Give Your Mind a Vacation: Take a Hike!

Read my latest travel essay on W Dish

Vacations are meant to be a break from your everyday hectic workweek and life in general, right? Right. But if you're like me and you end up over-listing things to do and see, your brain doesn't really get the rest it deserves. Having traveled around the globe multiple times over, I’ve taken away one very important tip: to take a hike. As someone who has almost zero athletic ability, I relish at walking everywhere and always try to fit in a hike wherever I go, to reflect and take in a break from my itinerary - I know, I know, you’re still “planning” by scheduling in a hike, but baby steps, people. So, plan a morning or afternoon where you can turn off your phone and your brain, and get a little workout in there while you’re at it (yes, walking is exercise too). 

Griffith Park in Los Angeles

There’s a great active meditative quality that comes from taking a hike. As a meditation newbie, the first and biggest challenge for me was to sit still in silence and try to focus. I find walking it out a helpful way to ease into the stillness because, naturally, through the motion of your feet and body moving, you will organically enter a calm mind-space and it won’t feel at all forced. Your breath will enter a natural rhythm with your step and slowly any stress will melt away. The ensuing sense of reflection that comes through the quiet ends up heightening not only your awareness for the beauty of the nature that surrounds your hike (reality check: there’s a world beyond the one that’s in your head) but your flow of creativity as well. I recently lived in Los Angeles for a few months to kick-start a new career adventure, and although the city is notorious for being an intense driving city, my regular hikes at Griffith Park always proved to be quite inspirational. A recent study from Stanford University actually showed the positive effects of walking on creative thinking; so there you go, go on a hike, and you could unlock the next multi-million dollar bestseller. Or, maybe just a really brilliant bathroom hack. 

Villa Jovis in Capri

My favorite hiking experience happened on a vacation to Capri a couple of years ago. While my friend went for a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea, I went for what I thought was a casual stroll around town to Villa Jovis (which turned out to be the second highest peak in Capri). This was one of those rare moments where I didn’t research where I was and the result was the most incredible unexpected hike. 

Ancient baths, ruins in Villa Jovis

From the sweeping views of the Gulf of Naples to the adorable mom and pop cafes tucked in around the bend, and of course, the inspiring ruins of Villa Jovis that houses a number of stunning ancient baths, I was in complete awe, capturing every eye-porn moment on my camera. Each turn on the hike seemed like I was uncovering another hidden architectural wonder. Because I didn’t intentionally plan on hiking up a high peak under the blistering Italian summer sun, I remember thinking, “Do I keep going or do I turn around,” but the statue of Madonna that sits at the absolute top of the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso in Villa Jovis was always in sight at the distance as an end goal, and so I kept going… until the very top. 

Madonna statue at the top of Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso

Whether it’s a 20 minute hike or a 2 hour one, it’s an immense sense of accomplishment to reach the proverbial finish line with your own two feet. I ended up getting back to my hotel in Capri before sundown, miraculously not dying of heat stroke, and gloating to my friend all the amazing sights he missed out while he was at the beach. I mean, I wasn’t gonna let a humblebrag opportunity like that slip away. 

Tips to get the most out of your hike: 

• Turn of your phone 

• Take your headphones out and let your thoughts soundtrack the hike 

• It’s not a race so keep going at your own pace 

• Take moments to stop and observe the surrounding nature 

• Be aware of your thoughts and let your mind go free 

When you get home from vacay, take the practice of hiking back with you. Your mind and body will thank you for it.

The Beginner's Guide To L.A.

Read my latest L.A. travel guide on Trivago.

Being an East-coaster I find that there is no better time than the winter to head straight to sunny Los Angeles. The palm trees, the ocean, the endless fun, the delicious eats… it’s easy to call L.A. home, if even for just a few days.

