10 Great Outdoor Date Ideas in Alabama

Taking a year to backpack abroad after college is an idea that just about every young person toys with at one point or another. After all, riding trains to places with unpronounceable names, tasting exotic foods, and meeting fascinating people in faraway places sure has more of a romantic appeal than growing your LinkedIn network and emailing out (unanswered) resumes and applications. While I’d spent most of my young life vaguely planning a post-college backpacking trip, I spent senior year intensively laying out my grand escape. After graduation, I’d pack my bag and spend about six months country-hopping around Europe. I knew that I wanted to move around and see as many places as possible, but that I’d need to balance that with enough structure to keep my parents relatively worry-free. Piecing together a trip of such magnitude was a rightfully daunting task, and it ended up taking the entire eight months to fully plan this grand European dirtbag getaway. As a student, I knew that my budget would be impressively microscopic. This realization led me to seek out alternative means of travel, such as labor exchanges and stints of backcountry trekking. (The 130-mile Kerry Way Trail through the Irish countryside, and the 105-mile Tour de Mont Blanc circumnavigating Western Europe's highest mountain were both notable standouts for achieving the latter method.) Backpacking through quaint villages in Iceland. Matt Guenther While there were times when I felt like a homeless drifter—usually while eating a sandwich on the sidewalk or sleeping in a train station—most of the time being a budget backpack traveler had nothing but perks. Trains and planes were easier to navigate with only a pack, cities became infinitely more accessible, and even hitchhiking became easier without lugging a huge suitcase. For six months, my 50-liter pack held everything I needed—while also holding up to endlessly fickle conditions and being versatile enough to take into the backcountry for 100-mile sections at a time. Better yet, it usually weighed less than 25 pounds at any given moment. In all, the trip was an enormous success. And I attribute much of this success to the minimalist approach taken and to the flexibility thus afforded. Here, as someone who learned a few things the hard way, I'll share some tips gleaned from my own rights and wrongs to help you find your way into the ultimate minimalist adventure. 1. Make A Plan, But Don’t Be Afraid To Deviate Backpacking the Tour de Mont Blanc. Matt Guenther This may seem like a no-brainer, but careful planning is key to helping your backpacking trip go as smoothly as possible. Getting off a plane in a country that’s not your own can quickly spur a moment of panic if you don’t know your next move. Do your research in advance to know the best and most affordable way to get to your destination and to curb disorientation. Learn the currencies and exchange rates if you’re traveling abroad so as not to be taken by surprise when you accidentally purchase a seven dollar cup of coffee. Your plan doesn’t have to be bullet-proof or set in stone, but having one at all will help you stay on track budget-wise and can help ensure that you get to see the major things you want to see. 2. Get The Gear You Need; Avoid The Gear You Don’t There are some unquestionable essentials: a sturdy pair of shoes, a comfortable backpack, a waterproof tent if you’ll be camping, and some anti-bacterial undies for good measure. These items are must-haves. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everything you bring needs to be super nice and new. You’ll more than likely ruin most of the stuff you bring anyway (especially your clothes) and are apt to lose and replace things along the way. 3. Pack Smart Taking to the streets of a French village along the Tour de Mont Blanc. Matt Guenther Simplify your packing process by making a detailed list, revising it, and consulting it often as you begin to fill your bag. For your clothing, think layers. You’ll be best-served by packable, lightweight pieces that can be combined for warmth. At times, you’ll probably find yourself wearing every item of clothing you brought and still shivering a little, but at least your pack will be lighter in moments like this. Be realistic about what you bring along. Do you really need that extra flannel that's marginally more stylish than the one you've already packed? Probably not. Spend some quality time pouring over the contents of your pack; you’re going to get to know these items pretty well over the course of your trip. Consider bringing something a little luxurious in case you start feeling a little, well, homeless. Maybe it’s an old favorite t-shirt, a bottle of nail polish, or a book that’s unrealistically large to carry in your backpack. A small comfort can go a long way at times. 