Leila Najafi

Read the latest articles by Leila Najafi at Thrillist

San Francisco

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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

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While LA’s Tinseltown, San Diego’s beaches and beer, and San Francisco’s waterfront enjoy much of the state’s tourism, California is also home to four distinct ecoregions spanning over a million acres, with plenty of beautiful and hidden spots just waiting to be discovered.

The Most Beautiful Places in California You Never Knew Existed

Los Angeles

Photo by Stan Lee, courtesy of Cabra

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

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

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You may have seen the photos these past two 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

Love and romance have long inspired great artists, from painters to musicians (read: the entire genre that is ‘90s R&B).

The 26 Sexiest Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in LA

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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

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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.

Leila Najafi’s Recent Articles

The Most Beautiful Places in California You Never Knew Existed

Pack up the car for a road trip to seek out California’s most gorgeous hidden treasures.

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.

The 26 Sexiest Restaurants for a Romantic Date Night in LA

From stunning views to intimate spaces, these spots are sure to impress.

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.