but the chipper service and ever-changing seasonal menu keeps you coming back, especially for old favorites like the Santa Fe Crispin Chickin’ sandwich and the All Hail Kale salad.

Viviane

vivianerestaurant.com

► At Viviane, the menu deliciously merges modern California cuisine with eats of the classic American and European variety to create their seasonal, farm-to-table dishes. Meals are served in a gorgeous, Kelly Wearstler-designed poolside setting at Beverly Hills’ iconic Avalon Hotel. Whether you choose to reserve a table for a date night or indulge in a more casual brunch, you won’t be disappointed by dishes like poached eggs served with quinoa, peas and arugula or the fresh catch of the day. And don’t deny yourself dessert. Trust us.

Beverly Hills Juice

beverlyhillsjuice.com

► David Otto, 80, has been serving it up raw and hand-pressed at this Los Angeles institution since 1975. An early adopter of the vegetarian lifestyle and juicing, he’s long since moved on from a cigar-box cash register to
a family-run operation where over a half-million of their celery, parsley, spinach, kale, romaine, apple, ginger, and lemon Green Genie juices have been sold. Try the Banana Manna—a vegan shake with a mix of banana, almond and cacao—it’s a sweet treat with a high-energy punch.

Croft Alley

croftalley.com

► This small stylish café is literally in an alley—albeit a very chic one—that’s just steps away from the fashionista shopping destination, Melrose Place. Sitting outdoors at Croft Alley feels like being in a local, off-the-beaten-path spot in Paris. Don’t miss the signature dish – homemade yogurt with a painterly swirl of emerald green chlorophyll and fresh berries. For a savory selection, you can’t go wrong with the brown rice and coconut milk risotto served with red cabbage slaw, bok choy and pickled carrot.

SHOP

Book Soup

booksoup.com

► Loved by the literati, Book Soup on the Sunset Strip has achieved iconic status in the book world as a must-visit destination. That designation is thanks to its wide selection of limited-edition releases, hard-to-find, small-press titles and a vibrant slate of readings and events that attract celebrities and bibliophiles alike. Having survived the demise of independent booksellers by keeping it real and relevant since 1975, Book Soup is a browser’s paradise. With floor to ceiling shelves and a knowledgeable staff, you’ll find the perfect gift or discover that special book that will keep you turning pages and yearning for more.

The Detox Market

thedetoxmarket.com

► When Romain Gaillard decided to open a pop-up shop in Los Angeles to promote Odacité, the organic skincare line he co-founded, he didn’t realize it would be the launch he needed to leave Silicon Valley’s tech industry behind. The Detox Market has since become the go-to, online destination for anyone seeking organic natural skincare and cosmetics. Luckily for us in Los Angeles, we can pop into their brick-and-mortar location to get expert advice from the knowledgeable staff, and see for ourselves why green beauty junkies can’t get enough of products from lines like RMS Beauty, Kajaer Weis and Kypris.

Rolling Greens

rollinggreensnursery.com

► Los Angeles has perfected stylish indoor-outdoor living, and we think Rolling Greens is the nexus. With two Los Angeles locations—the one pictured here was once a thriving 1930s open- air market—Rolling Greens is a one-stop home and garden shop for professional stylists and civilians. You can try your hand at the art of oral and landscape design by picking from an array of beautifully selected vessels, planters, greenery, and edibles. They have chic home goods, too. If you’re interested in creating your own desert terrarium, or if you’re looking to up your floral-design game, Rolling Greens also offers classes and other crafty workshops taught by local artisans, the perfect way to cultivate community.

Vintageweave Interiors

vintageweave.com

► Kathleen Delgado is passionate about all things French—food, wine, tableware, textiles and furniture. She’s transformed that love into a thriving business where she shares her vintage Paris-sourced treasures with interior design clients, chefs, set designers and others who are lucky enough to stumble into her store when it’s open. Vintageweave is like a welcoming home, where the chairs are well worn and comfy so don’t be surprised if you’re offered a seat, along with an aperitif or a chewy French caramel. These days Delgado is busy with her online business, so pop by her website for a peek. If you’re in town, call ahead for an appointment.

Lost and Found

lostandfoundshop.com

► Jamie Rosenthal opened her groundbreaking Los Angeles boutique over 15 years ago, with the goal of elevating artisan goods from ethnic finds into chic must-haves. She sources much of her merchandise while satisfying her nomadic spirit on treks to places like Senegal and India. Her eclectic mix also includes one-of-a-kind American-made items, such as bowls carved from fallen trees in western Massachusetts. Whether it’s housewares, fashion, textiles or custom furniture, Rosenthal keeps her displays simple so her customers can enjoy the pleasure of discovering their own unique style.

Decades

decadesinc.com

► For nearly 20 years, Decades has provided Hollywood royalty and the fashion-focused with an exclusive selection of vintage couture in a salon setting. Founders Christos Garkinos and Cameron Silver offer the ultimate in luxury upcycling, with selections from haute-couture designers Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Valentino—many of which end up on our favorite celebrities during red-carpet season. If you’re looking for something more in tune with everyday fashion needs and budgets, shop for contemporary sportswear and evening pieces at the Decades Two, the shop’s more affordable annex. Savvy L.A. shoppers—stars and mere mortals alike—never miss Decades’ annual $150 shoe blowout because, well, doesn’t everyone love a bargain?