Rise and Shine: Griffith Park

The best part about waking up at 6 am in Los Angeles is that you feel like you have the city to yourself. No traffic, no crowds, just open roads and quiet streets. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment you feel from waking up at the break of dawn. The crisp morning air, that feeling of a fresh start, and knowing you have the entire day ahead of you with endless possibilities.

A few years ago, Christopher picked me up for a morning date to watch the sunrise at Santa Monica Beach. We've been hooked on the experience ever since. 

For us it’s the perfect way to just be still for a little while. The perfect chance to stop, take a breath, and actually let the moment sink in instead of rushing into the next item on your list that day.

Today we thought we'd take in the expansive views of LA from the Griffith Park Observatory. Perched high enough to overlook the Hollywood Hills to Downtown LA, the views are really quite amazing. Even on a cloudy day (like today), it's so peaceful looking out over the hills as the mist sits low around the city. 

The Observatory itself is worth a visit for anyone who isn't an early riser. Free, fun, and educational, you really can't go wrong. Countless movies have filmed scenes at this iconic location including Transformers, The Terminator, Rebel Without A Cause, Yes Man, and many more.

What early sunrise would be complete without some strong coffee and something sweet to snack on?

Starbucks is always a safe bet, but it also happens to be one of the only places open before 6am. Chris loves their Clover Brewing system, which is only available at select locations. Lucky for us, one of those locations just happens to be right down the street from our house.

Now on to Randy's Donuts. Wow, where do I even begin? I'm a sucker for all sweets, but donuts and cookies will always be number one in my book. I was the girl who had donuts at her birthday parties instead of cake and ice cream. With that being said, Randy's is now the standard that I judge all other donuts. We came across this little gem four years ago, and have been back more times than I care to admit.

An LA landmark, Randy's has also had it's fair share of movie cameos including Iron Man 2. Even Tony Stark can't resist the fluffy goodness that is baked into every deliciously glazed bite.

Coffee, donuts, a great location, and my best friend/husband. Now that's a great way to start the morning.