My Birthday in LA + Travel Tips to Save Money!

Last month was my 29th birthday, and I got to escape the negative 4 degree weather to celebrate on the west coast. Ever since my visit to LA last year I knew I had to come back and explore more. Everything about this trip was perfect. We had fantastic weather that it made me forget it was January. Each day the temperature would wiggle between the 70s to 80s! Yes, 80 degrees in January. It had me questioning why I am choosing to deal with these harsh conditions. 😩

I definitely will be making another trip back since I have good friends in the area. I still feel like my 5 days weren’t enough. I’m thinking of making LA a yearly trip. LA is the perfect destination for a quick getaway. The flights are very affordable. I was able to get a round trip from New York for $220. I flew Virgin America and had a great experience, and would recommend flying that airline.

My favorite places to go to track flights are momondo, and hopper.Both of these apps are mobile based and will give you notifications when the price drops. The app will also suggest when to book, and if this is going to be your best deal.

I do a lot of traveling, so I appreciate when someone does all the searching for you. Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy two one-way tickets instead of a round trip. That was the case with my LA trip. Some quick travel tips that have made my traveling more affordable are below. I believe sharing is caring so enjoy 😊.

Quick tips:

Where I stayed:

We stayed in an Airbnb near downtown Hollywood. It felt like a mini Times Square, and I probably wouldn’t stay in that area again. It was a little busy for me and far from the places I wanted to visit. Downtown Hollywood is also very touristy, but if that doesn’t bother you it’s a great area to stay. I chose to stay in an Airbnb because we have a little more space. The group I traveled with was me and 3 girls. Staying in an Airbnb allowed us to have more than just beds. I prefer this when traveling in groups in stead of a hotel. The Airbnb was also more adorable than a hotel.

What to do:

Venice Beach

We picked one of the best days to venture out to Venice. It was 80 degrees that day! I couldn’t believe I was experiencing 80 degrees in January. If you have time, I would recommend taking the drive out to Venice. You definitely will have to plan this adventure out because it’s about 45 minutes in a car pending traffic. Once there you can sightsee, people watch, shop, or grab a bite to eat.

While in Venice I didn’t get to snap many pictures at, but it’s so pretty out there, and the beach is beautiful. There is a broad walk that can keep you entertained as you decide your next move. I did not go in the water, but I did see some people in the water and surfing.

Runyon Canon

A hike in LA is a must! Its a way to keep yourself active and you get to take in all the views. Taking the Hike at Runyon is my second time, and this time I didn’t die! The first time I hiked up Runyon it was hard for me, hiking is a serious workout. There are so many trails that you can hike when out in LA. For the first-timers, you want to hike Runyon so you can get the Famous Hollywood sign in the background. If you are feeling adventurous and want to hike more than one others, you can check out is Culver City Stairs(Baldwin Hills) or Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park,

Walk of Fame:

I was lucky to be able to watch a star get honored during my trip. My girl Mary J. Blige and I both share the same birthday! So on our birthday, she was giving her overdue star. It’s free for you to check out, and it’s cool to be a part of this monumental moment. Be sure to check out the website and see the upcoming schedule.

Rooftop bar:

There are so many rooftop bars in LA that you can take advantage of. I was surprised by how many people were at this bar at 3 on a Thursday, but I guess that’s the Beauty of being an entrepreneur. What I loved about this bar was all the outdoor seating. Lots of couches for you to lounge on. Another win for me was the mule bar! They had over 6 different variations of mules you can choose from, so there is something for everyone.

What I ate:

Catch 56:

We stumbled into this place after we finished at the walk of fame. I’m so glad we found this spot. It’s a fast-casual seafood place. Everything I had was delicious. You get to pick your protein, how you would like it prepared and your side. The chef there is so friendly that he let me have half calamari and half salmon. If you are looking for a good bite to eat and GOOD food, I highly recommend stopping by!

Gjelina:

The pictures speak for itself here. The moment I walked in I knew I was going to leave a happy person. If possible try and make a reservation beforehand. We walked in, and the wait was over an hour. We were lucky enough to snag a table at the community table. We were a party of 4, so it worked out. It also helped because we were able to browse everyone’s else plates around and get some recommendations. Our group decided to split some plates which was best, so we got a taste of everything.

If I had to pick a favorite item, it would be the pancakes. The lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberry compote just melt in your mouth. The pancakes are not dense at all, but are light and fluffy. Then it was topped with fresh Creme Fraiche! Get the pancakes and you won’t be disappointed.

Egg slut:

One of the places I knew I HAD to visit this time in LA. I’ve been dreaming about coming here for the past year, and this place lived up to my expectations. One of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve had! You have to be a lover of eggs to enjoy this. Most of their sandwiches come with an over easy egg (I’m not a fan of that, so I had my egg cooked all the way through, I know not courageous at all).

The menu is simple: Bacon Egg & Cheese, Sausage Egg and Cheese and Cheeseburger.  The sandwiches are on top of a fresh brioche bun, what more could you want! One of their most popular dishes is Egg slut offers a dish called “Slut” which is an egg that is poached in a jar on top of potato puree and served with baguette slices. I am not that type of egg lover yet, but maybe on my next visit, I’ll check it out. There are 4 locations in LA so be sure to check it if you go! You will thank me later.

STK:

This is a great place to come for a sitdown dinner. I was so pleased with my birthday dinner here. The food was topnotch and matches the price tag. You will spend a decent amount here, but it is so worth it! The steak was terrific, but get the mac and cheese!! One of the best mac and cheese’s I have tasted, everything about it was just phenomenal. The cocktails here are a hit as well. There is also a DJ that plays some music and only adds to the vibe. Now that I have visited STK out in LA I need to stop by the one out here in New York so that I can compare.

Nightlife:

The Dime:

This is my second time going here, and it’s always a blast, but if you don’t like crowds, I would not recommend this spot. It gets very crowded in here, and it’s hard to move at times. If that doesn’t bother you prepare to have a good time and swag n surf with your crew. Plus you’ll never know who you meet! Got a chance to met Y’lan Noelx who plays Daniel from Insecure 😍

Beauty & Essex:

Just like the location in NY, this is a cute place to grab a pricey drink. No drink specials here but the music and vibe is amazing. The food is small tapas, so you may want to have a snack before you come.

How to get around:

We were able to uber everywhere, and each of our rides were very affordable. I never caught a surge pricing which I’m thankfully for. I don’t think its necessary to rent a car if you’re only staying for a couple of days. Plus the traffic gets crazy, so its best to just stay on the passenger side.

During my next visit, I want to be able to check out one of the live shows. There are plenty of shows that get tapped out there and will allow you to sit in the audience for free. I hope this was helpful for you, and if you’ve gone to LA comment below some of your favorite parts!

Until Next time!