As a kid, Mayan Lopez made cameos on her father's George Lopez Show and smiled in photos next to his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Now, as an adult, Mayan shares the screen with her dad on their hit family sitcom, Lopez vs Lopez.
The NBC show takes place in Mayan’s actual stomping grounds—Los Angeles—and borrows from her real-life relationship with her famous dad. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Lopez is a proud and self-professed Valley Girl with memories of game-day hugs from Kobe Bryant and tried-and-true suggestions for road trips up the coast to the Monterey Peninsula.
Lopez shares her ideal itinerary for a perfect day in L.A. and also reveals her favorite places to shop.
Where do you live? I live in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
Why there? I’m a Valley Girl! I grew up in this area, and it is home to me. I was going to move to the Westside for a change of pace, but then I ended up buying a place five blocks from my childhood home. We have a wonderful community of families that I grew up with, and now most of us are staying in the neighborhood.
Who or what is your greatest California love? There are so many! The Lakers are my team. Growing up, my dad and I always went to the Lakers game on Christmas Day. Getting a Christmas hug from Kobe and Vanessa Bryant was such a treat. I miss Kobe so much.
The Hollywood Bowl is also a special place. My mom used to take me to music appreciation there on Saturdays. I’ve seen everyone from The Jonas Brothers to KISS to John Williams at the Bowl. We make dining in a box at the Hollywood Bowl an extravaganza with real china, crystal, and linens.
I have a yearly pass to Disneyland so I can go whenever I want, even if just for a couple of hours. We always take friends from out of town on the Universal Studios tour. The Jaws shark is iconic, and I get to film Lopez vs. Lopez there now—pinch me!
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? That we are all New Age hippie types. California has many diverse industries: banking, tech, entertainment, farming, and wine, to name a few. Californians are hard workers.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? That we have great weather and bad traffic.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? A smoothie from Erewhon. That smoothie may be $19, but wow, is it good!
Time for a road trip—where are you going? The Monterey Peninsula, hands down. I was just part of a wedding at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, so I did this road trip. My mom and I like taking the 101 freeway up because you go through Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Paso Robles, etc. and the scenery is beautiful. We had a house in Pebble Beach when I was growing up, so we made this drive in my mom’s minivan all the time with my grandmother as co-pilot. My cousin and I watched videos in the second-row bucket seats and the dogs slept in the third row. It is so special that I am driving it now.
We take a shortcut through Spreckels to get to the 68 freeway. You see miles of agricultural fields. Once you get through the gates of Pebble Beach and onto 17-Mile Drive, the air is so fresh and pure. I never sleep better than in Pebble Beach.
We have a list of things to do that we call our greatest hits. In Monterey there is, of course, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Cannery Row Antique Mall. We then go to Pacific Grove and visit our friend Emily at her fabulous and creative store, Tessuti Zoo on Lighthouse Ave., and then walk down the street and have lunch at the Aliotti’s Victorian Corner Restaurant. Then back to Pebble Beach. Our house was near Bird Rock (or, as we affectionately call it, "Poop Rock"). We look for sea glass at that beach and watch the seals jump in the water.
We have drinks at the Spanish Bay Hotel and listen to the bagpiper that plays out on the bluff every night. Then, it is off to dinner at The Tap Room at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. We love the Tap Room so much that my mom made our media room at home a replica of the restaurant’s decor.
On our recent version of this road trip, we explored Carmel. We love shopping in Carmel, and our first stop is always to see Brigitte at Jan de Luz Linens. The store is stunning, and the monograms are so beautiful. I bought some monogrammed items as Christmas presents and a few things for myself. I got a cute dress at Paloosh, and we had to get something for my French bulldogs at Carmel Dog Company.
We walked down to Carmel Beach to soak up some sun, then went back to the car and drove to Carmel Valley. We made a stop at Tancredi & Morgen, which has wonderful French housewares and is family-owned by Roger and Marsha. We arrived at Bernardus Lodge and, at check-in, were offered a glass of rosé from their vineyard.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? Tacos.
What is your favorite way to play in California? Anything outdoors: hiking, skiing, biking, boating.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? My mom taught me the value of a dollar, so while I would love to say Rodeo Drive, it is Camarillo Premium Outlets. It is only 45 minutes from L.A., and it has bargains galore.
Best California song? "California Girls" by The Beach Boys is the classic California song but, for me, it’s "California Love" by 2Pac, Dr. Dre, and Roger Troutman. It is the cool California song.
What’s your top spot to stay? The Lodge at Pebble Beach and Hotel del Coronado.
How would your California dream day unfold? I would wake up late and walk my dogs to get a coffee. I would go home, change into my riding clothes, and head over to The Los Angeles Equestrian Center. I would ask my trainer which horses needed to be exercised and spend a few hours riding. I’d go home, order food, and binge-watch RuPaul’s Drag Race. A perfect day.
