3 Days in Los Angeles
Beach Vibes, Hollywood Haunts, and Buzzy Restaurants
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September 03, 2026
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Los Angeles plays a leading role in countless movies and songs. It’s the La La Land of aspiring Hollywood stars and wellness influencers, where you can surf in Malibu or hike in Griffith Park almost anytime thanks to the mild, sunny weather (with June Gloom being the occasional exception).
The sprawling city encompasses the glitz of Rodeo Drive and the palm-tree-lined Sunset Boulevard; the canals and Spanish-style homes of Venice; hip Silver Lake; and many more diverse neighborhoods. Things to do in L.A. range from marveling at The Getty’s art and views to touring local vineyards and detouring to theme parks or attending the Coachella Music Festival.
One of the best ways to experience Los Angeles is by exploring its independently owned shops and restaurants.
Read on for our curated three-day L.A. itinerary and learn about benefits that Platinum Card® Members enjoy when booking through American Express Travel®.
Get Oriented in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica
Accommodations
The Maybourne Beverly Hills
The Valorian Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton
Places of Interest
The Getty Center
Griffith Observatory
Eat & Drink
Crudo e Nudo
Milo & Olive
Crustacean Beverly Hills
Employees Only
Indulge in Art, Music, and Retail Therapy
Places of Interest
Remedy Place
Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Miracle Mile Toys & Gifts
The Hotel Café
The Hollywood Bowl
Eat & Drink
Great White - Melrose
Ètra
Tonchin
Mother Wolf
La Dolce Vita LA
Embrace the Outdoors in Malibu and Venice
Places of Interest
4 x 4 Vineyard Tour
Learn to Surf at Malibu Beach
Mishe Mokwa Trails and Sandstone Park
El Matador State Beach
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Canals of Venice
Eat & Drink
Taverna Tony
Night + Market Sahm
RVR
Gran Blanco
Barrique
The Maybourne Beverly Hills
Just off Rodeo Drive, The Maybourne Beverly Hills offers residential-style comfort and one of the city's best rooftops—complete with a chic pool and panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills. Spacious rooms and suites feature contemporary interiors, and award-winning Dante Beverly Hills serves Italian-inspired fare and classic cocktails poolside. Spend the day relaxing in a private cabana, unwinding at the spa, or browsing the neighborhood's luxury boutiques.
The Valorian Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton
High above the Sunset Strip, The Valorian Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton looks out across the LA skyline from one of West Hollywood’s most recognizable addresses. Guest rooms feature contemporary furnishings and bamboo floors, while select suites include balconies and separate dining areas. Between meals at Casa Madera, the new White Rabbit Sky Lounge, and the lively pool scene, there's plenty to enjoy on property.
*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit to use toward eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3,*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
$100 credit to use toward eligible charges2
4pm late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
More of Our Other Favorite Los Angeles Hotels
Ocean views, sophisticated interiors, and attentive service await at Regent Santa Monica Beach, where spacious guest rooms and suites feature private terraces and marble bathrooms. Dine on modern Mediterranean cuisine at Orla by Michael Mina, recharge with a treatment at the Guerlain Wellness Spa, or let the Beach Butler service take care of the details while you lounge by the water.
Enjoy an Italian-Inspired Raw Bar or Pizza in Santa Monica
Crudo e Nudo
Nestled in Santa Monica’s buzzing Main Street community, Crudo e Nudo is a destination for fresh seafood. This Italian-inspired raw bar brings style and passion to artfully prepared seafood dishes, minimally yet deliciously seasoned, and served with homemade noodles and pasta. Sourcing local ingredients, the menu focuses on quality and simplicity. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating and a SoCal vibe like no other.
Milo & Olive
Ask around for the best pizza in Santa Monica, and chances are you’ll be sent to Milo & Olive. Here, pies are wood fired and piled high with arugula, cured meats, mushrooms, and other goodness. Garlic knots stuffed with garlic confit deserve a special shoutout. This place is also popular for breakfast, thanks to a coffee bar, wood-fired hash browns, and a special breakfast pizza, of course.
The Getty Center
Art history greats like Monet, Rembrandt, Titian, and Van Gogh are well represented within this museum, whose design has its own wow factor. Richard Meier’s 110-acre, billion-dollar masterpiece sits high above Los Angeles with sweeping views. Factor in gorgeous gardens, and this is one of the best art museum experiences in the country.
