10 Things to Do in LA for a Weekend

Taking a weekend trip to LA soon?

Did you know I lived in Southern California for a year? After I graduated college, I was determined to leave the Northwest to live in California. I was tired of the dreary Seattle weather and wanted a change of pace.

I
moved to South Orange County and I used to spend almost every weekend in LA. I
left SoCal almost two years ago and I finally came back for a weekend at the
end of April.

I was surprised how LA felt like home. My roommate/best
friend Katie came along with me and she also lived in LA the same time I was in
the OC. We embraced the more laid back, beach LA lifestyle when we lived there.
We spent a long weekend reliving our old lives – hanging out in Manhattan
Beach, brunching, and eating acai bowls.

If you’re planning a weekend trip to LA, here are 10
things to do for a weekend:

1. Hike in Malibu
Katie and I hiked Corral Canyon Park and it
was beautiful! When Katie and I lived in SoCal, the height of the drought was
real. I wasn’t expecting to be hiking through wild flowers. The view of the beach and the rolling green
hills and flowers was breathtaking!

2. Walk the Venice Canals
I lived in SoCal for a whole year
and never visited the Venice Canals. We finally made our way to the canals our
last day on the trip. There’s nothing else like it in LA and I’d highly
recommend strolling through there if you’re planning on being near Venice.

3. See the LACMA Lights
This is a free thing to do and the
pictures are always fun to take. I’d recommend coming at night so all the lamps
are lit up!

4. Eat at Father’s Office
I had a burger here and it was sooo
good. You have to find your own seats at the restaurant but you can grab drinks
at the bar while you scope out a table.

5. Eat an Acai Bowl from Paradise Bowls
Katie and I’s
favorite place to get acai bowls is at Paradise Bowls in Manhattan Beach. We
used to come here all of the time and then walk the pier or lay out on the beach.

6. Eat at 26 Beach
This place has one of the best French toasts
I’ve ever had. The brunch food was amazing but I’ll warn you ahead of time that
even with a reservation, you may get stuck waiting a while. We made a
reservation for 11:30 am a day beforehand and still had to wait 30 min to be
seated. The wait was worth the food though! The interior of the place was also
decorated in an eclectic vibe.

7. Eat at Senor G’s in Playa del Rey
This is Katie and I’s go
to brunch spot before or after our morning hikes. They have amazing Mexican
food and the best smoothie I’ve ever had.

8. Eat Dessert at MILK
Ice cream cookie sandwiches. That’s
all you need to know. Its AMAZING.

9. Rent Bikes in Santa Monica
I know I know… this is the most
touristy thing you can do and I love it. It’s only $7 to rent a bike for an
hour. I don’t get on a bike too often and I hardly ever bike on the beach so
this experience is totally worth it to me!

10. Shop at the Promenade in Santa
Monica
This outdoor mall is still one of my favorite places to shop in SoCal.
It can get very crowded on the weekends but they have so many shops!