Mother-Daughter Adventures in Los Angeles

 

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I went to Los Angeles for a wedding. She had never been to LA, so I told her she could plan the itinerary, and we’d do whatever she wanted. Luckily, theme parks weren’t on her list—not my thing! She came up with an amazing plan, and we had a great trip. Before diving into the details, I want to say how much I recommend a parent/child trip, especially with adult children. My daughter is 26, and letting her take charge of the itinerary made the trip so much fun. The only things we missed were the plans for the first two nights—jet lag had us going to bed early.
 

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
 

If you're planning a kosher trip to LA, check out my Kosher Vacation Guide to Los Angeles for more tips on kosher dining and activities in the city.


Santa Monica Pier
 

Day 1: Santa Monica Pier and Venice Canals

We live in Israel, so after a 15-hour flight and a 10-hour time difference, we landed early Tuesday morning. We spent the morning getting settled and showering before heading out. Staying near Pico, home to many kosher restaurants, we grabbed pizza from Shalom Pizza and took it to Santa Monica Pier. We parked in a lot right next to the pier for $7, ate our pizza with a view of the Pacific Ocean, and soaked in the lively atmosphere.
 

The pier is touristy but iconic, and we enjoyed walking around, watching street performers, and buying souvenirs. From there, we visited the Venice Canal Historic District, strolling along the beautiful canals and admiring the unique houses. The decorations for Christmas and Chanukah added to the charm, and spotting Israeli flags made us feel at home. We wrapped up the day with a little shopping at Target and a delicious dinner of authentic Chinese food at Shanghai Diamond Garden—a treat since we don’t have authentic Chinese restaurants in Israel.


Chanukah decorations on a bridge on the Venice canals
 

Day 2: Hollywood and Griffith Observatory

We started the day at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theater, parking conveniently at the Highland/Hollywood Shopping Center ($3 for 2 hours with validation). After exploring and a bit of shopping, we headed to the Griffith Observatory, located atop Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park.
 

We opted for paid parking ($10/hour) near the observatory for convenience. Admission to the observatory itself is free, though the planetarium has a fee. The views of the Hollywood sign and the city were stunning, and we enjoyed the exhibits inside. We brought sandwiches and ate at a picnic table while taking in the scenery. For dinner, we visited The Milky Way, where we tried their famous latkes—perfect for the week before Chanukah.


Hollywood Boulevard


TCL Chinese Theater


Griffith Observatory
 

Day 3: Huntington Botanical Gardens

My daughter loves botanical gardens and visits them whenever she travels, so Thursday was dedicated to exploring the Huntington Library Botanical Gardens. Parking was free, but there was an admission fee (student discounts are available). Knowing food isn’t allowed inside, we ate our packed sandwiches beforehand.
 

The gardens were vast and stunning. We spent about two hours walking through different sections, enjoying the perfect weather. Words don’t do it justice, so check out the pictures below! Afterward, we indulged in some shopping.


Huntington Library Botanical Gardens


Huntington Library Botanical Gardens
 

Friday: Prepping for Shabbat

With a short Friday, we stayed local, did more shopping, and got ready for Shabbat. We stayed with friends, but for those planning a visit, there are two hotels on Pico near shuls and kosher restaurants: the Beverly Hills Marriott and the Burton House. Both offer Shabbat-friendly amenities, but make sure to request Shabbat keys when booking, as only certain floors have rooms with Shabbat keys. Takeout options are available for Shabbat, though kosher restaurants do not offer prepaid dining for Shabbat meals.
 

Sunday: A Wedding and Vegetarian Lunch

Sunday was mostly reserved for the wedding, but we managed a delicious vegetarian lunch at Bodhi Thai. My daughter and brother are vegetarian, and everyone loved the food.


Runyan Canyon Park
 

Day 5: Runyon Canyon Hike

On Monday, we ventured out for a hike at Runyon Canyon Park. Parking near the Fuller Avenue entrance is free, but pay close attention to street signs. We did a strenuous hike (not even the hardest trail!) and were rewarded with breathtaking views at the top. Be aware that the park has many dogs, and some areas allow off-leash walking. If you’re not a dog person, this might not be for you.
 

Afterward, we had a light lunch at Menche’s Cafe, a dairy spot about 10 minutes from the park—absolutely delicious. We then stopped at Ralph’s Kosher Experience nearby to grab snacks. That evening, we attended Sheva Brachot at Trattoria Natalie, an amazing dairy Italian restaurant.
 

Heading Home

Tuesday morning, we headed to the airport for our flight back to Israel. Our trip was incredible! LA is extremely convenient for kosher travelers, with a variety of dining options and plenty to do. Of course, we couldn’t fit everything into one week, and the season also impacts what’s available. For example, my daughter wanted to attend a live show taping, but many were on holiday break.
 

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend taking a parent/child trip, especially with adult children. Let your child plan the itinerary (within reason!) and just enjoy spending time together. While LA worked for us because of the wedding, I’d love to do this again and explore another destination.
 

This blog was approved by my daughter :)