Los Angeles is for Living
There are some Los Angeles privileges that locals take for granted. Having eight Brandy Melville stores when the rest of America has six altogether? Going to Disneyland on a school night? I’ve heard that some people do that. And seeing Jennifer Aniston shopping at Beverly Hills? Maybe if you know the right places.
I’ve lived in the Greater Los Angeles metropolis for about eight years in total. At this point, I’m past hoping that one day while I'm window shopping, the casting director of Mulan will point dramatically at me, exclaiming, “That’s her! I’ve found our next Girl Number 3!” In any case, I’m not well-versed in many of the customs (like surfing or beach-tanning), but I feel like I know the local scene well enough to give you a quick tour of my favorite spots in the city and beyond!
Because stores are spread out in the suburbs, everyone drives around the neighborhood for basic errands, so some days seem languid and even a little boring. But once you settle in, with every new restaurant opening in the local mall, and every blockbuster that was produced by those guys down at Universal Studios, you feel like you are on the edge of the times—the front row seat of an exciting ride.
Hop on! Have a slice of the real Los Angeles.
Local Insights and Tips
- The sun lives up to its reputation. LA's dry, baking heat warms the system from within, like a thermos of hot soup. Interestingly, I’ve noticed many times that the shades under trees or buildings are cool, and sometimes even chilly.
The dress code is casual, with some athletic and bohemian influences. I’ve seen girls go on shopping sprees at brands like Brandy Melville (beachy), Urban Outfitters (vintage), and Lululemon (sporty). For shoes, younger people check in at Converse, Toms, and Vans stores. Current trends favor Adidas' Stan Smith and Superstar sneakers. At some point, almost every girl has gotten a colored plastic bottle of fruity mist from Pink.
The San Gabriel Mountains are always to the north. I use them as a compass.
A plethora of Spanish street names reflects the city's history as a colonial Mexican town. The place is rich with Mexican cultural delights, from pork carnitas and authentic tamales to English/Spanish signs in stores. It’s popular to learn Spanish here in schools, and only then did I begin to appreciate the beauty of Bonita Street and El Dorado Avenue.
Some people here were raised on boba. I think it’s the underage equivalent of alcohol—you get boba as a social custom and opportunity to meet up with friends. The queue outside the renowned Half & Half Tea Express is slightly ridiculous, but if you get a chance, try the caramel milk tea + egg pudding.
Cali Style
Since its founding in 1970, Brandy Melville has been carefully crafting and idealizing the Californian cosmopolitan girl's simplistic lifestyle. The Brandy Girl wears her hair down in beachy waves, and is always seen with a relaxed, lazy smile. She never leaves the house unless she's wearing either of the following: corduroy A-line skirts, cropped pastel sweaters, logo hoodies, striped trousers, vintage jeans, strappy tanks, floral shorts, simple layered jewelry, and baseball caps. Brandy's visual marketing is a catalogue of faded July photos glimmering with all-American vibes. We're really just buying the effortless, carefree attitude that has a Brandy Melville price tag on it.
Where to Eat
1. Din Tai Fung - Taiwan cuisine, made-to-order xiao long bao (mini steamed buns), $11-$30/person. Must-Haves: Soy Noodle Salad, Wood Ear Mushrooms in a Vinegar Dressing, House Beef Soup, Sweet & Sour Spare Ribs, Sticky Rice & Pork Shao Mai, Truffle & Pork Xiao Long Bao, Vegetarian Noodle Soup, Sticky Rice Wrap w/ Pork, Red Bean Bun.
2. Souplantation - Buffet style, vegetarian-themed, $9.59/person (lunch), $11.59/person (dinner). Must-Haves: Wonton Happiness salad, Big Chunk Chicken Noodle soup, Buttermilk Cornbread, focaccia, ice cream.
3. In-N-Out - Californian-style hamburgers, < $10/person. Must-Haves: Combo #2 with Cheeseburger + Fries + Vanilla Shake.
4. There is a definite bakery culture here! Many people seem to incorporate doughnuts into their journeys to and from work, often preferring to stop by a Dunkin' Donuts. Some destinations to pick up daily dough: JJ Bakery, Some Crust Bakery, 85°C Bakery Cafe.
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