Must buy: The Signature Abhyanga Massage, $495 (£390), is sure to be the most indulgent spa treatment you’ve ever had.
Address: Santa Monica Proper Hotel Ground Floor 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Website: suryawellness.com
The NOW MassagePublic 311 Design
The Now Massage
If you want a luxury spa experience with all the benefits of a hole-in-the-wall massage parlour (the affordable price, walk-in availability, late-night hours…), The Now tops the list. But don’t expect a no-frills, bare-bones ambience; the space itself is LA-field in the best way. Think chic, Venice Beach-inspired interiors with large neutral tarps separating the massage rooms and no shortage of cactus plants, driftwood details and a calming, dimly lit ambience. A 50-minute massage will cost you $125 (£96.50) and an 80-minute is only $155 (£122). And with $20 (£15.75) add-ons such as cupping, deep tissue pressure and their in-house hemp calm balm, you’re still in a very respectable price range for LA standards. The chain offers locations dotted all over town (West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Studio City, and Santa Monica), so you’re sure to find one nearby. If you’re in town for a while, monthly memberships start at $90 (£71), and you can always access your account and schedule your next appointment through their site or app.
Must Buy: The $125 (£96.50) ‘The Now,’ the parlour’s signature Swedish massage, is by far the most requested service.
Address: 7611 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Website: thenowmassage.com
Goop Kitchen
Goop Kitchen
Although she lives an hour away in Montecito, Gwyneth Paltrow is synonymous with LA health culture. Fast forward from 2008, when the actor first launched her personal brand as a weekly newsletter, and her modern lifestyle empire now includes a website, consumer skincare line, two successful Netflix shows and LA’s favourite healthy takeout and delivery-only menu: Goop Kitchen. The popular haunt has five locations (from Santa Monica to Costa Mesa) and has quickly garnered a cult following among the wellness set. The flavorful offerings make up the quintessential LA diet. The Goop Teriyaki Bowl (with grilled organic chicken, umami rice and sesame marinated kale) and the Summer Salad Rolls (with sweet and spicy BBQ glazed tofu, glass noodles and crunchy slaw) top the list of most popular picks. But with an array of plant-based, vegetarian and sustainably sourced meat options you really can’t go wrong, whether you’re a Goop fan or not.
Must Buy: If you’re not sure where to start, The Goop Teriyaki Bowl, $16.95 (£13.35), is a hit.
Address:11419 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Website: goop.com
