Sunrise Hustle: Hike at Runyon Canyon

First, we stop at Runyon Canyon. This is a great way to kick off your day in Los Angeles and get your heat rate up, all in one. Rachel swears by daily movement for at least 30 minutes, and you’ll definitely speed that time, if not more, here. When it comes to Runyon Canyon, we’re talking killer city views, celebrity sightings, and a solid sweat to jumpstart your day. Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned trail MVP, Runyon’s got options — from the moderate “I just came for the views” loop to the “I love burning calves” route.

• Pro Tip: Hit the trail early (like 7 a.m.) to beat the crowds and soak in that golden morning light.
• What to bring: Water, sunglasses, and your, “I woke up like this” selfie face — you’ll want a photo at the top.

Victory Vibes: Hollywood Sign in the background, dogs jogging by, and your heart rate up. That’s how we win mornings in L.A.!

Carb Load Like a Champion: Fuel Up at The Griddle Cafe

The Griddle Cafe in Los Angeles is an absolute brunch beast. They’re known for their flavor-packed pancakes—we’re talking bigger-than-your-plate huge—and an atmosphere that’s pure Hollywood hustle. Whether you go for the “Banana Nana” stacks or something savory like the “Poached y Papas,” every dish feels like a celebration. It’s a legendary local favorite, perfect for refueling after a hike or just treating yourself to a breakfast blowout. Now it’s not Rachel’s green smoothie, but it’s still a lot of fun. Come hungry—leave victorious!

• Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to fill your plate with carbs and protein. L.A. is a city constantly on the move, so you’ll need the energy.
• What to bring: Your appetite

Classy Timeout: Greystone Mansion & Gardens

Now that we’ve refueled and earned a bit of a breather, let’s pivot into elegance. Time for a mid-morning cooldown at Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills. This historic estate is straight-up cinematic — think grand staircases, lush gardens, and architecture that makes you feel like you’re in a Gatsby scene. Also, rumor has it that it’s haunted, so it’s perfect for the casual fall stroll.

• Why it’s a Win: Free admission, peaceful paths, and an absolute stunner of a location. You’ll recognize it from a ton of films — and trust me, your Instagram will thank you.
• Pro Tip: Stroll the gardens, channel your inner royalty, and take a moment to appreciate the quiet.

For an instant mood booster, snap a photo by the fountain or the stone archways.

Art Attack: The Getty Center

Hydrated? Recharged? Good, because the next item to cross off your bucket list is a visit to The Getty Center. This is where culture meets jaw-dropping scenery. Take the tram up the hill, and boom — you’re hit with modern architecture, stunning gardens, and art that’ll have you stopping in your tracks.

• Must-Sees: Van Gogh’s Irises, the Central Garden, and the panoramic views of the city and ocean. On a clear fall day? Chef’s kiss.
• Pro Tip: Don’t rush. This is your long drive up the field — pace yourself, explore, and let the creativity refuel your soul.

Sunset from the Getty is truly a winning moment. If you stay late, you win the weekend.

Sip on a Seasonal Drink: Chill Tea & Coffee at The Streets of Brentwood

To reflect on your all-star day, hit up the cozy Chill Tea & Coffee at The Streets of Brentwood café—a bit of a hidden gem in nearby Brentwood. Grab a fall-themed drink like their Pumpkin Pie Pour Over Coffee topped with cinnamon or their Pumpkin Fog, their take on a “Bay Area Fog” with pumpkin flavor infused. Whether it’s a pumpkin latte, a crisp salad, or some comfort carbs — you’ve earned it.

• Pro Tip: You can grab a quick bite there or take it to the bluff at Palisades Park for a laid-back picnic with ocean views.

So, you hiked like a champ, chilled like royalty, soaked in world-class art, and topped it all off with views and vibes. That, my friends, is how you own fall in Los Angeles. So next time someone says, “What’s there to even do in L.A. in the fall?” — you hand them this guide, flash a confident smile, and say: “Now rest up, hydrate, and get ready to do it all again next weekend.”

Little Ground Café: This is basically the second home for ChicHQ. The outdoor vibe is rustic cool and we can’t get enough of their vanilla iced lattes. There is also a great lunch menu, a huge selection of yummy pastries and a bacon egg sandwich to die for. Perfect place for an afternoon meeting and jolt of caffeine. 

Moonlight Rollerway: Grab your high-waisted shorts and vintage roller-skates cause it’s couple skate time! The Moonlight Rollerway is the most adorable neon-filled roller rink you will encounter. Nothing is new or modern… this is classic roller skating down to the four wheeled skates you can rent from the guy behind the counter who’s been there since ’73.

Charge up your iPhone before you go because this place is made for an awesome boomerang on insta stories. Can’t skate? No problem. They offer classes for kids and adults to get you moving!

Everest Breakfast Burrito: If you follow me on instagram then chances are you already know about Chic’s Everest obsession. It’s a popular burger stand that happens to make the most delicious breakfast burritos ever. A hole in the wall breakfast place that we can’t get enough of. When we celebrate birthdays, goals being reached at Chic we order breakfast burritos from Everest. I typically order egg and potato with salsa but you’re a meat lover then take a page out of Jack’s book: His favorite is bacon, egg, and cheese burrito.

