When I knew that my friend would also be in LA during my stay, Universal Studio was the first thing that popped up in my mind. But instead of texting me a thumbs-up, she sent me a list of Instagram photos, each featuring a young, pretty, fashionable 20sth posing in front of a colorful, distinctive wall like a supermodel. And this is how our one-day LA itinerary begins.

For most of the time, I’d explore a city using public transport, but in LA, I can’t argue that Uber is a way more convenient, reliable and affordable option to many tourist attractions. As this trip is about getting those “most Instagramable shots” done, we head straight to the famous pink wall after a quick breakfast at Starbucks next to The LA Hotel Downtown.

Located on Melrose Avenue, the Paul Smith flagship store has been dressed in bright pink color since the day it opened in 2005, way before Instagram existed. Who knows it’d become a social media trend a decade later? I saw it on the Internet that this popular spot is always occupied by photo-takers, but fortunately, there’s only a few of them when we arrive, which allows us plenty of time to take the shots that we want. Though it’s not my style to keep posing in front of the camera, I’ve to admit that it’s kind of fun to do it with your younger friend.

You think it’s not worthy to travel all the way to the designer store for only one picture? Well…you will encounter a couple more interesting, artistic walls walking down the Melrose Avenue. This “get more likes” mission can last up to two hours or more. Even if you just want to take a single shot, the perfectionists ahead of you may not even aware of your existence. When you see someone taking off her shoes in front of the “Angel Wing” wall after reviewing dozens of her test images, you know you better cancel your lunch reservation.

After a morning of role-playing the American Next Top Model, I’m craving for some hearty grub. Highly recommended by an Uber driver, In-N-Out Burger is one of the top fast food restaurants in California. Their menu is very simple: the original hamburger, cheeseburger and Double-Double, with two beef patties and freshly sliced or grilled onion. We both get the cheeseburger with fries, and I’d say they’re “alright”, just the fries are a bit dry and not salty enough.

When I scrolled through my LA album I took five years ago, I could only find a photo of the Hollywood sign in the size of a nail, which I don’t even remember from where I took. This time, we decide to get up close to this cultural icon. According to the hotel concierge, Lake Hollywood Park – instead of Griffith Observatory – is the destination for capturing a bigger Hollywood sign in our photos. After ten minutes of twist and turns, we finally arrive the park, which is unfortunately closed for maintenance, but you can still see the big name perched on Mount Lee, in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains. The playground there is open but noted that adults without children are not permitted inside.

Don’t be disappointed. The good news is: for about 30 minutes hike, you can have the Hollywood sign just above your head. While some tourists keep walking up the trail, we turn back when the sun begins setting. I wonder how close to the sign they can be. Just a reminder: don’t ever try to take the shortcut and climb the hills. Two guys attempted, and out of nowhere, an old man sitting on his roof threatens them that he’s calling the cops.

The trip from Lake Hollywood Park to our hotel takes almost an hour due to traffic congestion. Dragging our exhausted limbs, we settle in Bottega Louie restaurant (700 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles) for dinner. Elegantly decorated with bare white walls and marble floors, the award-winning restaurant is divided into a café and patisserie, as well as a spacious dining hall with an open kitchen serving up huge wood-fired pizzas. My friend and I share a steak salad with baby kale, heirloom tomatoes, pickled red onion, garlic Parmesan croutons and chimichurri sauce; and a Pomodoro pasta, made with Roma tomatoes, basil, and Grana Padano. The salad is very refreshing and appetizing, while the pasta is cooked to al dente with a delicious amount of tangy tomato sauce. Finishing off our experience is a beautifully presented Bambolina – strawberry panna cotta prepared with graham cracker streusel, fresh strawberries, and melting white chocolate dome. I highly recommend this place. Without a doubt, Hong Kong has a lot of great Italian cuisine but with this price? Hardly find.