4. Stay Organized Try to fill your bag in the same order each time you pack it, and use strict compartmentalization within your bag. Pack similar items together using gallon Ziploc bags or stuff sacks: one for shirts, one for socks and undies, and so on. Consider a backpack with a secondary entry point for ease of access to those bottom-of-the-pack items. These little tricks will help you know where everything is at all times and lessen the likelihood of a train station meltdown when you have to dig into the 48th liter of your 50-liter pack to locate your toothbrush. After a month or two of loading up your pack, it will become second nature, and you’ll be thankful (and a little proud) when you can easily locate even the smallest item in your backpack in record time. 5. Learn About Travel Regulations You Will Encounter Taking in the Alpine views along the Tour de Mont Blanc. Matt Guenther This is an area of trip planning that requires heavy research beforehand, especially if you’re traveling abroad. Make sure you have a full understanding of Schengen Zone requirements and any visas you might need. Leaving room for spontaneity in your travels is great, but it’s definitely not a good idea to wing it when it comes to visas. Overstaying your welcome in certain countries or zones can result in serious consequences such as fines and bans, so make sure to count your days (literally) and make tracks when your time is up. If you’re planning to do any camping along the way, learn about, and try to obtain, permits ahead of time. If you can’t, at least be aware of the area’s campgrounds and camping regulations. 6. Learn To Navigate Airports Like A Pro Most airlines won’t let you take your fully-loaded backpack as a carry on, so plan to check your bag and then factor that additional cost into your budget. Checking your bag for a flight also means it will likely be majorly man-handled, so make sure to tuck in all your straps and zippers, or consider traveling with a cheap lightweight duffle bag to put your backpack inside of when you fly. If you’re flying with a camp stove or some other cooking apparatus, always take it apart and clean it before putting it on the plane, and empty and rinse your fuel canister each time you fly. 7. Consider Non-Traditional Accommodations WOOF lodging in rural Croatia. Matt Guenther If you’re looking to get away from hostels and off the beaten path, consider doing some sort of labor exchange during your travels. You can learn a new skill such as farming or cooking while saving money that you’d otherwise be spending on lodging. Organizations like WWOOF and WorkAway are great ways to become immersed in a culture, connect with other travelers, and experience people and places on a micro level that is hard to come by as a tourist. 8. Be Nimble; Things Won’t Always Go According To Plan Hitchhiking along the Ring Road in Iceland. Matt Guenther The most careful and detail-oriented planning in the world can’t ensure that your trip will unfold exactly as expected. Go ahead and make peace with the fact that things might be less than ideal at times. This way, when you inevitably get on the wrong train or you're wandering through a strange city at midnight looking for somewhere to stay, you can be confident that a misstep was bound to happen sooner or later. By planning for things to not necessarily go as planned, you’ll be a much happier camper when they don’t. Written by Madison Eubanks for RootsRated.

While the state parks are great in the summer, they offer entirely different experiences in the colder months. Frozen waterfalls, snow-covered trees, and fresh trails emerge in winter. What’s more, this time of year also presents a number of fresh and interesting ways to explore the parks. Skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice climbing are only available when the temperatures dip and the snow falls. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or just a day trip, the state parks have a little something for every outdoor adventurer. We selected a few of our favorite Minnesota State Parks to visit this time of year. So bundle up and grab your snowshoes or skis and hit the snowy trails. 1. Afton State Park Afton State Park features camper cabins and yurts available for rent year-round. Minnesota DNR In the warmer months, this park that overlooks the St. Croix River is known for its dense forested trails and gorgeous prairie flowers. In the winter, Afton State Park is a perfect place for cross-country skiing and snowy hikes. Miles of groomed ski and snowshoe trails allow you to explore areas of the park you may have missed in the summer. If you want to make a weekend of it, check out their camper cabins and yurts available for rental year-round. 2. Gooseberry Falls State Park Gooseberry State Park features spectacular frozen falls in the winter. Paul Sundburg The frozen falls are the number one reason to visit Gooseberry Falls State Park in the winter. The spectacular Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls of the Gooseberry River transform from a thunderous torrent of water through a rocky gorge to a frozen masterpiece. If you’re into scaling these natural structures in the winter, ice climbing is allowed on the lower falls. Twenty kilometers of groomed classic cross-country ski trails also make for a great way to see large portions of the park. 3. Fort Snelling State Park Snowshoeing at Fort Snelling State Park. Minnesota DNR Located right in the Twin Cities, Fort Snelling State Park presents an excellent opportunity to get out and active even on a weeknight. With 12 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and six miles of multi-use trails, you won’t run out of places to explore in the park anytime soon. A favorite path among local hikers is the three miles of packed walking trails that encircle the wooded Pike Island at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. With a pair of snowshoes, you can get off the beaten path and go anywhere except the groomed ski trails. 4. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Crashing waves at the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Paul Sundburg Split Rock Lighthouse State Park offers one of the most iconic Minnesota photo opportunities in the entire state. Well known for its historic lighthouse, the park brings in visitors of every ilk all year round. Fat biking is an even better reason to visit Split Rock in the winter. Part of the fat-bike pilot program, the park offers 8.7 miles of thrilling groomed trails specifically for fat biking that run right along Lake Superior. 5. Tettegouche State Park You'll find some stunning winter views at Tettegouche State Park. Amy Mustonen Tettegouche is famous for its imposing cliffs and scenic overlooks. Winter provides a particularly spectacular views of the High Falls of the Baptism River. At around 100 feet, these frozen falls are a great stop on a snowshoe hike around the park. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular activities in this park once a good base of snow has accumulated. 6. William O’Brien State Park The William O'Brien State Park features ten miles of skate and classic cross-country ski trails. Minnesota DNR Situated along the St. Croix River, William O’Brien State Park is just an hour from the Twin Cities. Snowshoe rentals on-site, along with year-round camper cabins make this an easy getaway for city dwellers. Snowshoeing is a great way to experience the rolling prairie trails and hardwood forests of this park. If you’re looking for a more intense cardio workout, ten miles of skate and classic cross country ski trails are groomed regularly and skijoring with your dog is encouraged. 7. Jay Cooke State Park The famous Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park. Mackenzie Havey For the hardiest Minnesotans, Jay Cooke State Park is a great option for winter camping. If you prefer something a bit more comfortable, it also has five year-round camper cabins available for rent. Cross-country ski buffs love Jay Cooke for its 32 miles of classic ski trails that weave their way through the park. If you visit, don’t miss out on the beautiful views of the raging St. Louis River via the famous Swinging Bridge. 8. Itasca State Park The Itasca State Park features 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes on the property. Minnesota DNR Situated at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Itasca State Park is a place every outdoor-loving Minnesotan needs to visit. Comprised of 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes, you'll never run out of things to do when it comes to outdoor adventure. For silent sports enthusiasts, there are miles of classic and skate groomed ski trails throughout the park. To explore the outer edges, rent a snowmobile and check out the 31 miles of trails along the perimeter of the park. Written by Mackenzie Lobby Havey for RootsRated.

Cook County’s Forest Preserves have traditionally provided the only real green space in the immediate Chicago area. For hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners—not to mention picnickers, frisbee-throwers, and sunbathers—the forest preserves offer a wooded escape from the urban landscape of the city. But there was one thing all the diverse preserves had in common—you had to leave at sunset. But that’s no longer the case—at least in five preserves that will permit overnight camping this summer. It’s a big change for the Cook County Forest Preserve, which has spent the last several years creating and implementing a master plan to build new campgrounds and improve existing ones that in the past had only been available to established groups like the Boy Scouts. The forest preserve will be rolling out each of the campgrounds this summer, with three already open and taking reservations. 1. Camp Shabbona Woods Located at 15810 S. Torrence Avenue in South Holland, Camp Shabbona Woods was the first facility to open for campers in May. It’s a new facility created on the site of a former picnic grove that was removed. The campground now offers eight tent cabins and 12 tent sites in addition to a toilet facility on the grounds. The campground is closely connected to the nearby Sand Ridge Nature Center and Green Lake Aquatic Center. 2. Camp Sullivan This Oak Forest facility , located at 14630 Oak Park Ave., has taken a site once used by the scouts and improved it to create a larger campground open to the general public. An existing bunkhouse was removed and replaced with 12 tent cabins and 40 tent sites. Toilet and shower facilities were also added. Located in the 612-acre Tinley Creek Woods, Camp Sullivan offers access to more than 13 miles of trails. The historic red barn is being renovated to include a climbing wall and meeting space for outdoor activities and programs. 