(Los Angeles Times photo illustration; photos by Juliana Yamada, Jason Armond, Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times; Clare V., AndSons, Saint Jane, Ana Cho, Andrea Cheung, Nijeria Thompson, Rockii Studios, Theodore Payne Foundation, AYR, BX Ceramics)
Even small gestures can mean a lot to moms on Mother’s Day, which falls on May 10 this year. You might make a handmade card, surprise her with a Courage Bagels breakfast in bed or take her for a hike on one of L.A.’s many trails.
Thoughtful gifts matter too, and picking something local feels extra special. In L.A., there are so many choices, from unique presents to fun experiences.
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You could give her a locally made sweatshirt that says “I love you, Mom” in French, explore art together at the new David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, treat her to a facial or foot massage or go shopping with her at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena.
Mother’s Day can be hard for people who have lost their mothers or aren’t close with them. If that’s you, feel free to skip our suggestions and do something nice for yourself instead. Here are some of our favorite ideas for Mom.
Showing Gift Gifts
Let artist Rami Kim create a custom tile portrait of your pet
Ceramics $250-$600 at Rami Kim Studios
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(Juliana Yamada / Los Angeles Times)
For over 10 years, artist Rami Kim has been making playful ceramics in her Los Angeles garage, bringing animals to life and comforting people who have lost their pets. In addition to her charming custom figurines, Kim also paints pet portraits on ceramic tiles. The tiles come ready to hang in three sizes: small (4-by-4 inches), medium (about 6-by-6 inches), and large (8-by-8 inches). Note the small tile can fit only one animal. Once you place your order, just email ramikimstudio@gmail.com with your order number and photos of your pet, and she will handle the rest.
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LWN Cactus Jacket
Apparel $288 and $298 at LWN
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(Brigitte Sire)
After working at Puma, McQ and Band of Outsiders, designer Lena Wells started her own label, LWN, to “make useful, fun clothes that complement a creative lifestyle.” All of Wells’ pieces are made in downtown Los Angeles using local deadstock, repurposed garments and upcycled fabrics. So the odds that the comfy Mugho top you saw in flannel a few months ago is now available in new fabrics. Her Cactus jacket puts a playful spin on the classic jean jacket, featuring a cropped cut, antique-nickel-finished jean buttons, tailored welt pockets and contrast stitching. In addition to the natural stonewash rigid denim above, the jacket comes in other denim selections (’90s stonewash, indigo and mulberry) as well as in corduroy options (redwood, pine, clay and bark).
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A custom gift basket from LA Homefarm
(LA Homefarm)
Choosing items for a custom gift basket at Lauri Kranz and Dean Kuipers’ Glassell Park shop, LA Homefarm, is fun. The shop feels like a friendly neighborhood bodega stocked with fresh produce from local farms, flowers from Kathleen Ferguson of Frogtown Flora, vintage finds and handmade goods from local makers. If you’re not sure what to pick, Kranz and her team are happy to help you put together a basket that will brighten anyone’s day. My friend was so touched by hers that she cried. “We include delicious fruit and vegetables from our farmers as well as thoughtful pantry items so that the recipient has everything they need on hand to make a meal,” Kranz said, adding, “Wine can be added on as well as home goods such as one-of-a-kind mugs to go with coffee or tea selections.”
You can pre-order by emailing info@lahomefarm.com or calling (323) 474-6323. Some gift boxes are available for walk-in customers.
You can pre-order by emailing info@lahomefarm.com or calling (323) 474-6323. Some gift boxes are available for walk-in customers.
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Roam the David Geffen Galleries at LACMA
Mid-Wilshire Art Museum
(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)
Explore the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s permanent collection at the new David Geffen Galleries, where the layout, inspired by four bodies of water, gives you a fresh way to see Los Angeles as you walk above Wilshire Boulevard. The mix of different time periods can feel a bit jarring, but it’s exciting to spot works by local artists including Los Angeles ceramicist Dora De Larios and Betye Saar, alongside paintings by Henry Matisse and Francis Bacon. The new $724-million concrete museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, has sparked significant debate. People seem to either love it or hate it. But everyone agrees the art itself is amazing. Even if the layout can feel disorienting at times, getting lost in art is a great way to spend the day.
Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Wednesday. Adult admission is $25 (for L.A. County residents) or $30 (for those who reside outside L.A. County). Entrance is free for LACMA members and for NexGenLA Youth Members and accompanying adults. Also, L.A. County residents with valid ID are free after 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Wednesday. Adult admission is $25 (for L.A. County residents) or $30 (for those who reside outside L.A. County). Entrance is free for LACMA members and for NexGenLA Youth Members and accompanying adults. Also, L.A. County residents with valid ID are free after 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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Clare V. x Every Mother Counts sweatshirt
Apparel $195 at Clare V.
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(Clare V.)
Clare V.’s 100% cotton fleece sweatshirt feels soft and cozy and features the perfect Mother’s Day message in French: “Maman Je T’aime,” which means “I love you, Mom.” Plus, the Los Angeles designer donates 30% of the purchase price from all CV x EMC items to Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit that helps make pregnancy and childbirth safer for mothers worldwide.
The sweatshirt comes in sizes XXS to XXL. There’s also a T-shirt version for $125.
The sweatshirt comes in sizes XXS to XXL. There’s also a T-shirt version for $125.
