In a city with thousands of activities, restaurants and attractions available at every turn you take, it can be a daunting task to plan the “perfect” day in L.A. Where can you get the best coffee? How should you spend your afternoon? Which tourist attractions are actually worth it? The endless questions can be overwhelming when planning an itinerary in one of the most coveted cities in the world, which is why getting a local perspective is essential. Continue reading below to see my guide on how to spend a unique, fun and exciting day in L.A.

With four locations across L.A., Pop’s Bagels is one of my favorite breakfast restaurants in the city. The menu is filled with delicious pre-set items but also has multiple ways to customize your bagel. Open-faced or in a sandwich, sesame or everything, eggs or lox: the possibilities are endless. Just as important as the food itself, the vibe of each restaurant is always on point. From the blue and white retro-style diner tables to the appetizing and somehow always full bagel wall, eating at the restaurant is more than a meal — it’s an experience. In addition to the dine-in option, customers are also able to mobile order, pick up or have their bagels delivered.

Secretly nestled in a corner of the Westwood Village, Espresso Profeta is a coffee shop you do not want to miss. Before entering the storefront, customers walk through an original 1920s courtyard, where they will be able to sit while sipping their delicious drink. Espresso Profeta exclusively serves Espresso Vivace beans from Seattle to maximize the coffee’s aroma and flavor profile. In addition to its renowned coffee drinks, this shop is also known for its hand-brewed matcha and chai lattes. My favorite part of Espresso Profeta is that they make their own oat milk in-house. As a loyal oat milk drinker, I can truly appreciate the quality of a good oat milk, and I can confidently say that Espresso Profeta knows how it’s done.

I know what you may be thinking: What makes this beach so special? Whether it’s the crystal clear water or its proximity to restaurants, fruit carts and clean bathrooms (a very big plus), Will Rogers Beach never disappoints. When visiting the beach, you can either park in the parking lot (prices range from $5-$15 depending on the season) or on the adjacent street, Temescal Canyon Road. The beach is rarely busy, and there is always a game of Spikeball on the sand ready for you to join in on.

If you’re like me and love a good hike, Will Rogers Hiking Trail is the place for you. Through the entirety of the trail, beautiful views surround you from every angle, making the hike an exciting and breathtaking journey. The trail has multiple difficulty levels with some flat, straight paths and others that are more strenuous with dips and turns. When visiting the trail, hikers can park in the parking lot for $12 (prices vary for larger vehicles). The hike is around five minutes away from many beaches, so walking from the trail to the beach is a highly recommended lineup.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a popular street located in the beautiful Venice Beach neighborhood. On the street, there are clothing shops, restaurants, galleries and more. These shops are a five minute walk from the beach, so after you finish up on Abbot Kinney, go walk to the sand along the boardwalk.

An L.A. classic, In-N-Out Burger has served our many neighborhoods for over 70 years. With a fairly simplistic menu, In-N-Out Burger offers burgers, fries and drinks –nothing more, and nothing less. Every location of In-N-Out Burger has both dine-in and drive-through options, making the restaurant an easy experience. Always hot and fresh, In-N-Out Burger is truly an L.A. staple.

Erewhon is the epitome of L.A. dining. With the majority of their items being vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free, Erewhon has become more of an attraction than a supermarket and restaurant. In addition to the consistent “L.A. vibe” at every location, the prices also match this description. Erewhon is one of the most expensive markets in the nation, which lends to its popularity derived from TikTok and celebrities. Even if you don’t plan on dining at Erewhon, visit any of its locations and you’ll get the opportunity to see the perfectly color-coded vegetable wall and the selection of ten different sea moss gels — an activity in itself.

If you are similar to me and always crave a sweet treat, Go Greek Yogurt is a necessary visit at some point in your day. Go Greek is a unique frozen yogurt shop, as all of its flavors are made with Greek yogurt bases, making each flavor creamy and fresh. The classic Go Greek flavors are the Greek Honey and Plain Tart, which you can order together in a swirl. While Go Greek has classic frozen yogurt toppings, it also has unique toppings like chia seeds, honey granola and fresh lychee slices.

When I think of a classic L.A. dessert, The Bigg Chill is the first that comes to mind. Located in a strip mall in Westwood, The Bigg Chill is a frozen yogurt shop that is always filled with customers. The flavors rotate every other day, so make sure to call ahead to check in about what flavors they have the day you plan to visit. In addition to the frozen yogurt, The Bigg Chill is also known for their homemade edible cookie dough that is used as a topping on the frozen delight.