As I sat outside the Culver Hotel, a gentle breeze washed over me. In a high-rise seat, at a wooden bar lining a courtyard, I took in the LA spirit, as carefree crowds strolled, laughed, and walked dogs, each like a character in their own movie. To the right, Culver Studios, filming site for classics like Gone with the Wind and Rocky, sat behind a gate, its white columns and facade reminiscent of a Southern mansion. The temperature hovered around 72 degrees, and in my flannel shirt, I sipped on a mojito mocktail and adjusted to the atmosphere.
It was my first visit to Los Angeles, and I felt intimidated by Hollywood’s aura, yet excited to see the city’s secrets. With FIFA 2026 on the horizon, I sought to discover the best places to stay, eat, and enjoy before the world’s best soccer players descend on the city.
A step into old Hollywood at The Culver Hotel
At the Culver Hotel, I stepped into Hollywood’s Golden Age. A cavernous lobby, full of cocoa-toned furniture, a towering bookcase and ladder, warm lighting, and gentle music looked straight out of a classic movie.
My room was an antiqued hideaway, with deep emerald walls, a velvet easy chair, a wood-paneled floor, a gold-rimmed oval mirror, and wooden headboards with the weathered character of years gone by. Two windows reached the ceiling, and the wind washed in, creating a sea-breeze ambience.
Possibly the coolest part of the hotel was the Velvet Lounge, located up the stairs at the back of the lobby. Among its L-shaped layout were forest green walls, peppered with velvet furniture, gold trim, paneled wood flooring, and semi-circular nooks. According to legend, one-time hotel owner Charlie Chaplin once lost a card game (and hotel ownership) to John Wayne in the space.
Hotelier Maya Mallick purchased the hotel in 2006 and performed extensive renovations. I asked her what her vision was when she bought the property.
She commented: “All I could see was a beautiful historic building with a big spirit, yearning for someone to restore it to its intended purpose of being a beloved and vibrant community landmark. With my background in design and a lifelong affection for vintage craftsmanship, I started the journey towards reviving the 46-room flatiron—sourcing antiques, designing custom furnishings, and blending timeless elegance with contemporary artistry.”
I also wanted to know her take on the hotel’s unique selling point compared to newer, ultra-modern properties. She said: “Standing proudly in the heart of Downtown Culver City for more than a century, The Culver Hotel has been a beacon in the community since 1924. Built by famous Los Angeles architects, the National Historic Landmark is where Hollywood history, vintage design, timeless luxury, and creative culture converge.”
A taste of Los Angeles, from morning pastries to late-night jazz
Whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I found meals rooted in history, full of creativity, and ambience beyond anything I’ve experienced.
Fresh pastries and a maple cold brew at Helms Bakery
Helms Bakery exists in the shadow of its historic namesake, a bread and baked goods maker that last operated in 1969. In the quaint, yet densely filled space, I found breakfast items that fit my healthy side perfectly. Along the walls, dozens of waters, drinks, yogurts, and more resembled a candy store, while the fresh-baked goods section offered donuts, pastries, and more. I also enjoyed the bustling, early morning energy, as customers ordered coffees and donuts, and I enjoyed a maple cold brew, a breakfast burrito, and a La Fermière peach yogurt.
A wagyu sandwich and global-village energy at Maydan Market
As I entered Maydan Market, flames flickered under the central, oval copper hearth. Chefs and staff, serving global recipes, prepared dishes ranging from Yhing Yhang’s Southeast Asian BBQ to Club 104, with its rotating schedule of LA-area chefs.
Here, I enjoyed a lunch that captured LA’s creative, carpe diem attitude: a basil lemonade mocktail from Compass, and an Australian wagyu beef focaccia sandwich from Vesti at Club 104. The cocktail perfectly combined sweetness and spice, while the sandwich’s juicy texture offered an exotic lunchtime treat.