3. Camp Reinberg Having opened over the 4 th of July weekend, Camp Reinberg , in Palatine, is another facility that has been improved and updated with more modern amenities. It now includes several two-bedroom cabins (with air conditioning) that can accommodate up to 10 people. They each have a private bathroom and shower. Other cabins that sleep eight are available without the private bathrooms, but campers can share the modern facilities at the campground. There are also spots for small RVs and tent camping, in addition to a large dining hall with two community kitchens for large events. The campsite offers access to the trails at Deer Grove Forest Preserve , which offers some of the area’s only singletrack for trail running and mountain biking. The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is nearby the new Bullfrog Lake campgrounds. David Wilson 4. Camp Bullfrog Lake Expected to open by late July, Camp Bullfrog Lake is a new campsite located in the Willow Springs Forest Preserve , with access to the Palos Trail System . The facility will include eight tent cabins and 12 tent sites as well as a shower/toilet facility. It’s located near Maple Lake, which offers boat rentals, and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. Of course, for mountain bikers, this could mean a new way to take advantage of by far the best trail system for off-road riding. 5. Camp Dan Beard This spot in Northbrook has hosted the Boy Scouts for more than 50 years, but it will be open to the public later this summer. The site will include tent camping as well as renovated cabins. Proximity to the River Nature Trail Center and the Des Plaines River will make this an excellent spot for campers looking to do some paddling on their trip. “We want to offer a camping experience inclusive of all skill sets and comfort levels,” said Arnold Randall, general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “Our camping program appeals to experienced campers and beginners. Our goal is for camping to be a gateway to forge lifelong connections with nature.” This means that several of the sites will offer gear rental, making it easier for outdoor newbies to get started camping. Fees for each facility will vary, but expect tent camping to cost as little as $20 a night for Cook County residents, while the 36-bed bunkhouse goes for $200 for a Saturday night in season. Nonresidents will pay $10 more per night. All five of the facilities will be open from April through October, with Bullfrog Lake, Reinberg and Sullivan offering camping year-round. All of the facilities will feature 24-hour staffing and regular patrols be the Forest Preserve Police Department. Reservations are available online [here](fpdcc.com/camping) as well as by phone at 855-YES-CAMP. For those who looking for a quick camping getaway, these destinations will be tough to beat. Just one caveat—the three facilities that have already opened have found demand to be very high, with most available spots selling out quickly. So if you want to take advantage of the first summer of Cook County Forest Preserve Camping, make your reservations soon. Written by Jeff Banowetz for RootsRated.

Los Angeles. City of Angels, City of Dreams, and for the West Coast, City of Cities. Los Angeles is an old city, a new city, and a large city. Almost everyone in the United States, and the world, has an opinion about the second largest metropolis in the United States. With big names, bright stars, bright lights, and dusk-to-dawn energy, Los Angeles is a city that defies description. It is, however, more than just the Hollywood sign, Disneyland, movies, music, celebrities, and fine weather. It is is a melting pot of history, culture, and wilderness. Yes, wilderness. While LA will presumably never be primarily known for its outdoor possibilities, it does in fact have miles of stunning beaches, tons of fantastic hiking trails, and a number of high peaks that ring the Los Angeles basin. Considering the size of the city (did we mention it's the second largest metropolis in the country?) it would take much more than a weekend to explore all of its secret and well-known spots, but if you’re visiting, there’s no harm in trying to live large and see it all, just as the locals do year-round. Here’s a “best of” list that will provide a great start to experiencing all that the city has to offer. Where to Get Caffeinated Tierra Mia Cafe makes a mean Horchata Latte Ray Bouknight Above all else, Los Angeles is a town that does not sleep. From sun-up, to sun-down, the city works normal hours just like every other town in America. But, unlike every other town in America, the pace of life in Los Angeles does not slow. Since sleep is at a premium in LA, having a quality cup of coffee is a necessity for much of the city. The best thing about the coffee scene in Los Angeles is the variety. One of the more recent coffeehouses to open in Los Angeles is Go Get Em Tiger. This unconventionally-named establishment