NATIVE K N O W L E D G E By Locals for Locals // Where to be Monday-Sunday
LOREN PIRETRA On Premise Specialist, Red Bull Soul Cycle is the answer to all of life’s questions, and for me it was love at first ride. Bring your own spin shoes for the most soulful work-out-dance-party or borrow a complimentary pair during your first class and $3 for each thereafter. www.soul-cycle.com M
Nikki’s Venice Beach for $5 all you can eat tacos. Because the SoCal mantra is to “Live every day like it’s Taco Tuesday.” www.nikkivenice.com T
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Soul Cycle is the answer to all of life’s questions, and for me it was love at first ride.”
SELYNA ARCIAGA Community Relations Coordinator, Duke's Malibu & Performance Manager, Island Inspirations Beach runs are by far the best after a long day of emails! My run: Ocean View Park to Santa Monica Pier paired with online inspired toning, hearing and smelling the ocean breeze, running toward sunset. www.toneitup.com www.blogilates.com M
On Wednesdays we drink pink. Let’s be honest, juicing is a delicate art, and l was impressed to find out that not all juices in LA involve kale—like #14 The Coco Rosey with coconut water, watermelon and rose water. www.juiceservedhere.com
I LOVE Downtown! Little Tokyo to Olvera Street, Downtown is the prime example of our rich, cultural mixing pot of a city. Fashion District = shopping goldmine and don’t dare leave without a bacon-wrapped Dirty Dog! www.downtownla.com | www.fashiondistrict.org
Ride bikes down to the free Twilight Concerts at the Santa Monica Pier every Thursday night from 7pm – 10pm followed by a bite at 800 Degrees in SaMo, because let’s face it...pizza > everything. www.santamonicapier.org/twilightconcerts www.800degreespizza.com
The Boiling Crab—no pretense, finger-licking, bib-wearing, Cajun-style seafood. Try a side of steaming white rice, a pound of crawfish seasoned with The Whole Sha-bang...the name says it all. www.theboilingcrab.com
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By Friday it’s time to spend the happiest hour of the day at High Rooftop Lounge in Venice, one of the Westside’s only outdoor rooftop locations with a stunning view of the coastline, which will make for your most Insta-worthy post of the week. www.highvenice.com F
If it involves wine and the great outdoors, count me in. All summer long you can find me parking it in the park for Cinespia’s Saturday night films at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Pro tip: Arrive early and BYOB (wine, beer, or bubbly). www.cinespia.org S
Shopping at the best vintage consignment shop on this side of the 405, The Closet Trading Company on Main Street. SaMo allows you to peep their list of designers and keep up to date with new arrivals by following @TheClosetTradingCo. www.theclosetsb.net S
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The bf and I have withdrawals if we don’t visit these Santa Monica gems a few times a month. Gilbert’s El Indio has THE best Mexican food on the planet and gets a gold star for their quirky décor and feel-good vibes of a family-run restaurant. Finn McCool’s serves as our watering hole. It’s your neighborhood Irish pub—strong drinks and great company. www.finnmccoolsirishpub.com www.gilbertselindio.net T
Aloooooha! You’ll catch me shaking my hips (literally) in the Barefoot Bar at Duke’s for Polynesian dancing from 5-7pm. The cardio calls for some serious grub after. My usual is Poke Tacos, Wings of Fire and a couple $5 Mai Tais. Then we’re off to Zanzibar for The Goods...hip hop, soul and reggae to keep us dancing all night long! www.dukesmalibu.com | www.island-inspirations.net F
After a long day of shows, you gotta have some late night eats on your radar. My family has been going to Sanam Luang in North Hollywood for years—it never fails to fulfill my Thai food craving. S
As a hula dancer, I’m always looking for new ways to stay in shape. The CX Worx class at 24 Hour Fitness Santa Monica burns my abs for days! I cool off at Brian’s Shave Ice with my usual, Li Hing Mui, POG, Tiger’s Blood and Dole Whip. YUM! www.24hourfitness.com | www.shaveicela.com S
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| NOVEMBER 2014
You’ll catch me shaking my hips (literally) in the Barefoot Bar at Duke’s for Polynesian dancing.”