The Sherman HotelStaff Picks

Head to Deervale-Stone Canyon Park for a hike or to Sherman Oaks Recreation Center for running trails and playgrounds. For wilder nature, head to Dixie Canyon Park: a 20-acre woodland preserve with a hiking trail that winds through oak and walnut trees.

Discover wellness indoors as well. On March 28, head to the Spring Into Wellness Health Expo at Westfield Fashion Square right here in Sherman Oaks. This expo promotes health and wellness, offering free health and safety services, diagnostic tests, demonstrations, and even stage performances. Best of all, the expo is completely free to attend and open to the public.

Mistral offers impeccable service and warmth in combination with an upscale environment and extraordinary French food. Top off an anniversary with a chocolate souffle.

One casual option takes our town’s name: The Sherman. Known for The Sherman Martini and a special old-fashioned with honeycomb inside, this spot also stands out for the mac n’ cheese. Enjoy indulgent food and cocktails on lively Ventura Boulevard.

Firefly is another spot certain to light a spark. Between an indoor library lounge and an outdoor patio, truffle pasta and craft cocktails combine for a transcendent evening.

Head to Sherman Oaks Galleria on Ventura Boulevard to shop your heart out in a refreshing outdoor setting. There’s no shortage of good restaurants to stop at for a little pick-me-up.

Best of all, you can end the day with a cocktail and a movie at ArcLight Cinemas, which offers bar service from 3 to 7 pm, Monday through Thursday. Order something from the cafe and enjoy the silver screen. This is the season to catch up on Golden Globe winners and Oscar nominees, and there’s no better place to do so than in the Valley.

If you're in town for the Academy Awards, head to a local haunt like Robin Hood British Pub, on Burbank Boulevard, for a viewing party complete with a red carpet.

Head to Sherman Oaks Galleria, at the corner of Ventura and Sepulveda Boulevards, on Friday, December 6 for the holiday tree lighting. Enjoy free photos with Santa, ornament decorating, cookie making, an elf magic show, and hot cocoa for all. If you miss this special reception, you can still check out the tree during your holiday gift shopping.

On Sunday, December 8, experience the Luminaria Festival in Studio City. From 3 to 7 pm at the Campo de Cahuenga, enjoy choir and bell performances, a big band, refreshments, tours of the Campo, and even children’s activities—all surrounded by the soothing glow of the paper lanterns.

Later in the month, the Festival of Lights will take place on the first night of Hanukkah (December 22) with a special candle lighting at Westfield Fashion Square.

Beyond these special rituals, the Valley’s many suburbs will be full of brilliant displays of holiday nights that are sure to bring cheer to your trip.

Some blockbuster hits were filmed right here, including Steven Spielberg's masterpiece E.T. At 9 am on Saturday, November 9, head to Porter Ranch for a one-of-a-kind valley experience: The Original E.T. Hike. This guided group foray will lead you along hiking trails through the neighborhoods that were featured in the movie—including tree-shaded Aliso Canyon, Limekiln Canyon, and “The Palisades”.

If you were more of a bookworm as a kid, on that same day you can opt to hit the Sherman Oaks Friends of the Library book sale, taking place on the second Saturday of every month from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at our local branch of the LA Public Library. Most books are $1 or less and you’re sure to find some treasured classics as well as quirky discoveries.

If you’re in town the following weekend, honor another blockbuster classic with the Jurassic World 10K, 5K & Raptor Run at Universal Studios Hollywood. The 5K and kids’ race take place on Saturday, November 16, and the 10K takes place on Sunday, November 17. All participants can look forward to a collectible finisher’s medal and a lively celebration involving photo ops with Jurassic Park film props.

It may be no coincidence that the name "Calabasas" is derived from the Spanish calabaza meaning "pumpkin", "squash", or "gourd". 

Nights of the Jack welcomes visitors onto the vast grounds of the ranch to peep hand-carved and illuminated jack-o'-lantern on a half-mile trail. The whole event comprises a Halloween wonderland, with a live pumpkin carver, a gift shop, LA food trucks, and a “Spookeasy Bar” serving hand-crafted Halloween cocktails.

The event is friendly for the kids as well, thanks to a partnership with Nickelodeon that has produced a special Spongebob Squarepants installation and an “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” pre-show tent.

If you decide to head into the mountains before dark, enjoy the spook-free daylight in Topanga Canyon. Go shopping for vintage items in the hippie chic town of Topanga, or opt to stretch your legs on one of the state park’s many trails.

