OK, first things first. Getting to LA. Flights over can be a right wallet drainer. I have spent anywhere between £400 and £700 getting across the pond. I find booking to fly on a Wednesday or a Sunday get you the cheapest tickets, and word on the street is if you buy your ticket on a Tuesday, this helps with prices. This could be a rumour but worth a try.

I have flown with Virgin, BA, Air New Zealand, Delta and United over to America and by far the nicest flight for me was with Air New Zealand. I found the service to be freaking awesome, the planes to be new and the flight entertainment to keep me entertained for the whole eleven hours. I have had friends fly budget with Norwegian Air and you can, if you decide not to take much luggage, or take your own food, get a good deal with just the simple flight and no add ons. But depending on when you fly, airlines like Virgin could add up to the same and Virgin is my second best flight. 

Once you have landed, I recommend Air bnb. It's safe and easy and generally I have had all good experiences with bookings on air bnb. The only thing, if you are staying for a long period of time, it can be pricey. When your in LA you get talking to people that have rooms. A good priced room can cost $600 to $800 dollars a month if you find a room through a friend or on Craigs list (I wouldn't recommend Craigs list without being able to meet the person renting in person before hand). On Air bnb for a decent room you could pay anywhere between $1000 and $1600 a month. Here is a gorgeous place I highly recommend in Silverlake.

EAST LA (SILVERLAKE/LOS FELIZ/ECHO PARK/ATWATER VILLAGE

Everyone likes to say it's where all the hipsters reside. I saw a few beards, but not one tash in sight. I don't think the people of the US have been to Shoreditch so Silverlake may seem 'trendy' Yes I said trendy. These areas are right next to each other and are full of cute houses in the hills, by a lake, near the freeway and have an abundance of bars, cafes, boutiques, restaurants within walking distance.

HIKING

One of my fav free things to do in LA. You cannot go a week without at least one hike. There are a few hikes that I recommend. Some more popular than the other, but all with spectacular views. Runyon Canyon is the most popular in terms of busyness. Its the one you will see in pics when you think of LA. Pops up in magazines when people have celeb spotted. Although not once have I spotted a celeb up there. That's a lie, I saw Kathy Griffin up there once. She smiled. Runyon starts at the bottom on North fuller avenue. Parking can be a nightmare, but somewhere within a ten minute walk away you will find a spot, eventually. Or there is another entrance if you start higher up the hike just off of Muhollond Drive. There is a car park here, so depending on what time of day, you can get a good spot. You can park up here on the roads (at your own risk) as if you do not spot where the signs are you could come back to an empty spot where your car has been towed.

There is Fryman Canyon. This is if you are staying north of the valley. Its an easier hike but pretty gorgeous all of the same. One of my favs is Griffith Park, the entrance opposite The Greek Theatre. All the trails up to the observatory are pretty awesome. Myself and a friend hiked for hours and ours without realising the time.

Malibu Canyon or Topanga are amazing hikes. A little further out from West Hollywood, but well worth the hours drive. Pretty and quiet as not too many people head to these in peak times.

For a less strenuous walk there is Hollywood reservoir and the Echo Park hills just behind the lake.

 BEACHES

Whats not to like about a city that allows you to be at the beach within thirty minutes. I mean, I'm sold on the sun and beaches alone. The ones closest to Hollywood/west hollywood are Venice beach and Santa Monica beach. Venice is like Camden on sea. Full of weird and wonderful things. The man selling shit advice for a dollar, or the woman painting pictures of sun flowers with her feet. The guy selling you CD's of his latest studio demo for ten bucks or the shop front selling you weed (legally) don't you know. Well only if you're having night terrors, will they write you a prescription for a draw.
Santa Monica is just up the road. Both here and Venice are busy and full of tourists (like myself) Up further north you have Malibu beach and also Point Dume. Here is where I watched the most amazing sunset I have ever seen, high on top of a cliff point. As if I ever needed an excuse to self reflect, a sunset on a cliff top was definitely one of them.

Just south is Hermosa beach. Similar to the Santa Monica. But less busy. The little town it is in is cute. More rustic. It looks like a film set that a 90's coming of age film might be shot in.

Further south is Laguna. And right next door is my favourite beach of them all. Table rock. It is more of a cove. I did nearly die there when a mahoosive wave whipped off my bikini top and topsy turvied me upside down like a washing machine, bringing me up for air for two seconds and back under. When I finally came up, with my friends boyfriend dragging me out of the sea, boobs out, hair like a drowned rat over my face, I decided I was better off getting a tan on the shore. 

