OCCUPATION: Co-founder of Truth Be Told PR

MY STYLE: I genuinely love getting dressed in the morning, and living in LA gives you so much sartorial freedom. Although my husband and I lived in New York for many years, I never quite got the winter dressing there. My style is eclectic and, above all else, high-low. I do love color—we have a mid-century modern house and it’s taken all my strength not to cover it in floor-to=ceiling Missoni fabric. Actually, it’s taken all my husband’s strength to keep me from doing that!

I LOVE LA BECAUSE: Aside from incredible institutions, the beach, the mountains, great weather, and tons of fun festivals, there are also lovely hidden gems like the secret aviary at UCLA, Virginia Robinson Gardens, and a ton of other interesting spots.

Getty

A walk through the Getty is a lesson in art history: numerous European and American artists from the Middle Ages to present day hold placards in the museum. Elizabeth Stewart calls the museum a park as well—after she and her family take in the exhibitions, her children (literally) roll down the hill outside. Other family activities include the Getty’s numerous workshops, as well as a series of kid-centric concerts that takes place in the garden.

Malibu Beach

Anyone who’s listened to the Beach Boys, watched Charlie’s Angels or Gidget is likely to associate this California hotspot with good vibrations. When visiting the expansive sands, you won’t be surprised to see prime real estate teeming with wetsuits, but you might be surprised to see the many other activities offered. Namely, the affixed California State Parklands go above and beyond your expectations—as horseback riding, hiking, and mountain-biking (Pacific Coast Highway is especially popular with cyclists) are all offered on the premises.

Montage Hotel

Located in Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle, so-named for the high end shopping spill-out from famous Rodeo Drive, the Montage Hotel is a resort that blends old Hollywood glamor with modern luxury. With Spanish Colonial revival architecture that recalls a California of the 20s and 30s, the hotel is furnished in an opulent old-world style. Amenities include a rooftop pool, a full service spa, and a variety of fine dining options. And, moms looking to soak in the atmosphere without the pricetag of an overnight stay can still spend the day on the grounds. Los-Angeles based photographer Larissa Block makes a weekend ritual of taking her daughter to play in the fountains on the hotel grounds: “she runs from one to another throwing pennies in them.” Block also suggests visiting in the summer when The Montage hosts concerts in their courtyard; families bring picnics while they listen to live music in the early evenings.

Polo Lounge

Among L.A.’s most famous rooms, the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel has been a watering hole for industry bigwigs for decades. We love cozying into a banquette to indulge in a vintage cocktail (gin martini, anyone?) before dinner. And despite the bar’s masculine interiors, the sunny outdoor patio is also perfect for ladylike Sunday brunch!

Nobu: Los Angeles

Nobu is a household name in many major cities and, as in New York, Milan, London, and elsewhere, is a center for fashionable eat in Los Angeles. In an elegant dining room, this worldwide sushi phenomenon is still delightful. (Black cod with miso, beef toban yaki, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño). We don’t know what is better: the great dishes like black cod with miso, or Nobu’s bar scene. LA mom Amanda Schuon is a regular and recommends taking children early before the adults arrive for dinner. “My oldest daughter once asked the waiter if they served mermaid sushi, and they’ve been charmed ever since,” she says.

Giggles N’ Hugs

This restaurant that caters to kids that get fidgety by the end of a sit-down meal (all of them?). If the dinner table is not your kids’ strong suit, they might prefer to unwind on a pirate ship or a purple castle, all within safe supervision distance from said table. LA mom Amanda Schuon admits the idea of a restaurant for kids “is a scary concept,” but she assures parents to fear not. Conveniently located in the Century City shopping mall, Schuon says “it’s easy to pop over and let [the kids] play on the giant outdoor structure.” As an added bonus, the food is well-regarded and parent-approved. “They have healthy options so there’s not too much guilt involved.” A cocktail menu is also available for grown-ups.