Los Angeles
Andrea Foster is senior vice president at Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels & Resorts, where she focuses on growing the company’s hotel portfolio. She travels often for work, and a couple times per year, Foster’s travels take her back to Los Angeles, where she lived for four years.
Transportation:
“I typically fly American, as I have status and an Admirals Club membership (both are nice benefits of frequent flying), but Southwest offers direct flights from MKE to LAX. There is a song, ‘Nobody Walks in L.A.,’ because it’s true – you will need a car, or to depend on Lyft/Uber…and traffic is a bit of a bear.”
Excursions:
“To fill a leisurely day (or two or three), I suggest The Grove—an outdoor shopping/entertainment spot that has been called ‘Disneyland for adults’ by many of my visiting friends—The Getty Museum off the 405 freeway, Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A. and The Broad museum. For shopping, I gravitate toward Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, Malibu Country Mart, and no shopping trip to L.A. is complete without a stop at the famed Fred Segal. And many people don’t realize how much undeveloped and protected land there is in Los Angeles County…be sure to explore some of the beautiful terrain and views by going for a run/hike in Runyon Canyon in Hollywood, Tree People in Studio City, or in Malibu and Pacific Palisades.”
Accommodations and Food:
“My favorite place to stay in L.A. is The Garland in North Hollywood. For coffee stops, I lean toward Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, with several locations around LA, or eclectic local hot spots like Coral Tree Café in Brentwood or Aroma Coffee & Tea in Studio City. For dinner, PACE in the Canyon is a favorite of mine for an amazing meal in a quiet atmosphere. If you prefer a more bustling see-and-be-seen spot, The Ivy on Robertson Boulevard or Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica are paparazzi-laden, high-end eateries.”
Travel tip:
“When driving from The Garland to West L.A./West Hollywood/Beverly Hills, take Coldwater Canyon or Laurel Canyon Boulevard to see some tucked away areas and homes in L.A. And if time allows, veer off for a drive along Mulholland Drive for gorgeous views across L.A. County and the Pacific Ocean.“
