My Los Angeles: @Kactus.JPG's LA Top 5
Self-proclaimed "Fig Troll" and Highland Park resident Kate Ludwig shares her top 5 spots in the city
Hello Angelenos! Today, I’d like to e-introduce you to Kate, known online as Kactus.JPG. Kate is a fashion and social media pro, but I know her for her *most excellent* curated LA recommendations. A mutual friend reposted her IG guides back in 2021 and it was an instant follow for me. Now, Kate and I are internet friends turned IRL friends, and I can’t wait to explore more corners of LA together. We both like to play a game of guessing where people are in the city based on their untagged social media posts, and it’s simultaneously the most frustrating and most fun game to play. Kate knows ALL the spots, so we’re very lucky to uncover 5 of her favorites here on Ticket to Sarahdise today. Let’s dive in!
NAME: Kate Ludwig
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOURSELF: I’m Kate :) I’m a digital marketing consultant — my background is in fine art + graphic design. I consider myself ‘Jack of all trades, master of few.’ I consult and make a lot of short form content for small female-owned brands — graphics for social, email campaigns, etc.
2 of my fave clients right now: @whimsyandrow + @sanctuaire_shoppe.
Most mornings, you can find me trolling Figueroa, with an oat capp in-hand, posting on IG for a client while a podcast plays in my airpods. I enjoy grocery stores just as much as I enjoy the farmers market. A perfect weekend involves trying a new restaurant with good company, an architecture tour, + finishing a good book. I love research. I’m chronically online.
AREA OF THE CITY YOU LIVE IN: Highland Park
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN LA? I lived in Santa Clarita from 2012 to 2016 while I attended CalArts. I’ve lived on the East side ever since. Silverlake > Frogtown > Highland Park
LA SPOT #1: Figueroa Street in Highland Park (or as Kate calls it, “Fig”)
Fig checks all the neighborhood boxes and then some — all within a few blocks we have several coffee shop options, restaurants for brunch + special occasions, bomb street tacos, a bowling alley (oldest in LA), tattoo parlors, a million salons, boutique grocery stores, cocktail bars, a music venue, a book store, gift shops, curated vintage clothing + furniture… along with the basics, like a cvs + a post office… I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
LA SPOT #2: VDL Research House
You've definitely driven by this house. It's right along the Silver Lake Reservoir. It was designed by Richard Neutra in 1932, and was used as his family home + design studio. His use of material and the attention to detail is truly unmatched in my opinion. It's open for tours a couple days a week! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys architecture or interior design even a little bit.
LA SPOT #3: Woon
Good savory food, good natty wine, hot sake, veggie options, strong interior vibes, but more than anything, a really warm sense of community. Keegan is the best.
I love how their pop-ups are true collaborations. Often guest chefs will incorporate Woon favorites into their dishes— like smothering the Woon chewy noodles in a bolognese sauce… or putting pepperoni and pickled pineapple into their fried rice to give it a Lucky Nick’s pizza spin… I don’t see a lot of other restaurants doing collaborative menus like that. That’s why I won’t miss them. Most of their pop-up menus end up being a one time thing.
LA SPOT #4: Kumquat Coffee Co.
I feel spoiled being able to hit Kumquat during a slow afternoon when there’s no line. But I do think the line is worth it — hands down best coffee in LA. I’m not usually into flavored coffee or specialty drinks but Kumquat can do no wrong.
Don’t sleep on the monthly special! My faves:
December: Minty Moccacino
February: Ruby Morocchino
March: Strawberry Hong Kong Mylk Tea
All Year: Cloudy with a Chance of Peanuts (tastes like a snickers treat)
LA SPOT #5: Muscle Beach before 8am (The only time to go imo)
The calm before the storm. Bundle up for dawn patrol, then get to a breakfast spot right at opening to skip the line— there’s no better feeling. Maybe Gjusta?
If you haven’t already, make sure to follow Kate on Instagram and check out her website, kateludwig.com.
As always, feel free to reply directly to this email with any suggestions or feedback for what you’d like to see in future TTS newsletters! Until next week… You can find me on TikTok :) See you on the internet!