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Tarot and art at Tarot for Creatives
Service
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(Art by Somsara Rielly)
Tarot reader and collage artist Somsara Rielly specializes in helping her clients reclaim their creative spark in a way that’s palatable to even the least woo-woo among us. Depending on your budget you can book Mom a 30-minute reading for $55, 45 minutes for $70 or 60 minutes for $85. If you really want to spoil her, consider splurging for the hourlong “tarot reading plus custom totem” option ($150), which includes a unique piece of artwork made by Rielly and inspired by the message that came through the cards. (The art will arrive in the mail not long after the reading.) “Sometimes it’s hard to remember everything that came up,” Rielly said. “This is a visual reminder.”
Although most of Rielly’s readings are online, she also offers in person sessions on Mondays at Source Point Wellness in Atwater Village.
Although most of Rielly’s readings are online, she also offers in person sessions on Mondays at Source Point Wellness in Atwater Village.
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Tour the Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Historic Home $38-$75 at Pasadena Showcase
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The Fireplace Suite by Jill Romine Interiors.
(Peter Christiansen Valli)
Showhouses are always extravagant, and this year’s Pasadena Showcase House of Design, running through May 17, takes place inside the 8,000-square-foot former home of Clara Baldwin Stocker, the colorful daughter of land investor and racehorse breeder Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin.
Many of the 30 interior and exterior spaces in this 1907 shingle-style home include touches Baldwin Stocker would have enjoyed. The Midnight Garden Dining Room features an Italian Murano glass chandelier, Art Deco-style swivel chairs with fringe and a gold-leaf ceiling. The Entertainment Room includes statement lighting by Los Angeles designer Jason Koharik, a custom billiards table from 11 Ravens and a Champagne cooler built into the marble bar. The Bloom Lounge is spacious enough for several seating areas, a game table and a hidden liquor cabinet, which is another tribute to Baldwin Stocker, who was famous for hosting parties that lasted for days.
It’s tough to say what stands out more: the layered interiors and outdoor gardens that look ready for a magazine or the smaller spaces like closets, the mudroom and hidden powder rooms that have all been turned into something special. You and Mom can decide for yourselves.
Many of the 30 interior and exterior spaces in this 1907 shingle-style home include touches Baldwin Stocker would have enjoyed. The Midnight Garden Dining Room features an Italian Murano glass chandelier, Art Deco-style swivel chairs with fringe and a gold-leaf ceiling. The Entertainment Room includes statement lighting by Los Angeles designer Jason Koharik, a custom billiards table from 11 Ravens and a Champagne cooler built into the marble bar. The Bloom Lounge is spacious enough for several seating areas, a game table and a hidden liquor cabinet, which is another tribute to Baldwin Stocker, who was famous for hosting parties that lasted for days.
It’s tough to say what stands out more: the layered interiors and outdoor gardens that look ready for a magazine or the smaller spaces like closets, the mudroom and hidden powder rooms that have all been turned into something special. You and Mom can decide for yourselves.
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Surcle Wood's hand-turned vases from downed trees
Home Goods $40-$60 at Surclewood
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(Wolf Camp Studios)
Working on a lathe in her downtown Los Angeles studio, woodworker Julie Jackson creates Glob vases from fallen ash trees in Altadena and walnut sourced from Street Tree Revival in Anaheim. The simple-yet-stunning Mama Globs measure 4¼ inches in both width and height, while the Baby Globs are 3 inches wide and 2¾ inches tall. As an added bonus, Jackson offers dried strawflowers grown by her childhood friend, urban flower farmer Rachel Nafis of Psalter Farm Flowers in San Diego. Note these keepsakes are not designed to hold water.
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A Bauer Pottery Ringware vase with flowers
Home Goods $40-$88 at Bauer Pottery
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(Lisa Boone / Los Angeles Times)
A colorful Ringware vase from Bauer Pottery is sure to brighten anyone’s day, especially when you fill it with fresh flowers from your local farmers market. (The Burbank Farmers Market on Saturday is a great place to find blooms.)
These vases come in three sizes — 7 inches, 9 inches (above), and 11 inches —and more than a dozen colors. You can stop by the Bauer showroom (1767 Blake Ave. in Elysian Valley, a.k.a. Frogtown) Friday through Sunday for special Mother’s Day discounts or shop online.
These vases come in three sizes — 7 inches, 9 inches (above), and 11 inches —and more than a dozen colors. You can stop by the Bauer showroom (1767 Blake Ave. in Elysian Valley, a.k.a. Frogtown) Friday through Sunday for special Mother’s Day discounts or shop online.
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Enjoy AndSons chocolates in a collectible box designed by Block Shop Textiles
Candy $89-$189 at AndSons
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(AndSons)
AndSons Chocolatiers in Beverly Hills created this spring collection with Mom in mind, drawing inspiration from fresh flowers, including roses, peonies and lavender. The chocolate bonbons are sourced from local farmers markets, fresh dairy and single-origin cacao and come in a floral collectible box featuring California poppies and Matilija poppies by Block Shop Textiles.
The Spring Collection with hazelnut truffles costs $115, while the gift set, including a scarf, is $189 and the box only is $89.
The Spring Collection with hazelnut truffles costs $115, while the gift set, including a scarf, is $189 and the box only is $89.
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Enjoy a ballgame at Dodger Stadium
Elysian Park Sports Venue
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Your mom might love the Dodgers, but she might not be excited about you spending $750 (plus a $25 service fee) on the All Access Events Mother’s Day package from Dodgers 365, which includes brunch, a Loge level ticket, concessions, an on-field photo and a Dodger gift bag. For most moms, a regular ticket to the 1:10 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves will be just fine. Regular tickets start at about $77, and the first 40,000 fans will get a Mother’s Day clear tote bag.
