Welcome to my very first Sustainable Guide! I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world and in recent years, I’ve really tried to take notes on sustainable/ethical/plant-based/slow-living/non-toxic options in the cities we visit. I figured I would start off with Los Angeles for two reasons:
- It’s the most recent city we’ve been to and I got loads of pictures while there of everything we did and ate!
- It’s probably one of the first cities that pops into your head when you think “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” as Los Angelans are often referred to as granolas or hipsters, trendsetters, etc.
So, here we are. The City of Angels. Hollywood Stars. Delicious food and exotic experiences. Los Angeles has long been hailed as a wonderful city to visit and explore! And they’re pretty cutting-edge when it comes to all things sustainability. From the best vegan restaurants I’ve ever been to, to the home of incredible sustainable fashion brands, and overall just promoting a high quality, healthy lifestyle, you can count L.A. at the top of the list.
Without further ado, I’ve put together a list of all my favorite places to stay, eat, shop, and explore in Los Angeles that rep all the good stuff we’re looking for in a city. Let’s get right into it…
STAY //
Shore Hotel
Price: $$$
where sleek meets sustainable, the Shore Hotel located beachside in Santa Monica is a great destination for a relaxing, yet luxurious, vacation. As Santa Monica’s first LEED Gold Certified hotel, the Shore focuses on high quality green standards from a solar heated pool to using locally procured recycled materials (many salvaged from the building’s preexisting site), to a partnership with Clean The World Foundation. In addition, the hotel contains low-emitting paint and carpet free of volatile organic compounds (VOCS), the guest room furniture is manufactured from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, EcoQuartz bath and desktops contain ecologically safe solvents & adhesives, minimizing vapors and residue. The Shore also purchases organic local produce and free trade foods whenever possible and organic locally grown fruits and vegetables, the in-room Wolfgang Puck coffee is organic and fair trade and with biodegradable packaging, and their bath products are paraben free with packaging made with EcoPure, an organic additive that causes plastics to biodegrade in a landfill disposal environment.
Basically, the Shore is the place to be if you want to live the high-life with a conscience.
Visit https://www.shorehotel.com/ to book.
Location: 1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Phone: (310) 458-1515
Venice Beach Eco Cottages
Price: $
These cute little cottages are just an 8 minute walk away from Abbott Kinney Blvd (mentioned below). They’re definitely for the more granola type as they’re a bit more bohemian yet that doesn’t stop them from being as eco-friendly as possible. Each cottage is completely solar powered and also include a full blown water filtration system, so all water in the cottages is purified. In addition to being Earth friendly, a portion of all rentals goes to charity. So you can not only sleep good, but feel good, about staying in the Venice Beach Eco Cottages.
Visit https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/venice-beach-eco-cottages to book your stay.
Location: 447 Grand Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (866) 802-3110
Terranea Resort
Price: $$$
A wonderful luxury eco-resort in the LA area, this mediterranean-inspired resort is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and offers every kind of stay available from bungalows to casitas and villas, all nestled between four pools, eight restaurants, spa facilities, and a golf course. Terranea occupies only one-quarter of its 102-acre site, allowing guests to enjoy more than 75 acres of natural landscape. Some environmentally friendly measures taken at Terranea include:
- Terranea Resort continues to expand its commitment to sustainability and green practices by including food waste recycling. This supports the resort’s “20/20/20” goal, a pledge to reduce energy and water usage by 20%and send only 20% of its total waste to the landfill, all by the year 2020.
- The resort collaborates with Chefs to End Hunger. Since 2017, the resort donated more than 7,700 pounds of food through this program.
- No land was removed from the area during the development of Terranea. Instead, existing structural and raw materials were recycled in the site preparation, including more than 65,000 tons of onsite stone quarried, crushed, and utilized under roads and walkways.
- Approximately 45 mature trees, legacies of Marineland of the Pacific dating over 50 years old, were carefully boxed and preserved during construction and then replanted throughout the site as a tribute to the area’s history.
Terranea really puts an emphasis on natural beauty and preserving wildlife, and that’s what makes it a great eco-resort.
Visit https://www.terranea.com to book a room.
