LA Was the Moment — And So Was I
- ashleyfranqui
- Aug 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 24
She came, she saw, she shopped Rodeo.
Let me just start by saying: LA, I love you. Listen...IYKYK, and if you don't, let me tell you. My birthday is my Super Bowl, my Met Gala, my main event- and honestly, I don’t know how to keep topping it after this.
This trip was packed, iconic, and full of so many “this can’t be real life” moments. From sitting at Marilyn Monroe’s favorite booth, to seeing my favorite movie and TV sets IRL, to finding out Quentin Tarantino and I might be soul twins (??), and casually bumping into Vanderpump royalty, it was giving birthday main character, and LA understood the assignment.
✨ Downtown Energy + Vanderpump Nights
We stayed at The Biltmore, which honestly feels like you’re sleeping inside an old, luxury, Hollywood film. Marble everything, endless chandeliers, and that glam-but-haunted energy I lowkey live for. But it’s not just a vibe — it’s Hollywood nostalgia, old money energy, and every 2am Pinterest scroll brought to life. Basically, the physical manifestation of my daydreams.
The very first Academy Awards were dreamed up here in 1927. Legends like Walt Disney, Elizabeth Taylor, and Frank Sinatra were regulars. Taylor Swift even shot part of her “Delicate” music video here — because of course she did. (For my Swifties, you better run, don't walk).
Major stars have stayed, filmed, and made history here, and for my birthday? So did I.
We explored the downtown hot spots, wandered the LA Art Museum, and then… Vanderpump fans, stay seated.
Dinner was at SUR (yes, that SUR), and not only was the food bomb, (Yes Stassi, the goat cheese balls are to die for!) but Peter came out, wished me a happy birthday, and fully made my night. Iconic. We ended the night with drinks at Tom Tom, a vibe, which has some of the coolest interiors and cocktails. Obsessed.
💄 Beverly Hills, Brunch & That Hailey Smoothie
The next day we hit Beverly Hills. Naturally, we started with the Hailey Bieber smoothie at Erewhon (and I'm happy to report, yes, it’s that good), then popped into Sephora, Dior and made Rodeo Drive my runway (and my wallet’s problem). The street style was giving, the stores were immaculate, and I swear even the sidewalks feel expensive.
Brunch at Arden in West Hollywood felt like eating in a flower shop. Beautiful flower blooms everywhere; on the walls, in the air, even floating in my drink. The lighting? Perfect. The plates? Too pretty to eat but so yummy you have to. The espresso martini? A 10/10. Just the right kick to keep the day going (in stiletto heels, obviously).
We wrapped the afternoon at Griffith Observatory, took some iconic shots with the Hollywood sign and Downtown LA in the background, then headed to dinner.
And not just any dinner.
🎬 Dinner with Marilyn + The Comedy Store
I booked Musso & Frank Grill three months in advance, because honestly, I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t.
Why? A few reasons.
For starters, it’s the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. An absolute icon. And more importantly? Marilyn Monroe was a regular. So, obviously, I had to request her favorite booth. Duh.
That reservation? So worth it. They actually sat us there. On my birthday. Like... be so for real. I was living a cinematic moment.
The whole night was unreal. Between the glitzy speakeasy energy, those cherry red leather booths, and the kind of service that makes you feel famous, it was timeless glam. No wonder it was Marilyn’s go-to. The filet mignon was actually insane, and they even had my favorite dessert wine on the menu — Graham’s 20 Year Tawny Port.
Like… does it get better than that? I don’t think so.
The second I stepped through those doors, the whole scene was seared into my brain, living rent free forever. I'm not mad about it in the slightest. 1000000% reccomend.
Our next stop after dinner was The Comedy Store, aka the birthplace of comedy royalty.
Like, Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart, Gabriel (Fluffy) Iglesias, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, David Letterman, THE Robin Williams kind of royalty. Their hall of fame wall? Amazing. Full of signed photos, old-school headshots, and that nostalgic, pre-Instagram energy we all secretly miss. The whole place felt like a time capsule in the best way. Dim lighting, strong drinks, and legends in the air. We even got to vote for the best comic of the night while sipping cocktails.
Honestly? It was giving history, humor, and a little Hollywood magic. We laughed ‘til we cried and our faces hurt, wiped happy mascara tears, clinked glasses between punchlines, and soaked up every second. If that’s not the best serotonin, I don’t know what is. And yes, I ate it up.
🛍️ Birthday Tour, the Grove, & Soul Twin Moments
On my actual birthday, we took a Hot Spots of LA Tour, and it was so worth it. We started at the original Farmers Market (got cherry vanilla ice cream, still thinking about it), hit up The Grove to check out Gucci, Nike, and this ultra-cool sneaker store called Coolkicks on top of a huge Dylan's Candy Store. The kicks were in fact cool. We also saw the La La Land Store, and found where the function was at, of course stopping at October's Very Own.
We did some souvenir shopping, grabbed Trejo’s Tacos (worth the hype), and made our way to the Santa Monica Pier Boardwalk where I had the tastiest burget and, you guessed it, shopped some more. If you’re a Modern Family fan, you’ll know exactly which episode I'm talking about the second you see it. (yes, we took pics). And of course, we hit the iconic Route 66 sign.
Here’s the part that shook me. But like, in a good way.
I already knew Quentin Tarantino and I share the same personality type- because of course we do. And Pulp Fiction? Easily, one of my all-time favorite movies ever. I've seen it at least 27 times... and counting.
So when the tour took us past the original diner, Johnie's Coffe Shop Restaurant, where the iconic Diner Robbery scene was filmed, I was already geeking out, in complete fan-girl mode, mind=blown to the moon with absolutely no indication of return in sight.
And that's not even the good part.
Now, imagine me, fully in my “everything is a sign” era, mind you, when to my surprise, the tour guide just casually announces the movie was released on my actual birthday. Not the week. Not the month. THE day. MY day.
That's it. Mr. Quentin Tarantino sir, we are soul twins. It's official and there's nothing you can do about it.
Put it this way. If joy had a brand, it was every single moment on this trip, and my shopaholic self was buying everything it was selling. In bulk. The rest of the already amazing tour somehow kept delivering. We drove past Paramount Studios, Capitol Records, Taylor Swift’s mansion, and even the highschool where Glee was filmed. Legendary to say the least. Then we made our way to the Griffith Observatory (that view never misses, so I didn't mind seeing it twice) and this time, we actually got to enjoy it without the crowds. No complaints whatsoever.
We wrapped the tour at the Hollywood Walk of Fame, did a little more shopping (because hello, I'm in Hollywood and shopping is my favorite), and visited the TCL Theatre and Forecourt of the Stars. Seeing the handprints and autographs of actual icons? Never gets old. Ever.
🍸 The Grand Finale: Dinner at Jar
For our last dinner, we went full Modern Family x Sideways x La La Land crossover at Jar. This place was so cool, so exclusive, and so delicious. Perfect way to end a whirlwind trip.
Now, when you go, because how could you not, grab youself a Martini, and order the Steak. Trust me, you will thank me later.
By the time we got back to the hotel, I literally knocked out. Three days. Nonstop. Worth every second.
🛫 Not goodbye, just a very dramatic “see you soon, I'm planning my return as we speak"
LA has so much to see, and somehow, I feel like I barely scratched the surface.
Leaving? Yes. Emotionally ready? Never.
From Marilyn’s booth to Route 66, I made memories I’ll never forget. I’m already planning my next trip back, and currently debating if I should even bother unpacking my suitcase.
💋💋 XOXO
FranQui was here.
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