If your mom isn’t a fan of Dodger Dogs, check out the L.A. Times sandwich guide, which covers everything from soaked tortas ahogadas to meatball subs and “what might be the best pastrami sandwiches in the world.” You can bring your own food into the park as long as it’s in a clear plastic bag, so think about packing something special she’ll really enjoy.
If your mom isn’t a fan of Dodger Dogs, check out the L.A. Times sandwich guide, which covers everything from soaked tortas ahogadas to meatball subs and “what might be the best pastrami sandwiches in the world.” You can bring your own food into the park as long as it’s in a clear plastic bag, so think about packing something special she’ll really enjoy.
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Saint Jane Luxury Beauty Serum
Beauty $38-$125 at Saint Jane
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(Saint Jane)
Saint Jane’s Luxury Beauty Serum (available in 9 milliliters and 30 milliliters) smells wonderful and pampers your skin with a blend of antioxidant-rich flowers and nourishing botanicals such as rose hip, rose, prickly pear, rosemary and frankincense. You only need a few drops for hydration, so the bottle lasts a long time. The serum also comes in a pretty box adorned with florals, making it an even more thoughtful gift.
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Carol Young | Undesigned Moth Raina mock top and Clau k(not) bag
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(Rollence Patugan)
Los Angeles designer Carol Young created a versatile crush-pleated shell for her Undesigned line with a mock turtleneck, two front pockets and side slits at the hem. Perfect for travel! It even comes with its own matching travel bag. The polyester shell comes in a variety of colors and is paired here with a limited-edition leather k(not) shapes bag in the color tomato by Los Angeles designer Christine Lau. Both pieces are available at Young’s Los Feliz store or online.
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Flying tomato mugs by Ana Cho
Home Goods $60 at Ana Cho Ceramics
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(Ana Cho)
Eagle Rock ceramist Ana Cho’s hand-thrown and painted flying tomato mugs are cheerful and bound to make anyone smile. Cho also offers lidded salt jars, utensil jars and bowls if you prefer something different to give for Mother’s Day. The mugs measure about 3½ inches wide and 3 inches tall. They are microwave-safe, though it’s best to wash them by hand. For a special gift, you can pair a mug with a pound of coffee from a Los Angeles roaster like Canyon Coffee, Jones or Loquat.
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70 minutes of reflexology at Tibetan Herbal Feet Soak
Self Care $40 at Tibetan Herbal Feet Soak
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(Maggie Shannon / For The Times)
We all know someone who could use a little pampering. The 70-minute reflexology at Tibetan Herbal Feet Soak is a transformative, relaxing experience. There are no private rooms here; instead, guests receive treatments in rows of plush armchairs. For $40, it includes a sublime, 10-minute foot-steaming; a 10-minute foot soak in warm water treated with more than 40 dried and powdered herbs, including ginseng, mugwort and saffron; and a 50-minute foot and leg massage. That’s all while your giftee sits with a warm, buckwheat-filled compress under their neck. Like I said: transformative.
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Specks and Keepings crocheted fishline jewelry
Jewelry $35 at Specks and Keepings
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(Shelby Moore / For The Times)
When textile artist Debra Weiss isn’t quilting, weaving and creating clothing patterns, she makes time to crochet delicate, one-of-a-kind bracelets in durable fishing line. These waterproof bracelets are designed to be inclusive, adjustable to fit all wrist sizes and come in a variety of colors while featuring beads and hand-quilted fabric charms. Adjust the knot to customize the size.
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A luxurious head spa treatment at Cai Xiang Ge
San Gabriel Valley Day Spa
(Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Cai Xiang Ge opened in San Gabriel in mid-2021 and, says owner Ning Chen, helped kick off the head spa trend in Los Angeles.
The 90-minute Royal Treatment at CXG is aptly named. As I settled into my spa bed, traditional Chinese harp music played on the sound system. I nestled my head into a shampoo basin on one end, my bare feet into a foot bath filled with warm water steeped with Chinese herbs on the other. I haven’t seen a foot bath at a head spa since — it was a beautiful touch.
As part of the six-step process, my practitioner repeatedly washed my hair and scrubbed my scalp. There was an aromatherapy head massage with tingly-feeling tea tree oil, as well as a scalp steaming and a slow, indulgent head and neck massage. Then I spent 10 minutes with the arc-shaped waterfall ring bathing my head in herb-treated water, my face immersed in billowy steam. The treatment also included a hydrating, collagen-boosting facial, an herbal hair steam and a conditioning hair mask.
If I didn’t already feel like a princess, CXG then dried and styled my hair while I sipped herbal tea and nibbled on sweets. The process included an “anti-hair-loss treatment” as well as a high-frequency scalp therapy device said to disinfect my pores and fortify my hair follicles.
Climbing into my car, I understood why, on social media, one towel-clad influencer had claimed that CXG’s head spa can “change your life.” An overstatement, perhaps; but my state of mind had been greatly altered — I was truly zen — at least for the rest of the day.
Scalp Spa Standard, 60 minutes: $95. Scalp Spa Royal Treatment, 90 minutes: $135. Scalp Spa Royal Deluxe, 90 minutes: $135.
The 90-minute Royal Treatment at CXG is aptly named. As I settled into my spa bed, traditional Chinese harp music played on the sound system. I nestled my head into a shampoo basin on one end, my bare feet into a foot bath filled with warm water steeped with Chinese herbs on the other. I haven’t seen a foot bath at a head spa since — it was a beautiful touch.
As part of the six-step process, my practitioner repeatedly washed my hair and scrubbed my scalp. There was an aromatherapy head massage with tingly-feeling tea tree oil, as well as a scalp steaming and a slow, indulgent head and neck massage. Then I spent 10 minutes with the arc-shaped waterfall ring bathing my head in herb-treated water, my face immersed in billowy steam. The treatment also included a hydrating, collagen-boosting facial, an herbal hair steam and a conditioning hair mask.
