LOS ANGELES

Go...

• PERRIN PARIS 1893 read more ›
  (346 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills. Tel. 310-786-9936)
  perrinparis.com
  Last year’s arrival of this 117-year-old leather goods house further bolstered Beverly Hills’ already considerable line-up of high-end handbag boutiques. Also look for wellconstructed leather gloves.
• VENOKADO read more ›
  (7714 Fountain Ave, West Hollywood. Tel. 323-850-1600)
  venokado.com
  The theme at this luxury market—which sells everything from fine wine to $65 candles— seems to be “self indulgence.” You can’t go wrong with a stuffed wine bucket, which comes with glasses, chocolate, candles and a game.
• MAXFIELD read more ›
  (8825 Melrose Ave. Tel. 310-274-8800)
  A modernist block of concrete hides this sculpture garden and boutique stuffed full of hot fashions and sparkly baubles. It’s pretty expensive, and incredibly popular among the celebrity set.
• DARREN’S UNIQUE GIFTS AND THINGS read more ›
  (5406 W Pico Blvd. Tel. 323-965-8181)
  This tiny boutique is lined with candles, fine jewelry and a wide range of home décor items. When you need to find the perfect gift, this should be your first stop.

• LAKE HOLLYWOOD PARK read more ›
  (3160 Canyon Dr. Tel. 323-666-5046)
  laparks.org
  A shelf of manicured grass under the Hollywood sign, this park is a regular meeting place for dog-owners that live high in the hills. The views over Lake Hollywood and the city below are awe-inspiring.
• MALIBU PIER read more ›
  (23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. Tel. no phone)
  parks.ca.gov
  As the sun pulls low over the wide span of the Pacific, surfers take advantage of the last waves before coming in. Spend just a few minutes watching from this famous pier and you’ll want the Southern California beach life for yourself.
• THE AMERICANA AT BRAND read more ›
  (889 Americana Way, Glendale. Tel. 818-637-8982)
  americanaatbrand.com
  Based on the phenomenally successful concept of the Grove in West Hollywood, The Americana brings a mixed-use mall to neighboring Glendale. It has more than 75 shops, a movie theater, and various restaurants and bars.
• ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST read more ›
  (701 N Santa Anita Ave, Arcadia. Tel. 626-574-1613)
  www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles
  Los Angeles’ urban sprawl gives way to rugged beauty when paved roads become dirt paths climbing into the Angeles Forest. A network of trails leads to lonely summits and bustling campgrounds.
• THE PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA read more ›
  (465 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills. Tel. 310-786-1000)
  paleycenter.org
  Named after CBS creator William S. Paley, this free museum houses an amazing assortment of historical artifacts from TV and radio. The video library contains nearly every television episode a person could think of.

• LITTLE NEXT DOOR read more ›
  (8164 W Third St. Tel. 323-951-1210)
  On weekends, the terrace of this fine foods market, pastry shop and café spills over with Angelinos out for a French-style brunch. Whether you order the croque madame or just a croissant, your meal will feel indulgent. $$
• THE VEGGIE GRILL read more ›
  (8000 W Sunset Blvd. Tel. 323-822-7575)
  veggiegrill.com
  This clean, inexpensive lunch spot is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, but even die-hard carnivores could mistake the veggie carne asada for one with the real thing. $$
• IL PASTAIO read more ›
  (400 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills. Tel. 310-205-5444)
  giacominodrago.com
  This Italian restaurant is always packed because of its fair prices, exceptional fare and its waiters, many of whom are Italian and all of whom are knowledgeable about the cuisine and extensive wine list. $$
• VELVET MARGARITA read more ›
  (1612 N Cahuenga Blvd. Tel. 323-469-2000)
  velvetmargarita.com
  Shockingly colorful walls decorated in an explosion of gaudy trinkets add to the local color of this rowdy cantina. The ahi ceviche and turkey empanadas are interesting twists on traditional Mexican favorites. $$
• THE IVY read more ›
  (113 N Robertson Blvd. Tel. 310-274-8303)
  There is hardly a more perfect example of LA's dining scene than the patio at the Ivy. Go for a weekend lunch, when you may find yourself enjoying California classics (like the grilled vegetable salad with chicken or shrimp) surrounded by Hollywood stars. $$$$

• BAR MARMONT read more ›
  (8171 W Sunset Blvd. Tel. 323-650-0575)
  www.chateaumarmont.com
  This SoCal classic is subdued for the Sunset Strip, but it's a great party for people who care for artfully concocted drinks. Try a Ginger Rogers, with Millers gin, apple liqueur and muddled ginger root.
• COCO DE VILLE read more ›
  (755 N La Cienega Blvd. Tel. 310-659-3900)
  onelittlewest12.com
  Many of the patrons of this nightclub come through a side door shared by the swanky STK steakhouse. The exclusive club is from the same group that manages NYC’s Tenjune and Miami’s Gansevoort South.
• COCO DE VILLE read more ›
  (755 N La Cienega Blvd. Tel. 310-659-3900)
  onelittlewest12.com
  Many of the patrons of this nightclub come through a side door shared by the swanky STK steakhouse. The exclusive club is from the same group that manages NYC’s Tenjune and Miami’s Gansevoort South.
• MI-6 read more ›
  (9077 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood. Tel. 310-859-8369)
  clubmi6.com
  This multilevel nightclub is a raucous dot at the bottom of the exclamation point that is Santa Monica Boulevard. Splurge on bottle service if you want a banquette with a view.
• THE ABBEY FOOD & BAR read more ›
  (692 N Robertson Blvd. Tel. 310-289-8410)
  abbeyfoodandbar.com
  This hybrid brunch location and nightlife destination comprises multiple themed rooms for sipping mimosas and flavored mojitos. It’s a foundation of the West Hollywood social scene.

• JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK read more ›
  (161 miles east of Los Angeles. )
  nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
  The rubble-strewn ridges and wide expanses of desert found at this national park are, upon close inspection, home to an explosion of life, home to flowering Joshua trees to more than 250 species of birds.

This month...

Fun Fact!
With 190.1 million revenue tons annually, the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest in the US.