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Shop and dine in the quirkiest parts of Silver Lake / Echo Park

Here's your plan for exploring quirky shops and dining in Silver Lake and Echo Park

Quirky Fun in Silverlake / Echo Park

At Stories in Echo Park, Los Angeles, enjoy a tranquil atmosphere while sipping on a coffee and delving into a book in the cozy cafe and bookstore.

Book Browsing

✅ Before you go
• street parking can be tough, we parked by echo park lake and walked up! 

💪 Pro tips
• enjoy a tea or coffee in their cafe in the back! 

Explore the shelves at Stories 

Visit 826LA & The Echo Park Time Travel Mart for quirky gifts and free tutoring in Echo Park. Opens at 12pm, offers a fun, educational experience.

Quirky Gift Shopping

✅ Before you go
• opens a little later at 12pm
• free tutoring opportunities for students

💪 Pro tips
• pick up great goodies for a quirky gift! 

Time travel to the time travel mart

Enjoy a scoop at Fluffy McCloud's, an adorable ice cream parlor in Echo Park offering traditional treats like banana splits. Perfect for a sweet afternoon snack.

Ice Cream Treats

✅ Before you go
• smaller space but plenty of seating at the counter or in the couple of booths 
• have amazing traditional treats like banana splits and more 🍨

💪 Pro tips
• I loved the coffee and chocolate combo! 

Grab a scoop a Fluffys 

Shop and dine at some quirky spots in Silver Lake.

This was a quiet and comfortable space where you could just

explore the shelves and see what they have to offer,

enjoying a book and a cup of coffee is a really great vibe.

We then popped in next door to the time travel mart,

which is where you can find all of your time traveling needs.

I was giggling the whole time at all of the adorable,

which helps with homework and creative writing

I just love the concept in here and I definitely can find a great gift,

so we would head over to Fluffy McClouds,

We had such a fun day exploring Silver Lake,

Here's your plan for sipping creative drinks and shopping unique vintage finds in Silver Lake. Watch the video 👇

Have an aesthetic, cool weekend morning by visiting a trending cafe then shopping a vintage & custom flea market

Whimsical Cafe Creations & Trendy Flea Market

Enjoy creative coffees, teas, and tasty eats in a vibrant, stylish setting at Gong Gan cafe—a perfect spot for brunch and decompressing in Silver Lake. No reservation needed.

Creative Coffee & Tea

💪 Pro tips
• Their updated summer menu with exciting new flavors and enhanced favorites just dropped on July 5th
• Yummy food like croffles, French toast, and burgers are also on the menu here if you’re looking to have brunch too!

Sip creative coffees & teas at Gong Gan cafe

Browse one-of-a-kind vintage finds, custom crafts, and accessories from indoor and outdoor vendors at Silverlake Flea, an ever-changing, trendy LA market destination.

Vintage Flea Market Shopping

💪 Pro tips
• If you need some extra hydration for the sun, beverages and small snacks are available for purchase
• Many of the vendors create customs on site - ask them about their process to get your own personalized piece!

Shop indoor and outdoor vendors at the Silverlake Flea

Change up your weekend routine by checking out this hot new artsy cafe,

followed by shopping my favorite on-trend flea market!

eclectic spot that's been going viral lately for serving

up some of the most creative drinks I've seen.

but the real thing is even prettier - and of course tastier!

I got the corn cream coffee I've heard so much about,

and savoring it among Gong Gan’s vibes and browsing

their stylish decor was a great way to decompress.

and I was happy and fueled up for my next stop:

This market has become a go-to of mine for

unique vintage finds and one-of-a-kind pieces.

I never see quite the same thing here twice,

all thanks to the vendors who source and create some of the best fashion in LA.

there's an indoor portion of the market as well,

where you can continue to shop amazing vendors inside this funky,

and bags can all complement your new threads -

Here's your plan for making your own creative ceramic charcuterie boards in Chinatown. Watch the video 👇

Serving up some creativity with your very own handmade ceramic charcuterie boards! Led by one of the Element Arts Center’s lovely teachers, get the full guide on how to make your own serving dish to impress your friends at your next party. 

Creative Ceramic Class in Chinatown 🎨

Create your own ceramic charcuterie board at Element Art Center in Chinatown—beginner-friendly, BYOB, and guided by expert artists. Perfect for a creative night out!

Ceramic Charcuterie Board Making

✅ Before you go
• Check out their calendar! Next Charcuterie making class will be on July 20th https://www.elementartcenter.com/calendar
• Totally beginner friendly! 
• Parking can be tricky but street parking and garages available. 
• BYOB! 🍷

💪 Pro tips
• Be creative! Don’t be afraid to do your own thing! 
• Pick one of the great techniques offered at the top of the class 
• Class is about 1 hour, the teacher will help guide you to best utilize your time
• JUST HAVE FUN!! 