provides a hip environment where craft coffee lovers can enjoy unique spins on traditional espresso drinks and breakfast waffles. Just try pairing a Macadamia Almond Milk Latte with a Ricotta Waffle topped with fresh berries, honey, and a pinch of salt. You won't regret it. If you’re looking to try a coffeehouse that doesn't feature the standard American fare, one of the best places to start is Document Coffee Bar, which is located in the Korean section of Los Angeles. Document Coffee has perhaps the best iced coffee in the city with their signature drink, the decadent Document Cold. Document also offers a number of other great drinks, including the Document Affogato and the Document Hot Chocolate. Another great option with unique drinks and pastries is Tierra Mia Coffee. Tierra Mia has a number of locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area, and features one of the top coffee concoctions in the Los Angeles basin, the Horchata Latte—an unfathomably delicious blend of rice, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar, which pairs perfectly with a Tres Leches muffin. Finally, if you’re looking for a place to rest from the non-stop motion of Los Angeles, Bricks and Scones is the place to visit, because it has “the study.” The study is a non-talking room, dedicated to reading, writing, and well, relaxing with your scone of the day, or a cup of whatever catches your fancy. Where to Hit the Trail Exploring Griffith Park—one of the largest urban parks in America Chris Sonnen Although the song asserts that “ nobody walks in L.A .", Los Angeles is actually an area with a plethora of trails. From the beaches, to the foothills, to the city greenways, to the canyons that honeycomb the city, there are plenty of hikes that are readily accessible for walkers and hikers alike. Los Angeles also has a number of longer trails for slightly burlier hikers, which crisscross the San Gabriel Mountains to the East and the Santa Monica Mountains to the West. With over 280 days of sun yearly, the weather in the Los Angeles basin is perfect for hiking year-round. The most popular hike in the city is the iconic Hollywood Sign Hike. Comprised of three separate trails in Griffith Park—the Wonder View Trail, Hollyridge Trail, and the Brush Canyon Trail—and ranging in distance from three miles to six miles roundtrip, the Hollywood Sign Hike is a classic jaunt for obvious cinematic reasons. Across Highway 101 to the West, is LA's second most popular hike: Runyon Canyon, which has great views of the Los Angeles Basin and is a great place for people watching (famous and regular alike) on weekdays and weekends. Taking in the view of the Hollywood Sign Chris Sonnen If you're looking to get out of the city, however, the Santa Monica Mountains to the west provide a large swath of wilderness expanse along the scenic Pacific Coast. One of the best hikes here is the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail . This 4.6 mile trail can be made into a loop route, or can be done as an out-and-back as well. Either way, hikers will be treated to uninterrupted views of what Southern California must have originally looked like, replete with rolling hills and groves of coastal and valley oak. On the Eastern side of Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Mountains provide a number of wilderness opportunities. One of the more popular hikes is the Vivian Creek Trail, which over the course of 9.3 miles ascends to the summit of Southern California’s highest mountain, San Gorgonio. The most extreme hike in the San Gabriel Range is the Bridge to Nowhere, which crosses the San Gabriel River several times before arriving at the bridge itself. Constructed in 1936 as part of a planned road that was later abandoned, the bridge is now used as the only location for bungee jumping in Southern California. Hikers can either elect to jump off the bridge themselves, or simply opt to watch others risking life and limb for potential Youtube fame, before heading back to the trailhead safe and sound. Where to Go Climbing In addition to the great hiking that Los Angeles possesses, it's also home to a number of great places to climb. One of the oldest—and most historic of these places is Stoney Point Park . Stoney Point is a spot where climbing legends like Royal Robbins, Bob Kamps, and Yvon Chouinard first got their start, and it remains one of the most popular and accessible areas within the city for climbers of all ability levels with over 150 official routes. Similarly, the Devil’s Punchbowl, an area that rests on top of the San Andreas Fault to the North of the city, provides great bouldering and traditional climbing opportunities from beginner to intermediate. Along the coast, Point Dume State Beach provides some of the most stunning scenery that beginner and intermediate climbers can find anywhere. These rock walls overlook the beach and the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, giving climbers a stellar view as they hone their craft under the Southern California sun. Although Stoney Point and Point Dume provide excellent climbing in the Los Angeles basin, hands down the best climbing in the area