London | Canary Wharf, Matcha, Contrast Therapy & Solo Travel Adventures
✈️ Flying from Los Angeles to London on Virgin Atlantic
My adventure actually began the night before when I flew out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on an overnight Virgin Atlantic flight to London.
Interestingly, this wasn't the flight I had originally planned.
Back in December 2025, I had booked a nonstop flight with Norse Atlantic Airways. Unfortunately, a few months later they canceled all of their LAX to London flights, which meant I suddenly found myself scrambling to find another ticket just a few months before departure. By the time I rebooked in March, airfare had increased significantly, and because of rising fuel costs I ended up paying almost double what I had originally budgeted. It definitely wasn't the news I wanted, but I was determined not to let it change my travel plans.
In the end, I'm actually really glad I flew with Virgin Atlantic.
I booked a Premium cabin seat with a window, and it ended up being a really comfortable way to cross the Atlantic.
Some of the perks included:
A wider seat with extra legroom
My own armrest (which frequent flyers know is a luxury!)
A footrest that made relaxing much easier
A seat that reclined farther than economy
A pillow and blanket waiting at my seat
Complimentary meal service throughout the flight
Beer, wine, and spirits included for those who drink (I don't, but it was available)
Access to a small self-service lounge between Premium and Upper Class where you could grab snacks, stretch your legs, and walk around during the flight
I only had one person sitting next to me, which made the overnight flight feel much less crowded than a typical economy cabin.
Unfortunately, I didn't sleep particularly well. There were a few little ones having a difficult flight, and while it made getting rest challenging, I couldn't help but feel for their parents. Traveling with young children is no easy task.
Even with only a few hours of sleep, seeing London appear beneath the airplane window as we began our descent made every bit of the journey worth it.
There are certain cities that instantly feel like home the moment you arrive.
For me, London is one of them.
🛬Landing in London
After clearing customs, I had one priority before anything else.
Matcha.
Luckily, I found Black Sheep Coffee right in the airport and ordered a strawberries and cream matcha.
It was exactly what I needed after a long overnight flight.
One thing you'll quickly learn about me is that wherever I travel, I'm always searching for the best local matcha. It's become part of every adventure.
🚇 Taking the Elizabeth Line to Canary Wharf
From Heathrow Airport, I hopped on the Elizabeth Line, which has become my favorite Underground line whenever I'm in London.
It offers a direct ride into Canary Wharf, making it incredibly convenient.
I chose to stay at the Dorsett Canary Wharf because I wanted to experience a neighborhood I hadn't explored much before.
The train ride took about an hour, and once I arrived, I quickly realized I had underestimated just how heavy my luggage was.
Looking back, I probably should have grabbed a taxi or rideshare from the station to the hotel instead of walking with multiple suitcases.
But honestly...
I'm glad I walked.
🌇 Why I Loved Staying in Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf completely surprised me.
Most people associate it with London's financial district, but it's so much more than that.
The neighborhood is:
Clean
Modern
Walkable
Full of waterfront paths
Beautifully landscaped
Filled with restaurants, cafés, and public art
Everywhere I looked there were people enjoying the sunshine after work.
It had such a vibrant energy while still feeling peaceful.
I even noticed a brand new public swimming area along the docks, something I'd love to experience on a future visit.
Naturally...
I found another matcha.
This time it was blueberry.
Zero regrets.
☀️ Staying Awake Through Jet Lag
Since I landed around 11:00 a.m., I made the decision to push through the exhaustion instead of taking a nap.
Whenever I travel internationally, I try to adjust to the local time as quickly as possible.
Walking around Canary Wharf in the sunshine helped a lot.
There were beautiful gardens, riverside walkways, modern architecture, and people everywhere enjoying the Friday afternoon.
I also wandered through the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, one of my favorite hidden gems in Canary Wharf.
Filled with lush tropical plants beneath a glass canopy, it almost feels like stepping into another world in the middle of the city.
🌆 Rooftop Views at My Hotel
One of the best surprises happened when I checked into my hotel.
The front desk mentioned they had a rooftop bar.
After dropping off my luggage and freshening up, I headed upstairs.
The panoramic views over Canary Wharf were incredible.
Since I don't drink alcohol, I ordered a Red Bull instead.
Normally I wouldn't have quite that much caffeine in one day, but after only a few hours of sleep, it felt necessary.
Sometimes travel days call for a little extra help.
⚽ Friday Night Energy in London
As I continued exploring, I noticed nearly every restaurant and pub had football (soccer) playing on television.
Even though I don't personally follow the sport, I loved the atmosphere.
Groups of friends gathering after work, cheering together, and simply enjoying being outside gave the neighborhood such an incredible energy.
There's something really beautiful about witnessing another culture's everyday routines.
🔥 Finding a Piece of San Diego in London
Every Friday night back home in San Diego, I have a ritual.
I go to contrast therapy at Breathe Degrees.
Breathwork.
Sauna.
Cold plunge.
Jacuzzi.
It's one of my favorite weekly nervous system resets.
So imagine my excitement when I discovered that Canary Wharf has its own incredible contrast therapy space called Arc Community.
It immediately felt familiar.
But also completely different.
ARC features:
A massive 90-person sauna
Cold plunges
Breathwork programming
DJs playing music
A large social lounge where people gather after their sessions
I absolutely loved the social aspect.
People weren't rushing home.
They stayed.
Talked.
Connected.
As someone who doesn't drink, I loved seeing wellness become the social activity instead.
It made me think about how incredible it would be to continue building more community-centered wellness experiences back home in San Diego.
🌅 Walking London at 10:00 PM
One thing that always amazes me about visiting London during the summer is how late the sun stays out.
It was nearly 10:00 p.m., and there was still daylight.
Coming from San Diego, where summer sunsets happen much earlier, it completely changes how the evenings feel.
The city stays alive.
People continue walking, eating outdoors, biking, and enjoying parks.
As a solo female traveler, I also felt very comfortable walking around Canary Wharf.
The area felt busy, well-lit, and full of people enjoying their evening.
❤️ Maybe London Keeps Calling Me Back for a Reason
Later that evening, I met up with a friend who lives in London.
We grabbed a late dinner and walked around Canary Wharf together, exploring the waterfront and enjoying the beautiful summer evening.
As we wandered through the neighborhood, I found myself thinking the same thing I've thought every single time I've visited London.
I don't think I'm done with this city.
In fact...
I think it keeps calling me back.
There's something about the pace of life, the walkability, the parks, the architecture, the public transportation, and the wellness culture that feels deeply aligned with how I enjoy living.
Maybe one day I'll spend an entire summer here.
For now, it's just a dream.
But some of the best adventures begin exactly that way.
🌍 Wellness Travel Inspires My Work
One of the reasons I love traveling so much is because every city teaches me something new.
Whether it's discovering new wellness concepts like ARC, exploring beautiful public spaces, or simply slowing down enough to notice how another culture lives, I always return home inspired.
Many of the experiences I create through my sound baths, Yoga Nidra sessions, retreats, and wellness coaching in San Diego have been influenced by places I've traveled around the world.
Travel reminds me that healing can look different everywhere.
But the intention is always the same:
Creating spaces where people feel connected, present, and supported.
🌿 Follow Along
This was only my first full day in London, and there are so many more adventures ahead.
From wellness experiences and hidden cafés to historic landmarks and spontaneous discoveries, I'm excited to share everything I experience along the way.
And who knows...
Maybe one day, London won't just be a place I visit.
Maybe it'll become a place I call home, even if it's just for one magical summer.
