LOS ANGELES CITY GUIDE: Caroline Ridings
Why LA?
LA feels expansive in a way that invites you to create your own rhythm. There’s space here, physically and creatively. It’s where I feel most connected to light, architecture, fashion, art, and the way all of those things shape how I see and build.
Where to Stay?
Silver Lake or Los Feliz, for something more grounded and local.
Chateau Marmont, for something iconic and cinematic.
Where to Dine?
- Courage Bagels: Burnt-edge bagels worth the morning line.
- Joy: Cozy Taiwanese food and very good noodles.
- Lolo: Natural wine, small plates, and easy romance.
- Bar Étoile: Perfect steak frites and a martini.
- Night + Market Song: Spicy Thai food and natural wine.
- Arcana Books: Great lunch, great books, and the pink drink.
- Bird Street: If you know someone with a membership, the chicken nuggets are worth it.
- Trini Style: Low-key lunch spot. Go on a Friday and get doubles.
Where to Drink?
Café Tondo: A tiny European-feeling corner of LA, with wine and dancing.
Café Triste: For summer nights and an understated glass of wine.
Also:
- El Prado
- La Poubelle
- Living Room
- Seco
Where to Shop?
- Scout: Well-edited vintage in Silver Lake.
- Wild West Social House: Elevated vintage and an incredible archive.
- Melrose Flea: Easy vintage hunting on the weekend.
- Silver Lake Flea: Smaller, local, and always fun.
- Long Beach Antique Market: Worth the drive for furniture and objects.
- OK: Beautiful objects, jewelry, and design gifts.
- Melrose: For more upscale shopping, with The Row, Margiela, and 424 nearby.
- Hauser & Wirth: The perfect stop for art books.
Things to Do?
There’s so much beauty in LA. I personally love a day built around visual inspiration, whether that means visiting galleries, looking at architecture, wandering through a neighborhood, or ending up by the beach. A few of my go-to places are below.
Architecture favorites:
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House
- The Stahl House at sunset
- The Eames House in the Palisades
Art galleries:
- Francis Gallery
- Jeffrey Deitch
Neighborhoods to walk through:
- Los Feliz
- Echo Park
