A few years ago my mom moved to California and it finally is beginning to feel like home to me! Besides the awesome weather, one of my favorite thing about living in California is exploring all of the interesting towns. So far I have gotten to explore most of The Valley, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Beverly Hills and Venice. Each town has it's own unique little shops and experiences.
Here are some hidden gems from an "almost local".
Shopping:
Chandeliers & Tulips is a store hidden in Agoura Hills. It's owned by a mother and daughter duo. They have a great mix of home decor and affordable fashion. I find the best clothing staples in this store and most of the pieces are under $100. In the same shopping mall there are other home decor stores that are fun to pop into.
If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind vintage shop, Hidden Treasures in Topanga has it. There is nothing else out there like this shop, I've found some insane vintages items here. It's just a wild place to checkout!
Succulents are trendy and fun to use for decor, I love how you can design little houses for them. There is a great shop in Venice called The Juicy Leaf which has the coolest succulent planters.
My go-to spiritual store is House Of Intuition, they have a few stores around LA. They sell crystals, books, incense, aroma therapy oils and so much more!
Rose Bowl Flea market in Pasadena is one of the most unique flea markets I've ever experienced. It's legendary and worth checking out at some point.
Food:
Gracias Madre in West Hollywood is a Mexican vegan restaurant. Their cocktails are yummy, plus the food is delicious and guilt free. Definitely a must if you're in the area.
Ice Cream Lab in Beverly Hills is my favorite ice cream in the world. They make it in front of you, it's unreal.
Cafe Gratitude in Venice is another great vegan restaurant. Not only is the food amazing but they also incorporate consciousness and happiness into their menu and ambiance.
Sunlife Organics has two locations in Malibu. Their shakes and juices are addictive, get their famous drink, "The Wolverine". It's full of bananas, peanut butter and dates -- it's a necessity every time in in Cali.
The Malibu Cafe is probably one of the most special places I've gone to, it's hidden in the mountains behind Malibu and the ambiance is unlike any other. The food is great and the outdoor experience is even better.
Malibu Farm is Instagram famous for it's beach front dining experience and local food. It's worth the hype!
The iconic Beverly Hills Polo Lounge honestly does have one of the best cobb salads on earth, just sayin'.
Instagrammable Stops:
For hiking Point Dume in Malibu is by far the most magical trail I've ever been on, you'll even get to see seals, dolphins and whales if you're lucky.
Malibu Wine Safari goes down as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Wine tasting while kissing giraffes? Heaven.
The Buddha mural in Venice was painted by a woman who runs an Instagram called @1000buddhas. Her mission is to create 10,000 in the world.
There is amazing street art all over West Hollywood, Santa Monica & Venice. Perfect Instagram backdrops!