WHAT TO SEE

Soaking up quality comedy is a must. Whether it’s an improv show at Upright Citizens Brigade, which Parks and Rec and SNL alumni Amy Poehler helped co-found, or a stand-up show on Monday nights at The Virgil, which recently brought out Zach Galifianakis and David Cross as special guests, it’s a guaranteed good time that rarely sets you back more than 6 bucks. If you happen to be in town the second Sunday of the month, checking out the Rose Bowl Flea Market is the best eye candy. You will be met with hundreds of rare, beautiful, strange, eclectic furniture and clothing finds. Expect to spend a few hours here rubbing elbows with locals all around looking for a one of a kind steal.

WHAT TO DO

One of my favorite things to do in L.A. is hiking—on the west side go to Paseo Miramar and on the east, Griffith Park—because you get to enjoy the incredible nature while getting a workout in, all for free. If you hike Griffith, try to sneak in a pitstop at the Observatory for sweeping views of the city and while you’re at it, make sure to grab a bite at the adorable Trails Café. A short road trip—about 2 hours—to the geological wonder of the Joshua Tree National Park in the desert is also absolutely worthwhile for the nature-junkie if you have a day to spare.

WHAT TO EAT

With so much to see and do in Los Angeles, you should have a full stomach at all points of the day. I like to start with brunch downtown either at L.A. Chapter at The Ace Hotel or Daily Dose Café which is located in the prettiest alleyway, or if I happen to start my day in the west side, the weekend all you can eat brunch with endless pancakes (including the best fried chicken combo) at A-Frame in Culver City is the go-to. Once you’ve finally digested the epic brunch, you will want to have dinner at another one of Roy Choi’s restaurants at The Line Hotel, either at the gorgeous greenhouse vibe of The Commissary or the hip Korean comfort food of POT, and end with an extra dessert stop at the Café in the hotel lobby, which is currently serving treats like pumpkin whoopie pies and nutella buns. If BYOB is more your style, grab some wine at Erewhon and head to the incredible Escuela in West Hollywood for Mexican or Night and Market—either Weho or Silverlake locations—for the best Northern Thai food in the city (my favorite dish is the moo sadoong “startled pig” spicy salad with grilled pork, basil, lemongrass, garlic and lime, with a side of sticky coconut rice). No night is complete without a taco truck stop—I told you, you would be full at all hours of the day—in the west side, hit up Tacos Leos for the best al pastor’s and in the east, Taco Zone for amazing $2 carne molidas.

WHERE TO SLEEP

In Santa Monica, Shutters is a beautiful beachside staple that’s insanely comfortable and relaxing. For the more action-minded, The Ace Hotel Downtown is a no-brainer. The Ace opened early this year in the historic 1920’s United Artists building and houses the delicious L.A. Chapter restaurant, a coffee bar, and a fun rooftop bar.

LOCAL TIPS:

Los Angeles is vast so the best way to get to know the city is by exploring it neighborhood by neighborhood and you can’t deny the fact that it’s a driving city so keep in mind the following tips: After 6PM Monday to Friday, you can park in any yellow loading-only zone, and Fountain Avenue is the fastest street east to west between Highland and La Cienega.

The Best Places To Escape Cooking For The Holidays in L.A.

The holidays can be filled with endless dinners, parties, and get together’s and by the time you have a moment to spare, the last thing you want to do is plan your own dinner, party, or get together. Luckily, Los Angeles is the perfect city to be in to escape cooking for the holidays. At any point during your hectic festive days, you can easily maneuver in these tasty spots for a little culinary, and let’s be honest mental and emotional, break before you have to run to your mother’s annual turkey curry buffet.

To help you out, read my latest dining guide for Trivago.

BREAKFAST:

Morning time is prime “me” time and there’s no better way to start the day off right than a delicious breakfast Downtown at the L.A. Chapter in the chic Ace Hotel. L.A. Chapter is by the same fabulous team behind my favorite brunch spot in Brooklyn, Five Leaves, and serves up incredibly flavorful dishes like the Moroccan egg scramble with housemade Merguez sausage, crushed avocado and a chickpea salad with a lot of kick, and the fluffiest ricotta pancakes, which are served with banana, berries, and a healthy scoop of honeycomb butter.

