The Case for Nerdcations: My 5-Day Coding Retreat in LA
For vacation, most people enjoy traveling somewhere new, while others go on yoga retreats, hike or lay poolside to chill.
I…went to LA for 5 days to code :)
I realized an inconvenient truth about myself recently — and it’s that I unfortunately get really bored on vacations, with my mind understimulated.
My ideal vacation? Somewhere I could go to just…learn 🤓📓
Having tinkered with fun frontend projects, I knew I needed uninterrupted heads down time to dive into backend — specifically, Python programming 💻
For 5 days, I swam, surfed, saw friends old and new, explored new neighborhoods in LA, read (David Sedaris’ Calypso making me laugh/cry out loud), ate everything, and worked through 10 Python apps and every possible error message 😂
If I was going to be frustrated at my code…I could at least do it poolside in LA 🌴
Funny enough, I feel more recharged and reinspired than I’ve been in a long time. To be able to take time off and learn is such a privilege and gift — I am so grateful. See below if you’re interested in learning more about the ultimate nerdcation 🤓
A New Yorker’s Guide to a Coding Retreat in LA
Location: LA
Homebase
While LA is known for its amazing beaches on the west side, I really enjoyed staying in downtown LA at Freehand Hotel — a hotel in a historic building with a great vibe, a fun rooftop and pool, and a lobby with so many outlets to bring your laptop and work. The hotel was also on the same easy block as Whole Foods, Philz, tocaya organica, sweet green, Shake Shack, and more.
Coding Curriculum
- TalkPython[‘Training’]: Python Jumpstart by Building 10 Apps: the 10- part guided curriculum was just the right amount of content for 5 days and gave structure to my time. The thoughtful videos by Mike Kennedy were also high-level and tactical enough to jump right in and start building, given some baseline programming knowledge. I’ve always believed success in programming lies in early wins to build confidence, with enough Stack Overflow hardship and frustration to actually learn 😂 — so quick apps like a Journal, Real-Time Weather Client, Wizard Battle, Real Estate Analyzer, and Movie Lookup were ideal.
- One Month Python Bootcamp: skipped to Week 4 to figure out Flask.
- TalkPython[‘Training’]: #100DaysOfWeb in Python & Jen Dewalt’s 180 websites in 180 days: to be continued!
Non-Coding Things to Do
To step away from your laptop and give your hurting brain a break:
- Take a surfing lesson in Manhattan Beach
- Watch the sunset at Santa Monica Beach
- Get ice cream at Jeni’s and walk up Griffith Observatory
- Barhop in Silver Lake
- Explore DTLA Arts District
- Eat in Koreatown
Things to Consider
- A decent amount of money on Ubers & a lot of time in Ubers
Many thanks to the amazing friends who hosted me and showed me the best of LA :) And thanks as always to my Work-Bench team who hold down the fort when I’m away and allow me gift of true time off.
