Where to Stay:

For this trip, we stayed at Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina. The property is located in Redondo Beach (less than 8 miles from LAX airport) and is surrounded by beautiful sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

We stayed in a spacious executive room with a king-sized bed. My favorite feature of our room was that our balcony overlooked the heated pool on the rooftop deck, and we had a stunning view of the marina across the road.

However, the highlight of our stay was our dinner at SOL. Part of the hotel but with a separate entrance, SOL is a hidden gem (literally and figuratively), but don’t let that deter you. Upon stepping inside, we were welcomed to a grand, airy dining room with expansive windows.

After a long day of driving, we had cocktails to kick off our vacation. Then Brett and I ordered various dishes to share, and we were pleasantly impressed by how delicious everything was. We tried the ahi tuna tartare, chasyu toast (my favorite!), honey walnut shrimp, and Asian beef tacos. Of course, we had to finish with desserts — I got the molten chocolate cake, and Brett had crème brûlée.

Also, I’d be remiss not to mention Juan, our server and bartender. He was attentive and friendly and made excellent drinks. Service can make all the difference in a dining experience, and Juan certainly enhanced ours!

Where to Eat:

Verve Coffee — It’s a California-based chain with five locations in LA. We went to the Manhattan Beach location, which has a cute modern space with seating inside and outside. I ordered an iced mocha, which is my go-to order.

Moon House — Located in a strip mall, this authentic Chinese restaurant always hits the spot with its flavorful dishes. We order family-style, which is the best way to enjoy Chinese food. My favorite is the Peking duck because it’s hard to find in Phoenix.

Millet Crepe — My best friend, who now lives in LA, took us to this fantastic crepe place. If you’re nearby, it’s 100% worth stopping by and grabbing a crème brûlée crepe. It’s filled with custard, and we also added Nutella strawberry and vanilla ice cream. They sprinkle sugar on top and torch them by the window where customers can see. Brett and I shared one, but I wished I had ordered my own after a bite!

Nobu Malibu — I could write a whole blog post about my experience, but overall, I thought it was overrated (please don’t come after me!). I’ve heard that Nobu Malibu is one of the best, so maybe I had unrealistic expectations. Since this was my first Nobu experience, I’m open to trying another location to compare. I think it lives off its Nobu name, and while the food was good, it’s overpriced.

Sidecar Doughnuts — Another California-based doughnut and coffee shop. A hot, fresh doughnut and a cup of coffee just hit differently on vacation. We tried the seasonal flavor and the salted malted chocolate chip cookie dough; both were deliciously rich.

Lotus & Light — After visiting the Hollywood sign, we popped in for a quick lunch. It’s a Vietnamese restaurant, and the shrimp spring rolls and beef combination pho were the perfect comfort food I craved.

A+O Restaurant | Bar — A chic waterfront restaurant at Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. We sat on the expansive patio, which offers a view of an extraordinary array of boats in Newport Harbor. Everything we ordered, from drinks to desserts, was phenomenal.

What to Do:

Drive to see the Hollywood sign. We plugged the Hollywood sign into Apple Maps, drove up Canyon Drive, parked, and then walked. A few hikes also get you closer to the sign, but we decided not to go up.

Go (window) shopping on Rodeo Drive. Whether you’re ready to splurge or want to people-watch, Rodeo Drive is iconic with luxury fashion houses, award-winning restaurants, and five-star hotels. We’ve seen a handful of celebrities here!

Walk down Santa Monica Pier. The pier juts into the Pacific Ocean and offers breathtaking views amidst the sounds of crashing waves and the smell of salty ocean air. It also has an amusement park, concession stands, and fishing areas.

Take a day trip to Disneyland. It’s about 26 miles from LA. If you have more time, I recommend allocating a day to Disneyland or one of the other theme parks. Otherwise, Universal Studios is in LA County, which is closer.

I hope this travel guide helps and gives you ideas for your Los Angeles, California trip. Check back as I plan to update this guide after future trips. If you have any questions or additional recommendations, please leave them in the comments. xo

Browse some of my other travel guides to inspire your next trip:
Flagstaff, Arizona Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
The Ultimate Havasupai Guide: Everything for a Successful Trip
A First Timer’s Travel Guide to Kauai, Hawaii
A Local’s Travel Guide to St. Louis, Missouri
Why You Need to Add Clear Lake, Iowa, to Your Summer Bucket List
One Day in Bisbee, Arizona Itinerary
36 Hours in Boulder, Colorado: Ultimate Travel Guide
Golden, Colorado Travel Guide

Thank you to Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina for hosting our stay. As always, all opinions are my own.