72 hours in LA
How to have a fulfilling alcohol-free mini break in the City of Angels
The Sober Glow Studio is a space for stories, recommendations, and resources on the art of living an alcohol-free lifestyle, navigating midlife health, and anything that simply feels good.
I have lived in both NYC and Los Angeles as a non-drinker.
Los Angeles is hands down much easier for a teetotaler to navigate. For one and the most obvious, the driving situation. Yes, you have Uber and Lyft and all the cabs in LA, but they are expensive. And I can’t think of a worse city to be drinking and driving in (not that any city is cool to do that). Second, you won’t find a more health-conscious city, and nobody gives two shits if you tell them you are passing on the booze. These days, I’m shocked if I go out to eat and there isn’t an NA menu offered. Most places have caught on, and it’s rare when there is nothing other than water or ginger beer for us folks.
Also, this city is massive, and there is so much going on at all times that you can quickly fill all 72 hours while you are here, with about 1/3 of it in the car just commuting to all the places. But who the hell wants to do that? So here is a sample of what I would tell a friend to do if they were coming to town for a quick getaway.
ARRIVE THURSDAY 4:00 pm
STAY
Beat rush hour and check into your hotel by 4:00 p.m. My favorite is the West Hollywood London Hotel, which is centrally located and chic AF. It has a rooftop pool, is dog-friendly, and has attentive staff.
But if you plan to come to Los Angeles and only want that beach lifestyle, I suggest either the Santa Monica Proper Hotel or the PaliHouse Santa Monica, both on the west side but not right on the beach. I prefer to be off the beach and out of the uber-crowded tourist areas.
On that note, Venice Beach (just south of Santa Monica) is not the only place to visit in Los Angeles. Yes, it’s historically famous and has several excellent restaurants and shops (Abbot Kinney Blvd). However, it can be a little shady, especially near the beach and the canals at night. Just keep that in mind if you choose to stay in that area.
Another great tip is that the weather on the west side vs. midtown and the east side can be drastically different. Now, before heading west, I check the Live Venice Beach Cam to see if it is overcast and, if so, how thick. I can’t even tell you how many times we left our home, where it’s hot and sunny, to arrive over in Santa Monica to a thick grey marine layer that has dropped the temperature by 15 degrees, only to turn around and head back home.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Stop by the New Bar for the evening NA drink and some extra for your hotel mini-bar. GHIA has a new Le Fizz that will go perfectly with dinner on the beach.
Grab some towels or a top sheet from your hotel and head to COBI’S for a to-go picnic box. Ask for a few to-go cups for your NA drinks.
From Cobi’s head down Bicknell Avenue (three blocks) and straight onto the beach. Pick your spot! Bonus: you can park your car here, and there is a public bathroom.
Bring a jacket, even if you think it’s hot. The beach gets cool at night if not straight-up cold.
Head for a nightcap at the famous Shutters Hotel or the Hotel Casa Del Mar, which are nearby. CDM has a large yet cozy lobby lounge with live music nearly every night. It has the grand lobby vibe of the movie The Shining—only beach style and minus the murder.
FRIDAY
Get up early to hike! You can do the Instagram favorite Runyon Canyon hike or head further east to Griffith Park, where you can get a great workout, see fantastic city views, and listen to music literally made for the hike.
Head straight south from Griffith to Courage Bagels for some of the best in the city.
You could do a cheesy open-air celebrity sightseeing bus tour with fifty other tourists all clamoring for the window seat, OR you could take a more private, intimate tour of a historic landmark, such as the Stahl House, Frank Llyod Wright’s Hollyhock House, or the Eames Case Study House (No. 8) 1949.
If you visit LA from April to November, you can stick with the arts and head to LACMA for free Friday-night Jazz in the Park. It’s stunning and makes me miss NYC the most.
Friday nights are the worst for driving in Los Angeles. I typically won’t even leave my house on Fridays. If you make reservations, leave early! Otherwise, stay near the hotel.
Night + Market (several locations, but one is a few blocks from The London Hotel, also in Venice). Food is remarkable. You will roll home. I highly recommend the fried chicken sandwich. Trust me! The last time I was there, they still didn’t have an NA menu.
SATURDAY
It's time to relax, and nothing feels better than a massage in the morning. Try the WI Spa or Sawadee Thai Spa (my go-to easy and inexpensive spa).
Google a juice bar in your area and treat yourself to a ridiculously overpriced juice. :) Alternatively, go to Erwehon, peruse the aisles as you people-watch, and pick up your brunch.
Lounge at the pool today! If you are staying somewhere without a pool, check out Resort Pass. Some of the bookable places are incredible—but read the reviews! I even Google Earth the spot to make sure there are no buildings blocking the sun in any direction.
If you are not feeling the lounge-around vibe, head over to the beach, rent some bikes, and take them for a killer ride all the way down the coast! The Marvin Braude Bike Trail (aka The Strand) is a 22-mile coastal paved bike path. Tip: rent an E-Scooter for some additional help.
Snacks - so many cute places along the way, especially in Manhattan Beach.
Dinner at Petite Trois in Hollywood. It offers the best steak frites in the city, along with an NA cocktail and beer menu! Keep your eyes open; it’s tucked away in a parking lot, smashed between a dry cleaner and a pizza joint. If you can’t get reservations, it’s totally worth going anyway and trying for some bar stools. FYI, the place is teeny tiny.
If you are not feeling steak, check out Found Oyster. I have only heard fantastic things about this place from nearly all my favorite foodies that I follow online. It’s super low-key, and yet they carry Ghia!
A night for music - Sofar Sounds always have a line-up of musicians in secret locations.
For a bit more excitement, check who’s playing at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek Theater. These two large outdoor music venues are a must-go for any music lover. It’s LA’s version of Red Rocks in Denver, CO. Tip: if you buy tickets at the Greek, make sure it’s the Greek in LA and not San Fran!!! (I am still living and learning over here.)
SUNDAY
Are you a shopper?
Century City outdoor mall with basic stores
Montana Avenue for tons of boutique stores
Melrose Avenue for vintage
Abbot Kinney for trendy
Long Beach Flea Market
Silver Lake Flea Market
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Are you a book lover?
The Last Bookstore (by far the most popular)
Now Serving (cookbooks)
Village Well (coffee shop, but mostly books)
Vroman’s (Mom and Pop in Pasadena)
Angel City Books & Records (wonderful used bookstore) close to the beach
Are you more into the music scene? (so many)
More Art?
The Getty Villa (different than the museum) (then drive up the 101 to Malibu and get Lobster Rolls at Broad Street Lobster)
Downtown LA - the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk
More health & wellness?
Next Health in Century City - Cryo, Vitamin injections/drips,
Bodyline Pilates (Beverly Hills)
Speir Pilates (West Hollywood)
More Food
Other ways to find all the things that are happening in this city
So long LaLaLand!!
Check out this article I wrote in 2023 for more AF travel tips and essentials.
XX, Mia