Luxury things to do in Los Angeles
The Peninsula, Somni, Vespertine and SELINE in three days.
Los Angeles at the level where the tasting menu is the itinerary and everything else is scheduled around it. The days are anchored by some of the most ambitious cooking in the country, with Palisades Park and the Wende Museum offering the occasional pause for air. This trip is for the traveller who wants to see what the city looks like when no ceiling applies.
Day 1: Beverly Hills at full tilt
Coffee at The Peninsula, a Polo Lounge lunch and Rodeo Drive by afternoon, then Somni's counter and a late drink on the Strip.
- 9:30 AM
The Living Room at The Peninsula
Morning coffee at The Peninsula's iconic Living Room, the grandest café in Beverly Hills, pure bougie ritual.
Map - 10:30 AM
Beverly Gardens Park
Stroll the landmark Beverly Gardens Park and its famous Beverly Hills sign, the city's most photographed stretch of greenery.
Map - 12:30 PM
Polo Lounge
Lunch on the patio at The Beverly Hills Hotel; order the McCarthy salad and stay for one more drink.
Map - 2:30 PM
Rodeo Drive
Three palm-lined blocks of flagship boutiques; walk up to Two Rodeo's cobbled lane and back down the other side.
Map - 7:30 PM
Somni
Twenty-plus courses finished by the chefs in front of 14 seats, one seating at 7:30, Wednesday to Sunday.
Map - 9:30 PM
Sunset at EDITION
A nightcap at The West Hollywood EDITION on the Strip, a few minutes up the hill from Somni.
Map
Day 2: Culver City and Vespertine
A morning climb at Baldwin Hills, lunch at Destroyer and Cold War art at the Wende, then Vespertine's tasting menu and a last glass at Stanley's.
- 9:30 AM
CULVER & MAIN
Easy counter café on Main Street; a pour-over and the breakfast burrito before the climb up Baldwin Hills.
Map - 10:30 AM
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
Panoramic LA views from the hilltop, a short hike with a seriously grand payoff before lunch.
Map - 12:30 PM
Destroyer
Acclaimed Destroyer is the neighborhood's most celebrated and talked-about lunch spot, sharp, creative contemporary food steps from Vespertine.
Map - 2:30 PM
Wende Museum of the Cold War
Free Cold War museum in an old armory: Soviet design, propaganda art and a slab of the Berlin Wall. Fri to Sun only.
Map - 7:30 PM
Vespertine
Jordan Kahn's 16-plus course tasting menu, served across the floors of the red steel Waffle building.
Map - 10:00 PM
Stanley's Wet Goods
Natural wine by the glass in downtown Culver City, a short ride from Vespertine for one last pour.
Map
Day 3: Santa Monica and the Pacific
Clifftop walks in Palisades Park, a rooftop lunch at Calabra, the boutiques of Brentwood Country Mart, then SELINE's tasting menu on Main Street.
- 9:30 AM
Caffe Luxxe - Santa Monica
Cappuccino at the very first Caffe Luxxe on Montana Avenue, then walk down to the bluffs.
Map - 10:15 AM
Palisades Park
Clifftop bluff walk with sweeping Pacific views, grand and unhurried before the crowds arrive.
Map - 12:30 PM
Calabra
Rooftop lunch at the Santa Monica Proper: Mediterranean plates, a pool deck and ocean light. Brunch on weekends.
Map - 2:30 PM
Brentwood Country Mart
A red barn of small boutiques: Jenni Kayne, Clare V., Orlebar Brown and goop under one roof.
Map - 7:30 PM
SELINE
Dave Beran's seasonal tasting menu of 14 to 17 courses, with a few playful turns. Tuesday to Saturday.
Map - 9:30 PM
Not No Bar
Loud, fun cocktail bar on Main Street with a pizza oven, a short walk from SELINE. Closed Tue and Wed.
Map
Where to stay
Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Hotel Bel-Air is the most quietly grand address in Los Angeles: Dorchester Collection polish, a canyon garden, and close enough to Beverly Hills and the Westside to anchor all three days.
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
The Beverly Hills Hotel puts you at the centre of Day 1 and within easy reach of everything else, and the Polo Lounge is a serious bar in its own right.
Make Los Angeles your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- The Getty Center: a few days ahead
- The Broad: a few days ahead
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood: weeks ahead
- Cinespia at Hollywood Forever Cemetery: weeks ahead
- Dodger Stadium: weeks ahead
- Rancho Park Golf Course: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Santa Monica Pier is for a walk and a photo; the food is carnival-grade, and the South Bay beaches are better for a beach day.
- The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a 20 minute stop, not an afternoon. Skip it unless you are nearby for something else.
- Rodeo Drive: 15-minute window-shop, poor dinner venue
- Read every restaurant bill before tipping: many places add a service charge, so ask whether it goes to staff as the tip.
The full Los Angeles travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around