My first time visiting Los Angeles, California was in November of 2017. I remember being just as excited to visit as I would be for any new city–but little did I know that I would leave the city of angels with a piece of my heart attached to it. Typically, as a trip was coming to an end and it was time to head back home to Atlanta, I would always be a little sad that the vacation was ending. However, leaving LA evoked a different type of sadness within me. I recall driving to LAX with a sadness that I couldn’t quite understand–like seriously, I had never felt that sad when leaving anywhere–no matter how much fun I’d had during the trip. It was something different about LA–like a pull or a belonging. After that, LA became my favorite city to visit–but it wasn’t until 2020 when I would visit again.

I visited LA in October 2020 for my birthday and that visit only reaffirmed what I already knew–my love for LA ran deep. No other city came close to that feeling–except my hometown, Atlanta, of course. It was then that I made a vow that I would not go another year without taking a trip to LA. I returned to LA in May 2021, and in 2022 I went to LA twice. In 2023, I was fortunate enough to travel to LA five times. That’s when I knew that LA wasn’t just my favorite city–it was now home, too. In 2024, life forced me to slow down on the travel front, but even then, I still made it to LA–twice, actually. So far, I've only been once this year–but I already feel LA calling me back. And trust, I’ll be answering soon.

Okay, so now that you know my LA backstory–you're probably wondering, “So what is it that is so special about LA though?” And to be honest I can’t quite put it into words. Peers have given me their personal thoughts of “I don’t know why you like LA so much–there are better cities,” or “Eww, why LA?”. I think the thing that people don’t seem to realize is that we are just different. And my answer to all of that noise is simple–“just because LA doesn’t hit for you doesn’t mean it’s not for me. Really, it just means that we have different journeys–LA may just be a big part of MY life’s story and not yours.” The other funny thing is that some people who negatively question my love for LA have never even been there. How does one judge something that they have never even experienced? I guess that’s the norm with many people–but that’s another conversation for another time.

When I’m in LA, it just feels different–my soul feels a happiness and peace that I no longer feel in Atlanta. Don’t get it twisted, Atlanta forever has my heart. However, when I say I love it, I mean the Old Atlanta–the one I grew up in. Atlanta is no longer that place and no longer feels like home. Again, anyone who tries to debate that–just understand, we’re different.

Also, I am a visual artist, and if you know anything about the art world, then you know that LA ranks just behind New York among the top U.S. art cities. The funny thing about that is in 2017 I wasn’t deep in the arts–at that time I was still creating art leisurely and I didn’t even call myself an artist yet. It wasn’t until 2020 when I realized (or better yet, accepted) that the gift of art is not a hobby–it’s tied to my purpose and I really can call myself an artist. Perhaps that pull I felt in 2017 was foreshadowing something–and not returning again until 2020 could’ve all been part of a more divine plan.

So, here I am in 2025 with a divine knowing that LA is so much more than another trip to take–it is now a plan to make. The next level of my life is tied to LA in many ways and now it’s time to make the necessary moves and sacrifices to do what I know I'm supposed to do.

You might’ve been expecting more about my LA adventures–and those will certainly come. But today, I felt the need to write these thoughts as I sat here reflecting on last month’s trip to LA and how much I am missing being out there.

To be continued…

Whether you’re a diehard collector or just nostalgic for your favorite pop culture icons, the Funko Hollywood store is a must-stop on any LA itinerary. As someone who collects Funko Pop! casually (and loves a good nostalgic moment), I was excited to discover that this store was a short walk away from my hotel (W Hollywood). Located on the famous Hollywood Blvd, Funko Hollywood is more than just a store–it is a 40,000-square-foot collector’s playground. This interactive experience is divided into themed zones based on major franchises such as Marvel, Star Wars, DC, Disney, NBA, etc.–making it easy to spend an hour or two walking around. Each zone is designed with elaborate, oversized sets that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a theme park attraction–perfect for photos, videos, or just soaking it all in. And the best part? It’s free to enter.

From what I’ve gathered, weekdays and early hours are the best times to go. I went on a Tuesday evening, about an hour before closing, and there was no line or crowd. I didn’t have expectations going in beyond maybe seeing some cute Funko merch—but it quickly became a full-on experience. Every themed zone had its own vibe, but the standout for me was Disney’s The Little Mermaid section. The shipwreck set with giant Ariel and Ursula Pops was pretty dope–it was giving creativity, detail, and full nostalgia. I had a moment just standing there, letting my inner child take it all in.

One of the coolest parts of the store is the Pop! Yourself station. For $30, you can design your own custom Funko Pop! that looks like you (or whoever you want). You go to one of the design kiosks and customize everything—skin tone, hair, outfit, glasses, even two accessories. Once you lock in your design, a Funko team member assembles it on the spot. It usually takes about 15–20 minutes, or longer, depending on how busy they are. I didn’t make one during this visit because I had already created mine online months ago (yes, that’s an option too if you’re unable to have it created in store and don’t mind having it shipped instead). Had I known that the Funko store would be part of this visit to LA, I would have packed up my custom Funko Pop! to take with me for a photo op with some of the store’s displays.

Even if you're not a collector, the store itself is a whole vibe. It’s the kind of place that makes you smile just from the effort and creativity put into the design. It didn’t feel like shopping; it felt more like entertainment. I spent about an hour wandering, taking photos and videos of the sets, and honestly, I didn’t even purchase anything–and I didn’t need to this time because the experience itself was fulfilling.

After I left, I realized I kept calling it "Funko World" when I spoke about it—which makes sense, because it really does feel like a small theme park for pop culture lovers.

If you're looking for a fun, free, and “instagrammable” stop in LA, Funko Hollywood is a no-brainer for your itinerary.

Funko Hollywood: 6201 Hollywood Blvd #100, Los Angeles, CA 90028