This past week was spring break number one of two for LMU, and I opted to stay at school rather than fly home. I was hoping to take advantage of the beach and warm SoCal weather, but this was the week LA chose to be cloudy and actually feel somewhat like winter. So, instead of sitting around campus or lying on the cold beach, a few of my friends and I decided to explore some different parts of Los Angeles. I thought I would share my favorite places from our adventures.
On Wednesday, I began the break with a hike in Runyon Canyon with a group of friends. We spent most of the hike staring at all the dogs because the pet withdrawals in college are real, trust me. The top of the canyon had a beautiful view of the city and we took more than a few pictures. Afterward we stopped for lunch at Urth Caffe in West Hollywood.
That Friday we started the day in Silver Lake, a little hipster neighborhood in central LA. It was home to a bunch of cute coffee shops and cafes, as well as artsy murals, shops, and used bookstores. We ate lunch at Sunset Junction and grabbed coffee at Intelligentsia.
We then headed over to Buffalo Exchange and attempted, or should I say failed, at thrifting. Next we went to LACMA – somewhere I have always wanted to go (mostly thanks to No Strings Attached). The lights are amazing and it is definitely worth the hype. We ended the long day with dinner at Pink Taco in Century City.
The next morning we left for Malibu in search of a good hike. We ended up hiking to Escondido Falls, a lush, green trail that reminded me a lot of Northern California. It was nice to escape the city setting and go somewhere less fast-paced. Following the hike we ate lunch at Malibu Farm on the pier, which was delicious. We drove through Brentwood and had our final stop at Diddy Riese cookies in Westwood.
I never thought I would make it to that many stops in LA in under a week, but I am so glad I did. It gave me a much better sense of the areas that surround where I live and opened my eyes to places I would have never discovered. It was a week of great food and great friends, and a much needed break. If you ever have free time I encourage you to break out of routine and explore new places – you might just find your new favorite spot.
Happy travels!
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