Eco Chic City Guide: LOS ANGELES
MAY / JUN 2010: ISSUE 11
The City of Angeles is more often known for its Hollywood glamour and endless sea of traffic, rather than as a haven for environmentalists. As the largest city in the most progressive state in America, Los Angeles is in fact a leader in all things Green. From activist Hollywood actors, to innovative eco-fashion, from savory locally grown organic cuisine, to the awe inspiring natural beauty of the Pacific to the Hollywood Hills, in L.A. you can find all shades of green.
STAY
W Hollywood
This brand spanking new hotel is the latest red carpet favorite and did we mention it is the largest Southern California property to register for LEED (silver) certification. Don’t come here to sleep, with beautiful bars, pools, roof top cabanas and of course gorgeous guests you won’t want to miss a minute. Best part of all, you’re in the middle of Hollywood you can walk to most destinations (like the premiere Eco-Friendly Night Club Ecco) and will have easy access to the L.A. underground metro.**
6250 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028.
Phone: (323) 798-1300
The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica
Located in the most eco-friendly city in Los Angeles, this boutique hotel has set the bar very high. Just a few of their green highlights include a 2008 Silver LEED certification, organic mattresses, a on-site hybrid car rental, recycling containers in all rooms and complimentary organic continental breakfast from hip L.A. eatery Ruth Café. They even have a recycling drop off for unwanted cell phones. Oh and did we mention their exit sign is powered by LED lights. Being just a five-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean and the Third Street Promenade allows you to really experience the highlights and not have to spend too much time getting there in your car.**
2043 Colorado Avenue Santa Monica, California 90404.
Phone: (310) 382-2145
Hotel Palomar, Westwood
Beyond offering breathtaking skyline views and “art-infused style and sophistication,” the hotel is serious when it comes to respecting the environment. Standard features include in room recycling, energy efficient lighting, water efficient fixtures and even organic food and beverage options in the mini bar. Seafood lovers can feel less guilty while dining at their adjacent restaurant since the restaurant complies with the Monterey Bay’s Sustainable Seafood Guidelines. The EPA has also honored the hotel through its Earth Care program. Located in the heart of Westwood, the hotel is a perfect starting point for reaching Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Santa Monica. As with their sister hotel in Seattle, they are pet friendly and there are discounts for hybrid drivers (25% off) and Amtrak riders (20% off.)**
10740 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Phone: (800) 472.8556 or (310) 475.8711
www.hotelpalomarlawestwood.com
Los Feliz Lodge, Los Feliz
If calm and quiet is more of your thing then a trip in the hills of Los Feliz might be more your speed. The Los Feliz Lodge is a collection of shabby chic bungalows turned into little inns featuring their own kitchens and living spaces. The lodge also features its own drought tolerant garden, which adds to the cozy feeling of the place. A few eco initiatives include low VOC paints, organic cotton linens and recycled vintage furniture. The hotel is also conveniently located to L.A.’s underground Metro station that will enable you to get to Hollywood in five minutes and downtown in less than 20 minutes.**
1507 North Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Phone: (323) 913-1443
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
This premiere resort in known more for its stellar ocean views, rather than being environmentally friendly. That is until now. Having partnered with the Ocean Futures Society to create Ambassadors of the environment, the resort is now offering naturalist lead excursions for guest to provide them with the opportunity to become advocates of protecting the planet for future generations. Each day will focus on different parts of the natural eco-system from kelp beds to sand dunes and beyond. On top of that, you get to enjoy the high-class standards that the Ritz Carlton is known for. Not a bad deal.**
One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629.
Phone: (949)240-2000
WRITTEN BY
Tracy Hepler
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Courtesy of Featured Company
SHOP
Green Line Beauty
This must see eco-chic beauty boutique is located on trendy Melrose Ave. in Hollywood. There you can meet celebrity make up stylist and owner Stacey Stilts who can show a wide array of eco friendly, luxurious beauty products. You’ll find everything from skincare to makeup and nail polish. Stacey aims to educate her costumers on why healthy, green skincare is so important. They confirm their products with the environmental working group’s safe cosmetic database to ensure that they are only selling the safest, highest quality products available (and many if not all her products are vegan). Sources say it’s a fav celebrity hangout too next to trendy Macrobiotic eatery M Café.**
7123 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046-7617
Phone: (323) 933-5365
LUSH
Feel luscious with handmade soaps and natural cosmetics that smell so delicious, you’ll want to eat them. Lush uses natural ingredients, eco-friendly gift-wrapping and takes part in a variety of social activism campaigns that benefit the environment. You will smell so good, your body will beg for more.
