Mini postcard from LA

This summer we re-visited Los Angeles, one of our favorite places to be. Our days were spent seeing friends, relaxing and re-exploring all the things we love and enjoy doing there. Most of these places are featured in previous LA travelogues (click here), so this will just be a short postcard adding a couple of new things into the LA mix. To make up for the briefness of this post, a regular one will follow within the next couple of days.

TESLA and SPACEX

Excitingly, California is home to the two technology companies I follow with great interest and passion, Tesla and SpaceX. 

With Tesla, Elon Musk is on the mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable and renewable transport, and to steer us away from meeting our daily transport needs by burning fossil fuels. Los Angeles' roads are a testimony to the success.. even though I stopped counting after the first hundred sightings, I never got tired of pointing out the Teslas (and other EVs), it was just thrilling to see just how many are embracing the change, which makes me hopeful for the future. (If you would like to learn more,  follow these links: About Tesla and Elon Musk's Master Plan Part I).

Obviously, I would have loved to visit the Tesla factory in Fremont, but there wasn't enough time to include a trip to Northern California. Fortunately, SpaceX's headquarters are located in Hawthorne, near LAX. 

SpaceX has revolutionised access to space by developing reusable rockets which dramatically cut the cost of space exploration. Instead of building rockets that burn up on entering Earth's atmosphere, SpaceX's rockets withstand the re-entry and land with pin-point precision on pads or drone ships, to be used again and again.  I can vividly remember how excited I was watching the first Moon Landing with my parents fifty years ago at the age of 6. I would  never have imagined it would take more than half a century for men to reach out to the stars again. Elon Musk's SpaceX is a big part of making this dream happen again.

Visiting SpaceX was obviously on top of my list, and even though they don't do factory tours (unless you know one of the employees), I very much wanted to see the very first stage orbital rocket that  returned safely back to Earth (set up in front of their HQ) with my own eyes!

If you've never watched the magic of rockets and boosters coming from space and landing back on Earth, check out this video (featuring the latest reentry of a Falcon rocket from space) twitter.com/elonmusk, or click here to see the incredible double booster landing of Falcon Heavy last year.

Capsule wardrobe pieces: Tweed jacket with lurex (Georges Rech), jeans (Blank NYC) and a short sleeve sweater in dark green (MaxMara, here)
Sandals by Chanel, belt by Le Temps de Cerises

 THE BROAD

The Board is a fun, modern art museum in Downtown LA, and since everyone wants to see the Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms, the key to visiting is timing...the queues get longer and longer as the day goes on!

To avoid the no-reservation 'first comes, first serves' queues, book free tickets online (here), keeping in mind that during high season you'd have to book several weeks in advance. Make sure to book the earliest time available (11am on weekdays, 10am on weekends) and to arrive 20 -25 mins before the museum opens its doors. You will find yourself pretty much first in line, which is handy because you need a second reservation to access the mirror installation. Once the doors open you simply follow the museum's assistants, who steer you towards the iPad registration kiosk in the Lobby. There you enter your first name and mobile number, which gives you your approximate wait time. By the time you reach the mirror room, you're most likely already good to go in. This procedure saves you several hours of queuing, so it's well worth preparing!

SpaceX: 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne, CA 90250
www.spacex.com

The Broad: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012. www.thebroad.org (
closed on Mondays)


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LA travelogue final part - Santa Monica and Venice Beach

The end of the LA travelogue coincided with the last day of the summer holidays, today DS is going back to school. Temperature wise there is no sign of la rentrée yet, it's still hot and sunny at 34 degrees celsius.  With scarf friendly weather nowhere near in sight, it is just as well that I have a few last Los Angeles pictures to share.

We spent our last days in the same place that we spent our first days of the trip.. by the Pacific Ocean. Only this time we stayed in Santa Monica and Venice. Both places are fun and lively and offer something for everyone... ideal for a family holiday!

The Shutters on the Beach is a picture perfect beach hotel oasis with a grey and white slatted wood façade. It is relaxed and breezy and immaculate and fresh, and also has two beautiful, light and airy restaurants, Coast and One Pico.

Coast is my favorite... it has large windows overlooking the beach and you can see skaters, cyclists and joggers floating by while having a drink or lunch in a modern colonial setting featuring cane chairs, ceiling fans and chrome light fixtures, or on the romantic little terrace surrounded by plants and with a trickling fountain.

Bike rides have always been a successful part of our family holidays (click here for Berlin or here for New York) and there could not be a more perfect way to explore Venice, Santa Monica and the famous bike trail connecting the two. There are many bike hire places in Santa Monica and Venice, but the nicest beach cruisers are at Shutters, where you get a bike valet service too (located just outside the Coast restaurant).

Allez-go!

