Editor's Picks: Alexandra Bornhoft

414 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048 (map)

They may be the most un-vegan sounding dishes on the menu, but I get serious cravings for anything Mexican-inspired from my favorite faux meat spot. My usuals are the appetizer nachos and seasoned seitan tacos, both smothered with jalape?o ?cheesy? goodness and loaded with spicy black beans, guac and tofu sour cream. I?m salivating just thinking about them. Bonus: Everything is organic and locally sourced.

10400 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 (map)

It?s the dive bar where my friends and I always seem to end up at after a night out, performing some awesomely bad rendition of Journey and cramming into the in-house photo booth. It?s where those ?it seemed like a good idea at the time? events tend to happen. And with cheap pitchers of good beer and a fun eclectic crowd that sings along with whoever is on the karaoke mike, it feels like one big house party.

1111 Second St, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (map)

Because I am superficial and appearances are everything. Kidding, kidding. But I am a sucker for landscape eye-candy, and this Santa Monica restaurant perched on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel boasts a drop-dead gorgeous ocean view?easily, the best in the city. I?ve only been for brunch, and while the freshly baked scones and Eggs Benedict were absolutely divine, I?d love to try dinner (hint, hint, wink, wink).

7304 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046 (map)

I don?t cook, but a girl?s gotta eat. Enter Trader Joe?s, my mecca for all things frozen, pre-made and snackable. Time and time again, this grocer has saved me from many a starving night in all its Hawaiian-flowered glory. And it truly tickles my punny bone when they change the TJ brand name based on the food ethnicity (it just feels more authentic that the marinara sauce is from Trader Giotto?s, doesn?t it?).

7428 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (map)

Don?t you love that adrenaline rush when you find a really great bargain? I?m no label whore, but after I found a pair of kick ass Rock n? Republic jeans for $60 at this Melrose designer junkyard, the endorphins kept me high for a week?seriously. I?ve spied everything from Diesel to YSL, but they also have really cool vintage tees and no-name bags. Be prepared to get a little down and dirty, though; you gotta dig to find the good stuff.

3225 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 (map)

Confession: I can barely afford a coaster from this ginormous designer furniture warehouse. So here?s what I do: Grab a latte and croissant from La Dijonaise down the street for fuel, spend some time lusting over the Indian silk beddings and gorgeous mahogany armoires in the showrooms, then head to one of CC?s plethora of vintage shops and treasure-hunt.

1424 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 (map)

My go-to gal is down in the SD, but I pop into this artsy Abbot Kinney salon when I need, well, a trim. The atmosphere is laid-back, the stylists know their way around a lock of hair, and you can rehash the events of last night without feeling the least bit judged. My hair being straight and easy to cut, the aforementioned trifecta of qualities is all I need for a good quick snip.

9039 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

Yes, I would take out-of-towners to a cover 80's rock show in the middle of the Sunset Strip. Why? Because what better place to experience the musical stylings of Poison, Bon Jovi, Van Halen and the like than at the legendary epicenter of glam metal? Steel Panther rocks Mondays at midnight in their leopard spandexed and foul-mouthed glory, the crowd is a rowdy and raunchy combo of hipsters, rockers and celebs, and you can snag Slash?s corner table at adjacent Rainbow Bar & Grill to sober up after the show. It?s a total time-warp, and it?s totally awesome.

2800 E Observatory Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027 (map)

Say what you may about L.A.'s air quality, but as ironic as it is, smog and the setting sun makes quite the stunning pair. My favorite way to catch sundown (besides sitting on my balcony with a Blue Moon) is hiking from the Observatory to Mount Hollywood. With views from downtown all the way to the Pacific, you can almost forgive the grinding traffic below creating the fumes for such spectacular colors. Almost.