Make the perfect charcuterie plate at the Element Art Center 

Serve up some creativity over at the Element Art Center,

We went over to the Element Art Center over in Chinatown,

where they host many different types of classes,

and we were there specifically for their charcuterie making ceramic class.

We got suited up in our aprons and got ready for our class guided by Justin.

He is one of the co-owners of the Element Art Center.

And he was so good at explaining what we needed to do to be successful,

but also allowed us to have full creative rain

It was a lot of fun to see all the different techniques and then to try our hands in it.

We also were surprised with these beautiful

little charcuterie boards for some inspiration and

and this place is bring your own wine and beer,

so I highly recommend to make the class that much more fun.

I loved watching everybody's approach to making their boards,

making them really different and special.

It was so fun to see everyone's creative juices flowing,

I haven't painted in years and it was so much fun to do that.

the Element Art Center does all the hard work for you.

they put it in the kiln for you and they will let you pick it up in just a few weeks after

I think my favorite part was picking out what to

paint in each of the parts of the serving board.

It was a lot of fun and asking people what I should do

just made it that much more of a community

I feel like all of us made beautiful pieces.

and so this will be not the last time I hang up my apron,

Here's your plan for yoga, wine tasting, and enjoying flatbreads at a beautiful outdoor spot.

Watch the video 👇

Check out Sipasana for Sommelier led yoga and wine tasting classes, including monthly events at Ettore Vino & Cucina on every 2nd Sunday at The Original Farmer’s Market by The Grove🤩

Yoga & Wine Tasting with Sipasana🧘🏻‍♀️🍷 

Enjoy a relaxing yoga and wine tasting class at Ettore Vino e Cucina with Sipsana, combining morning flow, sommelier-led tastings, and delicious flatbreads in Fairfax.

Yoga & Wine Tasting

✅ Before you go
• check out Katherine’s IG @Sipasana as well as https://linktr.ee/Sipasana for tickets to upcoming events and to book your own private classes!
• check out the menu from @ettorevinocucina at https://ettore.wine/ 

💪 Pro tips
• bring your own yoga mat and water bottle! This flow is about 45 minutes, and while it isn’t crazy challenging it does break a sweat! 
• Ettore was started by the owners of LA’s famed Osteria Mamma and is the largest sit down restaurant at The Original Farmer’s Market. They’re located in the back at booth 120, and have their own outdoor patio with views of the clock tower 😍
• definitely try the flatbreads, and don’t forget to validate your parking before you leave! 🚗 

Sign up for some Sipasana

A few of us lucky Nudge planner gals got together for an amazing yoga and

wine tasting hang at Ettore Vino & Cucina at the original farmers' market by the Grove.

as well as Ettore’s resident winemaker for a relaxing

morning flow which led into a wine tasting lesson

and we closed out the experience with the most incredible flatbreads!

Here's your plan for hiking, climbing, and exploring the Cave Munits with friends safely.  
Watch the video 👇

The trail starts at El Scorpion Canyon Park and will lead you to Cave Munits

⛰️ Cave Munits - Best Hike in the Valley

Hike and climb to the Cave of Munits in Oak Park. Bring friends, water, good shoes, and gloves—climbing inside the cave is challenging but offers amazing views.

Hiking Safety Tips

✅ Before you go
• Hydrate, Hydrate! 💦  lt was so hot in the caves and my adrenaline was high; so I wish I brought my water or was already hydrated before the hike!
• Come prepared to rock climb: grip shoes, workout gloves and clothes you’re okay to get dirty. 

💪 Pro tips
• I saw some people with hiking sticks (not used inside the caves but to get to the caves).
• Bring friends! Don’t come alone if you aren’t a rock climbing expert. I don’t rock climb but active and it was challenging for me to maneuver inside the caves. 

Safety Tips

This is the best hike in the valley to the cave Munits.

and you'll follow the trail as it leads you.

I got lost the first time and I don't want that for you.

you'll go right and it'll lead you right to the caves.

This is the beginning of the caves and there is a rope to start the climbing.

and if you're not a rock climbing expert I would not recommend going by yourself.

It was truly hard but thankfully I did find some friends that helped me out along the

way and we were able to make it inside of the cave and oh my gosh,

look at this view it was literally to die for and worth all of the sweat.

Once you get in it's a bunch of little caves and little divots that you can go in.

but I highly recommend hiking boots just because

they have grips and they cover your ankles

and even workout gloves to protect your hands

my new friends were feeling inspired and played the trumpet.

You will get the best photo ops at Cave Unit,

so I highly recommend adding it to your summer bucket list.