Shira’s Los Angeles

Shira Lazar is the host and executive producer of the interactive show and 24/7 news hub, “What’s Trending” (check out the live show Wednesdays at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET). This Montréal native and self-described media empress’s motto is “spend less time being interesting, and more time being interested in people and the world.” Sounds like a good goal to us. The Huffington Post named Shira as one of the “Women in Tech to follow on Twitter,” so join the bandwagon @shiralazar and @WhatsTrending.

Los Angeles Is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Abbot Kinney Boulevard.When I crave a cocktail at sunset I always go to Hotel Erwin‘s rooftop in Venice Beach. Sunset cocktails at Hotel Erwin. (Photograph courtesy Joie de Vivre)To escape the hustle and bustle of the city I head to Zuma Beach.If I want to eat sushi I go to Wabi Sabi or Katsuya.For complete quiet, I can hide away at Temescal Canyon.If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Hollywood sign in the background up Beachwood Canyon.If you have to order one thing off the menu from Gjelina it has to be the grilled cauliflower.The Grove is my one-stop shop for great shopping and snacking.Locals know to skip the Hollywood and Highland Center and check out Second Street Promenade instead.When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Niko Niko Sushi (can you tell I like sushi?).For a huge splurge I go to Osteria Mozza or Pizzeria Mozza.Photo ops in my city include the beach! The best vantage points are from Runyon Canyon.If my city were a celebrity it’d be George Clooney — beautiful and all over the place.The most random thing about my city is the traffic at the craziest hours of the day.My city has the most metrosexual men.My city has the most Botoxed women. The Getty: a must-do. (Photograph by Sonia Squicciarini, My Shot)In my city, an active day outdoors involves hiking and going to the beach.My city’s best museum is The Getty.My favorite jogging/walking route is Venice Beach.For live music, check out the Troubadour club or The Roxy.Swingers is the spot for late-night eats.To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read LAWeekly.com.You can tell a lot about my city from the weather. Graffiti along Venice Beach. (Photograph by Bartosz Binder, My Shot)You can tell if someone is from my city if they talk like someone from SNL’s “The Californians” sketch.In the spring you should go out to Joshua Tree.In the summer you should try Hollywood Cemetery Screenings.In the fall you should go surfing.In the winter you should head to Los Feliz and hike Griffith park (don’t miss the observatory).A hidden gem in my city is Pace Restaurant on Laurel Canyon. The view from Griffith Park Observatory. (Photograph by Angel Di Bilio, My Shot)For a great breakfast joint try Sunny Spot in Venice.Don’t miss the Sunset Junction festival in May.Just outside my city, you can visit Malibu Wines.The best way to see my city is with someone else driving.If my city were a pet it would be a chihuahua.If I didn’t live in a city, I’d live in Kauai, Hawaii.When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “Walking in L.A.” by Missing Persons.If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the Santa Monica Pier and ferris wheel.Inappropriate-age-dating could only happen in my city.

My city should be featured on your cover or website because it’s the city that keeps you young and keeps you dreaming big!