Santa Monica Pier - not only the oldest West Coast pier but also the most famous.. its arcade and carousel have been a backdrop in hundreds of movies.

One of the coolest streets in LA - Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. It stretches from Venice Blvd to Pacific Ave and is lined with shops, cafes, boutiques and restaurants. One shop front porch display is more creative and fun than the next,  it is impossible to get bored!

Abbot Kinney after whom the boulevard is named. He's also known as the 'Father of  America's Venice', he created and developed it a little over a hundred years ago.

There is no shortage of restaurants on Abbot Kinney... these are my two favorites:
top row: the light and airy Salt Air has a simple but delicious and fresh menu, to which you can add char-striped olive oil grilled bread and a bottle of chilled white wine.
bottom row: the hip and trendy Gjelina is famous for its pizzas, but also offers a wider menu in addition to being a cool hang-out.

Street art and murals play a huge rule in the community

Venice is always busy, and even more so on the weekends (if you prefer to stroll or take a bike when it's relatively quiet, the mornings are best). On the Ocean Front Walk there is never a dull moment. The East side is lined with cafés, surfboard hire places and souvenir shops and on the opposite side there are small street vendor's stalls, all of them playing their own sounds and music. Any space in between is taken up with fortune tellers, snake charmers, street dance performers, cotton candy sellers, body builders, musicians, poets and painters and a piano player with his own grand piano on wheels. In short, it's the kind of sightseeing kids and teenagers very much enjoy too!

Best view over Venice beach, the roof top of Hotel Erwin

Throwback to Venice in 1996 when we used to live part-time in LA. In those days I was roller-blading instead of bicycling.

You cannot imagine a more gorgeous bike trail than the one connecting Santa Monica and Venice Beach... the concrete path is so smooth that rollerbladers, skateboarders and bikers glide on it seemingly without effort. The path is surrounded by manicured white sand and sculptural palm trees, and while you ride along you have a perfect view of the beach one side, and the bustling Ocean Front Walk on the other.

The arrival of the Green Doctors was a novelty to us, and it seems that in Venice the prescriptions are handed out especially generously.

My favorite singer on Venice's Ocean Front Walk is the kind and humorous * Starla * who comes most Tue, Wed and Thursdays, covering soulful R&B and jazz songs. She's located just opposite Venice's best frozen yogurt parlor. It is such fun to sit in the sunshine with a favorite treat and to hear her sing. (click here to see her on YouTube). She can be booked for weddings or special occasions (contact details below).

The best place to watch the sun set is the rooftop of the cool and hip Hotel Erwin. It's a good idea to book a table, especially if it is the weekend. While you listen to lounge music you can order drinks and bites to eat, and watch the sun dropping like a huge orange into the Pacific.

Even going super casual felt slightly overdressed in Venice!



Au revoir Venice



STAY

Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405,
Phone: +1 310-458-0030 www.shuttersonthebeach.com

Hotel Erwin, 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-452-1111 hwww.hotelerwin.com

EAT

Coast at Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405,
Phone: +1 310-587-1707 www.shuttersonthebeach.com/dining/coast

Gjelina, 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-450-1429 www.gjelina.com

Salt Air, 1616 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-396-9333 www.saltairvenice.com

more:

The Tasting Kitchen, 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-392-6644  www.thetastingkitchen.com

Chaya, 110 Navy Street, Venice, CA 90291
Phone: +1 310.396.1179 www.thechaya.com/venice

Superba Food and Bread, 1900 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-907-5075 www.superbafoodandbread.com

Broadwalk Yogurt (frozen yogurt): 215 Ocean Front Board Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Phone: +1 424-238-8977

DRINKS AT SUNSET

High Rooftop Lounge, Hotel Erwin, 697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 424-214-1062www.highvenice.com

EXTRAS

* Starla * on Venice Broadwalk, opposite Broadwalk Yogurt
contact number for bookings: +1 310-433-4201

Bike hire Santa Monica: Sea Mist Rentals, 1619 Ocean Front Walk (Santa Monica Pier beach level), Santa Monica, CA 90401, Phone: +1 310-395-7076

Bike hire Venice: Ride! Venice, 1915 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, California, 90291
Phone: +1 310 954-0974 https://www.ridevenice.com

Bike hire Venice: Jay's Rental, 1501 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291,
Phone: +1 310-392-730 www.jaysrentalsvb.com

SHOP

Abbot Kinney Boulevard shop directory: www.abbotkinneyblvd.com/shopping

Bye bye California!

LA travelogue part three - West Hollywood

After having had two wonderful romantic weeks with DH, it was great fun to spend the rest of our time in LA en famille. We organized the remaining time around places that teenagers enjoy too, so started by spending a couple of nights on Sunset Boulevard and then moved on to Venice and Santa Monica before heading back home.

