In *the* Heart of Los Angeles: Los Angeles Sights

I had an amazing trip to LA – jam packed with the quintessential LA tourist sights, amazing foodie spots, and lots of walking in the incredible California weather. I’ve compiled photos from some of my favorite sights below, and I’ll be doing a separate post on my foodie adventures.

After a quick stop for a post-flight iced latte and vegan treat (featured in my next “LA Food Adventures” post), we were off to bike ride along Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Not kidding, I haven’t ridden a bike in 15 years! It was a bit of a rough start, but I eventually got the hang of it (for the most part). I’m just thankful it was a Monday, not a busy weekend, or I would have gotten run over by the herd of LA local cyclists.

{stunning views of these beachside homes}

{true beachside waves at the Manhattan Beach Pier}

The next morning was spent hiking the Hollyridge Trail, where we were able to get up close and personal with the HOLLYWOOD sign…

Post-hiking, we wandered around West Hollywood to pop in some stores and stop at some of the infamous wall art.

Part of our trip included a trip to The Broad Museum and the Urban Lights. We waited about 2 hours to get into The Broad, and another 2 to get into the Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room inside. Even once in the museum, you have to go directly to a kiosk to sign up for the waitlist for the room. You can choose to go into the room alone, or with one other person. You get 45 seconds in the room (whether alone or with someone). Of course we were able to entertain ourselves with plenty of amazing contemporary art during the wait for the Infinity Mirrored Room.

{a quick snap with a Jeff Koons installation}

Here’s one shot from my time in the Infinity Mirrored Room. It was an incredible sight, and well worth the wait. There is a museum employee that mans the door to the room with a stopwatch. You enter the room on this plank-like pedestal which is actually surrounded by water. The room is paneled with mirrors and covered in hanging lights, and the installation truly does make it look like the room goes on for infinity. Although you only get 45 seconds in the room, it actually is just enough time to snap some photos/video, and have enough time to truly enjoy and immerse yourself in the room.

Our experience at The Broad was followed by a live taping of Jimmy Kimmel, and an outdoor concert by the Avett Brothers (managed to snap this up close pic of Jimmy before the concert). P.S. He is quite the stud in person!

{Urban Lights outside of LACMA at night}

{duh, of course LA would have the best lighting…}

We made it to PUMP (one of Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants/bars, for all of you Bravo fans out there). As soon as we walked in, Ken walked right passed me and said hello and asked how I was. My celeb-radar then spotted Lance Bass and hubby at a table with Pandora and Jason (Lisa and Ken’s daughter and son-in-law), and Ken and Lisa joined the table shortly after. We sat at the bar in the back, which is the more social area, and ended up being just feet away from their table. I ordered their Pumptini, because, when in Rome…

After leaving LA (along with an early morning almond milk latte at another amazing LA coffee shop, also featured in my “LA Food Adventures” post), we headed on a road trip to Vegas! We planned to meet up with some other friends for a girls weekend.

We made a pitstop at Bottletree Ranch, which was a very cool abandoned area with old bottles and other (very) random items. It was a fun little stop, though was also slightly creepy.