can be found slightly outside of Los Angeles at the world-renowned Joshua Tree National Park. With thousands of official climbing routes, and even more unofficial bouldering routes, Joshua Tree is a destination that lives up to the hype, and it's a can’t-miss spot if you have the time to make the two-hour drive east of the city. Where to Paddle A common sight at Venice Beach Ryan Vaarsi Paddling in Los Angeles in 2015 has one meaning and one meaning only: surfing. After all, Los Angeles is one of the historic homes of surf culture world-wide. Out of all of Los Angeles’ beaches, the best locations can be found in an arc from the southwest to the northwest. Starting on the southwest end, Venice Beach provides the best locale for novices to learn. With a small, consistent break, the surfing here isn't the most challenging, but it is the friendliest location in the greater Los Angeles area. And after your lesson or introductory set, Venice Beach is a prime spot to relax and observe the bronze-skinned, beach bum locals skateboarding along the boardwalk and pasty tourists fumble in their fanny packs at one of the many beach stand restaurants. Slightly further north, Manhattan Beach provides a larger, faster break during the winter months for aspiring intermediate surfers. It's also a great spot for afternoon drinks while watching some of the more experienced surfers catch air on the larger waves. Up the coast from Manhattan is Topanga Beach. With its long, sandy beaches, Topanga provides another classic location for beginners and intermediate surfers that is buzzing day in, day out all year long. And just a little further north is one of the best breaks in Los Angeles County—Surfrider Beach in Malibu. Surfrider is an aptly named spot where professional—and aspiring professional—surfers go to test their mettle under classic Southern California conditions. Even though surfing is the reigning king in LA, all of these spots also offer sea kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and even stand up paddlesurfing, for the best of both worlds. Where to Unwind The famous Office Burger at the Father's Office Memphis CVB Los Angeles is a world-class city for food. From the chic to the bohemian, another moniker this city could add to its long list of monikers might be the "City of Unbelievably Diverse and Exceptionally Delicious Dining." (Although, something tells us this one might not stick.) With easily some of the finest restaurants on the West Coast, and a price point for everyone, there's essentially an endless supply of food and drink destinations for LA adventurers. One of the best “newer” restaurants in Los Angeles is Bestia, located on the outskirts of the downtown core of the city. With a unique industrial design, Bestia pleases both the eye and the palate with its rustic Italian style of food. While all of the meals on Bestia’s menu look good and taste good, the top three items could be the kale salad, cavatelli alla norcina, and the butter poached lobster chanterelles. And of course, saving room for dessert is essential. Bestia impresses in this arena with a homemade "Coffee & Donuts" with spiced chestnut zeppole, whipped cream, and coffee ice cream. For something a little more low-key in the Los Angeles Basin, Father’s Office is the place to go. With an impressive selection of beer on tap, a number of delectable appetizers like sweet potato fries and even sea urchin, and literally the best burger in all of Los Angeles (it was voted as such), Father's Office tops the charts for must-visit food stops in Hollywood. One word of caution for potential visitors: the restaurant does not do substitutions (the food comes as it is described on the menu), including no ketchup! But trust them; they're burger wizards! No list of Los Angeles restaurant recommendations would be complete without a “secret” location. In this case, the best “secret” is Versailles Cuban Restaurant. With four locations now, this restaurant has been serving the best Cuban food in the city for almost thirty-five years and has a famously unparalleled garlic chicken and a fantastic tres leches cake. Where to Get a Good Night’s Rest The sun sets over Dockweiler State Beach Rick Cooper Although Los Angeles is many things, it is not usually cheap or easy on the wallet. Having said that, if you plan your visit in advance, you can find a deal or two if you are, in fact, planning to sleep in the city that never rests. The cheapest alternative in the Los Angeles Basin (with the best view too) is Dockweiler State Beach. With beachfront camping and bonfires allowed, this is a popular destination for people looking to relax, save, and witness exceptional Pacific sunsets. For visitors looking for a room with an old Hollywood vibe, the Hotel Hollywood is a boutique location near the Hollywood sign as well as many other famous Hollywood sights. Finally, the current hottest destination in the city is the Ace Hotel Los Angeles, which also has reasonable rates, a great location, and a new redesign that will leave anyone feeling like a star. And the Ace also has one of the best breakfasts you'll ever have. Written by Chris Sunnen for RootsRated.