Head less than 5 miles south on the 405 to Canyonback Trail, which cuts through the area of the Santa Monica Mountains known as the “Big Wild”. This trail is on a ridge connecting the peaks of hills, so the views are great, but expect direct sunlight. It’s perfect before a dip in the pool back at the hotel.

If you seek a more mellow day immersed in nature, head 7 miles east on the 101 to sprawling Franklin Canyon Park, where you’ll find over 5 miles of trails, plentiful picnic areas, a duck pond, and a nature center.

In any direction you look from Sherman Oaks, nature reserves, parks, and trailheads abound. Just take your pick! 

One option is to head 15 minutes away to the beautiful Lou Bredlow Pavilion at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. Here you can catch family-friendly favorites at a ready-made outdoor theater that includes a full concession stand to satisfy all appetites. August flicks include Aquaman, Incredibles 2, and Mary Poppins Returns. Bring your own blanket or a low-backed chair if you prefer.

To quench your nostalgia for another era, experience something as all-American as apple pie: a summer drive-in movie. These take place at the Lake Balboa Complex in the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, just 3 miles from the Sherman Hotel. This month you can still watch Born in East LA, The Goonies, and Grease.

Hosted by Record Producer Nile Rodgers and CHIC, this beloved LA spot will come alive with Fourth of July festivities over the course of three totally exciting nights. The main act? The incredible LA Philharmonic will captivate audiences each night with a star-spangled performance. But the fun doesn’t stop with their awe-inspiring concert. Before the show begins each night, hang in the plaza with DJs, vendors, and even activities like disco dance lessons. Just after 6 pm, DRUMLine Live will be there to pump up the crowd and get the energy going for summer’s popular holiday. Come decked out in flashback looks—bonus points for red, white, and blue incorporated—and ready for a celebration only LA can throw!

The big parade, happening Sunday, June 9, is an experience you won’t want to miss out on. Join locals and visitors alike as you cheer and march along with the performers, floats, and marchers. The event always attracts celebrities and speakers, taking advantage of the festival’s various main stages. This year’s lineup includes Meghan Trainor and Years & Years! In addition to the awesome performances, you’ll also find awesome food truck vendors and local businesses coming out to show their support. Dedicated to celebrating acceptance and self-expression of the community, LA’s Pride Festival also encourages allies to join the ongoing fight for equality in LA, the country and all over the world.

Each Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Fashion Square mall you can make the rounds and sample amazing food from the region’s top farmers. Check out local produce, eggs, sweet treats, jams, and much more—the Farmers Market is home to a wide variety of diverse vendors who offer delicious goods round every corner. Plus, you’ll have a chance to speak with the farmers or vendors themselves, to learn more about their products and their business. Grab some snacks to refuel during your city exploring, or stock up on fresh items for a homemade meal while you’re away, you’ll find it all here. We hope you’re hungry, it’s impossible not to fill up on amazingly delicious farm-fresh food.

Experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood like never before. Beginning this month, the Dark Arts are taking over Hogwarts Castle in a stunning projection experience. Catch the show April 13-28 every night as your favorite villains and creatures from the Forbidden Forest make their way onto the castle. Plan your visit early to enjoy Hogsmeade and the normal excitement of Harry Potter magic. By night, you’ll want to stake out spots to watch the exciting display of lights, music, special effects, and popular scenes from the films as they’re projected onto the exterior of the castle. Everyone you love to hate from the series, including Dementors, Death Eaters, Aragog and He Who Shall Not Be Named himself will make an appearance until the famous Patronus spell is cast. Who will save the day? Find out at this can’t-miss special event!

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, you’ll want to plan ahead to make sure you’ll be dining on only the best Irish fare all day long. To help, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Irish pubs and eateries across Los Angeles. Cheers!

Jameson’s Irish Pub, Hollywood
Before you think this is just another tourist trap, let us tell you about the pub’s iconic happy hours. Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m., you and your crew can enjoy 2-for-1 drinks and an extensive collection of whiskeys to sample.

Sonny McLean’s, Santa Monica
A fun mix of New England and California bites, McLean’s real specialty lies in Irish dishes including corned beef, sausages, garlic mashed potatoes, and steamed cabbage. Need something to wash it down? This pub’s list of ciders and stouts are not to be missed.