If I didn’t already feel like a princess, CXG then dried and styled my hair while I sipped herbal tea and nibbled on sweets. The process included an “anti-hair-loss treatment” as well as a high-frequency scalp therapy device said to disinfect my pores and fortify my hair follicles.
Climbing into my car, I understood why, on social media, one towel-clad influencer had claimed that CXG’s head spa can “change your life.” An overstatement, perhaps; but my state of mind had been greatly altered — I was truly zen — at least for the rest of the day.
Scalp Spa Standard, 60 minutes: $95. Scalp Spa Royal Treatment, 90 minutes: $135. Scalp Spa Royal Deluxe, 90 minutes: $135.
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Samar Grove Is in the Heart perfume
Fragrance $12-$55 at Samar
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(Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
It’s hard to resist the thoughtful perfumes of Debbie Lin and Na-Moya Lawrence, who craft artisan scents for their company, Samar, in their Hollywood apartment. Their captivating unisex perfume, Grove Is in the Heart, which they describe as a juicy scent like “Trader Joe’s candied orange slices” (notes of bergamot petitgrain, mandarin, linden blossom, Indonesian sandalwood) won the hearts of the judges at the 2024 Art and Olfactory Awards and will likely win over your gift recipient’s too.
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A celeb-worthy facial at OSEA Skincare Studio
Venice Skin-care services
(Alon Goldsmith / For The Times)
Tucked away on an under-the-radar stretch of Abbot Kinney Boulevard, this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot with a beach-cottage vibe serves as both the headquarters of seaweed-focused, clean-beauty brand OSEA (pronounced oh-see-uh, it’s an acronym for ocean, sun, earth and atmosphere) and a two-treatment-room skincare studio that offers if not life-changing facials, definitely life-affirming ones that deploy the same kinds of cleansers, scrubs, potions and lotions that celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Brie Larson and Emma Roberts rely on for their closeup-worthy beauty routines.
On a recent visit, an aesthetician named Christina gave me something called a cranial wave facial, which started with an assessment of my skin (including a gentle reassurance that my pores, which I believed to be freakishly large, were in fact normal). From there, it was a gentle, almost tender series of steams, slathers and serums interrupted by the occasional pinch of extraction and scrub of exfoliation. From time to time during the 50-minute treatment, Christina cradled my head in her hands and gently kneaded my neck (craniosacral therapy is based on these kinds of manipulations). The result? I left with a glow and a notecard with a detailed daily skincare regimen I could follow to keep putting my best face forward.
On a recent visit, an aesthetician named Christina gave me something called a cranial wave facial, which started with an assessment of my skin (including a gentle reassurance that my pores, which I believed to be freakishly large, were in fact normal). From there, it was a gentle, almost tender series of steams, slathers and serums interrupted by the occasional pinch of extraction and scrub of exfoliation. From time to time during the 50-minute treatment, Christina cradled my head in her hands and gently kneaded my neck (craniosacral therapy is based on these kinds of manipulations). The result? I left with a glow and a notecard with a detailed daily skincare regimen I could follow to keep putting my best face forward.
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Breakfast in bed on Wolfum's Olio Sage Serving Tray
Home Decor $90 at Wolfum
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(Wolfum / Annabel Inganni)
Wolfum’s birch Olio Sage Serving Tray is a stylish take on service, whether for hors d’oeuvres, breakfast in bed or simply a convenient container for your keys, wallet and earbuds. The hand-printed tray by local designer Annabel Inganni is available in a wide variety of patterns, measures 19 inches by 14 inches by 2 inches and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
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Weiser Family Farms Produce T-shirts
Apparel $50 at Papàsweater
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(Shelby Moore / For The Times)
Some Angelenos track the seasons through the vine-ripened fruits and vegetables of Weiser Family Farm, because once these highly flavored items are gone, you’re out of luck until next year. Well, unless you’re wearing your love of Weiser on your sleeve. A new collab with local designer Samantha Myer prints the farm’s cult-favorite pink radishes, Bonnie melons, romanesco cones and more onto these limited-run tees, which can be purchased at select farmers market appearances and through Myer’s company, Papàsweater.
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Guidance from the stars with a down-to-earth astrologer
Retail
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(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Warm and infinitely relatable, Richard Contreras offers down-to-earth (and affordable) astrology and tarot readings that might change your giftee’s life or at least help them gain some much-needed perspective — assuming they’re open to that kind of thing. The messages Contreras divines may not always be reassuring — “I’m not going to lie. It’s going to be a bumpy road ahead,” he told me in a recent reading — but he also reminded me that challenge is necessary for growth. Contreras, who used to have a storefront in Pasadena, mostly sees clients on Zoom these days. He’s also efficient: I met with him for less than an hour, and the reading continues to reverberate weeks later. — Deborah Netburn
$60 for 30 minutes, $90 for 45 minutes. Contact him through Instagram: instagram.com/ozomapilli.
$60 for 30 minutes, $90 for 45 minutes. Contact him through Instagram: instagram.com/ozomapilli.
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The Wooden Palate Aster Incense Holder with Arvin Olano
Home Fragrance $240 at the Wooden Palate
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(Aster Incense)
Designed by woodworker Eileen O’Dea of the Wooden Palate and designer Arvin Olano, this triangular incense holder is a soulful and functional catchall for the giftee who appreciates handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts by local artists. Made-to-order in fumed oak and ebonized oak by a small team, the lead time is approximately one week once the item is purchased.
