Hello from Los Angeles!
First things first, HOORAY for no humidity! Oh my gosh, I am so excited to breathe air that isn’t thick. Oh happy day! (I just checked my weather app and according to AccuWeather, the humidity level is at 72 percent in LA today, but compared to Ocala, it’s amazing. I think Ocala humidity must be 5,304 percent.)
I arrived in LA a little before 8 p.m. last night and am already a big fan of the city’s public transportation. I know it’s probably a weird thing to comment on, but whenever Ryan and I travel to big cities that have lots of public transportation options, we get excited. It’s really nice not to have to worry about where to park in a big city or rely on cabs to take you to and from destinations. I always get a little stressed out when I try to navigate public transportation in a new area for the first time, but everything went smoothly last night.
First, I took the FlyAway bus to Union Station. The bus driver announced that there was free wifi on the bus, which was pretty cool! Once I got to Union Station, I hopped on the red line and waited three stops until I got off and walked two blocks to my hotel.
I traveled to LA for the IDEA conference on behalf of Reebok and they arranged for me to stay at The Standard.
Quick aside: Reebok is currently offering PBF readers 35 percent off your next order at Reebok.com with the use of the promo code PBF35!
A PBF reader reached out to me on Twitter about a coupon code for those who didn’t win my most recent giveaway and Reebok agreed to offer one to you guys, so feel free to use the code on your next purchase! (Please note that this code excludes Reebok CrossFit gear, custom shoes, gift cards and items with $.98 price endings and is valid for today only.)
Now back to the hotel…
The Standard is unlike any hotel I’ve ever seen before! When I called Ryan after I checked in, he asked me what I thought and I said it was super modern. He laughed and said, “So it’s totally your style?”
The hotel is comfortable and everything, but it’s definitely not my style. I love welcoming rooms with plush couches and comfortable decor. This place is very minimalist, with clean lines and and a bed that is practically on the ground. But it’s the bathroom that really caught my attention.
Check it out!
Doesn’t it look like an upscale locker room or something!? Funky!
The bed was really comfortable and I slept like a baby last night which is all I ask!
This morning I woke up at 6 a.m. and had a little trouble with the internet connection in my room, so I walked a block to a coffee shop to hop on their internet and grab a cup of coffee. Now I’m on the lookout for a local spot for a quick breakfast.
If you’re from LA or have ever visited the city, I’d love recommendations about what to see and do while I’m here! I won’t have much free time and I’ll be leaving early on Friday, but I’d love to grab dinner at a great local restaurant and see some fun things in the small amount of down time I’ll have while I am here.
See ya later!
Questions of the Morning
- What do you think about modern decor? Do you love it or is it lost on you?
- If you live in or have visited LA in the past, what recommendations do you have for someone visiting the city for the first time?
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Welcome to LA! So glad you had a great experience with public transportation, because I feel like most locals will tell you that its not the best transportation system at all. 🙂
I’m actually going to go against Team Sprinkles and recommend going to Big Man Bakes. It’s across the street from Baco Mercat, so you could kill two birds with one stone! 🙂 There’s also a great used bookstore around the corner from there called The Last Bookstore, but I’ll warn you, you could spend hours in their Labyrinth upstairs!
The Nickel Diner has great breakfast, and if you find yourself near the Staples Center, I recommend The Farm – they take OpenTable reservations, too. If you’re still downtown tomorrow night, the Art Walk is wonderful to check out: http://downtownartwalk.org/
And, lastly, if you get up to Hollywood/WeHo or even the Valley, and if you like it, try to get sushi! You can Yelp tons of sushi places to find one that fits your style and budget, but LA has so many amazing sushi restaurants you’re bound to find one you’d like. 🙂
I was just in LA in June. You have to go to The Farm! It was wonderful. (In addition to my own) I tried everyone’s dishes – so fresh and good!
The Nickle Diner also has hands down the best cake I’ve ever had! It’s a smore concoction that I dream of every time my birthday rolls around. It’s not too far from you if you’re staying at the Standard.