For a quick guilt-free/waistline friendly option, the rice bowl at Sqirl in Echo Park with Kokohu Rose brown rice, sorrel pesto, preserved Meyer lemon, special Sqirl hot sauce, black radish, French sheep feta and a poached egg will leave you fully energized and focused to conquer the day.

LUNCH:

Nothing beats a midday feast and lunch at Gjelina perfectly serves the purpose with its fresh California cuisine, including their celebrated pizzas, and gorgeous back patio. Delicious menu highlights include the housemade chorizo pizza with tomato, cream, fennel, chili and basil, grilled Kabocha squash with mint pesto and pomegranate, and braised pork meatballs with an addictive red wine tomato sauce. If you find yourself in need of a more central escape, then look no further than Ludo Lefebvre’s Petit Trois in West Hollywood. This intimate bistro (bar seating, no reservations, and credit card only) is an ode to classic French cuisine and bar à la carte dining in Paris. The entire concise menu—which includes one of the best escargot in Los Angeles, classic steak frites, and buttered brioche crumbed chicken leg—is a must-eat so make sure to have at least a couple of pals with you to share with! For a solo adventure, I like to head to Grand Central Market in Downtown L.A. and hop from vendor to vendor. There’s the all day breakfast sandwich at Eggslut that’s so incredible that people wait in line hours for, one of the best burgers and fries you will ever eat at Belcampo Meat Co., Valerie Confection’s flaky fleur de sel caramel croissants, and Better Booch’s inventive kombucha bar— and that’s only a smattering of GCM’s offerings.

DINNER:

Located in Koreatown’s trendy The Line Hotel, The Commissary was my favorite new restaurant of 2014. Roy Choi’s delicious venture is housed in a stunning greenhouse with a loving focus on locally grown vegetables and fruits. Every bite of the roasted carrots, French dip sandwich, sea bass with green peas, perfectly cooked scallops—seriously, I would recommend trying to order every item on the menu—will leave you wanting to come back each and every night. If you’re craving for innovative Italian food, I love Bestia. Located in the Arts District downtown in an industrial warehouse-like space that’s always packed with a fun crowd, Bestia’s menu is equally ambitious as it is creative. With a menu that doesn’t have a single dud, Bestia is ideal for a large group because it means you can order everything for the table—don’t miss out on the housemade salumi board, spicy ‘nduja pizza, and cavatelli alla norcina with black truffles. Lastly, for a cozy, homey vibe head to Son of Gun. You and your guests will feel like you’ve just stepped into an East coast fish house and although Son of a Gun caters mostly to the passionate seafood lover (don’t miss out on the shrimp toast sandwich, lobster roll, and smoked mahi fish dip), the fried chicken sandwich with pickle slaw and rooster hot-sauced aioli will leave your carnivorous side more than satisfied and eager

for a return visit.

Twin Shadow in L.A.

While in L.A., I dropped by Bedrock in Silverlake to chat with Twin Shadow about life in the west coast and his forthcoming sophomore album, Confess (release date: July 10). Here's part 1 of our interview:

L.A. Times

Lunch with Yuck at So Hyang in Koreatown. The spicy squid bibimbap is out of control.

Caught up with Twin Shadow at Bedrock Studios and got the Silverlake tour including a stop at Local.

Super fun interview with Sophia Rossi from HelloGiggles over pedi's at the Beverly Wilshire. It's a tough job, folks.

Sophia and Tatti from HelloGiggles introduced us to their talented friend, singer-songwriter, Rozzi Crane. 

Later, Daddy Kev showed us around the legendary Low End Theory night at the Airliner.

Nasty Gal held an insanely packed Pre-Coachella party at the Roosevelt. S/O to this super crisp blackberry pic.

...And look who showed up. Classic.

 Watch out for these pieces on MTV News! Monday to Wednesday at 6:30pmET on MTV.