The Irish Times, Culver City
Stop in ahead of the major holiday to immerse yourself in authentic LA-Irish culture with fun trivia nights and Celtic music in this dimly lit pub. In between rounds, you can munch on delicious bites, including a beef and Guinness pie and corned beef sandwiches.

Hi – I’m Audrey and I’m half of the duo behind Southern California’s favorite boba Instagram, @bobabitchess. Even though our Instagram revolves around mostly boba, we’re also food fanatics and try to share our favorite eats through our Instagram story. Today, I’m excited to team up with The Sherman Hotel to take you on a tour of one of my favorite food meccas in Los Angeles – Little Tokyo!

Photo Credit: Timeout.com

Little Tokyo is in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and within walking distance of city hall and LA’s art district. It‘s made up of several plazas and shopping centers plus the Japanese American Museum. I love Little Tokyo for its abundance of restaurants and unique boutiques and have been coming here ever since I was a toddler. Basically, whenever I’m not at school or work, you can find me here.

Photo Credit: Marugame Monzo

When it comes to dining, I love Marugame Monzo for its extensive udon menu. Udon is a type of thick flour noodle that’s extremely popular in Japanese cuisine and Marugame Monzo stands out because they make their udon fresh daily. I like to joke that if I ever won the lottery, I’d hire my own personal chef from here. My favorite is their miso carbonara udon, an udon that brings together the best of Italian and Japanese cuisine.

Photo Credit: HobNob

My favorite place to shop in Little Tokyo is HobNob because they have the cutest variety of clothing from trendy faux fur coats to graphic tees, funky coats, and berets. HobNob is also unique because they do carry an assortment of high end sunglasses and often have limited runs of character clothing like Gudetama backpacks and Hello Kitty accessories. It’s an eclectic mix of fun Harajuku style, cool LA girl basics, and trendy pieces. If you want something funkier, check out Popkiller, which has thrift pieces, Japanese artists designed clothing, and more.

Photo Credit: Sanrio Japanese Village

For everything super cute, Little Tokyo is your stop. There are several stores specializing in kawaii goods: Sanrio, JapanLA, and Tokyo Lifestyle. My favorite is Sanrio because I grew up with a ton of the characters, especially Hello Kitty. JapanLA and Tokyo Lifestyle are better if you want a variety of character goods. One cool thing about the Sanrio and JapanLA here are that they host tons of meet and greets with famous bloggers and new Japanese artists.

Photo Credit: Teamaster LA

For dessert, you’ve got to try Teamaster LA’s matcha soft serve. Teamaster is known as the must stop shop for matcha fanatics in SoCal and all of their drinks have a deep matcha flavor to them and taste authentic to what you would find in Japan’s top matcha stores.

Photo Credit: Poketo

For fans of art and design, Poketo is a must! They sell a bunch of different things – jewelry, home goods, stationary, sunglasses, etc. What they all have in common though is that everything here is so aesthetically pleasing. If you’re in the area, be sure to check their calendar to see what workshops they’re hosting.

Photo Credit: Twinkle Brown Sugar

Last but not least, I know you’ve been waiting to hear what our favorite boba spot in Little Tokyo is. Although there are tons of options and the list is continuously expanding, Twinkle Brown Sugar is my favorite for its price, quality, and taste. I’ve found that other boba shops in the area have consistency issues and/or cost too much, so I recommend Twinkle Brown Sugar to newbies in the area. My favorites are their Twinkle Fruit Tea and brown sugar milk tea.

The diverse and vibrant artistic community here in LA is one of the many things that makes this city so iconic. Reigning as one of the most popular museums in the world, the Getty is an expansive, inviting look into the incredible works and exhibits from artists all over the globe. Spend an afternoon at this popular museum and watch as you’re transported to different parts of the worlds, immersing yourself in exciting artistic discoveries. Not only does the Getty provide an opportunity to learn about new artists through their rotating exhibits, but you also learn about the past with a housed collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art from the Neolithic-late Antiquity period, and more! Whether it’s through sculpture and paint or photography and installation, the Getty is a gateway for you to experience, celebrate, and discover art in all its mediums.

The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, closed Mondays, and has free admission. Parking is $15 per vehicle and $10 after 3 p.m.

We get it – as a student you want to travel, but traveling can cost a lot of money. That’s where we come in. We offer some of the lowest rates in the LA area, while still being close to the action (we’re just steps away from Ventura Blvd). We’re also here to give you some of the least expensive/student friendly activities in the area.

