Here’s how I explored L.A. with Ray-Ban Meta

The Meta Lab pop-up is designed to honor L.A.'s unique culture, creativity and energy. It features multiple installations that pay homage to the city’s lifestyle, as well as offering visitors the chance to explore the entire collection of Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. These glasses bring digital convenience to a new level, adding a futuristic twist to Ray-Ban’s classic style. The Wayfarers were one of the first pairs of glasses I ever geeked out over, so it’s pretty epic that they have this new tech within them.

I found my ideal pair and then explored a mesmerizing room that responded to hand movements, creating a totally zen and colorful experience like nothing I’ve seen before. Each wave and gesture opened up new visuals, creating an immersive space that felt like stepping into a serene futuristic world filled with gradient colors. The pop-up also features works from acclaimed photographer Estevan Oriol, whose images capture the Lowrider culture that, while being synonymous with L.A., is becoming a global phenomenon. Meeting him and getting a firsthand look at his work was an unforgettable highlight, bringing an amazing layer of depth and excitement to the event. Throughout the space there are  questions you can ask to trigger  Ray-Ban Meta's built-in Meta AI. I ended up learning more about not only Estevan Oriol, but about the other spotlighted artists. Asking those questions also helped me see more of my new glasses' capabilities.

Before setting out to explore the city, I grabbed a quick pick-me-up at the in-house coffee canning station. Meta Lab partnered with Sidecar Donuts to serve a limited-edition Blue Velvet donut inspired by Estevan Oriol's blue lowrider. It’s a sweet (literally) touch that adds to the full experience—caffeine, tech and style all in one spot! Now that I was fully fueled, it was time to hit the city streets with all of the inspiration I drew from the space.

I hit a few of my favorite L.A. spots, using the features of my new Ray-Ban Meta Glasses along the way. For lunch, Clark Street Diner was an obvious choice and I snapped a quick photo of their famous burger completely hands-free. With a simple “Hey Meta, snap a photo,” I documented the moment effortlessly. Posting directly to my Instagram story was just as easy, making it perfect for capturing those quintessential L.A. moments—and avoiding getting ketchup all over my phone screen.

Next, I stopped by The Original Farmers Market, a classic Los Angeles destination where you can find just about anything. I was inspired to whip up my friend’s favorite mac and cheese recipe, so I used the glasses to pull up a quick shopping list. From ingredients to directions, the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses made it simple to access information on the go.

With groceries in hand, I picked up a special treat for my mom—a bag of caramel corn, one of her favorites—and headed home to start cooking. After a full day of shopping and exploring, I used the Meta glasses to check the quickest route home, ending my day with the convenience of this hands-free tech.

If you’re curious about these glasses, the Meta Lab pop-up is the place to go. It's open until December 31 and they will be hosting a variety of events that you can keep track of via their social media channels. Plus, they have plenty of pairs in-store for you to demo and use within the space if you’re not ready to bite the bullet and buy a pair just yet (I suggest putting them on your Christmas list; they'll make a perfect gift for yourself or any of your loved ones). Don’t miss your chance to get inspired in your own creative way by all that Meta Lab offers—whether you're a tech enthusiast, a Ray-Ban loyalist or simply looking for a unique experience in Los Angeles. You can check out more on Ray-Ban Meta's Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok! So, let’s play L.A.