How to Spend a Long Weekend in LA with your Mom
Mother's Day is coming up! Moms deserve the best, and this year I am making sure my favorite gal has her travel essentials: Jet Travel Skinny Pant, Liftoff Bamboo V-Neck, and Ultrasoft Compression Travel Socks.
Now that she is outfitted with her super comfortable travel wear, she's ready to make the trip from the east coast to visit me for a long weekend in Silver Lake, Los Angeles. When she's here we skip the tourist attractions because my mom is the kind of gal who just wants to eat, drink, shop, and walk around (bless her). Here's my guide to a long weekend with your mom in LA:
Thursday
Check in at the Silver Lake Pool & Inn
Thursday late afternoon she arrives and I pick her up at LAX (best daughter ever) and take her to the hotel. Silver Lake Pool & Inn has beautiful, spacious rooms and a gorg pool.
Dinner at Marco Polo
The hotel restaurant, Marco Polo, is divine. There's a beautiful patio and the food and cocktails are just what your mom needs after a long flight from the east coast (pro tip: come back here on a Saturday with friends for bottomless bellinis). Other amazing dinner places in the neighborhood are Pine & Crane, Osen Izakaya, or La Pergoletta. Choose your own adventure!
Friday
Coffee and pastries from Cafecito Organico
I am seen at Cafecito Organico about six times a week...but it's all novel to my mom who loves the patio while we have breakfast. Pet all the dogs that are near you and enjoy the slow start to the day.
Stroll around Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Walking around a cemetery might strike you as morbid, but the Hollywood Forever is classic. During the summer they have outdoor movies and concerts at night, and during the day it's just fun to walk around. Peacocks roam freely and you can set up a picnic next to the lake to watch the swans bully everyone!
If cemeteries are not your vibe, you can sub this activity for a walk at Griffith Park! See if I care!
Dinner + Wine at Lolo Wine Bar
Friday night a few friends join us for dinner at Lolo. The interior is a cool, California vibe, the wine selection is expansive, and the FOOD. Guys, the food. Seasonal market fresh appetizers + cacio e pepe + a chocolate tart for dessert and we are couple of happy gals.
Saturday
Breakfast at Little Dom's
Little Dom's is a neighborhood staple and their ricotta blueberry pancakes are a delightful start to any Saturday morning. Unlike at dinner, you won't need a reservation (another pro tip: come on Monday nights for their 3 course supper and enjoy celebrity sightings galore. Five years ago my friend made eye contact with Ryan Gosling here and we still talk about it about once a week.)
Shopping and lunch at Melrose Place
My mom is a pro-level window shopper. We can afford zero items at the high end Melrose Place stores but they're so beautiful and fun to look around in (pictured below is us taking mirror selfies at a fancy store). As a couple of fashion killers, we can peruse for hours and not get bored. Stop for sustenance at Croft Alley.
Dinner at Redbird
Saturday night is when I treat my mother to dinner (cue "Hero" by Mariah Carey). Redbird is a giant, beautiful restaurant downtown. Each dish is unique and delicious and the whole dinner feels like a fun, special event.
Sunday
The Getty Villa is a great go-to parent activity. My mom loves museums and I pretend to love them while she's here! Walk the lovely grounds, and when you're done soaking in all the *culture*, go to Malibu Pier Cafe to pursue your real passion - lunching with an ocean view.
Dinner at L&E Oyster Bar
What can I say. We're east coast gals and we love ourselves some seafood. L&E has a branzino that will make you weep, and make sure you start with the shrimp cocktail. If you have to wait for a table, just head to their upstairs bar and sip a cocktail while perched over Silver Lake Blvd.