Lush is located throughout Los Angeles in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Glendale and Pasadena. Visit their website for complete addresses.**
Calleen Cordero
This boutique is the definition of modern handmade in the U.S.A. luxury. The leatherwork is exquisite and the shoes, bags and accessories are enough to make any fashionista forget her budget. Calleen Cordero designs are one of the finest things made in L.A..**
7384 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90036
Phone: (323) 934-5541
EAT
Forage
California is known for its bountiful produce, which is why this hip Silver Lake eatery does nothing but showcase the best of locally sourced produce. Yes I’m talking local as in the neighborhood of Silver Lake, not California as a whole. Forage allows neighbors to bring in unwanted backyard produce and they’ll turn it into something delicious on the Menu De Jour. **
3823 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026
Phone: (323) 663-6885
Baby Cakes
Think vegans can’t have their cake and eat it too? They can at the NYC transplant vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free Baby Cakes bakery in downtown LA. Whether you’ve got your sweet tooth set on vegan cupcakes with creamy frosting, agave sweetened brownies or my personal favorite, the cookie sandwich (with yummy vanilla vegan frosting in between two chocolate chip cookies), you’ll be completely satisfied and won’t be missing a thing. **
130 W 6th St Los Angeles, California 90014
Phone: (213) 623-5555
Veggie Grill
Hello delicious! You won’t miss the meat at this vegetarian fast food joint. Veggie Grill opened its first LA location in the remerging Sunset 8000 (former home of the major mega Virgin Music Store) and it has been a hit with everyone since. You’ll see non- vegetarians are amazed out how yummy going meat-free can be. You have to try to Santa Fe Crispy Chickin with Sweet Heart (sweet potato) Fries…mmm.**
8000 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood CA 90046
Phone: (323) 822-7575
AkashA
Akasha has become the A list destination for sustainable cuisine. Founder, Chef Akasha Richmond is a self-trained chef and artesian baker. Everything you’ll find here (even from the bakery) contains wholesome and healthful ingredients. Akasha serves New American Cuisine with a focus on comfort foods. While Akasha has a popular following for her vegetarian dishes, carnivores will feel satisfied both with the quality of food and the sustainable practices behind them. This includes using locally sourced organic ingredients, meats and seafood that complies with the Marine Stewardship Council. Accolades go on and on, so it is best to visit the restaurant first hand and experience it for yourself.**
9543 Culver Blvd. Culver City 90232
Phone: (310) 845-1700
The Little Next Door
The Little Next Door is a French deli café and artesian market that focuses on serving organic, locally sourced farm fresh food prepared in the traditional French culinary style. The quality of food is what drives the chefs here. Leave your diets at the door or else you’ll miss out on some of the finest croissants, brioches and tarts this side of the Atlantic. You’ll have to pretend like you’re in Europe while eating here as most things are prepared to order and take their due time. You’ll also find an implacable wine cellar with bottles from around the world. Bon Appetit.**
