My Favorite Spots in Los Angeles

After living in Los Angeles for 2.5 years I definitely have my list of favorites. Of course it keeps growing and changing when I occasionally find a new happenin' spot. Here is my current list:

Restaurants/Eateries
Breakfast/Brunch: Bebe's
This restaurant is always hoppin' and located in Burbank near WB. It's my favorite breakfast spot that closes at 4pm each day. Their menu is pretty awesome: Bebe's Menu

Mexican Joint: Don Cuco's 
So far, this is my favorite place to serve me up some Mexican Cuisine. One is right down the street from me located in Toluca Lake. I hear they serve some good Margaritas. http://doncuco.com/
 
Cupcake Shop: Yummy Cupcakes
THESE CUPCAKES ARE SCRUMPTIOUS! The owner has opened multiple locations around SoCal. There are many cupcake shops here in LA, but this is hands down my favorite place. I have given "Cupcake in a Jar" as gifts for Christmas.  http://www.yummycupcakes.com/

First time taking Kathryn

Underrated Dessert Spots: Cupcake ATM and Millions of Milkshakes
Who doesn't think a Cupcake ATM machine is awesome?! The concept is pretty cool, and I recommend taking people to the Beverly Hills location at least once. (Although Sprinkles cupcakes are not as delicious as Yummy Cupcakes, in my opinion). Cupcake ATM
Also, people (even locals) don't seem to know about Millions of Milkshakes! It is located in West Hollywood off Santa Monica Blvd. You create your own milkshake from tons of different mix-ins. Sounds pretty tasty, right? http://millionsofmilkshakes.com/
 
Frozen Yogurt: Menchie's 
I never grew up with anything like this! You can create your own frozen yogurt concoction with tons of toppings to throw on top. Menchies is great because they have around 10 flavors to choose from and you make it yourself. It's every kid's (and young adult's) dream. http://www.menchies.com/

Activities
Free Activity: Archery
I get to be a badass FO FREE! My roomie, Kathryn found that Cheviot Hills Park in Century City offers free archery lessons and equipment on the weekend. We've made it our new hobby and go any weekend we can. 

Night Time Attraction: LACMA Lights
"Urban Light" is an outdoor exhibit at the LACMA museum. You will always see people there taking pictures, engagement photo shoots or just wandering in the background ruining your shot. 

Hiking Spot: I can't even chose! 
I could write an entire blog post just on all the places I love to hike. I've hiked at Griffith Park, Hollywood Sign, Malibu, Los Liones, Temescal Canyon, Runyon, Fryman Canyon, etc. I went on the most intense hike at Los Liones, but the view from the top was totally worth it. It is by far my favorite view of the ocean front and all of LA.

Studio Tour: WB Studio Tour
There are MANY studios to take a tour from in LA, but Warner Brother's is definitely the best. It isn't as big of a spectacle as Universal Studio's, but it is more intimate. They actually let you out of the tram and walk into the houses used for Gilmore Girls, on the Friends set, into a Harry Potter costume museum, the car museum, the prop warehouse, and onto an actually sound stage for a TV show. (I walked through Pretty Little Liars). The tour guide will accommodate your interests, rather than sticking to a memorized and overused speech like Universal. http://vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com/

Date Spot: The Groundlings
For those of you that have never heard of Groundlings (I had not) it is an improv school where Melissa McCarthy, Kristin Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Jennifer Coolidge got their start! I think its the perfect date spot because who doesn't like to laugh?! The stage room is very intimidate so every seat is a great view. The tickets are NOT expensive. Last time I went, I found a coupon for 50% off the Sunday show. I only paid $15 for 2 tickets. The first time I went, Mitch Silpa (Steve the Flight Attendant from Bridesmaids) was performing and he made me CRY from laughter. http://www.groundlings.com/

Shopping: The Americana at Brand/Glendale Galleria
This mall is underrated. Not many people know it exists. The Americana at Brand was designed by the same architect that designed the famous mall that EVERYONE loves, "The Grove." The Grove is great, but the Americana at Brand is bigger and just as beautiful. Incredible (and probably expensive) apartments look down at the cute stores below as Frank Sintra-esque music fills the air. Glendale Galleria is a huge indoor mall located right across the street, and that is where I park FOR FREE. So in my opinion, this mall beats the Grove just because it is easier to get to and free to park. The Grove will always have the best Farmer's Market though.

Beach
Beach: Manhattan Beach
This beach is beautiful and the quaint town doesn't hurt either. I've only been twice, but it won me over. Especially the Manhattan Beach Creamery right up the hill from the Pier. It was delicious. Also, every hott guy in LA lives here. So that's a plus.

Wet beach activity: Surfing, duh
Last July, I had the chance to FINALLY go surfing. It was incredible and one heck of a work out. Surfers are in fantastic shape. I recommend taking surf lessons your first time. Don't just try and wing it. I used Groupon to find a deal for Kathryn and I to learn at Santa Monica Beach. We had a group of 8 or so people and 2 instructors out there with us on the water. They provide the wetsuits (get there early to grab the best wetsuit) and long foam boards that are perfect for learning on. Also, I didn't realize you had to tip your instructors so we had to run to the bank right after. 

Dry beach activity: Long boarding/Biking riding The Strand
The Strand is a 22 mile long path down the beach. I love going there to longboard or ride my bike. It is very relaxing (unless you ride through Venice then you'll be dodging homeless people and skaters). There are many rental shops down the coast for people to rent bikes and every small form of transportation you can think of.

Road on The Strand to Manhattan Beach