Photo Credit: Anouska.net

LACMA is a favorite among Californians for day trips. Not only does it exhibit world famous artists like Jeff Koons and Noah Purifoy, but it’s also a favorite among bloggers for #ootd shots. Stop by the entrance to take in Chris Burden’s iconic Urban Lights sculpture and to grab tickets. For CA residents, a ticket to LACMA costs $20, but LACMA offers a special discount for students in CA – just $16. Once you finish up with LACMA, take a walk along Wilshire Blvd. to take in LA’s famous Miracle Mile.

Photo Credit: Twenty One Pilots

Los Angeles is home to a multitude of ethnic neighborhoods serving up authentic cuisine and giving tourists a peek into their cultures. Chinatown, Olvera Street, and Little Tokyo are all located in DTLA within walking distance of each other. They’re great spots for shopping, dining, and inexpensive entertainment like jazz clubs in Chinatown and purikura (Japanese photo booths) in Little Tokyo.

Photo Credit: Time Magazine

A must for all tourists would be Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Here you can check out all of the stars who’ve made an impact on entertainment and got themselves a coveted star. Located nearby are many other famous sites like Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre (where America’s Got Talent is filmed!), and more.

Photo Credit: Yi Shuen Lim (@yish21uen)

For the best views of the Pacific and great shopping, head over to Santa Monica. You can start the day walking around Third Street Promenade, grab lunch at one of the many cute cafes, and then head over to Santa Monica Pier for rides, photos, and gorgeous views of the ocean. We recommend Bobarrito for fun drinks and to try SoCal’s latest food trend – the sushirrito, a burrito with sushi fillings like fresh seafood and avocado. If you’re looking to splurge, head to Uovo for finely crafted pasta imported from their kitchen in Bologna, Italy.

Photo Credit: Natural History Museum

Exposition Park is home to some of LA’s best museums – Natural History Museum, California Science Center, and the California African American Museum. The best part about these museums is that they all offer student discounts. After visiting the museums, you can walk around their famous rose garden, which has been used for filming movies and music videos like 3OH!3’s music video for STARSTRUKK with Katy Perry.

Photo Credit: Broad Foundation

Last but certainly not least on our list of student friendly spots to visit is LA’s foremost modern art museum, The Broad. The Broad is home to some of the most famous artists alive today from Takashi Murakami to Jeff Koons and Yayoi Kusama. The best part about The Broad is that it’s completely free. We recommend booking a ticket in advance so that you can skip the line, but it’s not mandatory.

Los Angeles is home to some of the world’s best museums ranging from natural history to science and art. Whether you’re looking to see a world renown museum or looking for something a little bit off the beaten path, LA has it all.Take a look below to see some of our favorite museums.

Photo Credit: beyoutifulhope.blogspot.com

LACMA is a favorite among Californians for its large, interactive art exhibits including Chris Burden’s Urban Lights (pictured above). LACMA has some permanent exhibits, featuring prominent impressionists and some of the most famous Japanese traditional artists, but our favorite thing about LACMA is its rotating list of exhibits. LACMA has hosted everything from Jeff Koons’ famous balloon dog sculptures to a retrospective on Tim Burton’s artwork. Exhibits are constantly changing, so be sure to check their website before you visit!

Photo Credit: travelcaffeine.com

We may be biased but LA’s Natural History Museum has to be one of the best in the world! This museum stretches on and on forever almost like a labyrinth. You could honestly spend the whole day here admiring all of the prehistoric fossils and their funkier finds like a preserved oarfish sitting in the lobby. There’s also interactive exhibits like their one on birds, where kids can listen to the sounds different birds make, and an exhibit with live animals like turtles and salamanders.

Photo Credit: Museum of Failure

If you’re looking for something quirky and inexpensive, the Museum of Failure is a must. Its entertaining gallery includes all of the world’s biggest failures from Beef Burgundy baby food to Swedish Fish flavored Oreos and creepy dolls that manufacturers believed (at one point) would be a big hit. This museum will keep you laughing with its jabs at pop culture icons as well as inform you of some of the biggest marketing flops of all time. Be sure to stop by the Segway section and read its tragically comedic story.

