NOTO Botanics founder Gloria Noto shares her favorite spots for nature and creativity in LA, including a cafe, vintage shop, and Portuguese restaurant.

Los Angeles

"On a Saturday, I’d take friends visiting to see a little bit of LA nature, a little bit of shopping, a little bit of food. I live on the east side, so we’d start going to Silver Lake Reservoir or Echo Park and getting a coffee at Botanica, one of my favorite restaurants right by the reservoir."

Botanica

"There's a bar here that just opened up; it's a Portuguese bar in Cypress Park, right by my store; it's called Barra Santos. I like to go there for some Portuguese wine, olives, and bread."

Barra Santos

"Hit up some vintage shops. One place I love is called Sleeper. It's in Echo Park; it's a little bit of an underground tiny spot. The owner has a really good eye for vintage designers."

Sleeper

"I like to find nature in unique places. There's the LA River in Frogtown, where I take my dog for a walk almost every day. It's interesting because it's an industrial river, so there are a lot of industrial buildings around, but there are also some pockets filled with trees and rocks. It's a very strange experience, but I find it beautiful. It's just that perfect combination of what LA is to me."

Los Angeles River

"If I have friends visiting LA, I will take them to Silver Lake Reservoir, maybe for a coffee at one of my favourite restaurants there, a little walk around the reservoir and then to the Silver Lake Farmers Market to pick up some food and produce for later, and maybe hit up some vintage shops."

Silver Lake Farmers Market