Swedish freelance journalist Jennie Hammar about her life in Los Angeles

Can you tell us a little about yourself, for those not already in the know?

I'm thirty-four years old and mom to Tage and Ilse. We live in Silver Lake, just outside Los Angeles, and I love the life we've made for ourselves here. I have great affection for California and the city I live in. I love interior design, exercise, and travel (who doesn't?). The best trips are when me and the kids just get in the car and take a road trip to somewhere in California. There are so many incredibly beautiful places to explore and experience here.

 

What do you work as?

I'm a freelance journalist and run my blog at Damernas Värld (in Swedish), produce podcasts, write columns, and have my own line of scented candles, Moreno.

What brought you to Los Angeles?

I fell in love with LA the first time I visited, so when I had the chance to move here (thanks to my then-husband), I took it.

What do you like best about the city?

That it's so diverse! There's every aspect of nature here – mountains, sea, and desert. And all the different cultures, I never tire! I live near Downtown, Koreatown, Thai Town, and Hollywood.

Which is your favorite area?

In that case I have to say Silver Lake, where I actually live. There's a fantastic atmosphere here. The people are nice, helpful, and sincere. They're living the dream and doing it big – it's wonderful. And maybe that's also why so many trends start here. Plus it's beautiful, of course!

How long have you lived here?

It's been nine years now. Someone asked me the other day, and I realized that it's been nine, soon ten, years. Time flies!

Have you always been attracted to big cities?

Yes, I have. LA's a big city with a small-town feel. It's grown outward rather than upward, and I like that. Living in a house with a garden in the middle of the city is totally possible here!

Tell us about the places we just visited! What do they mean to you?

A great deal. As I said, I love the fact that everything is so close. The sea and the mountains and everything in between. Point Dume is very dear to me, that's where I take the kids in the summer to swim and build sandcastles. Silver Lake is my home, so naturally it has a special place in my heart. Even the Hollywood sign is special. Not just as a cliché image, but as a landmark you see every day.

How did you find these places?

Having lived here so long, I've seen quite a bit, but there's plenty left to explore, that's for sure! I get given tips about different places and excursions every week, so I try to check them off. I'm a curious person.

What makes them so special?

The memories and experiences. But there are stories behind them too. Just the other day, I read about how there's a problem on Baxter, one of the steepest streets in California, because people can't seem to handle the incline and skid straight into the gardens there.

It offers a nice view of Silver Lake, though.

To discover the 'real' LA, what are the absolute musts?

The beach, of course. Follow the Pacific Coast Highway out to Malibu for a taste of the magical coastal route. Go hiking! I'd recommend Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park. Eat out in Silver Lake. Go bar hopping in Downtown. Go shopping on Melrose Avenue. If you have kids, visit Universal Studios.

When's the best time to come?

All year round! The winters are mild and the summers are hot. Sometimes, the temperature can reach 105 Fahrenheit in August and September.

You can find Jennie Hammar's Instagram here.