There’s plenty to do in downtown if you do not have your own rental, especially if you’re short on time. Definitely check out the rooftop bar and the pool at the Standard while you’re staying there. I also recommend Botega Louie which is walking distance to the Standard (portebello mushroom fries and macarons). Explore Little Tokyo which has a bunch of Japanese shops and eat at Daikokuya ramen. At night, try the Edison bar/lounge (they also serve food). The Edison has this super cool steampunk vibe and they have burlesque acts tomorrow night.
Yes to Bottega Louie!
I know the days without humidity are so nice! I love love love that top!! What a great coupon code too – maybe I will have to take advantage of that! Enjoy your time in CA!
Welcome to DTLA!
I love that you made use of the public transportation. LA gets a bad rap for that…but it actually isn’t so bad!
I live downtown and think there’s actually a few things that are pretty awesome to check out. You should walk over to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to snap a few photos (1st and Grand) and stop in the Grand Central Market on the way for some delicious food (the mango sticky rice at the Sticky Rice booth is to die for). There’s lots of upscale-y restaurants, but if you’re looking for something quicker I love PS 612 (their happy hour is “recess themed”). Have a great time while you’re here, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for you!
I am a frequent reader of PBF and also live in LA. I’m happy you think the public transportation in LA – everyone who lives here thinks it’s terrible (esp compared to NYC, SF, etc). If you’re in downtown, I would recommend checking out Bottega Louie – they have great macaroons! I also enjoy Perch, Urth Cafe (very popular in LA), Urbano…
If you have more time, I would hike around Griffith Park, check out the Hollywood sign/the observatory or check out Runyon Canyon!
It’s so interesting that you like the public trans in LA! As someone who lives in SF and works for a transportation planning firm, LA has a terribly rep for bad public trans.
Humidity grosses me out! One of the great things about CA!
I had a great dinner at Bossanova (near Hollywood) while I was in LA in June. Enjoy California!
I took advantage of the coupon code – thanks!!!!!!!!
If you’ve got time to pop into a fitness class, check out Your Neighborhood Studio in Culver City (which is in West LA). They’ve got over 80 different class and it’s such a great environment to get your sweat on in. The schedule’s here: http://www.yourneighborhoodstudio.com
LOVE the modern – minimalist design and decor.
OMG! BACO MERCAT!
I just got back from a brief vacation in LA with my boyfriend to visit my extended family and we had the most amazing dinner at Baco Mercat ever. They’re famous for their bacos, which are these little sandwiches (I got the garbanzo bean/falafel-like one) in this DELICIOUS puffy bread, but they also have lots of small vegetables dishes which are AMAZING (we got the caramelized cauliflower, roasted broccolini, and the apple grape salad–all phenomenal). Highly recommend!
I am a sucker for pancakes, so we had brunch at the Griddle one day and THAT is an experience. Huuuuuge amazing(ly fatty) pancakes.
Also, I’m not a huge museum fan but the Getty is pretty cool! Hope you have fun!!
I went to school just down the street from the Standard at USC and am still living in LA, so I have a ton of recommendations!! Ok I’ll start with downtown since that’s where your hotel is. For restaurants, Mas Malo has amaaaaaazing fresh and unique Mexican food and Mo Chica has delish spanish food but Bottega Louie is my favorite place with fantastic food and an amazing scene–it’s a celeb hotspot! But if you can, I would really venture to some of the other parts of LA–Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, or my fave spot, Santa Monica (where I live now!). The beach in Santa Monica is absolutely gorgeous and there are tons of great shops, restaurants and fun live street performers on the 3rd Street Promenade which is a very short walk from the beach. I would totally check it out!! I would also recommend hiking Runyon Canyon for something active. It’s in Hollywood and a great, iconic little hike. Also, I work at SoulCycle, so I have to recommend that you come here for a fun and fantastic workout! Email me if you want to come and I can get you in free 🙂 Hope you enjoy my beloved LA!
I’m not a fan of the modern design either…floral on everything and anything please 🙂
The hotel room looks wonderful. I love the modern look for sure!! I haven’t been the LA for quite sometime, but I am sure the hotel is full of tourist activities! Enjoy your stay!
While downtown isn’t exactly a hotspot, there are some good local food options. There’s a Mendocino farms that’s about a ten minute walk from there. They have great sandwiches. I’ve enjoyed many a delicious dinner at the nearby Border Grill, it’s owned by one of the master chefs from Top Chef. Also see my Nickle Diner dessert recommendation above!
