30 Affordable-ish Ways to Spend A Day in LA
No skydiving, amusement parks, or Michelin-star meals in sight
Hey besties, hope 2024 is treating you well thus far :)
Today’s write up is for those who want to savor the last couple weekends of freedom before birthdays, housewarmings, work commitments, family commitments, trips and more start filling up the cal (me me me) - orrrr save this one for the next time a friend is visiting and you need some inspiration for things to do!
In no particular order, and truly no rhyme or reason, here are 30 affordable-ish ways to spend a day in (or around) LA—
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Fuel up at Morning Service Coffee and walk along the Frogtown stretch of LA River
Spend the entire day relaxing at WiSpa (open 24 hours with all kinds of spa services & sauna rooms to explore)
Lunch at Grand Central Market & take Angel’s Flight up to The Broad or MOCA for a lovely afternoon at the museum
Check out Pomona College’s Benton Art Museum and witness James Turrell’s Skyspace on campus at sunset
Hike Eaton Canyon and feast after at Millie’s Cafe
Brunch at Tartine & tour the galleries at Jeffrey Deitch across the way
Pick up breakfast burritos at Great White and watch the skaters on Venice Boardwalk
Lobster rolls at Broad St Oyster Co, shop Malibu Country Mart, then walk across PCH to the beach
Pick up Bay Cities sandwiches and enjoy a beach picnic on Ocean Park Beach
Rent paddleboards in Marina Del Rey and treat yourself to Cheesecake Factory afterwards (the classiest Cheesecake Factory in the country tbh)
Wander the aisles of the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, Bart’s Books, and follow it up with an olive oil tasting at Ojai Olive Oil Co
Hike Tuna Canyon then grab a glass of natty wine & some pizza at Endless Color
Take a visit to The Getty Center and have a picnic on the lawn (yes, you can bring your own food and NA drinks!!)
Ride the ferry in Balboa Island and stroll the shops on Marine Ave, round out the day with a frozen banana ofc
Skeeball and flights at Arts District Brewing Co (also love Wurstküche across the way and Angel City down the block)
Hear me out… you have to be in a specific mood but… Dave and Buster’s in Hollywood
Pick up breakfast burritos at Lily’s and spend the day at El Matador Beach in Malibu
Tour the galleries at The Hammer Museum then walk around UCLA’s campus after
Walk State St in Santa Barbara then order a big bowl o’ chowder at Brophy Bros
Visit Wayfarer’s Chapel in Palos Verdes and drive along the bluffs for the prettiest views
Catch a movie at Braindead Studios, eat at Slammers their secret cafe in the back, then wander through all the hype shops along Fairfax (my personal fave is Rip N’ Dip)
Pick up Home State breakfast tacos and walk over to Barnsdall Art Park for picnic with a view - you can also sign up for a tour of Hollyhock House on the property!
Rent paddleboards or kayaks in Newport Beach and grab fish tacos at Bear Flag Fish Co after
Scavenge the aisles of Remainders Creative Reuse for secondhand art supplies and have yourself a lil’ arts & crafts day
Stroll the shops on Larchmont and grab a bite at Cookbook Market or Sua Superette
Climb the Culver Stairs then hit Jackson Market for lunch or Super Domestic for a coffee
Scour the aisles of all the antique malls in the Old Towne Orange and grab a treat at Urth Caffe after (this one hits different than the ones in LA)
Explore the absolute time capsule that is Alta Dena Library and grab a slice at Side Pie after
Grab coffee and a pastry at Lamill Coffee and sprawl out with a book at Silver Lake Meadows
Window shop at Brentwood Country Mart (most stores are $$$) and treat yourself to a biggg ice cream cone at Sweet Rose Creamery
Amping up the content over on TikTok lately, come join the partay xoxo bye till next week!
Ticket to Sarahdise Event Digest - Week of 1/15
Every week, I’m sharing events you should be checking out in LA. Here’s this week’s download!
La Burg is Back - Burgers in the back lot this Saturday at McCall’s Montana
Carrots for McNairy & Co Pop Up - Carrots (the clothes not the food heh) popping up at Virgil Normal this week till 1/19
Waterloo Papi x Pearl River Deli - epic food collab Saturday & Sunday at PRD!