The Solo Traveler's Guide to Los Angeles: Rest & Relaxation
Solo travelers heading to Los Angeles are in for a treat. The city boasts some of the world’s best art, music, theatre, nightlife and cuisine. And there’s plenty of scope for meeting fun-loving folks along the way. Whatever your vacation of choice, we have the itinerary for you. Scroll down for the lowdown on the city’s juiciest spots.
Begin your chillcation with a gentle solo amble up Runyon Canyon – the Hollywood hike of choice for A-listers like Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Or ditch the celebs and trek to a glittering waterfall at Switzer Falls near La Cañada Flintridge.
After your walk, hit the beach for some SoCal sunlight therapy. Join the boogie boarders and surfers at Zuma, a wide stretch of sand featured prominently in Baywatch. Or search for sea stars in the pristine tide pools at Point Dume, a prime film location for the original Planet of the Apes movie. Next, it’s time to release your inner diva at Hotel Bel-Air, where Marilyn Monroe famously posed by the gargantuan oval pool.
Indulge yourself with an ‘Ultimate Escape’ treatment at Hotel Bel-Air Spa by La Prairie; an aromatherapy massage and a hydrating facial, followed by a manicure and pedicure. Or hop over to Wi Spa, the ever-popular (and ever-affordable) 24-hour spa in Koreatown.
Yoga buffs will come pretty close to nirvana at Hollywood’s Wanderlust. Take a tranquil "SmartFlow" class, or push your energy levels to the max with "Ecstatic Breathwork," which combines ancient rhythmic breathing with inspirational playlists. Looking to stretch in the great outdoors? Yogalution in Long Beach offers free daily classes overlooking the ocean. Or for a total stress detox, book a weekend retreat at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades – the center that turned Elvis on to Eastern religion. Here, you can unwind in ten acres of landscaped grounds whilst learning meditation techniques from the resident monks. Before leaving L.A., be sure to stock up on crystals, scented candles and essential oils at Spellbound Sky, near Silver Lake.
Solo curveball: Relax, socialize, and serve the community, by volunteering at one of L.A.’s many charitable organizations. Restore local mountain forests with TreePeople in Coldwater Canyon, or help the homeless at The Midnight Mission in Downtown L.A.
