The hotspots of Los Angeles

While most of you hear the kids or alarm clock ‘going off’, I’m still playing a game of cards with my husband here. It’s so crazy and at the same time so wonderful to have almost a whole day’s time difference (read: when I wake up, the workday in the Netherlands is almost over, which means I check all my emails within an hour in the morning and don’t have to check my phone for the rest of the day). Note to self: when I get home, I’ll also only schedule time in the morning to clear all my emails and won’t check anything for the rest of the day. Believe me: this significantly reduces my daily screen and stress usage. I’m bringing the LA calm back to the Netherlands. Well, the only thing that boosts my screen time here is the constant urge to post everything I encounter on Stories, because man oh man, LA is just fantastic. And to prevent my Instagram from working overtime, I’ve lined up my favorite spots for Santa Monica/Abbot Kinney for you.

If I lived here, I would eat vegetarian and vegan out so much more often. Almost every spot has a list of delicious vegetarian and vegan options. Go for a healthy breakfast at Flower Child (choose the Green Garden breakfast) in Santa Monica or at The Butcher’s Daughter (go for the BLT sandwich with delicious vegan bacon) on Abbot Kinney.

After a solid meal, it’s time to pick up your shopping heart, which isn’t hard in these neighborhoods. I went crazy at Mohawk in Santa Monica, where they sell well-known brands (Jacquemus, Isabel Marant), but also many unknown brands for me (Howlin’, Shaina Mote). Abbot Kinney is actually one long street with amazing boutiques (Fiorentini+Baker, Heist, LCD) where you can wander around all day. In between, grab some really good coffee at Intelligentsia on Abbot Kinney or if you want to try something exciting, check out my favorite drink at Urth Caffé in Santa Monica (Green Tea Boba).

After such a long day, you’ll be ready for a good drink, believe me. At Esters in Santa Monica, you can indulge your wine heart in both the bar and the accompanying shop. Élephante is the newest Mediterranean hotspot in Santa Monica, where you can enjoy lunch and dinner with a view of the sea. Or reserve (otherwise a table is really a no-go) at Gjelina on Abbot Kinney for the best charcuterie, pizzas, and vegetable menus ever.

And then you have to live on water and bread for the rest of the week to get everything financially back in balance…