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When you meet an iconic Hollywood director on your flight to LA, it sets the scene for the trip ahead. As my friend and I sit in the transit lounge at Nadi Airport on our way to Los Angeles, we have no idea that the man who has just struck up a conversation with us is exactly that.

He's working on a movie, he tells us. Kind of like 10 Things I Hate About You, called 10 Things I Hate About Dating. We sit there, politely chatting to this stranger — with a healthy dose of scepticism — until a sneaky Google search reveals the truth: the man speaking to us about the plot of his next movie is, in fact, Gil Junger, who directed the 1999 Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles cult classic.

Watch: The must-pack travel essentials according to a lifestyle editor. Post continues below.

It feels like a 'sliding doors' moment given the friend I'm travelling with is a professional dating coach. She sits there casually chatting to the director of the ultimate 90s rom-com about the modern dating scene, and they exchange Instagram handles as we head to the boarding gate.

Our LA adventure has only just begun — and it already feels like the script is writing itself.

And so my LA Story begins.

First stop: Hollywood. 

We touch down at LAX and head straight to Hollywood Boulevard to catch a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! It feels surreal as I race down the street with the names of one Hollywood legend after another passing by in a blur under my feet on the iconic Walk Of Fame. Our VIP access allows for a quick drink before the show and I act nonchalant as I say 'hey' to the other people mingling with us in the Green Room and try to act like I've been here before.

There's a very laid-back vibe and a strict no-photos policy.

We're ushered to our seats and the warm-up act gets the crowd ready. After Jimmy's opening monologue, Marty Supreme actress, Odessa A'zion, is tonight's guest, and she tells us about her love of pickles and co-star, Timothée Chalamet's, fear of heights. Jimmy's loyal sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez keeps the crowd entertained as we clap and cheer and laugh along with the jokes.

Jimmy does some crowd work off camera which the audience laps up. It's a slick production and before we know it the show is over and we're being ushered out into a back alley.

Welcome to LA.

Tip: Get your free tickets to live shows from 1oita or On Camera Audiences.

We jump in an Uber and head to Hollywood hotspot Mother Wolf for dinner, located one block back from Sunset Boulevard in the historic Art Deco Citizen News building.

The glamorous interior has welcomed A-listers like Beyoncé, Adele, Katy Perry and The Obamas, who all come to experience chef Evan Funke's Roman pastas and pizzas. We let the waiter choose for us and the Gamberi (prawns) in Salsa Verde is superb, along with the signature Tonnarelli Cacio E Pepe pasta, while the Ruchetta salad is a spectacle in itself.

We try and suss out whether there are any celebs dining tonight, but our waiter is a masterclass in discretion and refuses to spill the tea.

Venice Beach is a definite vibe.

From palm trees to people watching, Venice Beach is a vibe and The Venice V Hotel is right at the heart of it. Artists, street performers, skateboarders and bodybuilders — this area has it all.

The hotel itself is a tribute to the area's gritty, Bohemian heritage. Every room is unique and mine has a stunning view overlooking the boardwalk where Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling filmed that neon rollerblading scene in Barbie. The interior is a blend of surf and skate culture with the artistic edge Venice Beach is renowned for.

I never want to leave.

Tip: My first stop when I wake up in a new city is coffee and I don't have to go too far to find it. Groundwork Venice is right next to the Venice V Hotel and the barista takes his coffee seriously. There are no 'I'll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon' coffee orders here.

The sky really is so blue in Malibu.

The next day we're headed for the Malibu Hills via the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

We stop off for breakfast at Malibu Farm At The Pier Restaurant and admire the view. As the water glistens in the sunlight, we do some dolphin spotting from the pier while eating tacos for breakfast served with eggs, avocado, salsa and roasted potatoes.

Next, it's time to visit the high-end outdoor shopping centre, the Malibu Country Mart, where celeb sightings are common and have included Lady Gaga, Courteney Cox and Jennifer Garner. It's very bougie and the kind of place you'll find 'relaxed upmarket chic' (read $400 for a white T-shirt).