The Westin Bonaventure
Price: $$
Touted as a city within a city, the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles is hardcore committed to waste and water reduction and was the very first hotel in L.A. to earn an environmental seal of approval known as the Green Seal. The Westin Bonaventure achieves their eco-friendly certification by targeting zero-waste in the cafeteria, implementing a water reclamation system in the laundry facility, installing trash sorting and recycling bins throughout the property, purchasing from sustainable local vendors, recycling unused amenities through the Clean the World program, and offering business customers Westin Clutter-Free Meetings with socially conscious amenities and green features including energy efficient light bulbs, double-sided meeting pads and water pitchers instead of bottled water. They also focus a lot of attention on training, with employees even forming a “green team” comprising representatives from each department who champion specific sustainability initiatives (greenseal.org).
If you’re looking for a full-service hotel smack dab in the middle of the city, the Westin Bonaventure may just be the spot for you.
Visit Marriott’s website to book your stay now.
Location: 404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071, Phone: (213) 624-1000
W Westwood
Price: $$-$$$
I definitely wouldn’t put the W in Westwood at the top of the sustainable hotels list, but I feel like it deserves an honorable mention because it’s the hotel I stay at 98% of the time I visit L.A. It’s in a beautiful area just outside of the city but still super easy to get to tons of different places, they have a wonderful pool and great restaurants, and is located in a spot that really encourages getting out and about. I find that when I stay here I walk so much more than when I stay right in the city or somewhere else. Westwood is such an enjoyable little town and is home to UCLA’s campus, so you’ll find loads of college students roaming about. I usually start every morning here by walking to a CorePower yoga class and then getting a juice from Pressed Juicery right after.
It’s really just a outdoor-inspired environment and a great area to stay so I felt like it deserved an honorable mention. Hopefully in the next few years they will get more eco-friendly, but they do offer an option where guests can opt into the Make a Green Choice promotion, which features 500 Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints® awarded at check-out for each night that housekeeping services are declined.
So, it’s not the most eco-friendly place you can stay, but it’s definitely in a great area that supports you getting outside and being active in a great little town.
Visit Marriott’s website to book a room.
Location: 930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, Phone: (310) 208-8765
Airbnb
I love Airbnb because it’s fairly easy to find an eco option while browsing their site, and they also give you a range of options from a couch in someone’s apartment to a top-of-the-class 8 bedroom villa overlooking Malibu’s beach. You can go in either direction and find something that suits you and your travel plans. Just simply google “eco-friendly airbnb Los Angeles” and a range of possibilities will come up. Renting a place that includes possibilities like its own kitchen and laundry room can bring along positivities for your bank account and the environment. A few options for great environmentally friend Airbnb’s in Los Angeles:
–Eco-Friendly Sunny Pine Loft in Venice
–Eco-Friendly House with a Hot Tub Near the Melrose Strip
–Off-grid itHouse (if you’re wanting to escape LA for the desert)
–Romantic Beach Front Apartment in Malibu (not eco-friendly, but right on the water)
EAT & DRINK //
Crossroads
Offers: brunch, lunch and dinner (and a great bar)
Style: Upscale Mediterranean
A unique, upscale mediterranean themed vegan restaurant that isn’t what people expect when they think “vegan restaurant”. I always bring my family or whoever is traveling with me to Crossroads and everyone, even the non-vegans, absolutely love it! My dad’s favorite is the lasagna and I love the ‘crab cakes’. This is a must visit for something a bit different but that doesn’t feel different at all. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is so nice and inviting, there’s a great bar, and I guarantee you’ll spot a celebrity or two (hello Ellen Degeneres and Miley Cyrus!).
http://www.crossroadskitchen.com
Location: 8284 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, Phone: (323) 782-9245
Gracias Madre
Offers: brunch, lunch and dinner (and delicious cocktails!)
Style: Plant-Based Mexican
Gracias Madre’s mission is to celebrate and serve the presence of the mother which resides above us, within our hearts, within the earth, and in all those who nurture us. They serve cuisine inspired by the kitchens of Mexico sourced from locally grown ingredients.