Photo Credit: CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com

While not as famous as its sister Getty Museum, the Getty Villa is a gorgeous way to spend the afternoon in LA. The villa is modelled after Italian villas from the classical era and houses many artifacts plus artworks from the time period as well. During busy weekends, the villa will host workshops showing guests how ancient Romans used to make perfume, psychic readings, and more. The best part about the villa is that it’s totally free as long as you book your tickets in advance!

Photo Credit: Museum of Broken Relationships

You’ve probably seen this museum online as it went viral a few years ago. The Museum of Broken Relationships exhibits items from various broken relationships whether it be lovers, friends, or even people’s broken hopes and dreams. While one may think this museum could be rather depressing, it’s actually more interesting and thought provoking than anything. It gives insight into the way we feel and how we deal with hurt plus what strange items can hold significant sentimental value for us.

Photo Credit: artreport.com

Last but not least on our list is the Broad, a contemporary art museum that is completely free for guests. Book tickets in advance to skip the line or take your chance with the queue, either way we’re sure you’ll love this museum’s selection of works from some of the world’s greatest artists like Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons. One of the most popular exhibits is Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Room (pictured above). If you want to get a chance to experience Kusama’s most popular piece of art, be sure to get to the Broad early as spots fill up quickly.

To start your new year off right, you’ll want to make the thirty-minute drive to Pasadena for an LA—and nationwide—tradition. Since its first parade in 1890, the Rose Parade has remained a beautiful tradition to show off California’s year-round sunshine. The parade is a fun, family affair where you can watch elaborate floral floats make their way down the streets of Pasadena. You’ll also enjoy musical performances, marching bands from all over, and the crowning of the Rose Queen and her court! Once the parade is finished, you can admire the floral floats from up close as they remain on display on Villa Street. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Immediately following the parade is the big Rose Bowl football game. This All-American celebration is a wonderful way to kick off your new year, and an even better way to remember your trip to LA.

If there’s one thing we love, it’s desserts and LA has some of the best desserts out there from Korean true milk soft serve to decadent cakes and more. We could go on and on about all the great dessert places in LA, but we’ve narrowed it down to the musts.

PhotoCredit: Bumsan Organic Milk Bar

Koreatown is home to two of the most popular soft serve shops in all of SoCal – SomiSomi and Bumsan Organic Milk Bar, both spots people will wait in line for hours for. What makes SomiSomi and Bumsan stand out from other soft serve places is that they both offer Korean soft serve, which has a smoother and less sweet taste to it along with offering fun flavors not seen at other soft serve places. We recommend the ube or black sesame soft serve at SomiSomi served up in a taiyaki cone, a soft waffle cone in the shape of a fish popular in Japan. At Bumsan, all of the soft serves are made with organic milk from their milk farm in South Korea. Our favorites are their true milk and dragonfruit lychee flavors.

Photo Credit: Sweet Lady Jane

You can’t go wrong with Sweet Lady Jane, who has 3 convenient locations in West Hollywood, Encino, and Santa Monica. Our team has tried everything – their tarts, cheesecakes, cakes, brownies, pies, teas, brunch dishes, etc. – and literally everything is beyond amazing here. We don’t want to exaggerate, but Sweet Lady Jane may have reinvented the dessert game. We’re nuts about their raspberry cheesecake (pictured above), their chocolate espresso cake, and their raspberry almond tart.

Photo Credit: Dominique Ansel Bakery

For delicate treats that’ll transport you to a Paris café, we recommend Dominique Ansel Bakery, located at LA’s famous shopping center, The Grove. Dominique Ansel Bakery first became famous for starting the cronut craze and went on to become a favorite bakery for New Yorkers and Tokyo residents alike. We couldn’t be more excited to have them within driving distance of us now. Wake up early if you want to get one of their highly coveted cronuts (they sell out usually before noon and flavors change monthly) or sleep in and head over for an elegant brunch followed by dessert.

Photo Credit: LA Weekly

Mochi ice cream is a staple of SoCal childhoods and the people who first created mochi ice cream, Mikawaya, have a shop in Little Tokyo’s plaza. Here you can find a wide assortment of flavors plus ice cream, perfect for hot LA days. If you don’t know what mochi ice cream is, let us break it down for you. It’s a golf ball size scoop of ice cream surrounded by a thin layer of mochi, a sticky wrapping made of rice popular in Asian countries.

