Quiet LA

Now that the summer crowds have subsided in this transition to fall and the return back to school 2021 has happened, it’s the best time to check out local hot spots that might normally be too crowded…or have no parking, of course. I’m always on the hunt for new ways to explore this city and fall in love with it all over again. L.A. truly has it all, how lucky are we?? There are so many fall entertaining ideas and activities to do with your partner, your BFFs, the whole family, or even by yourself for “me time”.

Here are the spots I’ll be visiting this season!!

1) Malibu Beaches
Sure, the weather is cooling down, but I like to hit the beach year round. Even if it’s too chilly to lay out in the sun, it’s always great for a picnic, or to come bundled in blankets to watch the sunset. You can’t really go wrong with any of the Malibu beaches, they’re all so beautiful, but I recommend Zuma Beach or El Matador (it’s pretty small, but awesome, best to take advantage while the crowds are low)!

2) Big Dean’s Ocean Front Cafe
Whether you enjoy or stay far away from the more touristy parts of L.A., there’s no doubting the gorgeous views you can catch from the Santa Monica Pier. If you haven’t been in a while, stop by the newly renovated Big Dean’s - their chicken tacos are so awesome! Even though the pier itself is a place of hustle and bustle, I find the surrounding area to be a sweet escape. After you finish your newfound favorite tacos, take a walk along Ocean Ave until you come upon a less concentrated grassy area to settle down in. It’s great for both people watching and just relaxing and taking in the beautiful scene around you.

3) Universal Studios
Theme parks are always best when crowds are at a minimum. The studio tour is my favorite "ride." They show you the inner workings of what happens behind the scenes - you really get to experience the magic of Hollywood! If you like rollercoasters, definitely check out the Revenge of the Mummy ride. And, if you love a scary Halloween activity, the park has Halloween Horror Nights select evenings through the 31st!

4) Weekday Hikes
With the kiddos back in school - I’ll be taking advantage of any free time I can find to disappear in nature for a couple hours! My all-time fave is Temescal Canyon. It’s where Chad and I got engaged and later married! See if you can find the tree where he carved "Marry me?" In the valley, Mandeville Canyon and Fryman Canyon are also less populated and beautiful.

5) Farmer’s Markets
They have the absolute best produce AND it’s a great way to support local farms. PLUS, they have great pop-ups. One of the amazing things about L.A. is that you can find a market literally every day of the week. There’s at least one weekly market in every area of the city. I like going to the Sunday Hollywood Farmer’s Market because it’s huge and because Ridiculous Baking Co. usually posts up there, with awesome vegan treats! I also have an affinity toward the Melrose Place Farmer’s Market (also on Sundays) because the Yeastie Boys truck often parks there, serving up the best bagels in town, along with Misha’s who sells their DF soft cheese (the Sari flavor is my fave). MMM. My mouth is watering right now just thinking about those farmer’s market strawberries!!

6) Interactive Experience
I don’t know about you, but I am always on the search for an activity. To me, it makes for some of the best fall entertaining! Take the whole fam to the Madcap Motel, a walkthrough immersive event. Get close to the art of Van Gogh in this Hollywood exhibit. Or, connect to your spirituality at Wisdome’s Mystic Universe immersive art show.

7) Show Recording
Have you always wondered what a live taping of a show would be like but never looked into it? Be prepared to sit there for a number of hours, but I always find tapings to be a fun experience. Go see American Idol, or maybe The Late Late Show with James Corden.

8) Food Festivals
I can’t contain my excitement any time I’m headed to Smorgasburg L.A. If you’ve never been to this outdoor food market, sprint there NOW. You’ll find the best and most creative vendors, and are almost guaranteed to see some food you’ve never even heard of before. Plus, they have a beer garden. I recommend Workaholic’s HUGE and delicious dumplings. Definitely craving them right now. If you’re vegan, you need to hit up Vegan Exchange in North Hollywood. Every vendor is fully vegan, and wildly delicious. P.S. there are plenty of vegan options at Smorgasburg too! Both markets are open every Sunday.

9) Flea Markets
Practice your bargaining skills and head to one of the many fleas dispersed throughout the city. The best by far is the Rose Bowl Flea that happens on the second Sunday of every month. It’s gigantic and you’ll find a little bit of everything. If you’re looking for something a little more low key, head to the Silverlake Flea on Saturdays. And, of course, we all know about the Melrose Trading Post weekly on Sundays - a classic.

10) Art Walk
What once was the Downtown Art Walk is no longer due to the pandemic, but the Art Walk website continually updates with fully functioning downtown art galleries and exhibits open to the public. I just looked through and I’m excited to check some of these out.

11) Botanical Gardens
Get lost in the beautiful Descanso Gardens - they have special exhibitions for Halloween and then another for the rest of the holiday season. We also love Huntington Gardens. It’s a great place to practice your photography skills, or bring a notebook and journal.

12) Jon & Vinny’s
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention an L.A. foodie hotspot. Sure, it’s always hard to get a table, even during Quiet L.A., but it’s always worth a try. Especially now that L.A. Al Fresco has expanded the amount of tables at the Fairfax location and the new Brentwood has opened, there’s more chances to snag a table than ever. Pro tip: often times if you show up the second they open, they’ll seat you even without a res. Be sure to get the White Lightning pizza - it will change your life!! Also, check out the wine shop next to the Fairfax location: Helen’s.