This delicious plant-based Mexican restaurant is a favorite of mine for a good, long lunch as the outdoor seating is wonderful. The cocktails are amazing (and I’m not a big drinker!). The one thing I would say is that it might not be the best option for your picky non-vegan friends. The recipes are definitely “out there” and you’ve got to be open to try something new when you go. Though, if you try with an open mind, you’ll definitely have a flavorful & delicious meal. I recommend the ‘young coconut ceviche’ and ‘bowl uno’ to eat and the ‘so fresa so clean’ cocktail to drink.
https://www.graciasmadreweho.com
Location: 8905 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90069, Phone: (323) 978-2170
Café Gratitude
Offers: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Style: Relaxed Atmosphere with a Spanish flair
Café Gratitude is a small chain of restaurants serving organic, plant-based food. There are three locations in the Los Angeles area; Venice, Larchmont Village, and in the Downtown Arts District. Under the same chain as Gracias Madre (mentioned above), Café Gratitude aims to offer delicious food in a family-friendly, chill atmosphere. What’s extra special is that they offer a full breakfast with loads of gluten-free options. Enjoy a cinnamon roll for me!
Venice Location: 512 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (424) 231 – 8000
Larchmont Location: 639 N Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004, Phone: (323) 580 – 6383
Arts District Location: 300 S Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013, Phone: (213) 929 – 5580
Gratitude Kitchen & Bar
Offers: Weekend Brunch, Weekday Lunch, Dinner, and Cocktails
Style: An upscale, sophisticated vibe with down-to-earth food
Under the same umbrella as Gracias Madre and Café Gratitude, their newest creation, Gratitude Kitchen & Bar, is focused on giving the same kind of experience as the Café that has become so popular, but with more of an upscale, ‘elevated’ experience.
I personally have only been to Gratitude in Beverly Hills but absolutely loved it. We went for the lunch and sat outside, which was so lovely. I do recommend getting a reservation as it’s a pretty small establishment, but the food is so worth it. Definitely order the açaí bowl and the grilled yams!
https://www.gratitudekitchenandbar.com
Beverly Hills Location: 419 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, Phone: (424) 389 – 1850
Newport Beach Location: 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660, Phone: (949) 386 – 8100
Kreation
Offers: cold-pressed & premium juice and some food
Style: organic juicery
When Marjan Sarshar opened the first Kreation juicery, she was cold pressing juices from her garage. Now, with over 14 stores throughout the Los Angeles area, Kreation continues to set the standard for cold pressed juice in SoCal. Celebrities flock to Kreation for its commitment to serving delicious meals, juices, and smoothies from scratch using locally sourced organic produce.
Kreation juices are never high pressure pasteurized, delivering significantly more nourishment and health benefits than traditional juicing methods. Kreation is committed to using 100% USDA Certified organic fruits and vegetables purchased locally. They flood the body’s cells with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that cleanse, heal, and nourish. Their goal has always been to provide nourishing, clean fuel for the mind, body and spirit.
I love that there’s so many locations around the city, so I can always pop in for an afternoon pick me up when we’re sightseeing. I usually get the “Green 1” juice and all the little desserts they offer are so yummy.
Visit https://www.kreationjuice.com to find a location near you.
Sweet Laurel Bakery
Offers: Baked Goods & Warm Drinks
Style: Paleo/Allergy-Friendly Cake Shop
Oh man, I have a special spot in my heart for this place. And in full disclosure, I’ve never actually been to their brick and mortar store. But I have followed both the founders, Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas, for yearssss. My first blog ever (back in 2013!) was a allergy-friendly children’s food blog, and Claire gave me so much inspiration. Then, I stumbled upon Laurel’s story about curing her Hashimoto’s disease through a paleo diet. I tried some of her recipes and was instantly smitten.
They are both the kindest ladies and really aim to inspire everyone to follow a diet that works for you and still be able to have sweets that are delicious. I have the Sweet Laurel Cookbook and it’s like my baking bible, so when I saw that they were opening an actual cake shop I was so excited! It’s definitely top on my list to visit next time we’re in L.A., but in the meantime if you go, please let me know how much you loved it and have a slice of the carrot cake for me!
Location: 15279 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, Phone: (310) 442 – 2722
TOMS Coffee Bar
Offers: Coffee, Tea & Baked Goods
Style: Hipster, worldly with direct trade practices
If you’re anything like me and got your start into the one-for-one shopping concept by wearing a great pair of TOMS shoes, then you’ll love checking out their flagship coffee bar in Venice Beach. TOMS has kept their one-for-one model in their new coffee product line by providing one week of clean water to a person in need for every bag of coffee purchased. Because of TOMS’ direct trade practices, farmers are guaranteed the best prices for their craft and clean water is sourced straight back to the same regions and countries where they purchase their beans. This location has a great indoor & outdoor space, and you’ll get to try their full range of coffee.
