DeRusha TAKES ON LOS ANGELES

You can’t be an empty nester unless you empty the nest. And in August of 2025, we got on a plane, flew from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to launch Sam onto his freshman year at University of Southern California. I love LA - so I am excited about the chance to spend more time there. One of the challenges is that Los Angeles is so massive - and if you try to bop all over the place you spend your life in traffic. So we tried to organize our existence based on the fact that same was at U.S.C., our hotel was in Culver City, and we had one friend in Santa Monica, another in El Segundo.

WHERE WE STAYED

Poolside at The Shay

The Shay, Culver City: Beautiful hotel, nice room, they had a Zaytinya by Jose Andres that was temporarily closed (still is) and a rooftop Mexican restaurant that opens onto the pool deck. Location was ideal - at night we walked down the street to get to downtown with tons of hotel bars and restaurants, and we were a quick drive to USC. Right on the train line as well

WHAT WE ATE

Destroyer: Culver City, the tastiest schnitzel I’ve ever had - juicy chicken, perfect breading, topped with chili crisp. Cool vibe - everyone looked 10000x more fit than me.

Japonica, El Segundo: My friend Tom is obsessed with the ramen (it’s very good) and sushi (also good) at Japonica. There’s one in NYC too.

Calabra Rooftop Bar, Santa Monica: Had a late-night drink in this lovely rooftop where you can see the ocean during the day

SALT Restaurant and Bar: Marina del Rey - good enough food, the view on the marina is fabulous

Diakokuya Original Noodle & Rice Bowl, Little Tokyo LA: wonderful ramen and noodle shop - small, narrow, busy, reasonable, massive portion - just aces.

COFFEE SHOPS & BAKERIES

Häsi: Art is in Bread: Super cool wild fermented sourdough made with heirloom turmeric and butterfly pea flower bread- I was influenced by an Instagram ad

Lodge Bread Co.: I can’t help but buy a baguette here, Sam had the most amazing breakfast sandwhich too. Multiple locations. We’ve been here multiple times.

Cognoscenti Coffee, LA Fashion District: Had a perfect cappuccino and espresso here.

THINGS TO DO

Grammy Museum: we enjoyed this a lot. $22.50 a person.

Crypto.Com Arena: fun to look at the amazing sculptures in the L.A. Live area of Lakers greats among others.

Studio Tours: Warner Brothers is our favorite- it’s expensive but a cool LA tourist experience. From $77/person.

Venice Beach Shopping area: Abbot Kinney - guide here