"L.A. is fascinating. There's a feeling of unlimited possibility and an endless supply of hope. And you can't underestimate the power of sunshine." — Cindy Guidry
Cindy Guidry, an L.A. resident for 18 years, is adapting her book, "The Last Single Woman in America", into a pilot for HBO.
People don't walk much in L.A., but as long as I have legs and they work, I'm going to use 'em. West Third Street is less trendy than Robertson Boulevard, but it still has tons of shops. My friends and I will pop into Little Next Door for breakfast or lunch (8142 W. Third St., 323/951-1010, thelittledoor.com), or into Tasca, a cozy wine bar, if it's dinnertime. The arancini with truffle sauce is a must-have (8108 W. Third St., 323/951-9890, tascawinebar.com). Melrose Avenue, west of Fairfax, has bigger names than Third—like Marc Jacobs, Theory, and Antik Denim. And at the end of the rainbow: my favorite restaurant, Lucques. The owner and chef, Suzanne Goin, has forever changed the way I feel about brussels sprouts (8474 Melrose Ave., 323/655-6277, lucques.com).
has a comprehensive list of all things bargain-related—and because of it, I'm now obsessed with Archipelago Botanicals' annual sale. Last year, I got $1,000 worth of candles for $100! (Speaking of useful Web sites, julib.com and dailycandy.com are great for scouting out sales and other happenings around town.)
The Farmer's Daughter Hotel is a converted motel next to the old Farmers Market. It's inexpensive, but I also recommend it because it's within walking distance of my apartment (115 S. Fairfax Ave., 323/937-3930, farmersdaughterhotel.com).
One of the best things about this city is that outdoor activities are possible most of the year. If I've got a tennis-playing friend visiting, we're hitting the La Cienega Tennis Center. The courts are $6 to $10 an hour and lighted (325 S. La Cienega Blvd., 310/550-4767). If not, we're going hiking. Runyon Canyon is an easy hike with potential for star spotting. You can hop off the trail and stroll along Outpost Drive, through a fairly celeb-heavy neighborhood. I once almost ran over a jogging Ben Stiller.
For a great massage, I go to Pho-Siam Thai Spa in Echo Park, where a Thai woman walks on your back. It's totally relaxing, and an hour is only $40 (1525 Pizarro St., 213/484-8484, phosiam.com). You don't get all oily, so afterward you can head straight to Sgt. Recruiter. It's what a bar should be, as far as I'm concerned (4655 Hollywood Blvd., 323/669-3922).
You can often catch a band for free at Amoeba Music. But I would've been wise to bring binoculars during my recent attempt to see Flight of the Conchords (6400 Sunset Blvd., 323/245-6400, amoeba.com). Other music venues worth checking out are The Hotel Café (1623½ N. Cahuenga, hotelcafe.com) and The Orpheum Theatre (842 S. Broadway, 877/677-4386, laorpheum.com).
For me, the Santa Monica Pier remains somewhat magical. And I always enjoy Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe, a boisterous bar on the boardwalk (1615 Ocean Front Walk, 310/393-2666, bigdeansoceanfrontcafe.com). Venice Beach's vibe is more sophisticated. Stroll by the canals and then venture over to Abbot Kinney, a street that's like one big get-together.
Every visitor to L.A. expects to see someone famous. You're almost guaranteed to spot a celeb while having a drink in the courtyard of the Chateau Marmont. But watch out! The hotel adds an 18 percent gratuity to the check (8221 W. Sunset Blvd., 323/656-1010, chateaumarmont.com). And you can often catch one at the bar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills (300 S. Doheny Dr., 310/273-2222, fourseasons.com). I like to go there the night after the Oscars, when non-winners are consoling themselves. At either spot, walk in like you own it. In L.A., princes dress like paupers, and vice versa, so it's all about the attitude.
