Perfect Day in LA: Johanna Samuels

From relaxing at the beach in Malibu to crate digging at Amoeba Hollywood, the songwriter shares how she spends an ideal day in Los Angeles.
Perfect Day

Perfect Day in LA: Johanna Samuels

From relaxing at the beach in Malibu to crate digging at Amoeba Hollywood, the songwriter shares how she spends an ideal day in Los Angeles.

Words: FLOOD Staff

August 24, 2026

Since we last heard from Johanna Samuels back in March, when she debuted her Jonathan Rado–produced single “White Limousines,” that track has gone on to open her latest collection of indie-folk tunes Sorry, Kid, released earlier this month via her new label, Odd Man Out Records. The calming sound of that tune, paired with its lyrics recollecting Samuels’ first panic attack, set the scene for an album wavering between similar extremes. There’s also a song debating the merits of Weezer’s first two albums, set to reverently grunge-pop guitar.

With Rado providing a distinctly SoCal feel to these songs, we asked Samuels to walk us through a perfect day in her hometown of LA, from time at the beach to a stop at Amoeba in Hollywood to browse the discount bin. Check out her dispatches from each stop below, and listen to Sorry, Kid here.

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I start every morning by giving my Junebug a big scratching up—I call it her “pet up session.” But today is a dream day, so it’s extra special!

Then we head to our favorite breakfast spot, Kitchen Mouse.

We then head to Amoeba Records in Hollywood. I love to go through the discount bins!

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We then grab some cold Topo Chicos and head to my favorite beach in Malibu, a public access point just off PCH—June in tow, of course. I chase her around and swim in the ocean, then collect perfectly round stones.

Then I drop Junie off at home so she can have her resting time and it’s time to head to Wi Spa. I usually get what I’ve come to call a “splash pass,” which is admission to the soaking and sauna areas. It just went up to $40, but it’s well worth it. If it’s a budgetless dream day, there’s a deep-tissue CBD massage. You can stay all day and they have an amazing heated clay ball room where you can let your troubles melt away, and a cafeteria where you can eat amazing Korean food for lunch.

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After you’re nice and Jell-O-y feeling, it’s high time we dine! My favorite restaurant in LA is Speranza. Homemade pasta, fresh bub, and grandma’s bread with tapenade. Yummy wine and amazing sea food. The bill comes with these homemade meringue cookies that they make in a sheet and break apart.

The day ends just as it began: We cuddle Junebug and fall asleep, probably watching something on the laptop as we drift off!

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