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Steeped Moments tea subscription boxes
Beverage $29-$45 at Steep LA
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(Steep LA)
Steep LA always offers thoughtful blends from China and Taiwan, but earlier this year the Chinatown tea house unveiled a way to sip even rarer finds. Through the Steeped Moments subscription box, two teas arrive monthly or quarterly, one a small-batch offering so limited that it’s not sold in-store. In the quarterly boxes, these teas come with dried fruits for even more involved at-home tea ceremonies. Boxes can be picked up in Chinatown or shipped nationwide.
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Little City Farm's herbal alchemy workshop
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(Deborah Vankin / Los Angeles Times)
Jennifer Silbert, who makes zero-waste bags from salvaged materials at Rewilder, turned a residential yard and former tennis court into a lush urban farm oasis in the heart of Mid-City. The almost zero-waste Little City Farm is now brimming with wildflowers and fluttering butterflies; chickens roam the property; and Silbert keeps bees on the roof. It’s so picturesque, the farm is rented for weddings, birthdays and private chef dinners. It also hosts an herbal alchemy workshop, which Silbert teaches, walking guests through how to make infused oils that can be used for body care or cooking. Guests harvest fresh herbs and citrus on the property, clean them, then hand crush dried herbs in a mortar and pestle to infuse the oil with. They leave with small bottles of what they made that day — during the workshop I attended: sage, rosemary and citrus-infused massage oil.
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Sips and nibbles in the Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room
Dining $93-$98 at the Huntington
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(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
If you want someone to feel rich, send them to sip and nibble at the Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room, which was redone in spring 2023. Traditional Tea Service ($64 for adults, plus $29-$34 Huntington admission) includes sweet and savory snacks on a three-tiered silver platter. Salmon. Caviar. Gardens all around. One complication: You must buy the gift certificate in person at the 1919 Cafe (no admission fee) or tea room.
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Street Grandma Shants in Denim
Apparel $180 at Street Grandma
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(Andrea Cheung)
It can be difficult to buy pants for yourself, let alone another person. But Street Grandma makes it easy with its effortlessly cool shants. A mix between pants and shorts — no, these aren’t jorts — the oversize, calf-grazing bottoms feature an internal drawstring that allows you to adjust the waistband of the pants to your desired fit and look. Made from deadstock raw Japanese denim, this unisex closet staple features pleats, allowing them to be styled up or down. The shants also come in other colors and in French terry.
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An L.A.-area sanctuary for cow hug therapy
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(The Gentle Barn)
I did not expect to cry as I hugged the giant cow named Oliver, but there I was beneath a shade in a dusty corral weeping against my new bovine friend. The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita is an animal sanctuary where visitors interact with horses, cows, chickens and more (including one mischievous emu, Earl), who have suffered mightily at the hands of humans and are now healing in a loving space. On top of weekly visits to the farm, the Gentle Barn offers programming, including cow hug therapy ($216.24 for up to two people), which I am now a believer of. All ages welcome. (In addition to adult and teen prices, fees are $16.22 for children ages 2 to 12; free for kids ages 2 and younger.)
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Tap Candle Co. On My Mama candle
Home Fragrance $29.99-$34.99 at Tap Candle Co.
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(Nijeria Thompson)
Give the music lover in your life a candle that smells like their favorite track. From Prince’s “When Doves Cry” (eucalyptus, peppercorn and pine) to Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” (honeydew, lime and violet) and Victoria Monet’s “On My Mama” (gin, orange peel and clove), Tap Candle Co. uses nontoxic fragrance oils and other natural ingredients to make music-inspired candles. Also, each candle comes with a QR code so you can scan and listen to your favorite song.
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Kids of Immigrants 'This is for Our Family' T-shirt
Apparel $50 at Kids of Immigrants
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(Daniel Yang)
With slogans such as “Love has no borders” and “We are our parents wildest dreams,” Kids of Immigrants makes products rooted in a message of community, love and strength. The same can be said for its “This is for Our family” T-shirt, which is made from 100% heavyweight cotton and serves as a love letter to immigrant parents. It comes in black with white lettering and in white with black lettering. There’s also several other styles from which to choose.
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Rockii Studios' jewelry-making workshop
Workshop $100 at Rockii Studios
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(Rockii Studios)
If you are someone who prefers experiences over gifts, consider Rockii Studios’ weekly jewelry-making workshops. During the two-hour sessions, which take place in a dreamy greenhouse in the heart of Silver Lake, you can design your own necklace, anklet or bracelet with high-quality beads, pearls and pendants. While there, you can shop the owner’s own whimsical jewelry collection or use it as a source of inspiration for your own masterpiece.
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Theodore Payne Foundation Chaparral Princess cap
Accessories $32 at Theodore Payne Foundation
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(Theodore Payne Foundation)
The Theodore Payne Foundation has a knack for making native plants hip and selling quality merchandise coveted by native fashionistas such as their new Chaparral Princess cap inspired by singer-songwriter Chappell Roan. The foundation offers several other cool pigment-dye caps, featuring California poppies; the white trumpet flowers of sacred datura (with matching socks!); and my favorite, a tribute to the foundation’s new satellite, Los Nogales Nursery at Debs Park in Montecito Heights. In a very unscientific survey of Times staffers, the Chaparral Princess cap was the hands-down winner, especially among the under-40 crowd. You have been warned.