Most of the stores are window shopping only if you're on a budget, but I did manage to pick up a palm tree charm from jewellery store Gorjana to commemorate the trip.

We stop off for lunch at the upscale Geoffrey's Malibu, which has cliff-side views and a history that dates back to Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy. I could sit and stare at the Pacific Ocean all day, but it's time for some wine tasting at the Cielo Farms Vineyard.

A piece of Tuscany in Malibu.

Just a 40-minute drive from Santa Monica and I feel like I've stepped off one movie set and onto another. Surrounded by a backdrop of hundreds of olive trees and vineyards set against the Santa Monica Mountains, the Cielo Farms Vineyard is a stunning location that feels more like you're in Tuscany, Italy.

We order the Woodstock flight, which features two whites and two reds, and sit back to soak up the spectacular view.

After an afternoon of wine-tasting, we travel home via the scenic Malibu coastline with the glow of the sun setting in our rear view. Once home to stunning oceanfront mansions, all that's left of the houses that once lined this stretch of road are crumbling foundations and stilts propped up over the ocean.

The unobstructed view is beautiful but also a stark reminder of the devastation of the 2025 Palisades wildfires.

Nothing says peak LA like sunrise yoga on the beach.

I'm not normally the person who wakes up at 6.00am on holiday to do a downward dog, but the Beach Yoga SoCal experience is worth the early alarm.

I set up a towel on the sand next to Lifeguard Tower 26 with a view of the Santa Monica Pier to my right. As the early morning California sun glistens on the water, right on cue, actual dolphins start frolicking in the ocean in front of me. I take a big breath out and feel my entire system hit 'reset'. It's relaxing and uplifting and the perfect escape from the chaos of life and the hustle and bustle of Hollywood.

I treat myself to breakfast at The Butcher's Daughter on the way home. The coffee and poached egg with avocado toast both hit the spot.

Levelling up the glamour in Beverly Hills.

If you're looking for some next-level Beverly Hills glamour with a rock star edge, the SLS Beverly Hills is the place to stay.

Its ultra-modern interiors have a surrealist pop-art feel: from the horse sculpture with a lamp on its head at reception to the pink pool tables on every level, even the lifts are quirky. The rooftop pool offers unrivalled 360-degree views of Los Angeles and there's a dedicated chauffeur service ready to whisk you away to do some window shopping on Rodeo Drive or explore the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood.

It's luxurious, it's extravagant — and it's very 'LA Baby!'.

The Hollywood Sign. But make it a hike. Or on horseback.

Just about everyone you talk to in LA has some kind of claim to fame and our charming Bikes & Hikes LA tour guide, Michael, is no different.

When he's not doing his day job, he's working as a stunt driver (or more accurately a 'Picture Car Coordinator') for brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton.  As we weave our way up the track with a panoramic view of the LA skyline and the iconic white letters looming above us, he tells us about his time on set with Billie Eilish, Khloé Kardashian, Rihanna and Charlize Theron. Our hike takes us as close to the historic landmark as you're allowed, and we get the money shot. 

But there's more than one way to check out the Hollywood sign, so we also try it on horseback at Sunset Ranch Hollywood for a different perspective.

It's been a few decades since I've saddled up so I quietly hope that riding a horse is like riding a bike and feel a sense of relief when our guide picks a horse that's slow and steady. We admire the view and soak up the serenity that's so far removed from the hustle of the city we can see in the distance far below us. Our guide tells us that despite growing up in downtown LA, after watching all five seasons of the Kevin Costner drama Yellowstone, his dream is to one day live on a ranch in Montana.

For a bite to eat on our way home, we check out Joan's on Third, a cafe and gourmet food store owned and run by chef Joan McNamara and her two daughters for more than 25 years. An LA staple, it's known for its uber-cool crowd including Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian and Hilary Duff. 

Joan comes out to say hello while we're there and we try some of her best-loved dishes including the delicious Chinese Chicken Salad. As we head off, she hands us one of her decadent candy bars to take with us. It's a sweet and salty blend of chocolate ganache and caramel with the crunch of potato chips. To. Die. For.

Cruise LA in style. 

