Whenever I travel somewhere new, I always wish I could talk to someone who could tell me the really cool local stuff to do in that place. The stuff you’re never going to find on a website or in a guidebook (but ohhhh, how I trrryyyy!). The kind of places and experiences that interests me, not the places I’m “supposed” to go to.
I stumbled upon one of these types of experiences once when I was in Amsterdam with my mom. I reached out to a photographer there that I knew to see if him and his girlfriend wanted to grab a beer while I was in town, and instead he invited me and my mom to his wedding! So we took a train and two buses and ended up on a locals beach way out of town at this beautiful wooden restaurant on the sand and joined in celebrating the wedding along with about 40 of the nicest, most welcoming people we had never met before. It was an incredible time.
I’m not trying to get invited to weddings everywhere I go – but it was a unique, locals-only experience. So, to do my part for those that want to spend some time in LA, (where I was born, bred and have lived my whole life) — below, is exactly how I would tell someone like me to spend a weekend in LA if they are visiting and want to get beyond the touristy stuff that everyone else is doing.
FRIDAY – Arrive and eat the best dinner ever.
- Evening: Check into your AirBnB in the Monte Nido or Malibu areas.
- Dinner: Saddle Peak Lodge – This place is amazing! Pricey for sure (but absolutely worth it for the delicious food and atmosphere), this is a rustic but upscale lodge nestled into the mountains near Malibu. They recently added a whiskey bar upstairs that has great outdoor seating with individual fire pits as well.
SATURDAY – Wine Safari!
- Morning: Head to Old Town Calabasas, grab brunch at Pedaler’s Fork. Fill the cooler with ice and visit the Calabasas Farmers Market (open 8am-1pm) to fill the cooler up with some snacks worthy of wine-tasting. Pick up some pastries or something non-perishable to have for breakfast the next morning. The Farmer’s Market also has some incredible vendors serving delicious food – so you can also skip Pedaler’s and find a few fun things to nibble on at the Farmer’s market.
- Late Morning: Join Malibu Wine Safari for their Explorer Tour – 90 minutes. Go on a safari around the SaddleRock Ranch in a big Jeep-type vehicle and stop along the property to taste wine and see the animals that live on the property. Definitely book tickets in advance. (Photo of the Ranch above)
- Afternoon: From the parking lot for the Safari Tour, stop by your car and grab your cooler, and then hop on the free shuttle to Malibu Wines which is about 3 min down the road. You’ll be glad you have the cooler of snacks with you when you’re sitting out on the lawn at one of the tables, listening to live music, and enjoying some wine (make sure to either buy a bottle or do a tasting) at the wine bar.
- Dinner: Have dinner at The Old Place. This is a small, rustic restaurant with excellent food and live music on the weekends. Definitely make reservations in advance or plan to wait.
SUNDAY – The Great Outdoors
- Morning: Sleep in. Make some coffee at your AirBnB and nibble on the pastries or whatever breakfast items you picked up the day before. Sit outside and enjoy the morning.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Hike around Malibu Creek State Park , seek out the Rock Pools, and generally get your fitness/nature on.
- Afternoon: Drive right down the road to Malibu Café at Calamigos Ranch. Fuel back up after your hike with a delicious meal. Play lawn games. Take a ride around the lake in a paddle boat. Have a beer. Enjoy the sun. You’ll want to take your time here – It’s a beautiful restaurant in an even more gorgeous setting.
- Evening: After relaxing and cleaning up back at your AirBnB, make it over to The Sunset Restaurant before sunset and watch the sun go down before enjoying dinner.
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