8142 West 3rd Street, LA 90048.
Phone: (323) 951-1010
Real Food Daily
Real Food Daily is an organic vegan restaurant that can turn any carnivore into a vegan, at least for one meal. Founded by Macrobiotic Chef Ann Gentry Real Food Daily serves up innovative vegan menu that follows eastern health philosophies and western health recommendations. “Bon Appétit has described Real Food Daily as being to organic vegan cooking what Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse is to California cuisine – in essence, a leader in reinventing modern vegan gastronomy.” Real Food Daily is also the only Los Angeles restaurant(s) to serve 100% organically grown vegan cuisine. What trip to L.A. is complete with out a visit to a vegan restaurant? Fortunately Real Food Daily has two locations so you have a bit of flexibility as to which one you want to go to**
514 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 451-7544
INDULGE
The Dry Bar
Going out for a night in Tinsel Town and want starlet hair to match? Head over to Brentwood’s Dry bar and for $35 you can get a blow out or styling while you enjoy a nice glass of wine. Each style is named after a classic cocktail. I’m partial to the Cosmo (lovely loose curls), but you can have what ever tickles your fancy.**
11677 West San Vicente Boulevard #100 Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: (310) 442-6084
Spray di Sole
Want that beautiful Southern California tan without the sun exposure or the nasty chemicals? Spray di Sole is what you seek. Located in a comfortable yet elegant boutique setting in Studio City, this salon gives you organic tanning that looks just like the real deal. Spray di Sole’s tans will last you 7 to 10 days, just the right about of time to keep up a golden glow during your vacation. Best part of all, there are no fragrances, no alcohol and the salon will even give you tips on how to extend your glow even further.**
12240 Ventura Blvd. Suite 102, Studio City, CA 91604
Phone: (818) 454-4517
Recess Nail Salon
The 80’s song “No body Walks in L.A.” can’t be farther from the truth. You will walk around and your feet will need a little pampering. When that happens head over to Recess Nail Salon on Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood for a mani/pedi. The spa takes extra precautions to ensure the highest standard of eco-friendliness and environmental stewardship (they are currently in the application phase for LEED certification.) They are also committed to using polishes and products that do not contain the harmful chemicals that are found in your average nail polish.**
8408-B Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, 90048
Phone: 323.782.9919
THE ORGANIC PHARMACY
This British favorite has opened up its first U.S. shop in Los Angeles and it is the place to get all your health and beauty needs. With a background in homeopathic remedies and herbal blends, The Organic Pharmacy will help you soothe away your aches and pains and get you looking oh so pretty without a single paraben (or other nasty chems). **
453 North Beverly Drive Los Angeles CA 90210
Phone: (310) 272-7275
EXPLORE
Learn to Surf
No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a visit to the Pacific Ocean and no trip to the Pacific Ocean is complete without an attempt at surfing. Though originally from Hawaii, surfing has strong roots in the Southern California beach lifestyle that is a part of the city’s diverse background and cultural history. Learn to Surf LA offers individual or group lessons in Santa Monica and Malibu. All courses are great for beginners and through the years they’ve instructed thousands of students and have found that they have been able to get them up on a board in just one lesson. Surf lessons are available year round as the water is never too cold. Foam boards and wet suits are provided with the lesson. To get up on your board for the first time is exhilarating and as you feel the rush, you also connect with the Ocean and fully get to appreciate one of Los Angeles treasures..**
Phone: (310) 663-2479
Hike With Celebrities at Runyon Canyon
Celebrity spotting is easy at this staple Angeleno hike located in the Hollywood Hills. Besides showcasing stunning view from downtown to Santa Monica and beyond, you’ll get an amazing outdoor working and get to sweat it out with one of the many starlets that use the hike as their daily work out. Best part of all, no electricity is needed for this workout (except for the kind you generate yourself).**
2001 North Fuller Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046
GETTING AROUND
RENT A HYBRID
Unfortunately due to the nature of the suburban sprawl that encompasses much of Los Angeles a car is often necessary if you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling. Fortunately Enterprise rent a car is now offering hybrid vehicles in their rental fleets. To make a reservation for a hybrid car contact them online. **
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
If you’re not venturing too far you can definitely get around with the Bus and Metro systems in the city. For the west side there is The Big Blue Bus and the Culver City Green Bus. For all of Los Angeles (including the underground Metro) you can visit Metro.net and map out your destination in advance so you’ll know exactly what bus or train you need to take. It’s very easy and painless to do and the buses and trains tend to run late night so you don’t usually have to worry about time.
Google maps also offer bus transportation directions and is an easy way to figure out which bus you need to catch to get from point A to point B.**
The Big Blue Bus
The Culver City Bus
Metro Los Angeles
HYBRID TAXI
Other options include bicycle rentals, which you can easily find on the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice. L.A. has a large amount of taxi providers through out the city but a few specialize in hybrid vehicles, including Euro Taxi, which uses hybrid and bio diesel vehicles.**
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