Hidden hot spots in Seal Beach

Seal Beach is the very first city in Orange county when you are driving from LA. From LAX you just need to take the 405 freeway south for half an hour and exit Seal Beach Blvd and go west for 5 minutes.

There is a quaint old town right in front of the pier which is the second longest wooden pier in California (the longest is in Oceanside). From the pier, you can see hundreds of surfers on the north side while the south side is more family friendly with a cute children's playground.

I was looking for a special afternoon tea room around LA and found this place named "Fairy Tea Cottage" in Seal Beach. This is a British style tea room and they serve yummy homemade scones, sandwiches, and quiches. There are many pretty fairy goods you can buy.

This tea room use real antique teapots and cups and they are all beautiful. Also, you can wear their classic English style hats while having tea and feel like you are in a cottage in England.

"Fairy Tea Cottage"

810 Electric Ave, Seal Beach, CA 90740

(562)431-0200

http://fairyteacottage.com

Old Town Seal Beach is all about gift stores and there are many interesting shops next to each other on Main Street. The "California Seashell Company" is among my favorites because of their large selection of shells and unbeatable prices! You can get a beautiful shell for about 50 cents and there are so many interesting shell products for you to see.

"California Seashell Company"

125 Main St, Seal Beach, CA 90740

(562)493-6653

http://www.caseashells.com

On the same street is my favorite nursery "Brita's Old Town Gardens". This is a small nursery but set up like a fairly tale garden. Inside the garden there is a hidden antique store called the "Castle Company" which has unique treasures from Europe.

"Brita's Old Town Garden"

255 Main St, Seal Beach, CA 90740

(562)430-5019

http://www.britasgardens.com/

"Castle Company"

223 1/2 Main St, Seal Beach, CA 90740

(562)430-1511

http://antiquessealbeach.com/

Seal Beach has many Mexican restaurants such as the Taco surf which is actually very popular . I have not tried all of them yet but I am definitely going to try.

Hidden hot spots in Century City

Century City is located between Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. It is a business center full of tall buildings and apartments. Hidden among the buildings are some really hot spots that I would like to introduce to you.

One of my favorite malls in LA is the Westfield Century City. It is very futuristic and functional and also has a great food court! From the mall, you can walk to a wonderful museum named the "Annenberg Space for Photography". This is the newest photography museum in LA and they present the art in a very modern way. They have a remarkable exhibition all of the time and the exhibit changes frequently. It is definitely worth it to go here if you like contemporary photography. Also, the amission is free!

The museum is a little hidden because it is behind a tall building so you can't see it from the street.

"Annenberg Space for Photography"

2000 Avenue of the Stars #10

Los Angeles, CA 90067

(213)403-3000

http://www.annenbergspaceforphotography.org/

I have to talk a little about one of Century City's hottest restaurants "Rock Sugar" which is an Asian Fusion restaurant inside of the Century City Mall. First, you will be surprised how gorgeous the decor of the restaurant is and how excellent their customer service is. The feeling is luxurious like you are a guest in a palace in Thailand. As a bonus, their food is great and inexpensive! I recommend their 3 course lunch which is only about $13 per person.

"Rock Sugar"

10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

(310)552-9988

http://www.rocksugarpanasiankitchen.com/

You can find one the biggest dancewear stores around in Century City. If you are looking for some cute leotards for your daughter, a Tu-Tu for yourself, butterfly wings or crazy hats you need to check this place out.

"Shelly's Discount Aerobic & Dancewear"

2089 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

(800)743-5597

Mon-Fri 10am-6pm

"Torafuku" is one of the best Japanese restaurants in LA. If I have a hunger for real Japanese food I always choose here. Their rice is specially made with Kamado and you can definitely tell the difference if you taste it!

"Torafuku"

10914 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064

(310)470-0014

http://www.torafuku-usa.com/