Richard Marx knows a thing or two about staying power. You don't sell 30 million albums by accident, and you certainly don't survive the fickle landscape of the music industry without knowing how to recharge. For Marx, that reset happens every Sunday in Los Angeles. While most tourists are fighting for a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Marx has spent decades refining a routine that feels less like a frantic vacation and more like a masterclass in Southern California living.
L.A. can be a brutal city if you don't have a plan. It's sprawling, the traffic is legendary for all the wrong reasons, and the "hot spots" are often just overpriced traps. But if you follow the lead of someone who has called this place home through multiple decades of hits, you find a different version of the city. It's a version that involves crisp ocean air, specific Italian comfort food, and a complete lack of pretension. For an alternative look, check out: this related article.
The Morning Ritual at the Beach
The day doesn't start with a boardroom meeting or a soundcheck. It starts with the Pacific. Marx is a proponent of getting toward the water early. If you're staying in Malibu or the Palisades, the air hits different before the heat of the day settles in. It’s about the sensory experience. The smell of salt spray and the sound of the tide provide a mental clarity that a gym in West Hollywood just can't replicate.
Most people make the mistake of sleeping in late on Sundays. Don't do that. By 10:00 AM, the PCH is already starting to choke up with day-trippers. Marx’s approach suggests an earlier start. Take a walk. Don't look at your phone. It sounds simple because it is. We overcomplicate relaxation. A long walk on the sand isn't just exercise; it's a way to drain the stress of the week before it follows you into Monday. Similar reporting on the subject has been published by Glamour.
Finding the Right Fuel
Breakfast in L.A. is a competitive sport, but Marx keeps it grounded. You aren't looking for the place with the longest line of influencers. You're looking for consistency. Whether it's a quiet spot in Malibu or a quick stop for a high-quality coffee, the goal is to keep the energy steady.
L.A. culture often demands you care about the latest "activated charcoal" latte. Marx doesn't seem to care for the fluff. Give him a solid cup of coffee and a view of the water. That’s the real luxury. If you’re trying to replicate this, skip the places that require a reservation three weeks in advance. Look for the local staples where the staff knows the regulars by name.
The Midday Drive and the Quiet of the Canyon
There’s a specific kind of peace found in the canyons of Los Angeles that people rarely talk about. While the rest of the world is stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405, the winding roads of the Santa Monica Mountains offer a literal escape. Marx has lived in these pockets for years.
Driving isn't always a chore in L.A. if you have the right car and the right road. For a guy who spent years on tour buses, the autonomy of a Sunday drive is sacred. It’s about the transition from the coast to the interior. You watch the vegetation change from palm trees to scrub oak and chaparral. It’s rugged. It’s honest.
Why the Canyons Matter
- Privacy: You can disappear here. No one is looking for an autograph at the top of a trailhead.
- Perspective: Looking down at the city from a height reminds you how small the daily drama really is.
- Climate: The temperature drops a few degrees, and the breeze feels cleaner.
Most residents hate the geography of L.A. because it's so spread out. Marx embraces it. He uses the distance as a buffer. If you want to have a "best" Sunday, you have to stop viewing travel time as wasted time. Treat the drive as a bridge between your morning peace and your afternoon plans.
The Sacred Italian Dinner
If there is one non-negotiable in the Richard Marx Sunday playbook, it’s a high-quality Italian meal. He’s been vocal about his love for places like Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica. This isn't just about the food, though the sweet corn agnolotti is frequently cited as a religious experience by anyone who has managed to snag a table.
It’s about the atmosphere. Giorgio Baldi is tucked away near the beach, unassuming from the outside but legendary on the inside. It’s dimly lit, intimate, and feels like a family dining room—if your family happened to be world-class chefs. Marx’s preference for this spot highlights a key truth about L.A. elite dining. The best places don't need to shout.
The Menu Strategy
Don't overthink the order. At a place like this, the specials are specials for a reason. Marx often leans into the classics. Pasta that tastes like it was handmade an hour ago. A glass of good red wine.
The mistake people make at these high-end spots is trying to "see and be seen." Marx is there to eat and talk with his wife, Daisy Fuentes. They aren't there for the spectacle. To truly have a Sunday like a pro, turn your phone off when the bread hits the table. Pay attention to the person across from you. That’s the part of the "rockstar lifestyle" that actually matters.
Music and the Evening Wind Down
You can’t talk about a Richard Marx Sunday without mentioning the music. But it isn't always his own. For a songwriter, the ears never really turn off. Whether it’s listening to a new mix in the car or putting on a classic vinyl at home, Sunday evening is for reflection.
The L.A. sun sets with a particular purple-pink hue that you don't get anywhere else. Marx has seen a thousand of them, yet the appreciation remains. It’s the time of day when the city finally slows down. The frantic energy of the "hustle" fades, and the "dream" part of L.A. takes over.
Setting the Mood
If you're at home, skip the TV. Put on a record. Marx’s own discography is full of ballads that fit this exact vibe, but his tastes are broad. The goal is to create a soundtrack that matches the fading light. It's about transition. You're preparing your brain for the week ahead by giving it one last dose of beauty.
How to Build Your Own Version
You don't need a multi-platinum record to steal this itinerary. You just need to change your mindset about what Los Angeles is. It isn't just a collection of malls and movie studios. It’s a coastal village wrapped inside a mountain range.
Start by picking one "anchor" for your day. For Marx, it’s that high-end Italian dinner. Everything else flows toward it. If you try to do too much—hiking in the morning, a museum at noon, a party at night—you'll end up exhausted. Sunday is for recovery.
- Pick your coast: Start at the water. Don't just look at it; walk near it.
- Limit the guest list: Keep it to your inner circle. Sunday isn't for networking.
- Invest in the meal: Eat something that makes you feel like life is good.
- End early: The "Sunday Scaries" only happen if you aren't prepared. Marx’s routine ends with a sense of completion, not a frantic rush to finish chores.
Los Angeles is a city that takes a lot from you. It takes your time, your money, and your patience. But on Sundays, if you play it right, the city gives something back. It gives you a sunset, a quiet canyon road, and a plate of pasta that makes you forget about everything else. That’s the Marx way. It’s lived-in, it’s intentional, and it’s remarkably simple.
Stop trying to see everything. Start trying to feel the city. The best Sunday in L.A. isn't about the places you go; it’s about the pace you keep. Slow down. The beach isn't going anywhere, and neither is the pasta.