Photo Credit: The MILK Shop

Not to brag, but LA is the first for many thing including macaron ice cream sandwiches. When the macaron ice cream sandwich craze first started, you could only get it at one place – The MILK Shop. While The MILK Shop has many other desserts from ice cream sundaes to cookies and gooey brownies, we’re still partial to what made them famous. Our favorite macaron ice cream sandwich is The Grasshopper (bottom center), a mint chocolate sandwich that’s both refreshing and decadent. They also have more unique flavors like Thai tea and Froot Loops.

Photo Credit: Lemonade

Lemonade has locations all over SoCal, but the original is in LA. While they’re known for their healthy dishes and obviously their lemonade, we think their desserts deserve to shine. They offer fresh desserts in happy colors that will brighten up anyone’s Instagram feed. Grab a macaron large enough to share or pick up a slice of their famous coconut cake.

We may not have snow in southern California, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fully immerse ourselves in the holiday season! With new, exciting events happening every night, there’s no shortage of merry celebrations to enjoy the season Los Angeles-style. Here are a few of our favorites:

Pershing Square Holiday Skating Rink | Now Through January 21
The outdoor ice skating rink, one of the biggest in the city, is the perfect backdrop for holiday festivities. Throughout the winter months, keep an eye out for special events including curling lessons and a silent disco skate night.

Descanso Gardens’ Lights | Now Through January 6
Catch one of the most stunning light displays in the area at the Descanso Gardens. This year’s light-up experience is a whimsical, innovative take on holiday lights that combines interactive experiences with eight different illuminated installations across the grounds of the garden.

LA Zoo Holiday Lights | Now Through January
Don’t think the zoo is just for daytime! During the holiday season, the zoo lights up at night with colorful displays across the grounds. Guests will also be able to see reindeer and grab their photo with Santa while enjoying the magically illuminated park.

The holidays are back in Beverly Hills! All throughout the month and into December, welcome the festive season BH-style with the BOLD Holiday celebrations. Beginning with the Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration on November 15, enjoy holiday shopping, festive lights, and crafty activities ideal for getting into the holiday spirit. The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting will have live performances, special guests, and the unveiling of the famous street’s iconic holiday décor! Then, be sure to stop by artist Alexa Meade’s pop-up experience from November 15-December 23. The popular 3-D artist (who collaborated with Ariana Grande!) brings 2-D work to life with interactive installations and bright, colorful attire to blend into the paintings. Throughout the month of November, there will be numerous activities and events to welcome the most wonderful time of the year—we’ll see you there!

With the fall season rolling in comes one of the area’s most popular events—right here in Sherman Oaks. The 28th Annual Sherman Oaks Street Fair is back on October 21 for an entire day of Southern California fall fun! The largest single-day event in the San Fernando Valley, the Street Fair celebrates Southern California’s history and culture with over exhibits, food trucks, beer gardens, and over 200 vendors. The fair begins at 10 a.m. and lasts throughout the day until 6 p.m. During that time you can check out cool exhibits including a Classic Car and Hot Rod Show, a Carnival and Fun Zone, and a Pet Zone for your fur-pals. Whether you only have time for a quick walkthrough or spend the whole day, the Sherman Oaks Street Fair has something fun for everyone at an event meant to highlight the best of Southern California living.

Your trip to Los Angeles won’t be complete without a stop to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. The bright, lively pier has remained one of the most notable landmarks of Southern California since its formation, over 100 years ago. The original end of the famous Route 66 (you can still see the sign!), Santa Monica Pier remains a colorful and buzzing stop to welcome all to the west coast. With all its attractions, activities, and entertainment, you can easily spend an afternoon uncovering the hidden—and not-so-hidden—gems of the pier. Home to a popular amusement park, the Pier offers incredible views of the coast on the magnificent Ferris wheel and roller coaster. Or take a spin on the historic Carousel and dive into friendly competition in the arcade games. One of our favorite spots? Heal the Bay’s secret aquarium, tucked away underneath the Carousel building We’ll see you there!

Just because the summer is winding down doesn’t mean the fun has to! LA’s summer of amazing concerts continues strong with Ed Sheeran’s North American Tour stop to the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena on August 18th. Whether you’re a die-hard Sheerio or just like singing along in the car, the popular UK artist puts on an incredible show filled with all of his top hit singles. Celebrating his latest album, ‘Divide,’ (which debuted at number one in the UK as the fastest-selling album from a male artist) the concert will be a fun evening out to groove and sing your heart out to one of the most popular musicians in the world. If you’re a music-lover, you’ll want to get your tickets ASAP! Vacation may be all about the beach, but there’s always time to enjoy an indulgent dinner and catch an awesome concert—it’s a date!