P.S., if you’re a coffee connoisseur, make sure to check out this article by The Good Trade which shares 10 Fair Trade Coffee Shops in Los Angeles.
https://www.toms.com/toms-roasting-co
Location: 1344 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (310) 314-9700
The Butcher’s Daughter
Offers: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch
Style: The quintessential “California” airy, breezy, beachy style
The Butcher’s Daughter is a plant-based restaurant, cafe, juice bar and “vegetable slaughterhouse.” They treat fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat: they chop, fillet and carve fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and press them into pretty juices. There are five locations in NYC and LA. They offer a daily-changing menu, which is 100% vegetarian, with many vegan and gluten-free options. If you’re looking for a true Californian food experience I would 500% suggest The Butcher’s Daughter. It’s calm, cool, hip and collected while also serving up delicious meals with a conscience.
We went on a weekday for an early lunch and didn’t have a reservation. We waited about 10 minutes and then were seated at the bar. I loved everything about the vibe of the restaurant (it’s the very first picture in this post!) and the juices were out of this world. We had the açaí bowl, classic avocado toast, and the pad thai to eat and the ‘green’ juice, ‘orange’ juice, and ‘water flower’ to drink. All so delicious we scarfed it down in seconds! With so many amazing sustainable clothing shops on Abbott Kinney, this is a great spot to grab a bite before hitting the town.
https://www.thebutchersdaughter.com
Location: 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (310) 981-3004
Pressed Juicery
Offers: Juices, Shots, and Plant-Based Soft Serve
Style: Quick & Easy with a Modern Feel
My go-to juice shop for a great morning wake me up is the Pressed Juicery. They offer everything from cleanses, to shots, and even plant-based soft serve which will give you that afternoon kick without the sugar-high comedown. They have over 75 locations all across the countries, so chances are you may have already seen one (or been to one!) before. I, personally, love going to the Grove location and getting a delicious soft serve. My go-to is the strawberry freeze with fresh strawberries and almond butter on top. So good!
Visit https://pressedjuicery.com to see all the locations.
Malibu Farm
Offers: Breakfast and Lunch at the café; breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant
Style: Laid-back, organic and locally sourced
Fresh. Organic. Local. That’s how Malibu Farm likes to present themselves. Set up in two spots, at the start and end of the pier. Everything at the café and restaurant are organic and locally sourced, and it’s a great spot if you’re in Malibu and wanting a laid-back place to grab a some delicious grub. I haven’t personally been to Malibu Farm yet but everyone I know that has been raves about it. Especially if you’re not plant-based, this is a great place to get a variety of different dishes and drinks.
Location: 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265, Phone: (310) 456-1112
SHOP //
Cuyana
“Fewer, Better Things” is the philosophy behind this women’s based apparel and accessories brand. Cuyana’s focus is on creating timeless collections for the modern woman through carefully selected fabrics, precise silhouettes and attention to detail. Each piece is made with integrity and kindness from the highest-quality materials, and created by skilled craftsmen throughout Europe, South America, China, and the United States. Cuyana’s pieces truly are essentials great for everyday use and those special nights out. I’ve now had 2 of their wallets and a few purses and loved them all. What’s special about visiting their shop is that you can get your pieces monogramed in-store. It literally took 20 minutes and I got the cutest star and my initials monogramed on my blush pink wallet.
Cuyana is also partnering with thredUP to expand their Lean Closet program. Complimentary Cuyana x thredUP shipping labels will be included with every domestic online order from cuyana.com, and available in stores. You can use your label to pare down your closet to fewer, better pieces and help benefit women through H.E.A.R.T.
Location: 1140 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (310) 450-7239
Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row is an eco-conscious lifestyle brand founded in 2014 and based in West Los Angeles. Birthed out of a love for quality made goods and sustainable practices, our mission is to provide ease and elegance for the modern, creative woman.
Made in limited run batches in Los Angeles, their clothing is handcrafted under ethical conditions using only locally sourced deadstock textiles and materials. Whimsy + Row seek out the best eco-friendly fabrics to create flirty and effortless pieces that will last you for years to come.
