As a Southern Californian native, I'm accustomed to rainy days being as rare as finding a traffic free Saturday in LA. On this fantastic rainy day the thunderous pouring sheets might have unnerved some, or kept them barricaded in the safety of their dorms. However, my family and I took this opportunity to trek halfway across Los Angeles to the Westfield Century City mall.
Originally built in the 1960s, the Westfield Century City Mall underwent a $1 billion renovation, unveiled in the fall of 2017. Half of this new outdoor complex consists of fashion and shopping establishments, with a diverse variety of stores, ranging from Aesop to AllSaints and from Daniel Wellington to Vineyard Vines. The other half of this establishment consists of a plethora of restaurants and unique food offerings, like the popular healthy Korean chain, Bibigo, and fan favorites like Chick-fil-A. The food court on the second floor boasts an aesthetic outdoor seating area (which we obviously didn't use in the pouring rain) and an eclectic mix of stores that is definitely worth a visit.
The entire mall has an effortlessly lowkey yet elegant aesthetic. It utilizes neutral tones, open courtyards, and an army of different cacti and greenery to mirror the relaxation of the SoCal aesthetic, whilst infusing an air of luxury and opulence into the atmosphere. Even if you don't exactly have a shopping list or goal in mind, a visit to the Century City Mall is a worthy excursion on its own. If you ever do find yourself in this part of LA, here are a few things I'd seriously recommend checking out.
1. Blue Bottle Coffee
I first paid this aesthetic coffee shop a visit on a bustling street corner in San Francisco. Inside, beige wooden panels decorate the walls and the entire shop evokes a striped-back sophisticated minimalist vibe. For coffee connoisseurs or appreciators of interior design, this is a must visit.
2. Next Health cryotherapy clinic
Although I personally have never felt the need to step inside a freezing chamber, this innovative health clinic focuses on employing cutting-edge technology and holistic wellness.
3. Dreamscape Immersive
Opened late last year, Dreamscape Immersive offers an unusual free-roam VR experience, as a collaboration between Hollywood's top producers and three major movie studios. The focus is not only on the VR aspect, but on the cinematic experience as well. You can pet enormous creatures in "Alien Zoo" or dive into the ocean in "The Blu".
4. An Insta-worthy Shot
With the abundance of outdoor seating, natural sunlight, and beautiful cacti, any angle in the Century City Mall can be an instagram-worthy post. Pay a visit on a sunny day, enlist a friend with an iPhone X, and have yourself a low-cost photoshoot.