The Oscars Lowrider Tour is the ultimate way to explore Los Angeles in a classic '64 Chevrolet Impala convertible, while learning about the city's history and culture.

We spend three hours cruising down iconic palm-tree lined streets and through glamorous neighbourhoods, passing by sprawling celebrity properties like Beyoncé and Jay Z's Bel Air mansion. We also cover West Hollywood and the Sunset Strip. Our guide tells us that that of all the celebs he's taken on this tour, Robert DeNiro is his favourite.

Have a laugh.

For a different side of LA, we head to The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip, for a night of stand-up.

This isn't just a club; it's a comedy mecca. It's where Robin Williams cut his teeth, where Jim Carrey found his quirky, character voice, and where you never know who will drop in unannounced for a surprise set to test their new material.

Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfield, David Letterman, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler and Nikki Glaser are just some of the now-famous comedians who've graced the mic over the years and whose faces line the walls as we make our way up the stairs. 

Once inside the iconic black walls, we strategically pick a table not too close to the stage and a waiter takes our drinks order as we settle in and prepare for anything. Our phones are locked in a secure pouch to ensure what happens in The Comedy Store, stays in The Comedy Store.

The comics here are unfiltered and unafraid to tackle the uncomfortable stuff, so if you're easily offended, this place is not for you. We laugh our way through two hours of back-to-back sets from up-and-coming and established comedians.

Some of the jokes land, some don't, but honestly, that's half the fun. 

Time for some luxe-relaxing.

It's our last day in LA, so for an afternoon of wellness, we head to the sanctuary that is the Fairmont Spa Century Plaza. I don't think I've ever been in a day spa quite this luxurious.

I try their Biohacking treatment complete with lymphatic drain boots designed to help ease muscle tension, before unwinding in the aromatherapy steam room and Himalayan salt room. I don't think I've ever felt more relaxed. Pure bliss.

Other things to do that are so LA.

Catch a Waymo. There's no driver. 

It's a very bizarre feeling the first time you get into a driverless car and watch the steering wheel spin beside you like there's a ghost at the wheel, but it's amazing how quickly you get used to it. They're everywhere and are a great alternative to an Uber, if you're game.

Have a smoothie at Erewhon.

It wouldn't be a trip to LA without a visit to Erewhon, the very high-end, very aesthetically pleasing organic grocery store.  My pick was the Malibu Mango smoothie. It was delicious. It was the price of a decent bottle of wine. I have no regrets.

Shop at the Grove.

I barely have time to scratch the surface of this LA institution, but it's definitely a must-visit destination if you want to shop. Don't forget to stop by the Original Farmer's Market for lunch. 

Alternatively, if you're after some bargain shopping, Citadel Outlets is the place to check out for all the big brands at discounted prices.

Try an In-N-Out burger.

Yes, it's fast food. Yes, you need to try this cult burger just once.

Watch a game or a show in shared reality at COSM.

While football is not normally on my holiday itinerary, The Super Bowl LX is on while we're in LA, and we get to watch The Seahawks v Patriots in 'shared reality' from inside The Dome at COSM. It blows my mind how real it feels. You can also watch The Matrix or take in 'O' by Cirque du Soleil from inside the 87-foot wraparound LED screen.

It's a wrap. Dinner at Super Peach.

We have one last hurrah before we head home, so we check out the newest restaurant by acclaimed Momofuku chef David Chang.

Super Peach has an Asian-inspired menu that blends Korean flavours with American comfort food and is well worth the hype. The food is sublime and the green and orange decor has a very cool, modern-meets-retro-diner feel. 

We chat about our favourite parts of our LA visit while dining on Spicy Tuna Kimbap, Mushroom Noodles and Sesame Marinated Cucumbers. Despite the unresolved story arc with the Hollywood Director and my dating coach friend, this feels like the perfect ending.

It's a wrap. And, like all the best movies, I don't want my LA story to be over. But as I head to LAX, I am texting my girlfriends and already planning a sequel.

"Los Angeles, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

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Feature image: Supplied.

The author travelled as a guest of Los Angeles Tourism, however all opinions expressed are their own.