CLASSES

Whilst being in LA felt like a holiday, I was really there to act. Sort of. I thought I'd do some classes. Feel like I was being productive. Learn a few things. I was able to audit (sit in and watch classes) and take some of the classes

Howard Fine was a class I had imagined an acting class in LA would be like. He himself was stern, but friendly, in my memory, he has a tash (I don't think he really does) He talks like the guy from actors studio, which immediately made me feel excited. I got to see at least six couples go up and perform, and every single one of these students could have been in the next season of American Horror Story.

I was lucky enough to go to Max Decker as well as Anthony Meindl. Max Decker is wonderful value for money, but he only goes on recommendations and takes you on once he has interviewed you. The classes are improv and often feel like a stint on SNL. That isn't a negative. There is some amazing talent in the class. Funny and otherwise. It challanged me beyond belief, and I felt out of my depth every single week. Which can only be a good thing, to poo yourself before each class... its a learning curve.

Anthony Meindl was everything I needed from class. A scripted/cold reading class where you get therapy and more. The ethos of acting/being is similar to the things I believe in and it was more about learning to be comfortable in your own skin than 'acting' as such. Worth every single penny. He has classes in London too :)

Other recommendation are Beverly Hills Playhouse and Ivana Chubbuck.

WORKSHOPS

People slate casting director workshops, but I highly recommend them. Big casting directors take these and it's worth getting seen in these workshops, especially if you don't have a manager or an agent. All the companies state that they are for educational purposes. And they are. You learn some sides, you read to a casting director, you film your scene, and in some cases they send you the tape for you to view and analyse and critique.

The actors Green room... (Pricier than the latter)... and The actors key were two that I used and recommend.

    

Other than the aforementioned there are gaziollions of things to do in LA, and I am not even mentioning half of them. If you are lucky enough to get time, try and go to The Getty museum and The Getty Villas. Venice canals are a must, there resides my future house and neighbours... Visit Downtown. The arts district, the market there, its all wonderful and full of amazing cafe's and restaurants including the rooftop bar at The Perch. Their steak and truffle fries make my fanny tingle. Echo park paddle boats are a fun morning out and the french maple bites in the lake cafe are worth every belly cramp if bread doesn't agree with you. The Observatory at the top of Griffith park is a gorgeous place to visit, especially at sunset and the planetarium  is open until 10pm. If you have a car (which you must) drive to Joshua tree in the dessert, or up the PCH to San Fran. Head to Malibu or Santa Barbara for the afternoon. Whatever you do spend fours hours driving to Sequoia national park. I have never in my life seen nature or trees quite like it. Get some positive vibes and a dose of wankyness (I love both) at Cafe Gratitude, get creeped out at the museum of Jurassic Technology (it has nothing to do with dinosaurs. Buy some gifts in the little boutiques like Yolk, See some comedy at UCB, have coffee in Lamil in Silverlake and a macaroon ice cream in Milk right opposite. Eat kale until you turn green, drink fresh beet juices until your poo turns purple. Spend hours and hours in Wholefoods or Trader Joes, Go watch a drive in movie, take a million pictures of palm trees. Reflect, tan, enjoy and be grateful of every second, because despite what you have heard. It's a special city with a lot of freaking amazing adventures... and food, to be had.

                                 
                         

A list of places to eat, drink and be merry

EAST HOLLYWOOD

Lil Doms... serve the best Pancakes East of Hollywood. 

Local... Cute little restaurant with an abundance of vegan options and fresh juices. The owner is the nicest man.

Forage... An amazing Vegan place with the most delicious cashew cheese quesidillas.

Hyperion Public... Scrummy whiskey sours and a tasty kale salad. (Who said Kale?)

Black Cat... a dark dive bar, a little bit like something you would find in London. Open until 2am.

Thirsty Crow... B.O.G.O.F Old fashioneds on a Monday night.

Alcove... Cute outdoor seatin (a little manic to get seated of an evening, and its order at the bar) but they do the most amazing cakes East of Hollywood. The slices are the size of a third of a normal cake and are homemade and make me dribble as we speak.

Home... Perfect outdoor seating and scrummy brunch menu, actually, the menu is massive and there is so much to chose from.

La Casbah... Cute place for coffee and cake and internet.

Cafe Intelligentsia... Best coffee in Silverlake, nearly. Open until 11pm, so late night internet use and coffee (if you can drink coffee late) here is a must.

Cafe Stella... Best pisco sours and yummy food. French restaurant with outdoor seating and a cute bar area for a night of just cocktails.

Pho... Best one in LA. Vietnamese, tasty, good priced food.

