LA Guide: Hollywood // 7.10.14

I barely believe it's been three months since I moved from LA! It's true that time goes faster and faster with age. Sometimes I want to tell it to slow down, but why fight it? It's fun to see what the next month brings. While it's not all rainbows and roses, I appreciate the growth and inspiration found in movement. Without a full time job, I've been taking more personal risks and defining the specifics of my life goals. I'm a big picture person, so sometimes I like to skip directions. Oops. But back to the post: LA carved a permanent place in my heart and I can't say I don't miss it. Although it feels like a separate chapter of my life, it was one of the best times. Besides some of my favorite people, LA houses some of my favorite spots. I'm going to break this up into the different areas that made up my greater stomping grounds.

Here's a little guide to my special places in Hollywood:

I never thought Hollywood with it's stereotypical "industry" people, nonexistent (or extremely expensive) parking, and sketchy alleyways would become my home base. Yes, my physical apartment was in Los Feliz, but Hollywood was my heart's home. Put away images of tourists and the Chinese Theater. Embrace the grungy and the strange. Ok, now start your day...

Grab a breakfast sandwich from the neighborhood's hip corner market, Oaks Gourmet, and enjoy a vanilla chai from the Bourgeois Pig. Don't forget to peak into the forest room in the back of the cafe. It's magic! Or for brunch, LittleFork will make your taste buds sing (full post on that here). Then, take a walk or a drive (let's be honest, it's LA) to Space 15 Twenty. Peruse the art book store, pop up shops, and one of the best Urban Outfitters. If you time it right, you'll find an artsy collection of booths set up in the courtyard selling their eclectic clothes and accessories with a DJ spinning records to set the mood. Next, explore the extensive record collection at Amoeba or, if you prefer to be super indie, at The Record Parlour.

Feeling hungry again? Stop by Vine Street Deli for a scrumptious sandwich. They come brown paper bag style with the sandwich name and a heart sharpied on the front. Just like mom! Take it to the park or eat at one of the cute sidewalk tables. Ok enough eating, now drive that LA car of yours up Beachwood (off Franklin Ave). Check out the charming houses, many of which were or are currently owned by celebrities. I don't care too much for celebrity sightings, but I was told Charlie Chaplin lived in one of the houses, so that's pretty cool. As an added bonus, there's a prime view of the Hollywood sign. Picture op time! Keep driving and you'll discover a weird Hollywood secret, the Garden of Oz house. Inspired by the Land of Oz, legend says keys to the garden were given to all the neighborhood kids, so they had a magical place to play. What a dream! Where's my key??
Next, I'm sending you all the way to the border of Hollywood, but it's worth it to soak in awesome art at the independent galleries in District La Brea. While you're there, you might as well drive a few blocks further to sample a little dessert before dinner at Neveux Artisan Creamery, where you'll taste some of the most deliciously creamy and unique flavors. They're constantly rotating flavors, so check the website to see what concoctions they're offering that day.

By now, it's dinnertime and you have a little "choose your own adventure" action. For a trendy pizza, eat at Stella Barra. For yummy bar food and happy hour, try out the The Well. For outdoor seating and people watching, go to Franklin & Co. Belly full and ready for your night entertainment? You have some of the best choices... For improv and comedy, grab tickets for the Upright Citizen's Brigade. For theater, head to indie paradise on Santa Monica Blvd or a classy night at the Pantages. For a little bar hopping, check out the locals at Birds, experience NOLA at Sassafras, sip custom cocktails at Library Bar inside The Roosevelt Hotel, watch steamy burlesque at Pour Vous or step into a speakeasy at Next Door Lounge.

Music? Now you're speaking my language... There's The Fonda, The Avalon, School Night at Bardot (Mondays), Hollywood Palladium, Hotel Cafe, Dim Mak Studios, Three Clubs, The Piano Bar, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood Bowl, and big name DJs spinning at the clubs. That long list is one big reason, I could never live far from Hollywood if I move back to LA. My gem of a music spot will always be School Night at Bardot. Intimate, vibey interior combined with talented musicians (many of which have gone on to become famous) at no cover. It's like the discover section of Spotify come alive. My heaven. Sometimes I still feel nostalgic on Mondays.

Honorable Mention: Pressed Juicery. A little outside the official Hollywood boundaries, but I could really go for a vanilla almond or grapefruit mint juice right about now.

What are your favorite Hollywood spots?

<3 Taylor