Dive into the buzzing scene of Downtown Santa Monica with an afternoon at the Third Street Promenade. A lively mix of shops, eateries, and street performers, the Promenade always has something exciting going on just waiting for you—whether you’re a foodie, shopaholic, or art-enthusiast. And the twice-weekly Farmers Market is a fun outing to get your hands on fresh, local produce, speak with local farmers and agriculturalists, and check out the many art vendors lined up. You can pop into one of the many eateries to quench your thirst with a refreshing cocktail or go straight for the shops to find a new wardrobe. No matter how you like to spend your free time, you’ll love spending an LA day at this open-air, car-free stretch of shops, restaurants, and shows.

June not only marks the start of the summer season but also welcomes one of the biggest pride events in the country. The annual LA Pride Parade, June 9 – 10, attracts thousands—nearly half a million—of visitors every year to show support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Join in on the two-day festivities, including the famous Sunday float parade, at West Hollywood Park where you’ll find great music, food, and entertainment. With tons of performers, notable celebrities, and three main stages, LA Pride has become a colorful, nationwide attraction with a much deeper mission than your typical festival. Dedicated to celebrating and embracing acceptance and self-expression of the community, LA’s Pride Festival also encourages allies to join the ongoing fight for equality in LA, the country and all over the world. Single day tickets are on sale $25, all-weekend pass is on sale for $35.

We’re always heading straight for the stars at the Griffith Observatory. This L.A. landmark is southern California’s dreamy gateway to the cosmos where visitors can study telescopes, explore exhibits, and enjoy all things galaxy. Each month, the observatory hosts free public star parties where friends and family can come together to spot the sun, moon, visible planets, and all the constellations our evening sky has to offer—and there’s a lot! This month’s star show is on May 19, and visitors can try out a variety of telescopes and speak about what to spot in the sky with amateur astronomers from various groups including the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. Visiting the Observatory at night not only provides stargazers with an expansive view of the night sky but also an incredible view of the bright, bustling downtown in the City of Angels.

Add a bit of Hollywood magic to your trip with a walk down the historic Sunset Boulevard. Beginning in the bright lights of Downtown and ending all the way down in dreamy Malibu, Sunset has remained an iconic street in film, television, and in the eyes of all those looking for the California dream. The Sunset Strip has seen it all; from movie stars, counterculture protests, and musicians, it has remained an "in the moment" meeting ground. Today, the boulevard has seen a rebirth with new shops, restaurants, and hotels to give visitors a glimpse of the original charm that caught so many people so many years ago. On your walk, you can stop in small cafes and restaurants for a drink or bite to eat, visit the famous Sunset Tower, and even swoon over some Beverly Hills mansions along the way.

Placed in the heart of one of the nation’s busiest intersections—via the 101 and 405/San Diego freeways—the Sherman Oaks Galleria has been a meeting point since its construction. But this is not your traditional, run-of-the-mill mall. The Galleria offers a lively and diverse open-air space for friends, families, and visitors to connect through food, shopping, entertainment, and more. Home to popular destinations like ArcLight Cinemas, Cheesecake Factory, and 24 Hour Fitness, there’s something special for everyone’s afternoon and evening plans. Friends can explore the latest fashions, families can visit the movies, and those just passing through can find something filling to eat. With so much to offer, the Galleria became one of Sherman Oak’s most popular spots. And regardless of how much time you can squeeze into your busy schedule to stop by, the time you do spend there will give you a slice of the vibrant, positive community of Sherman Oaks.

Experience the true southern California lifestyle with a visit to Malibu. This iconic beach town has garnered a reputation as an exclusive, almost mystical, home to Hollywood elite looking for some quiet, peaceful privacy. But even for short-term visitors, Malibu has so much to offer and so much beauty to explore. For surfers, Malibu’s many beaches create some of the most sought-after waves on the Pacific. Families will find plenty of sun and shopping to fill their time at Zuma Beach and Malibu Lumber Yard. And local eateries, like Malibu Farms on the pier, offer fresh, organic meals to satisfy the hunger from all that hard work laying on the beach! At the end of the day, stick around for the bright oranges, reds, and purples that create the most beautiful California sunsets. Malibu’s magic can be felt the moment your feet touch the sand, and will remain long after you’ve left.