Growing up, Los Angeles (and in general, Southern California) stood out to me as this Rivendell-esque type of place. It resonated with me much more than many other cities, since it was home to so many things I only found in bits and pieces elsewhere, from beaches to mountains to celebs to Disneyland. And when I visited Los Angeles at age 11 it didn't disappoint, even if our cab driver drove off from the Getty Villa without my mom.

So at the end of last summer, just months after my 30th birthday, I packed up all of my things in my car and fulfilled a travel dream I've always had of driving the length of the Pacific Ocean coastline from Seattle down to Los Angeles. However, when I arrived in Los Angeles, I found myself never wanting to leave, and I haven't, nor do I have plans to, as I have an affinity toward Los Angeles and creating a home life here like I've felt no other place. That's right, this good 'ole boy who grew up in rural North Carolina went Hollywood.

The 12 months since have felt like one endless summer. Yet it has been the summer months themselves that have stood out, where longer days, warmer weather, and cozy nights have run wild.  What stands out is the uniqueness of some of L.A.'s summer activities (which I've documented on Instagram) that you can't just do anywhere. How many other cities can you be sitting in an Adirondack chair sipping wine at a winery that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the next moment be taking a photo with a unicorn while watching movies in a cemetery. Another moment drinking beer at a farmers market and the next picnicking at the beach to the background sounds of a band playing on the pier or rubbing elbows with a celebrity chef at a food and wine festival.

So as summer wraps up, I'm featuring a few of the highlights from my first summer in Los Angeles with a list of many things that you can only do here during the summer. And then the next time you're in L.A. you can skip the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Los Angeles Celebrity Home Tours to do as the Angelenos do.

 What's your favorite thing to do in California in the summer?