Location: 12801 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, Phone: (424) 500-2405
Christy Dawn
This vintage-inspired clothing brand is the image I have of myself in my head. Rather than just throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt (which is my style 99% of the time), I wish I could wear flowy Christy Dawn dresses everyday of my life (though I am now the proud owner of 2 of them, one bought secondhand).
Every Christy Dawn piece is made by local artisans in Downtown Los Angeles, sewn with longevity in mind. They use deadstock fabric as to minimize their environmental footprint, and instead of creating thousands of garments at a time, they sew a limited number of pieces, numbering every dress they make.
Every time I put one of my Christy Dawn dresses on, I feel a bit more feminine and a bit more confident to stand in my power as a woman. And if a fashion piece can’t do that for you, then why is it even worth buying? I love knowing that every single fabric is unique and only made in a limited batch. Make sure to visit their store in Venice and see for yourself why these dresses are that fabulous, and maybe you can find one of your own that speaks to you.
Location: 1930 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291, Phone: (310) 450-7860
Reformation
Reformation’s design mission is to make effortless silhouettes that celebrate the feminine figure. Reformation puts sustainability at the core of everything they do. Ref invest’s in green building infrastructure to minimize their waste, water, and energy footprints. By providing on-the-job training and opportunities for growth, they also invest in the people who make this revolution possible.
Reformation works with 19 finished goods factories in Los Angeles, and 13 subcontractor facilities (e.g. printers and embroiderers). Internationally, they have 16 suppliers across 18 factories in China, Italy, Turkey and Morocco. They currently require all the direct cut, sew & finish manufacturing partners to adhere to Ref’s Code of Conduct and additional policies, and be monitored for compliance and continuous improvement. Reformation requires their suppliers to participate in independent, third-party social assessments to ensure fair, safe and healthy working conditions throughout the supply chain. The goal of their assessments is not only to help evaluate their supplier’s overall compliance but to also identify progress and stimulate improvement.
What I find extra cool about Reformation is that they offer tours of their own sustainable factory in L.A. so you can see it IRL and meet the people who make your clothes. They take place on the first Friday of every month at 10:30am. To save your spot, you can e-mail Reformation at [email protected].
https://www.thereformation.com
Location: 8000 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (855) 756-0560
P.S., they also have a vintage shop down the street at 8253 Melrose Avenue!
La Causa
LA-CA-USA: In Spanish, La Causa means “The Cause.” LACAUSA is comfort and style for the modern woman.
Founded in 2013, LACAUSA is redefining basics, blending romantic silhouettes with a contemporary bohemian twist. Influenced by boundless landscapes, they bring you effortless California chic without sacrificing the hand that feeds us. Fabrics are sourced and sewn with trusted partners with the highest standards in mind, and always under ethical conditions. LACAUSA ensures that they only produce product in factories that provide fair, livable wages, and healthy, humane working conditions for all team members. In house, their small team prioritizes a low waste design process and are continuously working on new initiatives for their donation program, focusing on human and environmental rights.
LACAUSA is a brand you can feel proud to support, and it doesn’t hurt that their clothes are adorable too.
https://www.lacausaclothing.com
The RealReal
The RealReal is an online and brick-and-mortar marketplace for authenticated luxury consignment. Based on the circular economy, The RealReal sells consigned clothing, fine jewelry, watches, fine art and home decor. If you’re someone that loves to shop down Rodeo Drive and pop into every designer store you can find, then The RealReal is a great alternative for you. Or, if you’ve always wanted to own a designer piece but could never justify designer prices, The RealReal’s got you covered.
The RealReal is on a mission to empower consignors and buyers to extend the life cycle of luxury goods. They believe the future of fashion is circular. I first found The RealReal online and love to stalk its app for great deals, but when we were driving to dinner one night I saw that there’s an actual The RealReal store in Los Angeles! It had the dreamiest pieces in the window, and I’m sure if you’re a really savvy shopper you could find some great deals.
You can also schedule a personal styling session in either of their stores by booking online before you visit.
