Leila Najafi

Read the latest articles by Leila Najafi at Thrillist

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Travel

Explore adventure guides and design a custom itinerary for the destination of your choice in and around the city.

Best Travel Guides, Cool Hotels and Interesting Events - Thrillist

You move to California for city life, maybe chasing a dream to Hollywood or hauling new tech to Silicon Valley, but you stay for nature.

The Most Beautiful Hidden Places in California to Visit This Spring

Find the best spots daily to eat and drink in hipster neighborhoods. Hit the roof, drink a beer and eat delicious at top-tier restaurants. Plan your nightlife adventure with maps and reviews of unknown micro-brews, rooftop parties, and independent drink.

Best Restaurants & Bars - Places to Eat & Drink - Thrillist

There is no shortage of great things to do on date night in LA, but there are some nights that call for a particularly sexy dinner out, like the culinary equivalent of Untitled.

The 15 Sexiest Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in LA

Photo by Stan Lee, courtesy of Cabra

As a popular tourist destination with year-round perfect weather, it’s no surprise that Los Angeles lays claim to a show-stopping landscape of hotels, each one boasting its own iconic views, noteworthy design, and world-class dining options.

12 Hotel Restaurants in LA That Are Worth Checking Out on Their Own

There’s something magical about eating seafood by the sea, a sort of rustic romance like you’ve just breezed in from the Mediterranean to a Greek fishing village and grabbed an ocean creature right off a boat.

The Most Essential Seafood Restaurants in LA

Papillon International Bakery

What makes LA such a unique city is the melting pot of cultures which is seen throughout the city’s various neighborhoods.

14 Essential Armenian Restaurants to Try in Los Angeles

Nation

Green Travel

This Earth Day on April 22, here are a few ways you can to minimize your impact and join the millions of people doing their part to make preserving the planet priority No. 1.

Green Travel: Things You Can Do to Help Protect the Earth

Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision/Getty Images

You may have seen the photos these past few years of smog-free skies over LA, clear(ish) water flowing through the historically toxic Venice canals, and wildlife reclaiming cities all over the world amid coronavirus lockdowns—all proof that nature indeed fares better when we sit our fossil fuel-guzzling butts at home instead of traipsing around spewing carbon.

7 Ways to Be a More Earth-Conscious Traveler

Unparalleled in its beauty and often referred to as the “California Riviera,” Santa Barbara is a coastline jewel of a town that’s only about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, making it an accessible day or weekend trip.

The Absolute Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara, California

Unsplash/OC Gonzales

Occupying a stunning stretch of Central California’s coastline and sandwiched between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara is a haven for food lovers, culture buffs, and adventure seekers.

20 Reasons to Drive to Santa Barbara, California

RichLegg/E+/Getty Images

The days of booking a dreamy vacation and just showing up to the airport with naught but bags and a passport are pretty much over (at least in the near future).

How to Get an International COVID Test in Under 24 Hours

Chase Jarvis/Photodisc/Getty Images

You don’t have to ski to fall in love with Aspen.

Things to Do in Aspen (Beyond Skiing)

El Cosmico

Once again, it's fall, y'all, and the time for leaf-peeping is nigh.

Funky Airstreams & Tiny Cabins: Where to Go Glamping This Fall

Photo courtesy of Visit Dana Point

Nestled between Laguna Beach and San Clemente, Dana Point is a small surf town in Orange County.

Latest Posts From Leila

The Most Beautiful Hidden Places in California to Visit This Spring

The state is full of low-key beauty, from the North Coast to the Mojave Desert.

The 15 Sexiest Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in LA

Treat your special someone to a night out with stunning views, an intimate space, and luxurious food and drink.

12 Hotel Restaurants in LA That Are Worth Checking Out on Their Own

From classic Beverly Hills hotspots to new restaurants helmed by celeb chef José Andrés, you’ll want to check into these hotel restaurants ASAP.

The Most Essential Seafood Restaurants in LA

Whether you want fancy or chill, flown-in or local, raw or cooked, these are the places to go for the best fish in town.

14 Essential Armenian Restaurants to Try in Los Angeles

Armenian cuisine is influenced by Russia, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and more.

7 Ways to Be a More Earth-Conscious Traveler

You can make a big impact with a few small changes.

The Absolute Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara, California

From Michelin award-winning restaurants to tried-and-true favorites and more.

20 Reasons to Drive to Santa Barbara, California

From wineries to restaurants, there’s something for everyone at this popular coastal destination.

How to Get an International COVID Test in Under 24 Hours

More swabs, less panic.

Things to Do in Aspen (Beyond Skiing)

The prices don’t have to be as high as the peaks.

Funky Airstreams & Tiny Cabins: Where to Go Glamping This Fall

Because, frankly, we’ve been “roughing it” enough lately.

11 Reasons to Drive to Dana Point

All the comforts of a seaside town, without the crowds.