Bon Vivant ... A little like Alcove. The biggest and tasiest cakes. The menu is large and the atmosphere is so so nice. Candles and great service.

Pine and Crane... The yummiest passionfruit shandys sell this place for me. But also the food is to die for. And it's cheap. Always a que it's that good, but you are seated in no time and you order at the bar. The pancake is a MUST.

WEST HOLLYWOOD

Evleigh... A bit sceeny, but a really nce patio setting, dim lights and candles and a really nice side dish menu. 

Skybar... In the Mondrian. Sundays are full of too cool for school young people with v necks and boat shoes (Judgey I know) but also an observation. But the bar is ideal in the week for a late afternoon prosecco. Views are scrummy. The also serve the best fries.

The Hudson... Cute diner set in a stand alone camper van? Has a photo booth, what more do I say. But their truffle fries are so amazing that you have to go here at least once. 

Cabo Cantina... Amazing deals on margharittas so strong that one sends you over the edge. And a plate full of nachos big enough for four people. Cheap and fun.

Laurel Hardware. Another sceeny place, but has a gorgeous outdoor patio area and really nice wine.

Joans on third... My fav place for brunch by far. You may spot bloggers and the like, but the cheese grill toastie is something dreams are made of. Also yummy cakes and iced coffees.

Soho house... The sceeniest of the sceensters. You can only go in with a member, and you may spot the Kardashians (pros and cons) depends what floats your boat as to which side you sit on, but I like this place. It's relaxed and if you want late night snacks and a night cap this place is perfect. Not too pricey... and there is a photo booth. Score!

BLD... The best blueberry pancakes west of Hollywood. The maple syrup comes in a little tin shaped as a house. Perfect.

Terrine... pricey, but the yummiest food. Tapas style, meaty dishes. Do not attempt if you are veggie.

Cheesecake Factory... The most flavours of cheesecake I have ever seen on a menu, hence the name, and the most calories I have ever seen in a slice, hence the ten pound weight gain. It's worth it!

POOLS

What is better than sunning yourself by a pool? Sunning yourself by a pool

Mondrian-West Hollywood, Swanky, young crowd. You can just walk in and grab a drink. Sunbeds are reserved for the guests, but if you go on a week day the pool isn't crowded and you can grab a bed easy.

The Standard-Downtown, modern, boutique rooftop and newly refurbished.

Sunset Marquis-West Hollywood old school glamour. Go grab some lunch and then have a chill by the pool

The Roosevelt-There's a minimum spend of $45 dollars, but for a full day of some food and a drink it's worth it.

Andaz-Nice rooftop opposite The Mondrian. You can get away with just heading up to the pool bar for a drink.

The Ace-Downtown, teeny pool, where all the cool kids hang... but don't actually get in the pool.

BURGERS

In and Out... the most famous burger place... an alternative Maccy D's. Not worth it. The fries are pants.

Astro... Worth a visit.

Unami... So so yummy. The Manly is my fave.

Fat burger... My absolute first choice of all the burger joints in LA.

As my second time here (well technically 3rd) comes to an end I thought I would write a practical blog. One that will inform people of the things I have discovered in LA. The good the bad and the teeny annoying bits (there aren't a lot) Apart from the annoyingly blue sea and my annoying smug face in some pics... Sorry not sorry.

My overall time out here is hugely positive. It truthfully has been the best time of my life. The sun and freedom help. The time to think and reflect because you take time out from the real world, is always going to be useful and deeply appreciated. But I have had other trips where I have done similar thinking. But this city, for me, creates a whole wealth of opportunity and chance and inspiration and hope, that no other place has given me. It's a city people are quick to judge and you assume it's full of people, that other people are quick to dismiss. Because why wouldn't you? The preconception is It's a town of flakyness,  of insincerity, insecurity, bravado,  show, false promises and broken dreams. It's surely fickle and in genuine and full of try hard wannabes with distorted ambition. It's a city full of houses with gates and pools and pianos built into the floor with glass panelled stairs and hoovers made of gold, and then you stop off at the traffic lights and a homeless man with a trolley full of stuff,  will ask you for a dollar, and even though you see this back at home, nowhere have I seen the difference be so distinctive and so obvious. A town full of money, and streets full of homeless.

The city can be strange. My time here has been off kilter a few times. You do lose yourself slightly in a world that is somewhat, unreal. But the only reason we feel that it is 'unreal' is because we are made to believe we should live another way. That life in the sunshine, not brutally working day to day, is a treat. It's something only the special or the lucky do. Only the talented or the rich. And in some regards, I still believe it. If you don't have money it is harder to live a certain lifestyle. Days with spare time and evenings with spare sunsets.  But... its not entirely true. I met many people out there living on the same budget I live on at home. They work, they hustle, they get up early or work until late and not everyone is cruising around in a matte Bentley.

