January in Los Angeles is remarkably different than just about anywhere else. While much of the country hunkers down against the bone-chilling winter, Angeleno’s are blessed with crisp mornings that warm into golden days and incredible late afternoon sunsets — the kind of weather that inspires the best in new routines for the new year. The Westside’s unique blend of wellness culture, natural clean beauty, and community-minded spaces offers everything you need to craft a fresh start that actually sticks for the many months to come.
Morning Rituals Worth Keeping
The key to sustainable change isn't grand gestures but small, repeated actions.
Beach Grounding: Start your day with a sunrise walk along the Santa Monica Pier, a jog on the sand, or simply sitting with coffee while watching the Pacific wake up. Mother Nature's therapy session, free of charge.
Home Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes to meditation or stretching before the world makes its demands. Consistency matters more than duration (and your body will thank you).
Farmers Market Routine: Make the Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings) or Brentwood Farmers Market (Sundays) your weekly ritual to plan meals with intention. Nothing says "I have my life together" quite like fresh heirloom tomatoes and a delicious, vegetable-forward winter soup on the stove.
Movement as Medicine
The Westside's outdoor spaces and studios make it effortless to weave movement into your daily life.
Coastal Cardio: The Marvin Braude Bike Trail (aka “The Strand”) stretches 22 miles along the coast for everything from leisurely rides to challenging workouts. Ocean views included, traffic not.
Trail Escapes: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook offers panoramic city views via stairs or switchback trails — your choice of workout intensity.
Community Classes: Solidcore (Marina Del Rey) and Barry's (Venice, Santa Monica, Brentwood, etc.!) deliver high-energy workouts where you become part of a group all working toward better versions of yourselves. Misery loves company — in the best way.
Nourishment, Not Restriction
Forget punishing January diets — the Westside makes it easy to eat well without feeling deprived.
Conveniently Healthy: Erewhon's prepared foods make nutritious eating genuinely delicious and effortless (albeit expensive, but might we say worth it? The rotisserie chicken is unlike all others and can make meal planning pretty effortless).
Elevated Takeout: Goop Kitchen offers takeout that proves healthy, gluten-free eating can be effortlessly chic (thanks, Gwyneth).
Sit-Down Nourishment: Gjusta in Venice serves Mediterranean-inspired fare that feels both indulgent and wholesome. Best sourdough in LA — don’t come for us.
Spaces for Reflection
Sometimes a fresh start requires stillness and intentional restoration.
Guided Meditation: Unplug Meditation in Santa Monica offers drop-in classes in a tech-free sanctuary where phones stay in lockers. Because doomscrolling isn't a wellness practice (unfortunately).
Recovery Rituals: Pause Studio in Venice features infrared sauna, cold plunges, float therapy, cryotherapy, and IV drips — treating recovery as essential practice rather than afterthought. Your workout is only half the equation.
Journaling Spots: Claim a corner at Caffe Luxxe (Brentwood or Santa Monica) or Menotti's (Venice) for weekly reflection sessions. A hot cappuccino helps, too.
Building Creative Practice
The new year is an ideal time to cultivate creativity and make something with your hands.
Art Exploration: Brentwood Art Center in Santa Monica offers everything from life drawing and ceramics to watercolor and abstract painting for all skill levels. And no, you don't need to be "good at art" to start.
Pottery Practice: Still Life Studio in Santa Monica provides classes where you can literally shape something new — messy, imperfect, and beautiful. Makes a great gift, too.
Culinary Creativity: Take a cooking class at Gourmandise School in Santa Monica to expand your kitchen confidence. Your dinner guests will be impressed.
Connection and Community
Perhaps the most underrated resolution is simply showing up for your community.
Environmental Action: Join volunteer beach cleanups organized by Heal the Bay. Save the ocean, get your steps in — win-win.
Cultural Enrichment: Become a docent or volunteer at the Getty Center to share art and architecture with visitors. Flex your art history knowledge while giving back.
Community Support: Volunteer with Westside Food Bank to help ensure neighbors have access to nutritious meals. Because community care never goes out of style.
The Long Game
As we settle into this new year, remember that the goal isn't perfection — it's progress. The Westside's greatest gift is its diversity of options, allowing you to experiment until you find what genuinely serves you. Maybe your fresh start looks like early morning surf sessions, or maybe it's a weekly pottery class. Whatever rituals you choose, let them reflect who you want to become rather than who you think you should be.