As I travel the world and people ask me where I’m from, I’m either excitedly questioned on how cool it is in L-A or The OC or I’m judged and people wonder how I ever lived there.
The simple answer is, I didn’t know anything different than growing up there, and my memories of childhood are probably similar to that of any person growing up in the suburbs. The truth is, I lived about 5 miles from Laguna Beach, and it was nothing like the television show. I thought it was boring, but my views change a bit every time I go back.
I’ll answer the question in the title for you now, though, I don’t see it as the most vapid place in the world. Sure, there’s an instragram (@OverheardLA) with the most ridiculous conversations, but it’s still a place where everyone is trying to make it. I feel like social media really has a tight grip on the LA/OC life, and predominantly show the out-of-towners jumping ship and moving to LA to start their acting or writing careers. They show you the successful parts of their lives, but hide the fact that they’re working two other jobs so that they can go to 5 auditions in a week that they probably won’t get. There are teenagers that post bikini pics of themselves at the beach, and we forget that they’re still kids with parents that pay for them. I think it’s the biggest game of ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ there ever was.
“fake it ‘til you make it”
We recently re-visited my hometown to see all of my family and friends, and even hired a car to do lots of driving as one does while in Southern California. Several hours of traffic brought us to some delicious food and wonderful places. It’s no longer a place I’m embarrassed by, but a place I am proud to be a part of. It’s a multicultural hub that has somehow made itself successful and stronger in this changing political climate. Here are some of the places we went and the restaurants we ate at!
Enkutatash (Ethiopian New Year) Festival on Fairfax
Los Angeles
Meals by Genet | 1053 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019, USA
If you’re looking for a new food experience, make your way to Meals by Genet, and it was on Jonathan Gold’s list of top 100 restaurants in LA, so you know it’s going to be good. It’s the ultimate family meal in that everything you order comes on one large dish, and you’re each given an injera (a spongy flatbread) (they have gluten free injera as well!) to tear into smaller pieces and use it to pick up each of the amazing dishes. Be sure to make reservations as this restaurant is always packed.
As for the photo above, we just so happened to make reservations the same day as the Ethiopian New Year Festival! It was amazing to be surrounded by the cultural music, dancing, and stalls selling traditional jewelry and food along the length of the block. It’s actually fairly common to see closed streets in LA, but very rare to be able to walk in the middle of the street. This reminded me to keep an open mind and follow the music, because you never know what you might run into.
Rose Cafe | 220 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291, USA
We were recommended this place by some friends, and when asked by my father where we were headed to dinner, he gasped and was excited to say that he used to live on Rose and went to Rose Cafe all the time when he was my age. I know now that Rose Cafe has been open since 1979, but has since gone under a major revamp. Chef Jason Neroni (former chef of Superba) is now rocking the menu at Rose and taking seasonal ingredients and making them into masterpieces. The dishes together have disjointed themes that don’t always get along, but each one is fantastic on its own. This was a great place to catch up with friends, and they have valet if you’re not feeling the parking hunt.
6th and La Brea Brewery & Restaurant | 600 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
For all the beer fiends, here are some local brews for $8. They’re local beers from either in-house or by neighboring breweries, and they’ve got enough on the list to satisfy any hop-lover or hater. Don’t worry, they have wine and cocktails too. We sat on the outdoor patio space to bask in the sun with some friends, and it was the essence of summer. Also, take advantage of the $7 ALL DAY parking.
Desert Gardens at the Fullerton Arboretum
Orange County
Fullerton Arboretum | 1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA
Rooted in 1970, Fullerton Arboretum began as a small project and grew into the 26-acre wonderland it is today. It is still a non-profit organization and it relies on donations rather than any formal payment. Nestled amongst the Cal State Fullerton campus, there are so many happy-faced students making their way through the garden on their way to class or home. Through the woodlands, desert, and Mediterranean forests, there are several benches to rest and take in the scenery, and they even offer programs such as Yoga in the Garden, succulent planting, and free public tours throughout the week.
Anaheim Packing District | 440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805, USA
This is such a great adaptive reuse project of a 1919 citrus packing building, and it’s one of the most popular and hip places in Orange County these days. They have over 35 merchants in the main building and neighboring campus with food and drinks ranging from Flamin’ Hot Cheeto cheese curds to boba tea in a light bulb to chinese hot pot and even a regular old hamburger and beer. It’s a great place to waste some time or meet some friends and try out new foods that you’ve been scoping out. I'd like to point out that the parking here can be rough unless you head straight to valet parking that’s $3 all day! It’s insane and such a good deal.
Orange Circle | 75 Plaza Square, Orange, CA 92866, USA
Yet another revamp from Orange County, the Orange Circle is a cool new place for the younin’s to hang. There’s 3-hour parking behind every corner, and there are enough vintage shops to explore to your heart’s content. The night life is pretty great as there are plenty of bars and restaurants along each side, and plenty of outdoor dining areas for those beautiful sunny days. Good job, Orange.
Hug Life Creamery | 3505 E Chapman Ave suite g, Orange, CA 92869, USA
Think ice cream and 00’s r&b. That’s hug life. For a lactose intolerant person like me, it was a relief to be able to order anything and know I won’t have any stomach issues after eating a couple scoops. They make sure to have some nut-free and gluten-free labels on everything too, just in case. Flavors like OG Berry, Sesame Street, and the Green Goblin got me in, but I stayed for the music videos.
Disneyland | 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802, USA
You can’t forget the “happiest place on Earth” when you’re off to sunny Southern California. I grew up with an annual pass when it was $250 a year, but now that it’s absurdly expensive, we went for a full day/until our feet hurt. In my experience of working in theme park design, I loved going to Disneyland to see the detail and effort people really put into this park. It’s no wonder people fork out the cash to spend a day waiting in lines there. Be sure to get a churro (or two) and a turkey leg!