Where: Los Angeles
What: Pop around Playa Vista with this local family
Who: The Martins moved to Playa Vista (after six years in San Francisco) when Riley was just just a wee three weeks old. Her dad Alex works in management at USC Hospital and her mom Julia is on the Business Development team at Twitter. They love everything about living in SoCal—from the beach, weather and restaurants to the amazing community of Playa Vista. On any given weekday evening, you're likely to catch the Martins grilling dinner and picnicking outside with their dog, Bruno (and Riley in various states of undress). On the weekends, you'll find them at the Playa Vista Farmers Market, by the pool, at the beach or dining at any one of the amazing hotspots on the westside. Julia and Alex are teaching Riley to be a true foodie!
Image courtesy of Alex & Julia Martin (@JuliaRileyMartin)
Playa Vista Farmers Market
Playa Vista, All ages
Alex & Julia Martin: We love the PV Farmer's market! We normally bring Riley in a wagon (fun for her plus lots of storage for fruit and other goodies!) then grab a couple of the enormous and amazing breakfast burritos and sit to listen to the live music. Riley loves dancing! They also have balloon animals and face painting which she of course loves too!
Playa Provisions
Playa Vista, All ages
A & JM: If we had to pick our favorite westside restaurant, it would have to be Playa Provisions. We usually come a couple hours before our reservation to play at the beach (which is just a few yards away!) Whether its brunch or dinner - we love everything on their menu! Their breakfast sandwich and lobster rolls are delicious...and their cocktails are pretty amazing too!
Playa Vista Dog Park
Playa Vista, All ages
A & JM: The PV dog park is a dog's dream! We love taking Bruno there early in the morning - and Riley loves to watch and gets a kick out of watching the dogs getting a little wild and splashing around in the miniature river that surrounds the turf hills. Then we will take her to the adjoining kids park (the hill/slide is her favorite!)
Annenberg Community Beach House
Santa Monica, All ages
A & JM: What a little treasure of a place this is! We pack a bag of sand toys and get there early (around 8am) to snag a picnic table outside. Riley can be entertained for hours, sitting in the sand right at our feet as we brunch! After eating, we usually head to the splash pad - nothing delights Riley more than running around the fountains, getting completely soaked!
Central Park at Playa Vista
Playa Vista, All ages
A & JM: We love walking to the duck pond with a piece of bread in tow. Not only is it fun to watch (and mimic!) the ducks, it's great to admire and learn about all of the other animals inhabiting the area as well. From swans and other birds to fish, frogs and lizards, Riley loves pointing out all the new animals she spots!
Playa Vista Sport Park
Playa Vista, All ages
A & JM: One of the many perks of our amazing community! Every summer starting in June, Playa Vista puts on free concerts and movies in the park. It's such a great time to mingle with neighbors, and taste all different types of food from the dozens of food trucks that come in for the events. Concerts are from 5-8 and movies from 8-10 (riley is a bit young for the movies but alex and I still go when we can - all we need is a sitter, bottle of wine, and a couple of to-go cups!)
A & JM: One of the many perks of our amazing community! Every summer starting in June, Playa Vista puts on free concerts and movies in the park. It's such a great time to mingle with neighbors, and taste all different types of food from the dozens of food trucks that come in for the events. Concerts are from 5-8 and movies from 8-10 (riley is a bit young for the movies but alex and I still go when we can - all we need is a sitter, bottle of wine, and a couple of to-go cups!)
Bluff Creek Trail
Playa Vista, All ages
A & JM: Alex and I often jog the Bluff Creek trail on our own, but we also love bringing Riley on the weekends for a mini hike and little adventure (the full loop from our house is ~4 miles; the trail is ~1.5). Aside from the wildlife and nature, the views of Westchester above and Playa Vista below are beautiful!
A & JM: Alex and I often jog the Bluff Creek trail on our own, but we also love bringing Riley on the weekends for a mini hike and little adventure (the full loop from our house is ~4 miles; the trail is ~1.5). Aside from the wildlife and nature, the views of Westchester above and Playa Vista below are beautiful!
The Ritz-Carlton
Marina del Rey, All ages
A & JM: Okay so this may not be considered by most as a "family" spot, but it is for us! We like getting spiffed up and sitting out on their restaurant patio overlooking the marina (we've always been able to snag a table with a fire pit and couches). Riley loves watching the boats and water below! She also has plenty of room to walk around without bothering anyone while we have dinner, drinks and enjoy the amazing views ourselves!
A & JM: Okay so this may not be considered by most as a "family" spot, but it is for us! We like getting spiffed up and sitting out on their restaurant patio overlooking the marina (we've always been able to snag a table with a fire pit and couches). Riley loves watching the boats and water below! She also has plenty of room to walk around without bothering anyone while we have dinner, drinks and enjoy the amazing views ourselves!
Playa Vista Farmers Market. Courtesy of @greenweddingshoes
Playa Provisions. Courtesy of @infatuation_la
Playa Vista Dog Park. Courtesy of @joeymanjiandfinnmcduff
Annenberg Community Beach House. Courtesy of Alex & Julia Martin.
Central Park at Playa Vista. Courtesy of @barrerasinabox
Playa Vista Sport Park. Courtesy of Yelp.
Bluff Creek Trail. Courtesy of @mcotanch27
The Ritz-Carlton. Courtesy of @jimmy_strater
