How We Got There: Aeroplanes, Airports, and a Dash of Chaos
Our LA adventure began as the second stretch of a British Airways tier point run (the first one can be found here) —a marathon of flights with a purpose (loyalty points, of course). The journey was characteristically convoluted: Manchester to Dublin (via Heathrow), then back to Heathrow, on to New York JFK, and finally, Los Angeles.
The final hop—New York JFK to Los Angeles—was a treat. American Airlines delivered as always, thanks to our delightful crew member, Kelly. Sleep soon overtook us, but Kelly’s care showed in her mid-flight snack offerings and a promise of a warm, if crumbly, cookie to keep us going.
1. Dublin to London Heathrow
Our Dublin departure was smooth sailing—security didn’t demand a full unpack, and our 9:20 flight meant eligibility for the Aer Lingus Lounge. The lounge had a calm vibe; we grabbed a quick sandwich before a delayed takeoff saw us arrive at Heathrow 20 minutes late. The amiable crew softened the blow with a little extra gin for the onward journey.
2. London Heathrow to New York JFK
Heathrow security, though, was pure shambles. Both our bags were flagged (the perils of gin, perhaps), and other passengers’ concealed toiletries further held up proceedings.
Eventually, we made it to the First Lounge just in time for the awkward breakfast-lunch crossover.
The new Caesar salad station was not yet operational (bagels only, sadly), and chicken skewers, which I had my eye on were nowhere to be seen.
Settling for a boiled egg and ham salad, we nursed our nerves as a delayed departure to NYC loomed—caused, we learned, by a motorway crash holding up other passengers. One fraught chat with the crew later, we were finally on our way.
3. New York JFK to Los Angeles
The final hop—New York JFK to Los Angeles—was a treat. American Airlines delivered as always, thanks to our delightful crew member, Kelly. Sleep soon overtook us, but Kelly’s care showed in her mid-flight snack offerings and a promise of a warm, if crumbly, cookie to keep us going.
Where We Stayed: Accommodation Roulette
Like well-prepared travellers, we’d booked a cosy apartment on AirBnB. months in advance. Less than 48 hours before arrival, though, AirBnB cancelled our reservation without an explanation—only offering a £20 rebooking coupon as a consolation prize.
The scramble for alternative accommodation began in earnest, with both AirBnB and Booking.com getting a thorough trawl. A call to AirBnB support secured a better deal: a 20% discount on a new booking. The new place was further from Venice Beach than the listing claimed—an unexpected detour toward Marina Del Ray—but the price made it hard to complain.
The Pros
- Spacious, well-equipped living, kitchen, and dining area
- Plenty of wardrobe space and hangers
- Secure parking and entry
- Handy location for Marina Del Ray, Venice, and the airport
- Effective air conditioning
- Pool and gym (unfortunately, time didn’t permit a visit)
The Cons
- Terrible lighting in kitchen and bedroom (we moved a lamp to survive meal prep!)
- Crystal Maze-esque check-in, involving a lockbox on a traffic island hidden in foliage
- No iron, ironing board, or glasses at first—plus a surprise visit from a key delivery person
- Listing implied marina views (there were none), nor pool views as promised
- Actual address didn’t match the listing
- Brown towels (no hand towels) and a motley assortment of bath linens
What We Drove: Mustang Dreams on a Budget
Thanks to our Avios Barclaycard and Hertz President’s Circle membership, we landed a sweet deal on wheels—a three-day car rental for just £30 using points.
At LAX, the choice was ours: stick with the allocated Volvo, or keep an eye out for something special. Patience paid off when a turquoise hard-top Mustang rolled in. We pounced, and secured the perfect wheels for our little break in LA.
What we did and what we ate: A Foodie’s Ramble Across LA
In-N-Out burger
Charcoal Venice
Dinner at Charcoal in Venice Beach began with a happy hour surprise—Midnight Margaritas, jet-black and delicious, blending tequila, Cointreau, lime, and activated charcoal.
The outdoor courtyard was a peaceful contrast to the energetic indoor bar, with heaters standing by for the cool LA evening.
Starters were Smokey Grilled Chicken Wings—herby, spicy, and tangy in equal measure. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, perfection!
The star of the show was a 16oz Brandt Prime New York Strip, roasted over coals and cooked medium rare. Rich, smoky, and just right
Sides included Roasted Wild Mushrooms (in a garlicky, breadcrumbed dressing) and golden Steak Fries with a zingy green chile aioli.
Day Zinfandel, wine rounded out the meal—fruity and bold, the perfect pairing.
Griffith Park
A morning hike at Griffith Park offered respite from the city’s buzz. Not as quiet as the Mische Mowka Trail, which we did the last time we were in LA but still lovely.
We parked at the park’s base (saving a tidy sum in Observatory parking fees) and trekked a mile or so uphill.
Water and Planters Trail Mix kept us going to Mount Hollywood Summit—rewarded by panoramic views of the Observatory, the Hollywood sign, and the city below.
Eataly Los Angeles
Post-hike, we indulged at Eataly—a treasure trove of Italian flavours (and one that I have written about before Eataly Los Angeles).
We gathered supplies for meatball and caprese sandwiches: focaccia, succulent meatballs, creamy mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. The combination was every bit as mouthwatering as expected.
Venice & Abbot Kinney Street Art
Venice and Abbot Kinney Boulevard are an open-air gallery of urban art.
Some favourites: a striking Shasta Crayfish by Louis Masai; a giant, vibrant bee; Jill Sutherland’s photography mural “Principessa”; and Brian Farrell’s “The exit transition… with increasing clarity.” We found works by Clinton Bopp, Alexis Diaz, Muck Rock, and other artists who paint the city’s personality onto its walls.
Gjusta Bakery - Venice
Gjusta Bakery in Venice is known for its artisanal charm. ,Parking was a challenge, but a short queue made takeaway feasible. The Gluten Free Blueberry Corncake and Strawberry Almond Coffee Cake were both standouts—moist, flavourful, and a perfect mid-wander treat.
Venice Beach Street Art
Venice Beach murals told the story of the district’s eclectic history: Charlie Chaplin’s smiling portrait by Trek Thunder Kelly.; an Arthur Reese tribute by Muck Rock ; homages to silent film star Clara Bow and visionary Abbot Kinney; and Rip Cronk’s “Homage to a Starry Knight,” which fuses Van Gogh with LA spirit. The Lana Del Rey mural by Jonas Never, alongside a John Hurt portrait at Ellison Suites, brought music and film legends to life in vibrant colour.
Pizzana - Marina del Ray
We wrapped up our LA break with Pizzana, ordering online for a quiet night in.
Two 12-inch pizzas—one Vodka (meaty, spicy, perfectly cheesy with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte, pepperoni, sausage, prosciutto, Parmigiano, and fresh basil)…
… and one Carnivoro (a proper meat feast)—showcased what makes Pizzana’s “slow dough” so special. Two-day fermentation achieved an ideal base: chewy, airy, and robust enough for the generous toppings.
The Wrap Up
In just a few days, we’d clocked thousands of air miles, explored and tasted the best of Los Angeles. The city for us has a magnetic draw no matter how many times we visit.