• Favorite place to eat in SoCal: Honestly, probably a picnic on the beach or in a park. We’re so lucky to have so many amazing farmers markets here, you can’t go wrong.
  
  

• Best kept SoCal secret: The weather is perfect in October and November, after all of the tourists leave.
  
  

• I love SoCal because... I freaking love the pride of Angelenos. Like don’t mess with a Dodgers Fan. And when Kobe passed away it was dark in LA for MONTHS. No size fits all here. It’s our diversity that makes us so unique, but we all have pride for this city.
  
  

• Follow Lauren on Instagram at @relauren
  
  

• Listen to Lauren's playlist on Spotify
  

TAKE A HIKE

Meditate on the exhibition’s messages as you head up into the nearby Santa Monica Mountains for a hike. “They have really cool programs where you can participate in nature restoration,” explains Bash, “helping plant native species and weeding out invasive or non-native ones.” Bash also likes the Kenter Trail hike not far from UCLA. “It’s dog friendly, so a lot of doggie daycare places take their dogs there. You might see a walker with, like, 40 dogs.” Now you're ready to check out some more exhibitions.

BIKE OR TAKE METRO MICRO TO BLUEYS FOR LUNCH

“Metro Micro is like a city-sponsored version of Uber,” explains Bash. “You order on your phone and you only pay, like, bus ticket-level fares. It’s amazing.” Catch a ride to Blueys Kitchen for lunch, a restaurant that’s part of the Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly program. “We consult with restaurants to make them as close to zero waste as possible,” explains Bash. “So things like offering reusables on site, reducing plastics in takeaway bags, sourcing certified-sustainable fish. One of Surfrider’s big missions is to cut down on plastic pollution in our ocean waterways and on beaches, so the Ocean Friendly program helps to limit plastic at the source.” On Blueys menu, “I dream about the green falafel,” says Bash.

SURF AND SKATE

“The surfing and skate culture are obviously part of the west side,” says Bash. “That's why people live here.” First timers who’d like to test out the waves can head from Bergamot Station to nearby Santa Monica beach. Kapowui Surf School teaches lessons near lifeguard tower 29. “They’re my old neighbors!” laughs Bash.

In honor of Chris McCaw’s skater roots, take the opportunity to visit Venice Skate Park. “It’s so iconic,” says Bash. “It’s in movies; they had a scene from Barbie there. And it’s fun for people watching and to check out some of the local artisans selling their things.”

GET A SNACK AND TAKE A BREAK AT GJUSTA

“The best loaf of bread you can get in LA is from Gjusta,” raves Bash. “And their location in Venice has a huge outdoor patio, very Parisian vibes. They have this olive tapenade and my partner and I will get a big loaf of sourdough, eat olive tapenade, and play cards.”

WANDER FIRST FRIDAYS AT ABBOT KINNEY.

On the first Friday of every month starting at 5 p.m., the chic Venice street Abbot Kinney gives itself over to a festival of food trucks and merchant events. “There's always live music,” says Bash. “The stores might have special sales or they'll be jewelry makers or artists who will have a pop up. It’s cool, it’s a vibe.”

RIDE BIKES BACK UP TO SANTA MONICA

When you’ve shopped and sampled to your heart’s content, hop on a bike and pedal back to Santa Monica along the Marvin Braude bike path. The 22-mile, paved oceanside path stretches from Torrance County Beach up to Will Rogers State Beach near the Pacific Palisades. “We used the bike path all the time when we were kids,” reminisces Bash. “My mom would drop us off and we’d ride around the South Bay up to Venice, and, like, get a henna tattoo and buy incense.”

WATCH THE SUN SET OVER THE OCEAN

The rooftop bar and restaurant Élephante in Santa Monica serves up coastal Italian fare—grilled octopus, pastas, pizzas with artichokes and roasted mushrooms. “They have this eggplant dip that is divine,” says Bash. “And they have an amazing view of the ocean. If you go at sunset, it's the absolute best.”