Grocery-store carts and trash litter [Ballona Creek], joined by flotillas of foam-plastic cups after rainstorms. — Jane Engle, Los Angeles Times

The Red Lion Tavern has been a neighborhood tavern in Los Angeles for over fifty years (which is a long time for L.A.), and continues to serve as a landmark for traditional German food, a wide selection of German beer, and cozy Old World atmosphere. Plus the waitresses all wear lederhosen, and it's blocks away from my parents' house.

Part restaurant, part market, part publication, Botanica is a lively space in LA’s Silver Lake neighborhood. We converted the former drop ceiling liquor store by peeling the space back to its original shell and opening up the back wall and patio creating a space that reflects their personality and cooking – bright, lively and communal.

I love living in a city where I can easily go hiking during the day and be home by dark. Griffith is just massive and untamed, it has a wild feel about it in places. Views of LA, the ocean, and the Hollywood sign.

South Willard is both elegant and laid back. Let's call it High Folk. It functions as both an art & design gallery and boutique. It's extremely well curated with a heavy focus on ceramics by artists both known and newly discovered. Peter Shire, Ruby Neri, Jason Meadows.., work by artists I have known and admired for decades can be found here and acquired in a means considerably more approachable than through the other galleries that represent them. South Willard is a friends and family affair and the experience feels warm and welcoming. Have fun.