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Hot Mom Cool Baby Excuse Me Miss earrings
Accessories $54 at Hot Mom Cool Baby
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(Hot Mom Cool Baby by Londyn Doug)
On a recent night out, I decided to elevate my outfit with these spiraling, slinky-like gold earrings. They were so lightweight that I almost forgot that I was wearing them — that was until the compliments started rolling in. Inspired by Jay Z and Pharrell’s 2002 hit “Excuse Me Miss,” these playful earrings are courtesy of Hot Mom Cool Baby, which was created by Londyn Douglas, a fashion content creator, designer, DJ and toddler mom. The only prerequisite for rocking these earrings is not being afraid to stand out.
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A waterfall hike with goats in a canyon with no cell service
Hiking Trail
(Deborah Vankin / Los Angeles Times)
“Why goats?” I asked.
“You’ll see,” said Michelle Tritten of Hello Critter.
Tritten leads groups of up to 10 people — and four Nigerian dwarf goats — on a hike to a magnificent waterfall in a canyon with no cell service.
Goats, as it turns out, are excellent hiking companions. They’re smart and friendly, like dogs; adventurous, like horses; and curious, with distinct personalities, like cats.
On a recent outing, our goats — Felix, Lil’ Bit, Hansel and Gretel — frolicked and skipped and bucked along the moderate, creek-adjacent path, adding an especially uplifting mood to the hike. The journey was only about one mile, but it took more than two hours to complete considering we repeatedly stopped for selfies with passing hikers.
Tritten won’t publicly disclose the hike’s location, less that destroy the solace (it’s given upon RSVP). But it’s a low-elevation hike in Altadena, about 20 minutes from downtown L.A. With the rushing creek flanked by boulders and trees, the bleating goats and a magical waterfall at the end of the trail, however, you might as well be a million miles away.
Why goats? Because everything is just more fun with goats, not least of all hiking.
Price: Weekdays: $400 total for up to 10 people; weekends, $600 for up to 10 people.
Miles in and out: 1.2
Difficulty: Moderate (if crossing the creek)
Elevation gain: 246 feet
“You’ll see,” said Michelle Tritten of Hello Critter.
Tritten leads groups of up to 10 people — and four Nigerian dwarf goats — on a hike to a magnificent waterfall in a canyon with no cell service.
Goats, as it turns out, are excellent hiking companions. They’re smart and friendly, like dogs; adventurous, like horses; and curious, with distinct personalities, like cats.
On a recent outing, our goats — Felix, Lil’ Bit, Hansel and Gretel — frolicked and skipped and bucked along the moderate, creek-adjacent path, adding an especially uplifting mood to the hike. The journey was only about one mile, but it took more than two hours to complete considering we repeatedly stopped for selfies with passing hikers.
Tritten won’t publicly disclose the hike’s location, less that destroy the solace (it’s given upon RSVP). But it’s a low-elevation hike in Altadena, about 20 minutes from downtown L.A. With the rushing creek flanked by boulders and trees, the bleating goats and a magical waterfall at the end of the trail, however, you might as well be a million miles away.
Why goats? Because everything is just more fun with goats, not least of all hiking.
Price: Weekdays: $400 total for up to 10 people; weekends, $600 for up to 10 people.
Miles in and out: 1.2
Difficulty: Moderate (if crossing the creek)
Elevation gain: 246 feet
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The Huntington California wildflower prints
Home Decor $25-$85 at the Huntington print shop
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(Shelby Moore / For The Times)
Illustrator Elisabeth Hallowell Saunders published a slim volume of 12 exquisite California wildflower illustrations in 1905. The book is now out of print (although you can view it digitally via the World Herb Library), but lucky for us, the Huntington’s print shop can provide us with quality copies of each illustration (under the name Elisabeth M. Hallowell) in three different sizes: 8 inches by 16 inches, 11 inches by 22 inches and 15 inches by 30 inches. The hardest part really is trying to choose which ones to buy. For an extra classy gift, try finding a frame for your selection or have it framed by the Huntington’s print shop, which offers a variety of choices. Prices for a small framed print are $155.
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A spa day at Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Corona Experience
(Zack Benson)
We know that the word “spa” can sound intimidating. But Glen Ivy isn’t that way. As former Times travel editor Catharine Hamm wrote after a visit in 2017, “it feels accessible, not exclusive, meaning you can sit back and relax.”
Glen Ivy has 19 pools on 12 acres, including some of the same mineral pools that were the star attraction here in the late 1800s. There’s no hotel. But it has a Grotto (when skin hydration happens) and it has Club Mud, where you may be slathered with red clay. You could alternate between the hot and cold plunge pools and grab a bite at the Ivy Kitchen or a drink in Lounge 1860.
Basic “Taking the Waters” admission (access to the pools and Club Mud) is $85-$95 on weekends, $75 on weekdays, reservations required. (Open to guests age 18 and over.) Adding a Grotto visit costs another $45 per person; a 20-minute HydroMassage adds $40.
Glen Ivy has 19 pools on 12 acres, including some of the same mineral pools that were the star attraction here in the late 1800s. There’s no hotel. But it has a Grotto (when skin hydration happens) and it has Club Mud, where you may be slathered with red clay. You could alternate between the hot and cold plunge pools and grab a bite at the Ivy Kitchen or a drink in Lounge 1860.
Basic “Taking the Waters” admission (access to the pools and Club Mud) is $85-$95 on weekends, $75 on weekdays, reservations required. (Open to guests age 18 and over.) Adding a Grotto visit costs another $45 per person; a 20-minute HydroMassage adds $40.
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AYR the Secret Sauce jeans
Apparel $245-$275 at AYR
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(AYR)
AYR’s vintage-inspired, straight-leg jeans have the feel of an American classic, with special details that make them feel like they were custom-made for you. The jeans are available in three inseam lengths, seven different washes, and feature premium cotton denim with a touch of elastane. True to AYR’s brand name (All Year Round), the jeans are a timeless gift that will carry your giftee through future seasons.
