Best Things to Do in Los Angeles
So, I just got back from an adventure in Los Angeles, and wow, what a mixed bag of experiences! If you're looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles, maybe my little trip will give you some ideas—or at least save you from some of the craziness I stumbled into.
This spot? Total surprise.
Okay, first off, let me tell you about this little gem I discovered: a tiny hole-in-the-wall café called "Marlowe's." I wasn't expecting much; honestly, I thought it was just another Instagram-sidewalk café serving overpriced lattes. But the minute I walked in, I was hit with this amazing smell—like freshly baked pastries and something smoky.
I decided to give their breakfast burrito a shot. When it came out, it was this beautiful, somewhat messy, tortilla stuffed with scrambled eggs, avocado, and some kind of spicy salsa that made my taste buds do a happy dance. And let me tell you, I didn't know I could feel so much joy from one bite of a burrito. It's the small things in life, you know? There was this family sitting next to me, and we ended up chatting. They mentioned that they'd been coming here for years, and suddenly this random café felt like a tradition. I left feeling oddly uplifted, like I'd just had a mini heart-to-heart with strangers over breakfast.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
You know how sometimes the day starts off feeling kind of “meh”? That was me after a somewhat rough morning. The traffic was horrendous, which I really should've prepared for, and I thought about just sitting in my hotel room binge-watching something ridiculous. But I made myself go out anyway, and I am so glad I did.
I ended up in Griffith Park, wanting to hike up to the Griffith Observatory. I'll admit, I was halfway through and seriously regretting my decision. It felt like every little incline was telling me to give up. But then I rounded a corner, and boom—there it was, the view. The city sprawled out beneath me was overwhelmingly beautiful, like one of those cinematic moments where everything just clicks. I stood there, breathing heavily but with this ridiculous grin on my face. I mean, who knew a hike could turn into a therapy session?
The universe has a funny way of shifting your perspective when you least expect it. I hadn't even planned to hike; I just wanted to see the observatory! And yet, those sweeping views of LA? Pure magic. I felt on top of the world, like I could conquer anything—or at least get a good taco for dinner.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
Speaking of tacos, let me just say that my sense of direction is atrocious. I had my heart set on grabbing dinner at this place called La Taqueria—just a quick Google search said their carne asada was iconic. Well, I would've found it faster if I wasn't wandering around the wrong neighborhood for what felt like forever. I ended up at this little park and tried to pull up directions again, feeling more lost and embarrassed by the minute.
But as I took a breath and started walking back, I noticed this mural that would've made for an incredible backdrop for my Instagram posts. You know those big, colorful street arts that practically scream, "Take a picture with me!"? Yeah, one of those was right there, and I had zero plans to stop for it. But in that moment of being lost, I felt a tug of inspiration.
And honestly, that cute little detour felt meaningful. It taught me that sometimes, when life throws you off course, you just have to embrace it and find beauty where you weren't expecting any. It definitely made getting to La Taqueria worthwhile. And about that taco feast? Worth every bit of the wrong path I took to get there.
A meal that lodged in my memory
So, there I was, finally sinking my teeth into that carne asada taco from La Taqueria. I still can't believe it. The meat was marinated to perfection, juicy and seasoned with this heavenly blend of spices. I didn't even need hot sauce; it was that good. I remember sitting at the outdoor patio, the sun setting, casting a golden glow that made everything feel a bit surreal.
And get this—of course, I made the rookie mistake of ordering way too much food, thinking I could eat like a local. Spoiler alert: I ended up with a taco coma that had me questioning all my life choices. But hey, I was on vacation, right? Plus, it gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling of satisfaction. I mean, who doesn't love a feast?
Reflections and what I learned
As I write this, I'm still soaking in all the layers of this trip. Yes, there were hiccups—like my constant failed attempts to navigate the city or forgetting to check the weather before heading out at noon (why is it so hot in LA?!). But those little mess-ups turned into some of the best moments, blending laughter and humility into my experience.
I guess in the grand scheme of things, the best things to do in Los Angeles boil down to embracing the chaos, being open to surprises, and savoring every flavorful bite that comes your way. Even if it drives you nuts at times, every twist and turn adds up to something meaningful.
So, what's next? Who knows. Probably just trying to find the best taco spot in my own city—though I have my doubts it can top La Taqueria. For now, I'll settle for grabbing another coffee, reminiscing about the beauty I found there, and wondering where my next adventure will take me. Cheers to that!
