Airbnb are going way beyond just beds. Los Angeles regular Lisa Haynes sees the city in a whole new light with the company's pioneering Trips app

I'm not even hungry but I'm scrambling for the most photogenic doughnut from a hipster cardboard box like it's the last one on earth. But I don't eat it; not even so much as a lick of the reflective glaze.

I'm snapping baked goods on a smartphone as part of a '#FoodPorn' masterclass in Santa Monica. It's one of hundreds of new experiences that heralds the beginning of Airbnb's new Trips-with-a-capital-T phase.

Our snap-happy group sits surrounded by Sidecar doughnuts, Izze clementine bottles, and a library of glossy foodie magazines for inspiration..

The two-day Food Porn experience (£208 per person) also takes in fresh produce shopping at Santa Monica's Farmers Market, serving/styling lunch tables, and chatting about the hippest food hangouts on everyone's lips, like Gjelina and Gjusta. It's not just food styling but a whistle-stop gourmet tour of LA's westside districts through host, 36-year-old Insta food stylist Stephanie Goldfinger's eyes.

And that's precisely what Airbnb is feeding to travel-seekers via the new Trips app with Experiences - expanding on the living-in-someone's-home-thing, so that you're stepping into a local's shoes and living out their passions alongside them.

For one day only you can be a kimono stylist in Tokyo, a stargazer in LA, or a truffle hunter in Florence. The list of 500-plus bucket-list experiences goes on and on.

Experiences last anything from three-hours, to multi-day 'immersions', and are currently available in 12 cities: LA, London, San Francisco, Miami, Detroit, Havana, Paris, Florence, Nairobi, Cape Town, Tokyo and Seoul - but a further 39 cities will launch in the next few months. Just a drop in the ocean when you consider the Airbnb juggernaut is now operating in 34,000 cities and more than 191 countries.

Experiences are presented in the form of movie poster-style billings that make the host the 'star' and feature mini highlight trailers.

On my last day in LA, I explore my super-hip Airbnb district, Silverlake. Before I know it, I'm googling Instagram-worthy brunch spots and stumble across Sawyer - all white marble tables, vaulted high ceilings and statement floral walls.

I eye up the bunch of bright chrysanthemums arranged just so on the table, watch the bartender shake up virgin cocktails, and observe the chef's attention to detail on my food garnish, realising the untapped potential for experience masterclasses everywhere you look on vacation.

I ponder the next 'Trip' on my app hit list. And then get back to Instagramming my eggs Florentine, carefully styled up with a side of sunglasses and a glossy magazine.

TRAVEL FACTS

Lisa Haynes stayed in Los Angeles courtesy of Airbnb (airbnb.co.uk). Download the updated Airbnb app for Trips, featuring 500-plus Experiences, currently available in 12 cities. Prices vary on Experience and exchange rates.