Poke from Poke n’ Roll: Team Chic orders from Poke N’ Roll every Friday. It’s our Friday ritual and we get way too excited about Poke ordering time. Extra credit? It’s so easy to order online… perfect if you’re buying for an office. The spicy tuna bowl with half salad, half brown rice is my go-to. You can add a crazy amount of extra toppings for $0 dollars! Best poke in Glendale by a landslide.

The Americana at Brand: You can’t talk about Glendale without talking about the Americana. They have a Madewell, Nordstrom, Apple Store, Dry Bar, Coffee Bean… basically it’s my dream shopping experience come true. They also have a Sprinkles cupcake shop and a Pie Hole! Try the Earl Gray Tea pie… trust me.

Now you know my favorite places in Glendale, I wanna know your favorite go-to spots! Join the conversation, share your fave –> here!

I recently went for the sixth time and I can’t recommend it enough as a destination. If you’re considering it, here are my favorite spots. As always, when traveling to a city that speaks a different language than your own, be polite. Barcelona is incredibly easy to navigate as an English speaker because so many people there speak the language. Even still, I always begin every conversation in Spanish to be respectful of my place as a guest in their country.

Fat Tire Bike Tours – Without question some of the greatest memories of my life were on a Fat Tire Bike Tour! The first time we went to Barcelona someone told us about this company (a couple of Texans who started bike tours on beach cruisers in European cities) and we did it on a whim. Oh my gosh you guys, it’s so much fun! You don’t need any real biking skills and it’s a very easy pace to keep while learning so much history about the city. We’ve gone on to do it in London and Paris– I’ve now done the Barcelona tour twice!

Sagrada Familia – You will quickly learn that Barcelona is incredibly proud of the work of the artist Gaudi. You’ll see his work throughout the city and if you’re like me, you’ll fall in love with his whimsical style. The Sagrada Familia is a roman catholic cathedral that you have to see to fully understand. It’s been under construction forever and since Gaudi plans were so intricate and plentiful they don’t anticipate it will ever actually be finished. Whenever I’m in the city I add it to my daily running route so I can take it all in from different angles.

Where to Stay – We’ve stayed at The Cotton House, The Soho House and the Hotel de Arts and all are lovely options for being centrally located and well take care of. 

Coffee + Gelato – It is your civic duty to drink as much espresso and eat as much gelato as you can possibly hold. Where should you go? Basically anywhere. You can walk into any little shop and get either and they’ll be better than the best here in the US. 

Park Guell – Park Guell and Sagrada Familia are both really well known places to visit in the city… but on my first visit (this was before social media kids) I just wandered upon Park Guell and walked right in. These days, you definitely need to book your tickets in advance if you want to go for a visit because it’s such a popular destination.

Barcelona is by far, one of the most magical places in Europe. The food is incredible, the people are wonderful and the shopping is to die for. Definitely one to add to your bucket list.

Stunning photography by local artist, Carolina Sainz.

Guys, my kids are already on summer break—can you even believe it? When I was little I swear we didn’t get out until much later but the Hollis kids are already enjoying the perks of summer. When we partnered with Clorox, they asked if we had any fun summer plans… boy do we ever! This year we have a really fun family vacation planned in Hawaii (mama is counting down the days!) so when we put together our summer bucket list I asked the kids to help me think of activities that weren’t expensive or hard to pull off… because, a big time tropical vacation for a family of six is both of those things.

Here are some of the ideas we came up with, feel free to snag some of ours or better yet, sit down with your kiddos and come up with a list on your own.

1. A Trip to THE PARK: Gather your loved ones and head to your local park with a picnic basket full of light snacks and a blanket. I know this is old-school, and maybe a little obvious, but it’s close and makes the kids super happy. The family can throw on some casual shorts and comfy tees and be on the road within 10 minutes. Tip: you don’t have to worry about the kids getting dirty or any unwanted stains because you can use Clorox 2.0 will remove those stains right when you get home.

1. TRAMPOLINE: “I’m a ninja who can fly!” – Ford Hollis (age 4). My boys LOVE our trampoline, so getting on it is nothing new… but me jumping on it with them is exciting because it doesn’t happen often. So this summer’s bucket list includes time for both me and daddy to launch them into the air and do toe-touches and whatever else we dream up. When looking for family activities, you don’t need to get fancy you just need to be together.

CLEAN IT UP:  I know laundry doesn’t seem like fun, but let’s face it, all of these seasonal activities inevitably lead to stains, as it should because of all the fun, and luckily our brights will stay fresh and even brighter with Clorox2® Stain Remover & Color Booster, I use it on all our favorite summer clothes. Our threads stay looking amazing and the boys love to help fold. Our clothes get clean and we’re ready for even more summer adventures!  

 NAP TIME: My precious girl, Noah’s favorite summer activity? Looking adorable, hugs from mom, and taking ALL of the naps. Take a cue from Noah and be sure to include some down time on your family to-do list. Plan a down day just to watch movies and cuddle on the couch.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL: No summer is complete without ICE CREAM! An instant crowd pleaser and a unanimous favorite among the Hollis fam. It seems silly but going to the parlor for ice cream (instead of just eating it at home) feels infinitely exciting to my kids. Sure it’s messy, but I know that I’ve got Clorox 2 to clean up the mess for me when I get home! Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive to be fun for your whole family. Get creative and keep it simple.