Braised short rib and honeyed lights inside Somerville’s jazz club vibe
Somerville’s entrance hinted at what I’d find inside. A series of vertically-oriented, maple-colored wood strips, and a backlit “Somerville” logo gave off a warm, mysterious feel, before I snuck through the doors into another world. Dim, honey-like light enveloped me, and to the left, a jazz band glided through easy-going tunes. It was a scene.
Fare like Parker House rolls (with truffle butter), braised short rib (truffle risotto, Cremini mushrooms, sauce Perigourdine), and baked macaroni and cheese (aged cheddar, garlic, parmesan bread crumbs, chives) blended comfort food and upscale eats. My favorite was the braised short rib’s savory meat and silky risotto.
From ancient fossils to futuristic stadiums: LA’s must-see attractions
From history to culture to action, LA was an amphitheater for new experiences.
Walking through a century of athletic legend at the LA Coliseum
Like an ode to athletics, the LA Coliseum’s archways and Olympic Rings conveyed the city’s history of sport. Host to the 1932 and 1984 Olympics, the Coliseum will make it three in 2028. At the entrance, stones sourced from Altis Olympia, Greece, and the Roman Colosseum hearkened to the origins of competition, while the Memorial Court of Honor held plaques commemorating figures like Knute Rockne, Jackie Robinson, John Wooden, and more.
Walking into the coliseum, a sea of new maroon seats, luxury suites, and a perfect field reflected a $315 million renovation completed in 2019. During FIFA 2026, the Coliseum will serve as a fan gathering space, with video boards, fan activities, food, and more.
Dinosaur halls and ancient wonders at the Natural History Museum
Inside the museum’s echoing hallways, I took a journey back in time and almost felt like a character in Jurassic Park. There, I found an extensive collection of captivating fossils, which appeared alive and roaming, from a T. Rex and Triceratops to a prehistoric Mastodon.
Walking through was like navigating a maze with discoveries around every corner, whether exhibits on LA’s origins or a rotunda where sculptures looked from an art museum.
Old-school luxury and modern fitness inside the LAAC’s storied walls
No matter the trip, I want to stay current with my exercise and running routine. LA Athletic Club (LAAC) helped me do that in a country-club-like setting. Founded in 1880 and in its current downtown building since 1912, the club had chestnut-toned walls and spaces, interspersed with a free weights/exercise space, a basketball court, and a swimming pool.
During my workout, the music-free space had a peaceful, upscale feeling, with cordial, respectful members and staff, and a community-like mood. On either side of the workout area, I could look down on the pool or basketball court, while the morning light leaked in. After my workout, I cooled down by shooting some hoops, then enjoyed a chicken avocado wrap at Famous Players, a casual café.
Inside SoFi Stadium’s spaceship-like energy and electric atmosphere
As I approached SoFi Stadium, its expansive matte metal, arching roof resembled an alien spacecraft. Then it began. As I walked to my seat, the “THUN-DER” chant from AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” boomed over the sound system. The stadium’s bowl-like structure seemed to amplify the cheers, and a ring-style video board showed replays, down and distance, and the game clock.
Was I at a rock concert or a football game? It seemed like both, and it made me understand how a modern sports stadium maximizes the fan experience. The Chargers didn’t disappoint, earning a 25-10 victory. Throughout the evening, electricity-themed music like “Electric Avenue” pumped up the crowd, and after the win, the team band formed a drum circle in the causeways, with a boisterous tribute. SoFi will be the main venue for FIFA World Cup in 2026, a fitting place for the world’s biggest sport.
The spirit of Los Angeles: a city alive with creativity, history, and endless motion
When I travel, I want to be delighted, excited, and find something new. Each minute, hour, and day in LA provided just that, as I walked among Hollywood history, absorbed the creative spirit, ate in low-light ambience, and was enthralled by a futuristic stadium and long-lost history. Los Angeles was electric. I can only imagine the scene in 2026 when the city collides with the FIFA World Cup, which should create a high-voltage adventure.