Credo Beauty
Credo Beauty is an amazing online marketplace with a few brick and mortar stores around the country. What’s cool is that they carry the largest collection of safe, non-toxic beauty products. All their products are formulated without the ingredients found on The Dirty List™, all products have documentation for ingredient authenticity and proof of claims, and are cruelty-free and are not tested on animals. Plus, all of Credo’s associates are trained estheticians and makeup artists who love talking about beauty, one-on-one. From finding a new cleanser or a safer shade of lipstick, they’ll uncover the best products for your skin.
Their Los Angeles location is not only a shop but also has a spa that offers makeovers, waxing, facials, and a clean beauty swap. It’s worth noting that Credo’s L.A. store and spa is cash free. Click here to book a service.
Location: 8327 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048, Phone: (323) 272 – 3195
Green Line Beauty
I found this store after seeing Kimberly Van Der Beek post about it on her Instagram (she has great content in relation to clean living and lots of Medical Medium resources, plus her kiddos are adorable).
Green Line Beauty features only natural organic skin care and cosmetics products from around the world and only stock products that use whole foods, healing botanicals and pure essential oils. Green Line Beauty evaluates every product carefully based on their quality, effectiveness, and purity to make it easy for your shopping experience. They also offer the most amazing sounding facials using their products. Green Line Beauty really does it right in terms of sourcing the best clean products out there, and I say it’s a must stop next time you’re in L.A.
Location: 6370 Sunset Blvd. Suite #209 Hollywood CA, 90028, Phone: (323) 933-5369
Everlane
As I was finishing up this post, an email from Everlane popped into my inbox announcing the opening of their very first storefront, right in L.A. on Abbot Kinney Blvd! It really was a serendipitous moment, so I came back over to this post and made sure to add it for you before hitting publish.
Everlane is all about creating everyday essential pieces at radically transparent prices and a fair production process. I grabbed this quote from Everlane’s site because I felt it really summed up the brand perfectly:
“At Everlane, we want the right choice to be as easy as putting on a great T-shirt. That’s why we partner with the best, ethical factories around the world. Source only the finest materials. And share those stories with you—down to the true cost of every product we make. It’s a new way of doing things. We call it Radical Transparency.”
Location: 1101 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
EXPLORE //
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
I had to put Abbot Kinney Boulevard at the top of my “explore” list only because so many of the places I’ve mentioned above are on this sweet spot of Venice. It really seems to be the hub for all things eco-friendly and sustainable, and it’s a great place to go if you’d like to hit multiple places on this list.
Abbot Kinney is a mile long stretch of popular shops, restaurants, and galleries. It stretches from Venice Boulevard to Pacific Avenue and is home to one-of-kind local goods as well as internationally recognized brands.
Here’s the full directory of the area.
Griffith Park Trails
These trails are usually what you see on Keeping Up With The Kardashians or any L.A. cool girl’s Instagram page. But, they’re a great set of trails with all different levels from beginner to advanced. Plus, you can get to the Griffith Observatory (one of my favorite landmarks in L.A.), the famed Hollywood Sign, an abandoned zoo, and even a bat cave from the 1960’s called Bronson’s Cave.
The opportunities are quite endless, and there’s no better way to get some fresh air than to hike with your travel buddies. And, if you’re anything like us, you can pick up an eco uber on the way out and go straight to Gracias Madre for brunch 😂.
Learn more about the trails here and make sure to always put safety first!
Location: 2715 N Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Disneyland & Universal Theme Parks
Disney and Universal aren’t necessarily the first places that come to mind when you think of “sustainable,” but they are actually doing a pretty great job at becoming more eco-friendly. Not to mention, there’s nothing better than getting a little dose of magic during your vacation.
Universal Studios Hollywood℠ has the largest solar array of any theme park or studio, which generates enough power to sustain nearly 1,400 homes a day. The’ve also installed a natural gas fuel cell that supplies both electricity and hot water to food production kitchens. Tour trams are powered by cleaner-burning, more efficient diesel technologies, while the Simpsons Ride incorporates an innovative, on-demand hydraulic power system and energy-efficient lighting. This commitment to the environment is not something new for Universal Studios Hollywood℠. In 2007, it became the first theme park to receive the Environmental Media Association’s Green Seal Award. (Discover Los Angeles)
A few ways Disneyland has become more eco-friendly:
- The trains use a soy-based bio-diesel
- The Mark Twain boat uses a bio-diesel
- Disneyland’s Circle D Corral is now zero-waste certified
- Disneyland Paris has a food waste collection program in all of their restaurants
- Disney’s Epcot uses low-energy lasers that save 64,000 watts per show
- Disneyland’s main bakery uses solar panels
- The Finding Nemo Submarine voyage uses magnetic coils to propel the ride, which reduces fuel usage
- Overall Disney is on track to reduce their net emissions by 50% by 2020 from 2012 levels
- In 2017 they achieved a 46% diversion rate of operational waste and are on track to hit 60% by 2020
- In 2017, their Parks and Resorts reduced potable water use by 129 million gallons compared to the previous year
This post by Green Suitcase Travel is also a great resource for making your trip to Disneyland more eco-friendly!
