Postcard from DTLA
Despite growing up in California, I haven’t spent much time in Los Angeles proper–and before my latest trip to the West Coast, I don’t think I’d ever stepped foot in Downtown LA. In some ways, I was pleasantly surprised: there were palm trees and blue skies interspersed with skyscrapers, trendy rooftop pools and brunch spots, even a bookstore that doubled as an art gallery. 
I was here mostly for meetings and shoots (and lunch dates in between), so I didn’t get to explore quite as much as I would have liked–but I will say that despite all of these highlights, I was still shocked by the sprawl and intensity of the homeless population in the heart of DTLA itself, as well as the depravity of nearby Skid Row. It’s coming up, but it’s not quite there yet.
My favorite discovery in DTLA (perhaps technically neighboring Koreatown) was The Commissary at The Line Hotel: it’s a light-filled greenhouse set next to a rooftop pool that serves excellent coffee and kick-ass steak breakfast burritos. 
Although I didn’t get a chance to fully relax by the pool, I stopped by the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA for lunch. One of my favorite tricks about LA is that most hotel pools are open to the public–especially if you get food. 
If you’re a book lover: you can’t miss The Last Bookstore. There are plenty of books for sale, but even more delightful are the books that are arranged so artfully as to make it seem like you’re in a labyrinth of art pieces created with books. I especially love the rainbow-hued bookshelves! 
And in things I didn’t expect to find in DTLA: a library! The exterior of the Central branch of the Los Angeles Public Library was designed in 1920’s, an interesting blend of Art Deco and Spanish Colonial. 
Although I prefer the more traditional exterior architecture, the more modern wing addition features several public art projects. My favorite were these giant, colorful chandeliers: if I were working or reading here, I’d definitely want to set up so that I could look out into this giant atrium.
My favorite part always of being in Los Angeles: all of the bougainvillea! 
Have you ever visited DTLA? Anything I missed?
