As the founder of The Playlist Generation, a company that provides background music and programming services, L.A.-based Michael Smith has DJ’d hundreds of events for media and luxury brands like Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Vanity Fair, and BMW and performed with the likes of Kanye West and Rihanna. Smith is also a partner in Creative Space, an integrated real estate company that transforms buildings into modern workspaces for innovative businesses and brands such as Stumptown, Poketo and Garrett Leight. This is his California:

LOTUSLAND This is a vision of botanical perfection nestled in the foothills of Montecito. They have a cactus garden that rivals Yves Saint Laurent’s in Marrakech.

FERRY BUILDING MARKETPLACE This S.F. staple is an example  of stunningly repurposed architecture, amazingly curated local food, books and shops and the not-to-be-missed Slanted Door perfectly framing the bay.

THE PARKER PALM SPRINGS It’s so quirky and cool, like a chic 60s sur-reality your grandparents would have flipped over.

HANDSOME COFFEE ROASTERS The Los Angeles Arts District is the new creative center of Downtown and they have birthed a roasted on-premise artisinal coffee lovers dream. In May, Urban Radish will open a few blocks down on Mateo.

UNIQUE L.A. AND S.F. A bi-annual makers fair  featuring the best local small batch producers of jewelry, furniture, clothing, food and more.

GAVIN BROWN’s ENTERPRISE For the tested urban adventurer only, check out the stunning Laura Owens show across the L.A. River.