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A hike to Escondido Falls
Malibu Canyon Trail
3.7-mile out-and-back
Easy
500
(Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)
Despite its name meaning “hidden” in Spanish, Escondido Falls is a popular and accessible trek — and the journey is quintessentially Malibu. The first segment gives you a look at the city’s extravagant homes, and as you climb, you’re rewarded with near-unobstructed views of the shimmering Pacific Ocean. You’ll then descend through a shaded woodland canyon filled with oaks, paralleling a quaint stream and colorful pockets of light purple chaparral mallows (find blooms from spring to fall). The surrounding hills of the Santa Monica Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for it all.
Your endpoint will be the 50-foot lower cascades, which trickle year-round but are most impressive after it rains. It’s the perfect picnic spot — just grab a breakfast burrito at Lily’s Malibu beforehand. You’ll notice the falls are tiered, reaching 150 feet at the upper section. (You can’t climb all the way up there, though. Trail access is restricted.)
Park in the lot at Winding Way off PCH ($12) and follow the trail along the paved road about a mile to the Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trailhead. Directions to the trailhead.
Your endpoint will be the 50-foot lower cascades, which trickle year-round but are most impressive after it rains. It’s the perfect picnic spot — just grab a breakfast burrito at Lily’s Malibu beforehand. You’ll notice the falls are tiered, reaching 150 feet at the upper section. (You can’t climb all the way up there, though. Trail access is restricted.)
Park in the lot at Winding Way off PCH ($12) and follow the trail along the paved road about a mile to the Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trailhead. Directions to the trailhead.
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Mom time at Wi Spa
MacArthur Park Spa
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
For the first few years of my American life, I associated jimjilbang in Koreatown with old Korean grandparents. But that’s far from the case at Wi Spa, where you run into people of all ages, ethnicities and body types (yes, you have to be in the nude in the pool area).
For just $40, you can spend nearly an entire day here, whether you’re working out a sweat in a fitness center or in a steam sauna. My favorite room is a large, darkened rest area where you can stretch your legs on massage chairs ($1, cash only, gets you three minutes of rumbling and rolling on your back and shoulders). You can also indulge in various services, including a Korean body scrub for $60.
The co-ed area, which has five rooms ranging from the 210-degree bulgama to the 53-degree ice sauna, is also worth spending time in. There’s even a little computer area where kids can play Roblox and a cafeteria that serves all kinds of Korean food. Go for a cup of sikhye, or sweet rice punch, and hard boiled eggs straight out of a rice cooker. You won’t regret it.
For just $40, you can spend nearly an entire day here, whether you’re working out a sweat in a fitness center or in a steam sauna. My favorite room is a large, darkened rest area where you can stretch your legs on massage chairs ($1, cash only, gets you three minutes of rumbling and rolling on your back and shoulders). You can also indulge in various services, including a Korean body scrub for $60.
The co-ed area, which has five rooms ranging from the 210-degree bulgama to the 53-degree ice sauna, is also worth spending time in. There’s even a little computer area where kids can play Roblox and a cafeteria that serves all kinds of Korean food. Go for a cup of sikhye, or sweet rice punch, and hard boiled eggs straight out of a rice cooker. You won’t regret it.
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BX Ceramics wave cups
Ceramics $46 at BX Ceramics
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(BX Ceramics)
The handmade ceramic wave cup from Pasadena potter Becki Chernoff of BX Ceramics is a comforting gift for anyone who appreciates handmade gifts. A former engineer and car finder, Chernoff throws each mug in her Pasadena studio, where she also throws dinnerware, wine cups and vases. The 4-inch cups are heavy and have a nice tactile quality when held. The cups are microwave and dishwasher safe, but hand-washing them is recommended.
$46
$46
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Aracheli Studio one-of-a-kind jewelry
Jewelry $80-$265 at Aracheli Studio
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(Aracheli Studio)
Vintage-loving jeweler Araceli Concordia handcrafts unique twists on jewelry classics with repurposed materials, and her beaded earrings for Aracheli Studio — made from vintage German glass beads — are no exception.
The art of perfume-making at the Institute for Art and Olfaction
Chinatown Nonprofit
(Solomon O. Smith / For The Times)
Yellow mandarin, geranium, sandalwood, cardamom and gardenia are just some of the notes in perfumes you can learn to dissect at the Institute for Art and Olfaction. Founded in 2012, the institute has trained thousands of scent enthusiasts and aims to make the art of scent more accessible. On the shelves along the walls are more than 200 reference scents in glass bottles, inviting first-timers to dream of their ideal combination.
The magic of the classes is how they encourage you to trust your instincts. Instructors ask participants to smell different scents and immediately shout out what comes to mind. IAO also invites specialists with their own perfume lines to give lectures focusing on a particular ingredient and offers online classes to help people deepen their technical and scientific knowledge of perfumes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of droplets. You might just create something transformative.
The magic of the classes is how they encourage you to trust your instincts. Instructors ask participants to smell different scents and immediately shout out what comes to mind. IAO also invites specialists with their own perfume lines to give lectures focusing on a particular ingredient and offers online classes to help people deepen their technical and scientific knowledge of perfumes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of droplets. You might just create something transformative.
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Mind to Light Flora night light
Home Goods $50 at Mind to Light
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(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Michelle Kim’s 4-by-3-inch night lights for Mind to Light prove that night lights aren’t just for babies and children. And you don’t have to be afraid of the dark to enjoy these handmade beauties, which come with a night light attachment and a working light bulb. Even when not illuminated, the Flora tulip-shaped light offers a colorful boost, with three colorways to choose from: blue, poppy red (warm red) and cherry red (dark red).