As a side note... LA looks hideous in the grey overcast days. If it rains, it's like a tropical storm and the whole city looks horrendously dull. Also people cannot drive here in the rain. To be honest,  I find that people cannot drive here full stop. Aside from the fact that you can turn right on a red light, and pedestrians can cross the road when the lights turn green for the cars, they also do not say please and thank you whilst driving at all. They do not wait to see if you are letting them into your lane, they will just go (and mo you down in the process).  They will speed up if you're trying to get into a lane, so that you cannot maneuver yourself over.  Driving here can induce heart burn, headaches and outright rage. But there is always Uber... which comes with its own risks all the same.

LA is massive. I feel it's hard to do more than two things in one day. You can try. But it takes time. Everything here seems to take time. From the moment you wake up until the time when your head hits the pillow, you wonder how an earth your day was so full and busy with not actually getting stuff done. It's an odd concept.  People will ask, what you did that day? You feel exhausted. You quickly went to the bank and then popped to the grocery store, before heading on a little hike and then having a coffee meeting later that day. All of that just there would take maybe 3 hours back home. Here, for some weird time warpsy illusion, that would take you 8 hours. You cannot 'pop' anywhere, and nothing is just a 'little'... Everything is epic, everything takes time, and nothing happens quickly. Because in between all of that you have to sort your stuff out for the rest of the day. Make sure it is with you. Because you don't want to have to be heading back 30 minutes in the opposite direction to get your heels for later. You then drive, use the sat nav and maybe get lost, more than likely sit in tons of traffic on the 101 and wish that you had listened to Google maps when it had showed you all red roads. Once you arrive, you have to find a space. It can take you 30 minutes just to find a one and then when you do, you spend 10 minutes reading over the sign more than 100 times. Because the signs here are the devil. They are sent to try you. Confuse you. They try and lure you into a false sense of security and make you think you can leave you car there for a good while and then you come back to a parking fine because you had parked an inch too far away from the curb or your bonnet was a centimetre too small for the road you were on between the times specified.

Once you trust that you can, you head off to hike. And the hikes are spectacular. You don't want to just do a little hike, you want to get to the top. You want to take in the epic views and contemplate life and your dreams and what your going to do next, and whether your car may have been towed because you think you may not have tucked your wing mirror in between 8.12am and 8.17am. You take your time, you catch your breath, you take a selfie, you take another... and then you have to get back down. All of this and you haven't even got to your coffee meeting yet. So yes, things do take a while here. There is a lot of space in-between places and horrendous drivers whilst getting to them places. But still, the pros out way the cons.

LA is full of beautiful things. Cute coffee shops, amazing restaurants, great classes, blue seas, pretty houses, lots of sun and sand and kale...

Firstly I feel obliged as and actor to give some info that I know other actors have been asking regarding my time here. What classes are good and are workshops worthwhile? Do you have have a chance to meet Quentin Tarrantino and is it appropriate to give him a hug or ask for a job in his next Sci Fi meets Greek tragedy film (this is not inside info, please don't sue me)

So in the next blog post (I thought it best to divide into two because I do talk a lot) I shall give my top tips on having a scrummy ol time here, whether your an actor or not...

Well... I guess you could say a typical day involves a lot of hiking and a lot of driving. Yup, that's the truth. I will give a run down of a packed LA day and I promise I will try not drop too many wank stain cliche'd daily routines in there. But it's LA. There will be a few and I have to admit, I love em.

So I set my alarm for 7.15am every morning. I often snooze until 8am. I like a snooze. The little pockets of extra sleep are such treats that I feel like I am somehow beating the universe (sorry universe) When I do wake up I might do a sneaky five minutes on Instagram. Post a pic from the day before and then catch up with friends, family, the boyf on Whats app and such social media. Soon as the UK has been up for a good few hours, there is often a good hour of much needed voice notes and all that jazz. When I do finally rise, it's often a choice between, a gym work out (in the park) a hike or a run (I know, so freaking wank stainy) Now you add exercise into your routine out here like it's part of your day job. Because it sort of has to be, because here they sell things like giant pretzels with honey mayonnaise and candied walnuts and jars of cookie dough... so, yup, all the hiking... it's a must. Or I may need a helicopter to lift me out of the bedroom window by the end of the trip. 

