A Hot Girl’s Guide to SoCal’s Hidden Treasures
By Natalie McCarty
It’s libra season, and I’ve been busy running around my hometown with friends and family to celebrate. Not to sound like one of those TikTok videos, but what more perfect timing than now to put you on my favorite “SoCal hidden treasures.”
Oak Glen: The Sweet Escape to Apple Country
Hot girl autumn? Head to Oak Glen, a little slice of Joni Mitchell coded paradise that is just over an hour (like actually) outside of L.A. that takes me back to my Vermont life.
Famous for its apple orchards and cozy mountain vibes, this charming town is where you can channel your inner Gilmore Girls fantasies—think plaid skirts, cowboy boots, and a chunky sweater (except for the day I went where temperatures reached over 100 degrees. Damn global warming!)
You can spend the day picking apples, hiking up hummingbird hill, sipping hot (or iced) cider, and strolling through pumpkin patches. Don’t miss Snow-Line Orchard for their famous apple cider donuts—I’m gluten-free but apparently they’re worth a two hour wait.
Graystone Manor: Gothic Glam at Its Finest
I guess the theme here is Gilmore Girls, as this next spot is the home of Chilton Academy: Graystone Manor. It is one of L.A.’s best-kept secrets nestled in Beverly Hills.
This historic mansion, built in the 1920s, is equal parts spooky and stunning, with its sprawling gardens and eerie yet elegant architecture. If you’re into true crime and old Hollywood gossip (who isn’t?), this place has a fascinating history of scandals, murders, and hauntings.
The Butcher’s Daughter, West Hollywood: Trendy with a Side of Green Juice
No “a hot girl’s guide to” is complete without a good brunch spot, and The Butcher’s Daughter in West Hollywood is just that.
This plant-based café is the perfect mix of trendy and healthy, and the perfect place for a gluten-free vegan like myself. The ambiance? Straight out of SoHo in New York mixed with a little Euro summer flair.
Whether you’re going for a birthday lunch or recovering from last night’s so wild you left your clutch at the club escapades, this spot will have you feeling refreshed.
Griffith Observatory: Star-Gazing with Major Hollywood Vibes
End your perfect SoCal day with a little bit of Hollywood magic at the Griffith Observatory. Of course, this isn’t really a “hidden gem,” as it is one of Los Angeles’ biggest tourist spots, but I feel like all the locals never go here.
It truly is my favorite place on the planet (as cited in my Shoutout LA interview). Whether you’re looking to channel your inner La La Land or just want to take in some insane views of the city, Griffith never disappoints.
Besides free entry to the museum itself, you can do one–or all–of their trail hikes. The hike up to the observatory is pretty much the only hike I will willingly do, if we’re being honest. Also, the Observatory’s planetarium shows make for a great date (as was my very first ever date in high school).
I am a New Yorker x Vermonter, “Wild Horses” woman at heart… but I do love my home in Los Angeles, and these spots definitely make it cooler.
