Curated City Guides by Your Favorite Designers and Tastemakers.
Los Angeles:
Roxanne Daner
Bars & Restaurants
Sushi Time
This is absolutely my favorite sushi restaurant and we LOVE sushi. Its not too pricey, they play nice jazz and the fish is always fantastic. One of the great things about Sushi Time (aside from the food) is that the Chef Toshi and the waitresses are so sweet. 8103 1/2 Beverly Blvd
Trails Cafe
I can't say enough about Trails. Its one of the best kept secrets of LA! Drive up into Griffith Park and look for a tiny cabin thats actually a cafe. Not only is it my favorite latte in the City but some of the most amazing pies, scones and sandwiches all made from scratch. My personal favorite is the "egg-in-a-basket". Enjoy your breakfast sitting at picnic benches that are nestled in the trees. 2333 Fern Dell Dr
Forage
This is a lovely cafeteria-like place in the Sunset Junction across from Intelligentsia. They specialize in seasonal foods and use mostly local farmers for their meat and produce. Everything they make is fresh, delicious and always cooked so thoughtfully. Definitely try the Agua Frescas as well. 3823 W Sunset Blvd
Wat Dong Moon Lek
This is surely the best thai food in Silverlake. I can't suggest one thing because everything on the menu is amazing! They love food and care about their customers so much it really shows. One of the owners is slowly populating the walls with his chalk drawings which makes for a pretty fun and interesting atmosphere. Oh, and just a little warning... its spicy. 4356 Fountain Ave
Shops
Aardvark Letterpress
If you need any letterpress printing done this is the place to go. They've been around forever and have an absolutely beautiful shop near McArthur Park. They have a bunch of presses, lynotype machine and more. They're family fun and really nice to work with. 2500 W 7th St
Fresh Pressed
Fresh pressed is the best screen printer in town! I use them for any screen printing needs that I might have and suggest you do too. They're artists and totally get what you're trying to do which really makes the hole process fun and the results spectacular.
Lady
Lady is one of the best clothing stores in LA. Camille always stocks her little Eagle Rock boutique with amazing women's clothes, shoes, bags etc. 4974 Eagle Rock Blvd
Counterpoint Records & Books
This is a really neat book/record store in Franklin Village. They have some very beautiful rare books in their little shop next door as well. I'm always impressed with the window displays on the rare books side. 5911 Franklin Ave
Rosebowl Flea Market
Los Angeles has some great flea markets, this is the best one and it's HUGE! The Rose Bowl Flea Market happens once a month on the 2nd Sunday and is located in Pasadena, CA not far from LA. 1001 Rose Bowl Dr
ETC.
Hiking
If you're on the east side and close to Griffith park i'd suggest hiking up to the Observatory (you can also drive!). Check out the fantastic view and then see a show at the planetarium.
The Fern Walk
This is a little trail at the base of Griffith park that runs along a stream. Its a shady and cool 15 minute walk that always makes me feel like i'm a little kid. There's something magical about the winding little path that's covered in ferns and leaves.
Fruit Stands
This is such a Los Angeles thing that I wish people had shown to me earlier! If you're out driving and see a rainbow colored umbrella stop and get a bag of fruit! You basically just ask for a bag of fruit and choose the size you'd like (S=$4, M=$5, L=$6) and try it with the salt, lemon and chilli... it's so delicious.