Whilst we hike we do the cliche'd reflection. Where we are at in our lives, where we are going. Whether it's worth it, and then we look out at the view and pinch ourselves. Or course it is. We look at the houses in the hills and obviously discuss the house we will have when we book 'that' job. It won't be a house in Beverly Hills, but maybe Silverlake or Los Feliz. Well, a beach house down by Venice would be nice too, with a porch and comfy cushions. We'd have a pool at both places and my place would be all white. Because well, Pinterest makes all white houses look totally practical and beautiful all at the same time. Between reflection and actual hiking we take many pictures of us jumping in the air. After about thirty snaps, where we get two of us actually in the air... 

Exercise done, legs shaking, you're in need of some food. This whole routine may be counter productive, but it feels good all the same. I often have brekki at home, because you eat out a lot here. It is sort of justifiably acceptable to eat out a lot here, because food shopping can be pricey. And eating out can be slightly cheaper than at home. Errrm, any old excuse I know. And sometimes we are rebels and eat out for brekki too..

We then head to a coffee shop for some writing. We often talk about what we want to write, more than we actually write, but either way we feel productive. I have an attention span of a gnat so often find myself writing for thirty minutes and then doing life admin for ten, then blogging for twenty and then back to the script writing for another fifteen. We make plans, we drink things like a matcha late (a wank stain cliche I like) we discuss the next days hike, we remember we have lines to learn for an audition on Friday, have a panic and start reading the script. The phone rings, it's the agent. You have another audition, but it needs to be in South African. WTF... I do not have that one on my CV, sorry, resume. Erm, Saaath Afrrican? Ok, yup sure, I say with pretend confidence. Got it. I panic. I go through the phone book, is there anyone I know that is South African and then I curse that I do not have more diverse friends. Jeez. You Tube, that will be my saviour. Or as it turns out. District 9. Fantastic, entertainment whilst learning.

Once confident enough that the lines are in, iccent is aahh kay (that's my Saaath Afrrican, in case you were unaware) matcha chai mocha cino skinny late drank, we head home to get ready for whatever evening is planned. Usually dinner out, seeing other British people out here, cocktails or comedy gigs. Tonight we are heading to the Magic Castle. A castle where there is lots of magic, literally. And you have to dress up all glam... que... a must needed trip to the Melrose. Note to self... Budget! 

You go out, meet new people, talk a lot, listen even more, drink a couple of drinks, one if you are driving. No one wants a Linsday Lohan rep of D.U.I's. You head home and wake refreshed the next day for a quick hike (again) before heading to the audition, where as it turns out, they don't need you to do South African, your British accent will do. You smile so much with relief that you actually come away feeling good about the job you just did in the casting and you breath...

Now between all the plans and the writing and the doing there are moments... Moments that you get to yourself and you suddenly feel this overwhelming feeling of angst. It isn't all rainbow farts and glitter clouds out here. There are moments that your own ego get to you. I like being busy. Busy makes me feel like I have purpose and busy means I often don't notice any negative thoughts that might crop up in my head. But the moments in between can catch you unguarded. This town has a good way of doing that to you because you are usually so busy doing, that when you suddenly stop, it feels weird. Suddenly you are aware that you are far from your loved ones. The ones that laugh at all of your jokes and listen to all of your whining. The ones that you can fart in front of and wear joggers and crocs in front of, the ones that won't judge you if you do not do your eyebrows or you can say mean things in front of and yet they somehow know you're not a mean person. You realise you are far from the place where you can talk bout Kim K and yet your people still know you can talk about things that are far more stimulating too. You are far from a place where you don't have to talk yourself up all of the time, or explain where Slough is (Yes the place The Office was based) A place where you can sit on the sofa and not feel guilty about being outside, because, well, it's raining so of course you can veg out and eat ice cream in your pyjamas. In these moments you miss sarcasm, pubs, pavements that aren't broken, driving on the left, grumpy faces staring at you on the tube, TFL... 

And then you come to and the teeny moments where you feel lonely, subside. At the mere mention of public transport in London, you're back loving the sunshine, the hikes, the views, the sunshine, the kale, the coconut water, the roller blades, the clear blue skies, the opportunities, the business, the no work, the toy money and you slap yourself for not living in the moment and feeling sorry for yourself for that split second. 

Of course you are grateful to be here. Of course you love it. The lifestyle, the chances, the new people to meet, but I would be lying if I din't let on that their are moments of doubt and insecurity. Moments when you feel lonely. Times when all you want is to hug the person that knows you inside and out or debate with you're friends that know you inside and out. There are moments when you forget the journey you are on and want to recoil back into comfort.

But also in those times, you are fully aware that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. (Pinterest says so)