https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com
Location: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
https://disneyland.disney.go.com
Location: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Discovery Cube
Discovery Cube Los Angeles is an all new, state-of-the-art science museum located in the San Fernando Valley. With 71,000 square-feet of interactive exhibit space, plus seasonal festivals and annual events, Discovery Cube LA aims to inspire, educate, and impact the local community through four core initiatives: STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Proficiency, early learning, healthy living, and environmental stewardship. This is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with kiddos that is not just educational, but fun! Start em’ young, and who knows, maybe you’ll even learn more about being eco-friendly yourself.
Location: 11800 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar, CA 91342, Phone: (818) 686-2823
Aquarium of the Pacific
Aquariums are definitely a hot-topic as of late, and whether it’s something you would visit or not, I thought it was still worth mentioning as it’s a popular place to visit, especially with kids. Since 2005 all major construction projects at the Aquarium have been designed and built to sustainable standards. Information about their green building projects is shared with visitors so they can better understand the importance (and ease) of implementing environment-wise use practices. Two examples of these projects are the Our Watershed—Pathway to the Pacific and Pacific Collections Store.
The “Our Watershed” exhibit is a showpiece for green building design and acts as an educational exhibit on alternative energy, suitable design, water conservation and recycling. Every component of the carbon-neutral classroom provides an opportunity to raise the environmental awareness of both students and visitors: from the building’s greenroof to reduction of stormwater runoff and enhancement of thermal performance, to the solar energy that powers the classroom’s lights, fans, and retractable window coverings. Even the chairs are made of recycled material! It is the first LEED®(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)Platinum building in Long Beach.
The remodel of the Aquarium’s 1998 “Pacific Collections” store resulted in a green building design, operation, and management that enabled the Aquarium to become the first among U.S. aquariums and zoos to receive a 3 Green Globes® certification from the Green Building Initiative. The store’s sustainable features include an expansive glazing system with decorative film to help birds avoid collisions, several skylights and solar tubes for natural day lighting, and high recycled content flooring materials. Over 90% of the construction waste was sent to a recycling facility instead of diverting it to a landfill. The store also features eco-friendly, locally made souvenirs with sustainability messaging for visitors.
Open 9am to 6pm every day except Christmas.
Visit http://www.aquariumofpacific.org to buy tickets.
Location: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Audubon Center at Debs Park
The Audubon Center at Debs Park opened in 2003 as an environmental education and conservation center, and first LEED platinum certified building in the country. The Center is located in the fourth largest park in the city of Los Angeles. More than half of the park is covered in walnut-oak woodland, grassland, and coastal sage scrub, a remnant of the native habitats that once rimmed the Los Angeles Basin. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded here.
The Center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. The nature-based education and community programs at Debs Park are designed to engage children and their families in the outdoor world, and to give them a personal stake in its protection by making environmental issues relevant to their lives.
Location: 4700 North Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031, Phone: (323) 221-2255
Pacific Park Solar Ferris Wheel
If you’re up for a day by the beach, head on over to Santa Monica where you can have all kinds of fun at the Pacific Park on the pier. Make sure to catch a ride on the Ferris Wheel as it’s completely solar powered!
Check https://www.pacpark.com for dates and times open.
Location: 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Phone: (310) 260-8744
And there you have it, my full rundown of all things sustainable in Los Angeles! It was actually really fun to put together, and I hope it can be a great resource for you rather you are visiting L.A. or lucky enough to call it home. Thanks for reading, and please comment down below if you do anything from the list and let me know how it was! Cheers to living, and traveling, more sustainably!
And if you’d like to learn about my own journey towards living more sustainably, visit my about page or my recent blog post on my personal values.
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