Hi Julie!
I have lived in LA for three lovely years — I am originally from Indiana, so trust me I empathize with your feelings on humidity. I visited the west coast with my boyfriend on a trip after graduating from college and decided we would do everything in our power to make it a permanent move! Now we live in Santa Monica on the west border of LA county. Our little apartment is 15 blocks from the beach and is a super dog-friendly, active neighborhood — it’s perfect.
The Standard is definitely a strange hotel as far as being a guest; however, the rooftop bar is one of the coolest places in the city! It has a phenomenal view of downtown LA and it even has a newly built biergarten that has a great selection. Aside from the questionable waterbed pods (you will know what I am talking about if you go up there) it is definitely a spot worth checking out, especially since you are staying there.
I HIGHLY highly, highly recommend Bottega Louie restaurant and gourmet market. It’s very close to The Standard (cross streets are 7th and Grand). First, the atmosphere — it used to be a Brook’s Brothers store, so the interior is one large, well-lit room. It’s quite loud in there, but you also have a view of the kitchens and it’s fun to watch them make all of the delicious food! The pizza is phenomenal. Seriously, some of the best wood-fire oven pizza I’ve ever had! You also can’t go wrong with the portebella mushroom fries. For dessert, please order a chocolate souffle, and please share it with another person unless you want to go into a sugar coma 🙂 It is wonderful. Chocolate fluffy goodness with a creme anglais filling. They also have a bakery case with chocolate and baked goods…including several flavors of macaroons — my boyfriend’s mom’s favorites!
The fashion district is an area of downtown just south of where you are staying. The website, http://www.fashiondistrict.org, will give you more details. It is a collection of unique retailers — clothing, shoes, toys, house wear, etc. at amazingly affordable prices. It spans over 100 blocks, so I would definitely reference the website so you can select which stores (and the locations) you want to visit. You will always find a great deal and many of the retailers are willing to bargain for lower prices. Lots of cute clothing for cheap…what could be better?
Walt Disney Concert hall is quite beautiful too. And if you have time, definitely check out Griffith Park and the observatory (but that is a little ways from downtown).
I hope you have an enjoyable stay in the city! Safe and happy travels!
-Virdiana
I work in the building directly across from the Standard. Downtown has picked up a lot in recent years. Mendocino Farms (on the corner of 5th and Flower) is a FANTASTIC sandwich place — I highly recommend it. As for dinner in the area, Baco Mercat is a few blocks east, and is very good, but can be tough to get reservations. Industriel is also interesting. Bottega Louie is just a block or two south of the Standard and is a big hit — if nothing else, go for the desserts. Welcome to LA!
I can’t wait to hear about the IDEA convention. I’ve seen so many bloggers talk about it lately and say that they’re going.
Be sure to check out the ping pong bar at the top of The Standard! It’s so much fun.
Mendocino Farms and Big Man Bakes!!
I’m not a fan of the modern look either but it’s always fun to experience something different! Hope you have a good time in LA!
One of my faves in LA…Cafe Gratitude http://cafegratitudela.com/ SO GOOD!
Thank you so much for the coupon code! What an amazing deal!
I’ve liked PS 162 the past few times I’ve been in downtown LA. They have a very well priced happy hour; it’s on Flower, I believe. Walked to The Farm during a lunch break at the convention center – enjoyed that as well. I have been to Santa Monica Pier several times & once was enough – nice to see but too touristy. Walking around in that area is nice though – if you can get there. The 3rd Street Promenade is nice too. A must-do is a drive out of LA on the PCH – you will have to go back! 🙂
Just bought a new pair of running shorts 🙂 thanks for the coupon!!
My family and I just got back from Florida, and the humidity really was intense. I could barely tell whether I sweating or not because the moisture is just DENSE!
I think modern rooms look really cool, but I agree that more cozy decor is usually what I enjoy more. Glad you made it safe to LA! Hope you have a blast!
If you get a chance, go up to the rooftop bar at The Standard. Also within walking distance check out Urth Cafe for breakfast or Lunch and Wurstkuche for amazzzzing sausage! Welcome to my hometown!
If you get a chance, go to the Griffith Observatory! It was my favorite thing in LA and the view is amazing.
