You don't need a frantic itinerary to conquer Los Angeles on a weekend. Most people think a perfect day in this city requires a reservation at an impossibly exclusive rooftop bar or a grueling drive across the 405. They're wrong. The truth is that the most satisfying weekends are fiercely local, quiet, and unhurried.
If you want to know how to have the best Sunday in L.A., according to Deidre Hall, you have to look away from the Hollywood drama. For five decades, she has navigated the wild storylines of Salem on Days of Our Lives. Her character, Dr. Marlena Evans, has dealt with literal devil possessions, bizarre hypnotic serial killer plots, and endless soap opera chaos. Ryan Gosling even publicly shouted her out as an "OG acting inspiration." But when the cameras stop rolling on her Peacock series, her real-life routine in Santa Monica is the exact opposite of a television melodrama. It's grounded. It's relaxed. It's deeply tied to a single neighborhood.
Instead of chasing the latest trendy pop-ups, her perfect Sunday revolves around simple pleasures. Think dog walks, local art galleries, neighborhood clock repair shops, and ice cream. It's a template anyone can steal if they want to experience the coast without the typical tourist stress.
Mapping Out the Ultimate Coastal Sunday
The magic of this routine comes down to staying put. Santa Monica can get incredibly crowded, but sticking to a walkable pocket changes the entire experience. It saves your sanity. No traffic. No parking wars.
Early Morning Footsteps and Golden Retrievers
The day starts early. By 7 a.m., the city is still quiet, the ocean air is crisp, and the marine layer hasn't burned off yet. It's the best time to be awake in West L.A.
Instead of an over-the-top brunch spread right away, start with a simple protein shake. Feed the dog first. Hall's golden retriever is named Riley, a sweet dog that almost got named Mrs. Hughes after the Downton Abbey character. A morning walk through the quiet residential streets of Santa Monica sets the tone. The air smells like jasmine and eucalyptus. It's peaceful.
Monarch Butterflies and Morning Rituals
By 10 a.m., the routine shifts toward home maintenance and spirituality. Attending church is a cornerstone of her morning, followed immediately by spending time in the garden.
There's a fascinating subculture of backyard conservationists in Los Angeles, and Hall is right in the middle of it. She raises monarch butterflies. This isn't just a passive hobby. It requires sourcing milkweed carefully. She gets hers from a local contact named Julie, often buying plants that already have monarch eggs attached to them. This ensures the caterpillars have an immediate food source when they hatch. Watching the transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis requires patience. It forces you to slow down. It's a masterclass in staying present.
The Montana Avenue Stroll
By midday, it's time to head out on foot. Montana Avenue is the calmer, more sophisticated sibling to the chaotic Third Street Promenade or the tourist-heavy Santa Monica Pier. It spans several blocks lined with high-end boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and old-school neighborhood storefronts. It feels like a small town dropped into a massive metropolis.
Where to Eat Lunch on Montana
Walking down Montana Avenue offers plenty of choices, but you don't need to overthink it. Look for places with excellent outdoor seating to enjoy the sunny weather.
- Courtyard Kitchen: This is a top-tier choice for a relaxed lunch. The outdoor courtyard area is charming and pulls you away from the sidewalk bustle. If you want a specific recommendation, try the chicken salad served on raisin bread, paired with an Arnold Palmer. The contrast of the savory chicken with the sweet bread hits perfectly. They also make incredible waffles if you're leaning toward breakfast food.
- La La Land Kind Cafe: If coffee and a quick bite are more your speed, this place is legendary. The lines are notoriously long in the morning, but it moves fast. They serve up great avocado toast, croissants, and doughnuts. The best part is the massive outdoor seating area where you can sit with your dog and people-watch.
- R+D Kitchen: For a slightly more upscale but still casual vibe, this spot is fantastic for a long, lazy lunch. The service is sharp, and the food is consistently excellent.
The Magic Touch of a Neighborhood Clock Shop
Around 2 p.m., take a slow walk past the local storefronts. There's a tiny, old-fashioned clock shop right on Montana Avenue. It's closed on Sundays, but that shouldn't stop you from window shopping.
Peeking through the glass reveals an incredible collection. You'll see grand standing grandfather clocks, delicate table clocks, and ornate wall clocks. The shop is run by an artisan named John, whom Hall affectionately nicknames Geppetto. He has a reputation for fixing the impossible. For instance, when an expensive MacKenzie-Childs wall clock refused to work, John managed to repair it quickly, saving a beautiful piece that perfectly matched a kitchen counter. It's a reminder of the value of old-world craftsmanship in a digital world.
Finding Inspiration at Ten Women Gallery
A short walk away sits the Ten Women Gallery. This is a unique space. It's collectively run by ten local female artists who share the responsibility of staffing the shop and showing their work.
Visiting this gallery can change your entire trajectory. On one visit, Hall found herself admiring a series of beautiful watercolor pieces. After buying a few cards and striking up a conversation with the artist working the counter, she learned that the painter behind the watercolors was Pamela Harnois. Harnois teaches nearby at the Brentwood Art School. This single, random interaction inspired Hall to begin taking private watercolor lessons on Saturdays. It shows that the neighborhood isn't just a place to spend money. It's a place that sparks creativity.
A Sweet Afternoon Stop
You can't finish a warm afternoon walk without something cold. Around 3 p.m., make your way to Rori's Artisanal Ice Cream.
Rori's is born and bred in Southern California, known for small-batch, organic ingredients. They don't do boring flavors. Everything is rich and intensely flavorful. Grab a scoop, sit outside, and watch the neighborhood move past. It's the ultimate Sunday afternoon luxury.
Wrapping Up the Evening at Home
When 6 p.m. rolls around, the best move is to get off the streets entirely. As the weekend winds down, public spaces get chaotic. The smartest locals head inside.
The perfect conclusion to this coastal Sunday is a cozy family dinner at home with loved ones. Cook something simple, gather your kids, and put on a great movie. Hall loves hosting movie nights with her two sons. It's the ultimate contrast to a demanding work week under hot studio lights. It grounds you before Monday resets the clock.
If you want to experience the absolute best of West L.A., stop trying to see everything. Pick a beautiful street like Montana Avenue. Walk until your feet are tired. Talk to the shopkeepers. Eat outside. Buy some art. That's how you actually win the weekend.
Go book an outdoor table at Courtyard Kitchen for this coming Sunday. Leave your phone in your pocket during lunch. See how much better the city feels when you aren't rushing through it.
