Travel Diary- Seeing LA Through The Eyes Of A Local

 I had previously visited Los Angeles a few months back and completely fell in love with the gorgeous weather, delicious food, and the beaches to name a few. This time around I wanted to experience the city like a local, so I packed my bags and before I knew it I was on a plane heading to Lala land to visit my great friend Magdalena Sanchez. I was ready to checkout all the hidden gems in Northeast LA (Echo Park, Los Feliz, Silverlake). So we set off on a four-day mission to experience this city like a local.FOODAlcove Café & Bakery- Such a cute spot in Los Feliz, this popular brunch spot has beautiful outdoor seating and the décor is just fab. The food is delicious; we had the Chicken Quesadillas & the Crabcake Benedict. They both come with a side of fruit and the portions are large, perfect for sharing.HOME- you are immediately drawn in by the gorgeous rustic entrance, once you enter the patio it feels like you are inside a giant tree house. The vibe is very low-key and offers a great atmosphere. You must try the Red Velvet Pankcakes !Winsome- this charming and airy restaurant is on the border of Echo Park and Chinatown. As soon as you enter you’re greeted by friendly staff, good tunes playing in the background, spacious interior and a fantastic shaded patio. I recommend you try their Duck French Toast (Unreal), Sweet Brioche, and for coffee a Gibraltar.**Bonus** NOBU- Okay, I know that NOBU is a Hollywood hot spot but if you have the opportunity to make it out to Malibu, GO! The view is amazing, located right on the beach, and the food was delicious.COFFEE SHOP/DESSERT Alfred’s- This place should make the list of LA coffee shops to visit. I loved the décor, writing on the walls, the casual vibes, and their coffee didn’t disappoint. Try the Ice Dirty Chai, good balance of coffee, spice, and milk.Dinosaur Coffee- The inside of the store is clean, simple, has an "earthy" vibe, and great for people watching.MILK- Four words- Macaroon Ice Cream SandwichesEXPLORE[wpvideo zLMfEDqr]Griffith Observatory Hike- it’s a nice hike to catch the best views of Downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, and Griffith Observatory. Don’t forget to bring water and your camera!Echo Park- There's so much to love about this park - views of the downtown skyscrapers, a fountain in the middle of the lake, vendors selling corn and fruit, and of course trying out the paddle boat.[wpvideo 2dAZotNE]LACMA- one of the most visited museums in the US, this diverse museum housing works from multiple time periods throughout history.ROOFTOPSThe Ace Rooftop- The rooftop bar at the The Ace Hotel has great views of DTLA, good music, laid back vibes, gorgeous architecture, and the cozy fireplace. The Perch – A rooftop perched within the Los Angeles skyline. Perfect destination for date night, after-work drinks, or a get-together with friends! The cozy atmosphere and beautiful views makes this place a must see.SHOPYolk- This place is so cute, I literally want EVERYTHING! It is a small shop that offers a great variety of items for your home, unique greeting cards, books, and presents for the kiddos.Broome Street General Store- this quaint, charming boutique is stocked with interesting house ware, among other things to look at while you wait for your coffee.Make sure to enjoy that cup of coffee in their cute outdoor patio covered with string lights and generous tree shade.Los Angeles County Store - If you want to support local merchants, artist and you want handmade stuffs this is all you. The shop has a great selection of jewelry, glasses, textiles and other handmade goods from LA County.I want to finish this post thanking my girl Maggie for an amazing 4-day weekend in Los Angeles, you outdid yourself, and I can’t wait to come back for round two! Are you an LA local? Would you add anything else to this list? I would love to hear your suggestions!