And splurge on an In-N-Out Burger!
Thanks for the coupon code – order placed!
I also want to let you know that your blog has helped me train for a half marathon! I never ever thought I’d even want to do one, but I found my way over here from fANNEtastic food and read your post about your start at running and the link to Hal Higdon. I realized that a half was totally do-able and now I’m in week 8 of training. So THANK YOU!! 🙂
Julie!!’ You must go to The Griddle Cafe on Sunset in West Hollywood. They have theist amazing and decadent pancakes I have ever eaten in my life.
http://www.thegriddlecafe.com/
I haven’t read all the comments, but my dinner rec would be something much different than all these hip Hollywood/downtown places! Try Papa Cristos on Pico and Normandy. I’m Greek, and I can tell you its some of the best Greek food you will ever have. On Thursday nights they have a “family style” Greek dinner with wine tasting, appetizers, belly dancers, and live music. It is SO FUN and relaxed and casual. They have a Greek market where you can take some Greek goodies home too 🙂
http://www.papacristos.com/
I’m so excited to hear that you’re loving the public transportation in LA! I’d heard that it was pretty poorly set up. I’m moving close to LA next week (!!) and was worried that I would spend all of my time in LA stuck in traffic or waiting for terrible public transportation.
If you’re downtown Bottega Louis is great. If you’re able to venture out a bit AOC or any of Suzanne Goin’s restaurants are very Californian in cuisine with beautiful interiors. I’ve heard STK is where celebs who want to be seen hang out. And the Ivy has really fantastic food and I think not impossible to get a dinner reservation. I think the celebs just go for lunch there. Try to sit outside and enjoy a warm LA evening.
It’s funny that you comment on public transportation in LA being good…I lived there for 3 years and that was never something that came out of my mouth! haha! I hate to admit it, but I think you may have just been lucky about where your hotel was. While LA is working to improve their public transportation, they have a LOT of work to do. There are a lot of buses but they’re definitely on the sketchier side of things and nothing I ever felt comfortable riding. To each it’s own but ultimately, glad it worked out for you!!! 🙂
Thanks for the coupon code, I placed my order last night! And totally off topic, but – I love your “So You Want to Run a Half Marathon” post. That’s actually how I found your blog, and what convinced to me to sign up for my first HM in September!
If you are looking for a quick lunch, see if you can find an Urbane Cafe, I lived in Southern California for four years for college and that is on my top 5 most missed things list. The cafe is gourmet salads and sandwiches and their homemade vinaigrette and bread is to die for. Sigh, I miss it everyday!!
Ugh! I read your blog every morning and you didn’t post the promo code for Reebok until yesterday afternoon so the code has already expired by the time I saw it this morning! 🙁 Wish they had let it go for a full 24 hours or something!!
I am definitely not much for modern. I can appreciate it at times and I love me some clean lines here and there, but give me a shabby-chic cottage feel and old architecture any day.
I stayed there last weekend too! It wasn’t quite my style either, but I still enjoyed it – hey it was something different! If you have time still, I’d highly recommend walking through the Santa Monica promenade and doing some shopping there. You can stop to eat at True Food Kitchen, which is an amazing healthy and organic cafe that I love (their teriyaki bowls, hummus plate, and crudite platter are unbelievable). I’d also recommend taking a run along the Santa Monica and Venice beaches. There’s a running trail along the sand and on the Santa Monica side there’s a section that has pullup bars, rings, ropes, and all sorts of fun acrobatic equipment that you can play on. It’s a really fun way to get a workout in! I hope you’re having fun!
I had no clue that LA had such humidity! That is crazy. I’ve always wanted to go there and now I know to be prepared for he humidity!
modern is so not my style either, but pretty cool to experience for a few days, I’m sure. That bathroom…total locker room vibes! I’m with you on the humidity. I live in Alabama and WOW…talk about hard to breathe when you walk outside! Sometimes I feel like I’m swimming through the air. Enjoy!
I stayed at the Standard in NYC and it is a very different hotel. However the NYC rooms are probably a 1/3 of the size of the LA rooms! But they do have interesting bathrooms…which I find fun. Its nice to stay somewhere that is not a generic box hotel.
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com