I am so tired of this city… Daiki and I are slowly getting ready to leave. But a few admin tasks are keeping us here probably for another 6 months minimum. It is also difficult for us to travel at the moment for health related reasons. So it feels like… We are trapped here.
In French, we say “il faut faire de mauvaise fortune, bon coeur” one of my favorite expression that means Make the best of a bad situation I guess, the Lemonade reference in American culture would be the closest equivalent.
This article is an attempt to look inward and try to focus on what I actually really enjoy about this place I gave 14 years of my life to. Here is my humble top 12:
12 – The Huntington Library
This is technically Pasadena, and it is definetely overpriced, but it is a magical place, that makes you forget about the world, with a schedule based limited entrance that makes the entire experience a really “delice”.
11 – Street Hot Dogs
It’s not the healthiest food in a million miles but it will always be connected to that late night snack craving right after coming out of a good concert. So LA, so good.
10 – Mid-Century Modern
Architecture wise, the entire city is a patchwork of so many different styles, and I love it. But one of the dominance is the 50/60’s beloved mid-century modern look. My home included.
9 – Canter’s
Yes, there will be a few food releated points on this list. So I love diners, I think it’s one of the best thing America has to offered, it’s so comforting. Canter’s is the classic jewish deli style diners and it’s my favorite spot for cornedbeef hash, or all year thanksgiving plate.
8 – The Movie Industry
there is something really special in recognizing your home and familiar places in the shows and movies you watch! It never gets old. I also love to come accross a set around the city and start imagining what they are filming. I don’t care for celebrity sightseeing, but when it happens, you just think “only in LA…”
7 – Fruit Vendors
Food again, yes. And that was is so damn basic, it’s just fruits cut into a plastic bag, only, you can add the lime juice and Tajin the chili powder, and it’s suddenly becomes the most magical snack. I just get excited each time I see the rainbow parasol. My go-to mix is Mango, Watermelon and Jicama.
6 – The Griffith Observatory
The place can get very busy, which can ruin it slightly. But once you are laying in the Planetarium, listening to the soothing story of our universe, it just feel like the best place to be. The exhibition doesn’t change but I can look at it over and over again. Then you have the view, best at sunset where the spread out city shines under your eyes.
5 – Surf Culture
I know it’s not only a thing of Los Angeles, or even California. But there is something about the PCH and Malibu, and that small community gathering around a common lifestyle. I know I will enjoy waves in many other places, but I will always miss the smaller waves, the fearless dolphins and non-agressive sharks (unlike in Australia)
4 – Vintage Culture
I have thrifted all around the world, and visited more vintage stores to count, but right before Japan, LA stands there as the BEST spot on earth for vintage and thrift, I can’t explain why. Even the Japanese stores sell inventory picked in LA. The digging scene is super generous, and I keep on collecting thinking that I will miss it hard one day.
3 – The Open Sky
You probably can see beautiful skies in many places in the world, no doubt. But in a mega-city, it is a lot more rare. Even in my small hometown of Brussels, I never had that vast, big open sky feeling like I have here, especially at sunset. How big, how blue, how beautiful, just like Florence and the machine described it.
2 – Trade Joe’s
I know, you have TJ in 42 states, but it was born in LA, and it is so strongly attached to this city, plus when I look at places I am thinking to move to, they do not have TJ, so it will most likely always be connected to LA to me.
1 – Stairscase Beach
This is my favorite spot in the entire city, right before the county line, hidden so low that many are discouraged to even go down. And the perfect secluted beach with the softer left, that helped me improve my surfing like no other pace has. Also, the crowd there is simply wholesome. Missing LA would mainly means missing this spot.
More Top 12?
Check out my top 12 reviews, exploring a variety of topics, categories, and conversations.
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