Hello and happy Monday 
I’m back in New York and ready to kick off what is going to be an amazing week. But first – here’s a (will try to keep it) brief recap of my mini vacation in California.
Short version: the three day trip was everything I hoped it’d be. I got to see and experience just about everything Los Angeles has to offer, and I didn’t realize how much I desperately needed an escape from NYC!
And now…the long version.
Wednesday: after a perfect early morning flight (I am now a total Virgin snob), I landed at around 11am and said hello to an overcast-yet-still-lovely LA.
I was starving by the time I arrived, so our first stop was for lunch at the cutest little spot – Aroma Cafe.
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We took it pretty easy for the rest of the day relaxing at the house and having a nice dinner with friends at Firefly.
Thursday: I woke up bright and early, so excited to get started on my first full day in LA. Thankfully the weather was absolute perfection.
On the agenda for the day was a grand tour of the city. And a grand tour it was. But first up was a quick and healthy breakfast at Breakroom Cafe.
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Then…we were off. We covered Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, the Sunset Strip, etc. I had no preconceived ideas of what LA even looked like, so it was all completely new and exciting to see.
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After another couple of hours back at the house relaxing by the pool…
…we headed to Kaffe Rouge for my first ever hookah experience. Um, what has taken me so long..?! I’m no smoker, but I now love me some hookah.
Friday: I think it’s safe to say that this was my favorite day of the trip. We headed out in the morning for Santa Monica, and the weather could not have been more beautiful.
After a quick breakfast we hopped on some bikes and headed toward Venice Beach.
The beach day ended with an oyster lunch. Perfection.
On Friday night a group of us had dinner at Katsuya, which I can honestly say was the best sushi meal I’ve ever had.
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Afterward more friends joined and we hopped to a couple of bars to wrap up the amazing last day of my trip.
(By the way - if you follow me on Vine I have some fun videos from the trip too!)
I arrived back in New York at around midnight on Saturday. As much as I could’ve used a few more days away, I’m glad to be home and get life back in order and figured out before the new month. Is it seriously already almost May…?!
Hope you all have an incredible and (dare I say) life-changing week. Will leave you will some inspiration for this Monday…
Have you ever been to Los Angeles? What’s the last place you travelled to?
I'm the girl, Gracie Gordon. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
Wow these photos make me miss SoCal and the PCH!
Oooh trip looks amazing! I have been to LA a couple times for vacation and work and loved it. I just got back from my own Cali trip — still jet lagged!
I loved this post! I am so glad you had such an amazing trip!
It sounds like you had an absolutely fab time in LA- it’s pretty gorgeous, huh? I have to say, these pictures did make me long for sunny, warm days on the beach! I did love going to school there! I haven’t been anywhere exciting lately but I am going to Hawaii in June and I cannot wait!!
ooooh Hawaii - that’s so exciting!
I lived in LA for two years! So glad you loved your trip! Very necessary to get out of NYC here and there… PS- Loving this picture of you and the guy
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I’ve never done the touristy stuff in LA but always wanted to!! Glad you had a good trip, girl!
Ahh love the pic of you on the bike you look awesome!!
thank you sweetie!
That looks like such an awesome trip!!! I stayed at that hotel right by the big mall and the main Hollywood street. Awesome to see pictures of it. There’s a great place for food and hookah by there, too, called Secret.
What a gorgeous trip!! Look amazing!!
My latest trip … I got back from Mexico last night. I was there for a wedding. The water … swoon! So clear and beautiful!!
You are so cute!!
I love that shot of you on the bike! too adorable 
aw thank you lady! :*
Girl, you were at Aroma?! I literally live within walking distance of that restaurant!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your vacation. It looks like you truly encompassed California living while you were here. (:
ahhhh no way! loved it there
Great post ! I love Katsuya ! I will have to check out some of those other restaurants next time im up in LA ! Looks like you had so much fun! Did you get to see fiona and kath?
Alycia
No I didn’t
I was only there for 3 days. Hoping to go back soon and visit them!
This looks like so much fun, I can’t wait to travel to LA! I’m abroad in New Zealand right now, and one of the girls in my program lives there, so I’m going to force her into letting me come visit. Looks like you had a blast!!
Glad you had fun! Aroma — YUM. Love that place.
I would love to see you if you do ! I live right down the street from them!!
Ahh, looks like you had an amazing time! The last place I traveled to was Jamaica! Super fun and it was a much needed getaway from the endless Boston winters!