The Sunset Marquis is a cool hotel which has its history, heart and soul rooted in the music business. Black and white photographs of rock stars and musicians who've stayed there line the lobby and lounge areas, and there's a recording studio which you can book along with your room. Many well known film scores have been born there.. The restaurant is open on three sides and surrounded by water features and lush vegetation. It's a great place to have dinner, and the rain forrest setting lets you easily forget that you're right on Sunset Blvd, LA's most iconic strip.

Around the corner from the Marquis is one of DS's favorite breakfast hang outs, the legendary Mels Drive-In (conveniently open 24 hrs, which is just as well if you travel with a growing teenager!)

No need to explain who's breakfast this is!

Room with a view.  The Mondrian is another excellent place to stay with older kids.. it's funky, groovy and hip, and has a great location. Its cool rooftop pool area is a magnet for the young social media crowd, which provides plenty of interesting entertainment!

The Mondrian's Skybar with sweeping views over Los Angeles and Downtown. A perfect place to have a light dinner from the small but tempting bar menu.

The pool shares the same stunning views as the skybar, so it's not a surprise that it turns into a photo location for Instagram celebrities in the afternoons.

Further down Sunset, The London West Hollywood is another place with a superb roof terrace. It's restaurant Boxwood on the Roof has a 360˚view over town, and it's a fabulous place whether for drinks, lunch or dinner. Thank you again dearest Th. for suggesting it! (click here to see a post featuring The London New York)

Sunset boulevard at night.. it makes you feel like you're strolling through a movie!

Dinner at the Boxwood on the Roof

On the other hand, DS' preferred eateries were the food corners in shopping malls. The variety, freshness and quality on offer were superb, and definitely worth a visit (at least in DS's book)!

One of the shops I enjoyed the most is the super stylish interior design shop 'Restoration Hardware' on Melrose. Thank you again talented and dearest Annie for recommending it (she also shared the Jady skincare tip with me.. what would I do without her!) If you are looking for inspiration for your home or work place, the Restoration Hardware is definitely a place to look at... I could move right in and be very happy! Even if you're not interested in decorating, it is worth a visit for it's space and style.. the roof terrace has been constructed as a public space. You can settle down with a book in one of the many beautiful seating arrangements, or play a game of ping-pong or pool billiards. You see school study groups  meeting there, or people just coming to take a break and  enjoy the view to the soothing sound of the trickling fountains.

More inspiration from dear and stylish friends.. what are the perfect coolers to go with Hendricks Gin? Home-made cucumber ice globes! When you've seen them you'll want them. To make these jumbo coolers which have the added advantage of melting less quickly of course, you'll need an ice ball mold (you can find them on amazon etc), and some pretty colored fruit or vegetables.. you can substitute the cucumber with strawberries, lime, raspberries.. the options are endless! Thanks so much dearest Dot for sharing, I always learn something from you.

Everyone needs a break from time to time!



Pacific Design Center - view from the Restoration Hardware rooftop

Just in time, a little bird whispered in my ear the name of this beautiful textile shop... 'Hollywood at Home'. Peter Dunham's fabrics are gorgeous and I am so glad I visited. Thanks so much again for the tip dear D.D.!

I could have taken each and every cushion home with me..

Il Piccolino is a charming Italian trattoria co-owned by LA veteran restaurateurs Eddie Kerkhof (Le Dôme) and Silvio de Mori. It has two lovely terracotta tiled terraces surrounded by walls of plants, and makes you feel as though you are sitting in the middle of a beautiful garden. The food is fresh and mostly organic and the service is charming and attentive. The perfect setting for long and memorable lunches.. we met up with friends (including the already mentioned interior designer dream team Dot and Annie of course),  and our lunch stretched well into the afternoon. What a happy time it was!

STAY

The London West Hollywood, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-854-1111 http://www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/

Sunset Marquis, 1200 Alta Loma Rd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone: +1 310-657-1333 http://sunsetmarquis.com/

Mondrian Los Angeles, 8440 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 323-650-8999 www.morganshotelgroup.com/mondrian-los-angeles

DRINK

Skybar at the Mondrian, Address as above, Phone: +1 323-848-6025
www.morganshotelgroup.com/skybar

EAT

Il Piccolino, 350 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048,
Phone: +1 310-659-2220 www.ilpiccolinorestaurant.com

Boxwood on the Roof, 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: +1 310-358-7797 www.thelondonwesthollywood.com/boxwoodontheroof

Mel's Drive-In (American breakfast), 8585 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069,
Phone:+1 310-854-7201 www.melsdrive-in.com


SHOP

Restoration Hardware, 8564 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood,
Phone: +1 310-652-0323 www.restorationhardware.com

Hollywood at Home ,703 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069

Phone: + 1 310-273-6200  www.hollywoodathome.com  

Peter Dunham Textiles  www.peterdunham.com