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After spending a whirlwind day in Las Vegas, my best friend and I hit the road again, this time heading toward Los Angeles.
It was actually our shortest driving day on the entire trip, and since LA was so close, it felt like a no-brainer to keep going.
Our First Day: Rest & Reset
We arrived in LA around noon and decided to take it easy.
Sometimes you need a rest day, especially when you’ve been living out of a car and running on road trip energy.
We prepped for the next day’s plans, knowing we wanted to wake up early and experience as much as we could.
Exploring LA’s Donut Culture (And My Honest Thoughts)
The next morning started with two goals: coffee and donuts.
I had no idea LA was known as the donut capital of the world until I saw it on TikTok.
So, of course, I had to try some of these famous donuts for myself.
1. Coffee at Camel
First, we stopped at a little corner coffee shop called Camel.
The interior was beautifully minimalist, with the kind of aesthetic that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
- My friend ordered their matcha.
- I ordered one of their signature drinks, the Camel Latte with orange.
It sounded a little weird at first (orange in coffee?), but it was surprisingly really good.
If you love trying new things when you travel, I definitely recommend giving it a shot.
2. Donuts at Donut Friend
Next, we headed to Donut Friend.
And… I have to be honest, I didn’t love it.
I was hoping for warm, fluffy, flavorful donuts, but they fell a little flat for me.
They weren’t bad, just kind of… dry and boring.
If I could go back, I’d pick one of the many other donut shops around LA to try instead.
(For the record, I still think about the Saint Honoré Donuts I missed out on in Vegas.)
Malibu Coastal Drive & The Santa Monica Pier
After fueling up (or trying to), we drove north past the Hollywood Sign and Beverly Hills, eventually making our way down the coast through Malibu.
This drive was absolutely gorgeous, and it was my friend’s first time seeing the ocean, which made it even more special.
We ended the drive at the Santa Monica Pier, a must-visit if you’re in LA.
I snapped tons of photos here, soaking in the views and the energy of the coastline.
2 Things I Highly Recommend for LA Road Trips
Now, if you’re planning to explore multiple spots around LA (and trust me, there are so many, I wish I could've gone to so many more),
you’ll want to make sure you have two things, one of which I really wish I had thought of sooner:
-
A Car Phone Holder That Also Charges
This was honestly a life-saver on the trip. It kept my phone off to the side, easy to glance at for directions while keeping my eyes on the road. Plus, it charged my phone while I drove which kept me from getting stranded in the city with no GPS. -
A Small Car Trash Can
I regret not bringing one. We ended up just tossing trash into a bag on the floor of the passenger side, not great and pretty uncomfortable for my friend. Definitely adding that to my essentials for next time.
The Sweetest Airbnb Stay
While in LA, we stayed in one of the cutest Airbnbs I’ve ever booked.
Our host, Amy, had transformed her basement into the most wholesome, childhood-aesthetic space.
- Everything was contactless, including laundry.
- Her family was respectful of our space.
- And she even left a gift box with art she had made for each of us.
I still have the little reindeer dog figurine she gave me on display in my room.
The view from her home was stunning, making the stay even more memorable.
(Here’s the Airbnb link if you’re curious: click here)
Santa Monica at Night
Later that evening, we went back to the pier, hoping to catch the sunset.
We missed it by a little, but the view was still incredible.
We stayed for the nightlife energy, street performers, music, the glowing Ferris wheel, and the rhythm of the ocean nearby.
One moment that stuck with me was a drummer performing for tips, filling the air with life and movement.
It’s something I’ll remember for a long time.
What Surprised Me Most About LA
Before the trip, everyone warned me about LA traffic.
But honestly?
It wasn’t bad at all.
Maybe we just got lucky with the times we went out, but the traffic jams we did hit had us stuck at most for 15 minutes, even on a Monday, whereas everyone told us to expect delays for up to two hours.
Final Thoughts
If I had to choose one song to describe the whole LA experience, it would be:
“Take Me Back to LA” by The Weeknd
Growing up, LA was always shown as this glamorous, picture-perfect place.
But being there in person, it felt real, diverse, and nostalgic,
not glamorous, but soulful.
The lyrics of that song give me a new appreciation now,
It’s not about the lights or the hype, it’s about the small moments that make Los Angeles feel like a home for the soul.