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Hunt for treasures at the Rose Bowl Flea Market
Los Angeles County Flea market
(Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)
The Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena happens only 12 times a year — the second Sunday of every month. And it’s a vast production, sometimes drawing as many as 2,500 vendors and 20,000 buyers and browsers.
One Sunday, I found Fiesta ware, siesta wear, disco balls, antique awls, molas, colas, Elvis on velvet, Buddha on a pedestal, Jesus on a cross, Jell-O molds, foam fingers, maps, caps, stones, phones, pliers, fliers, carpenters’ tools, costume jewels, two old seats from the L.A. Coliseum and a hot dog for $2.
There are designated areas for new merchandise, arts and crafts, antiques and vintage items.
It’s $15.83 per person for general admission buyers (who can enter as soon as 9 a.m.) or $23.21 for VIP buyers (who get in as soon as 5 a.m.). No pets. The early birds will need to be careful because it will still be dark and vendors may still be moving vehicles. The most convenient parking costs $20; if you’re willing to walk farther, there is free parking.
BTW: The outfit that runs the Rose Bowl Flea Market, R.G. Canning Attractions, also runs the Beaumont Outdoor Market in Riverside County (every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with some holiday exceptions; 50 cents to enter, free parking).
One Sunday, I found Fiesta ware, siesta wear, disco balls, antique awls, molas, colas, Elvis on velvet, Buddha on a pedestal, Jesus on a cross, Jell-O molds, foam fingers, maps, caps, stones, phones, pliers, fliers, carpenters’ tools, costume jewels, two old seats from the L.A. Coliseum and a hot dog for $2.
There are designated areas for new merchandise, arts and crafts, antiques and vintage items.
It’s $15.83 per person for general admission buyers (who can enter as soon as 9 a.m.) or $23.21 for VIP buyers (who get in as soon as 5 a.m.). No pets. The early birds will need to be careful because it will still be dark and vendors may still be moving vehicles. The most convenient parking costs $20; if you’re willing to walk farther, there is free parking.
BTW: The outfit that runs the Rose Bowl Flea Market, R.G. Canning Attractions, also runs the Beaumont Outdoor Market in Riverside County (every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, with some holiday exceptions; 50 cents to enter, free parking).
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A rare plant for your favorite plant parent from the Juicy Leaf
Glassell Park Plant Shop
(Lisa Boone / Los Angeles Times)
After working in corporate finance, Felix Navarro found his niche and opened the Juicy Leaf in Venice in 2009, a plant shop specializing in low-water sculptural succulent container gardens that are eco-friendly and ideal for apartment dwellers.
Due to skyrocketing rents, Navarro moved his shop to Highland Park and later Glassell Park. His newest location in Elysian Valley (a.k.a. Frogtown), just a short walk from popular restaurants and coffee shops, is just as welcoming as the earlier ones.
You’ll find houseplants, succulents, cactuses, designer terrariums, planters and macramé hangers here. Navarro will also make custom arrangements for you right in the shop. Recently, he’s added some rare plants to the mix at customers’ request, but his signature succulents — often paired with rocks and crystals — are always available.
Due to skyrocketing rents, Navarro moved his shop to Highland Park and later Glassell Park. His newest location in Elysian Valley (a.k.a. Frogtown), just a short walk from popular restaurants and coffee shops, is just as welcoming as the earlier ones.
You’ll find houseplants, succulents, cactuses, designer terrariums, planters and macramé hangers here. Navarro will also make custom arrangements for you right in the shop. Recently, he’s added some rare plants to the mix at customers’ request, but his signature succulents — often paired with rocks and crystals — are always available.
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A yoga class together at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Yoga $
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(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Depending on how you feel about cemeteries, yoga at California’s most famous cemetery might appeal to you … or really freak you out.
For the organizers of community yoga at Hollywood Forever, the venue makes perfect sense: “In Buddhist and Hindu teachings, the graveyard, or charnal grounds, is an auspicious place of practice where yogis must confront our mortal destiny, our fear of death, and our aversion to constant change,” they write on the cemetery’s website.
Personally, I appreciated the Kundalini yoga class held on a warm Thursday morning along the edges of a reflecting pool flanked by masoleums. It was my first time doing Kundalini yoga and instructor Jay Moton made the poses, breathwork and chanting less intimidating for a novice like me. Moton incorporates incense and music into his class, which is certainly pleasant for many people but could present some challenges for sensory-sensitive folks.
Hollywood Forever has donation-based yoga classes on the Fairbanks Lawn every day of the week, including silent disco (!) yoga.
When: Mornings, mostly. Check out the schedule here.
Cost: Pay what you can.
For the organizers of community yoga at Hollywood Forever, the venue makes perfect sense: “In Buddhist and Hindu teachings, the graveyard, or charnal grounds, is an auspicious place of practice where yogis must confront our mortal destiny, our fear of death, and our aversion to constant change,” they write on the cemetery’s website.
Personally, I appreciated the Kundalini yoga class held on a warm Thursday morning along the edges of a reflecting pool flanked by masoleums. It was my first time doing Kundalini yoga and instructor Jay Moton made the poses, breathwork and chanting less intimidating for a novice like me. Moton incorporates incense and music into his class, which is certainly pleasant for many people but could present some challenges for sensory-sensitive folks.
Hollywood Forever has donation-based yoga classes on the Fairbanks Lawn every day of the week, including silent disco (!) yoga.
When: Mornings, mostly. Check out the schedule here.
Cost: Pay what you can.
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