Melissa & James
We Love LA!
Bike at the Beach
Melissa and James love to bike and often end up biking up and down the coast of SoCal starting at Venice Beach! People watching, working out, taking in the sun, or grabbing a cocktail, this is a go-to spot for them.
Burritos, Por Favor!
When in Rome, eat gelato and pizza! When in LA, get yourself some Mexican food. For one of James' favorite breakfast burritos, go to Brother's! Your belly will thank you.
Coffee Run
Plan accordingly! Melissa grew up in Culver City. She also grew up in a family who owns and grows the most delicious coffee in Honduras. Her favorite local spot since she started going on coffee runs is the Conservatory. Stop by before or after the Ceremony - its a 2 minute walk from St. Augustine's Church!
Chocolate Combustion
Ice cream in the winter makes perfect sense in SoCal! Creamistry is made to order liquid nitrogen ice cream and it is Melissa and James' favorite! Have you ever met anyone who could finish a large double scoop of chocolate ice cream with a brownie and chocolate chips and chocolate fudge and chocolate sprinkles on top? Meet James Mooney - chocoholic!
Fine arts with a Fine View
One of Melissa and James' very first dates was at the Getty Villa. How could you not fall in love here!? The roman statues, manicured and fragrant gardens, and jaw dropping views of the Pacific Ocean makes for a romantic adventure up Pacific Coast Highway.
Ice cream Wasted!
Did we mention we like ice cream? La Michoacana = Delicioso! Stepping into a La Michoacana is like walking into a Latino Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. You feel transported to Mexico with delicious flavors like mango, mamey, pina and coco as well as Ferrero Rocher (James ' favorite) or Cookie Monster, a blend of chocolate chip cookies, oreo and blue vanilla ice cream (Melissa's favorite). The flavors are amazing, the ice cream is smooth and delicious, and you can also get smoothies or milkshakes or a spicy chamoy fruit bowl. There are a few locations near Bellflower, we've listed the closest (and smallest) one. This particular location is a few blocks from our wedding venue :)
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
Melissa grew up roaming around Santa Monica - her dad has worked for the City of Santa Monica for 36 years and counting! She also grew up obsessed with Japanese culture and food (and Sanrio)- easily accessible to her on Sawtelle. She finally made it to Tokyo and tried all the delicious treats the city had to offer. One of her favorite meals is sushi! Check out KazuNori for a awesome sushi experience in SoCal that won't break the bank! Maybe Melissa can get James to try a sushi burrito :)
Pamper Yourself
If you want to indulge and pamper yourself after a night of dancing, make sure you check out one of Melissa's favorite nail spas. They do an impeccable job, the atmosphere is casual but chic, the tools and space are clean and calming, and the staff is so welcoming. Don't forget to get your guava mimosa while you get your service - mani/pedis or facials!
Pastry Heaven
If you are already near Downey, check out the SoCal favorite Cuban pastry shop. Medianoche sandwiches, Cortados, Cheese Rolls and Potato Balls, Ropa Vieja - if you are hungry or need a snack for your travels back home, pick up Porto's before you go!
SteelCraft Bellflower
Just a block from our reception venue in Bellflower, this outdoor eatery has something for everyone. If you are looking for somewhere to hang out between the time of our ceremony and our celebration, we highly recommend this place to grab a beer or lunch and enjoy a Saturday afternoon in SoCal! This is also where we celebrated our engagement earlier this year!
They will walk all over you!
There is nothing like a good massage - except a good massage that is also a good deal! Melissa and James travel all over and everywhere they go, they get a massage. Joy's is a favorite local spot where they go to get an authentic Thai massage. It may be no frills, and yes they walk all over your back, but you walk out feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Tito’s Tacos
This is walking distance from Melissa's family home. Tito's is a must while in LA. Need a snack before the reception - pick up some tacos on your way back to Bellflower! Don't forget to get a side of chips and fresh salsa. Even James' mom will tell you how good Tito's Tacos are!