Buy your tickets at tickets.getty.edu.
Griffith Observatory
To marvel at LA below and ponder the sky and space above, head to the free Griffith Observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park (griffithobservatory.org). There are exhibit halls, live planetarium shows, and many telescopes that will inspire your inner astronomer. Hiking trails lead to one of the best vantage points to view the Hollywood Sign – and if you time it right, you can join monthly guided sunset walks or public stargazing parties.
Book with GetYourGuide.com
Indulge in a Tasting Menu or Meal with Creative Cocktails
Crustacean Beverly Hills
At Crustacean Beverly Hills, the multi-course tasting menu offers a contemporary take on Vietnamese cuisine though beautifully presented signature dishes, seasonal creations, and the restaurant’s legendary garlic noodles. Don’t miss the glass walkway over the koi pond on your way to the dining room.
Employees Only
Employees Only mixes West Hollywood glamour with New York-style sophistication. As one of the most recognizable bar brands in the world, Employees Only is renowned for its cocktails, speakeasy vibes, and great people watching. A broad menu of seasonal dishes is updated twice a year.
Must be 21+ to drink alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Great White – Melrose
Get the morning off to a virtuous start at this cheery café, which features local artwork and sources produce from California-based farmer partners. It turns up in smoothie bowls, toasts and scrambles, and the many gluten-free and vegan all-day menu options. Drinks range from green juice and probiotics to coffee and tea to natural wines.
Remedy Place
Experience LA's wellness scene at Remedy Place, a stylish West Hollywood club that brings a social element to self care. Try a guided ice bath, sweat it out in a private infrared sauna, or choose from cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and other high-tech treatments. Memberships are available for locals, but visitors can drop in for a one-time experience (remedyplace.com).
Melrose Avenue
Explore the eclectic shopping scene along Melrose Avenue, where high-end fashion, independent boutiques, art, and design come together. Browse JF Chen’s impressive collection of décor, lighting, and furniture (jfchen.com), carry on to Blackman Cruz for handmade craft pieces and antiques (blackmancruz.com), visit contemporary art galleries, or check out fashion favorites like GANNI (ganni.com) and HYPEACH (hypeach.com).
Dig into Modern Italian or Japanese Classics
Ètra
This lively, casual Italian restaurant is in Melrose Hill, now considered LA’s hottest culinary neighborhood. Pasta represents the heart and soul of Ètra’s menu, a celebration of Italian simplicity. The menu also showcases fresh California-sourced ingredients. Don’t miss the stellar wine list brimming with Italian, French, and California varietals.
Tonchin
Tonchin brings its renowned version of Japan’s iconic tonkotsu ramen to LA’s historic Larchmont neighborhood. The signature ramen noodles are hand-kneaded and prepared in-house daily in the viewable noodle-making room, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the process. Noodle bowls are served in a variety of broths including rich, long-simmered pork broth that’s thick, hearty, and full of flavor. Enjoy with savory toppings and standout dishes like Tebasaki Wings or Smoked Dashi.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
While LACMA may be the biggest art museum on the West Coast, it’s so well done that it doesn't feel overwhelming. The collection spans 6,000 years, dozens of countries, and 147,000 objects; some 20 Van Gogh paintings, iconic Diego Rivera works like Dia de las Flores, and sculptures by Giacometti are among the treasures. LACMA often hosts temporary exhibitions with leading present-day artists such as Ai Weiwei. No matter the day or time, you can admire Urban Light, Chris Burden’s installation of 202 historic southern Californian streetlamps that stand watch by the entrance.
Buy your tickets at lacma.org.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Adjacent to LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the largest museum in the country dedicated to movies and moviemaking. Explore galleries filled with costumes, props, and memorabilia, catch a screening, and check out rotating exhibitions honoring influential films and filmmakers. Don't miss the Dolby Family Terrace for panoramic views of LA and the Hollywood Hills.
Buy your tickets at academymuseum.org
La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
During LA’s Pleistocene Era, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and huge mammoths roamed freely—until gooey crude oil began bubbling up and trapping them. Fast-forward thousands of years, and scientists are actively excavating the animal and plant fossils within the asphalt at La Brea Tar Pits. You can observe the still-bubbling goo during interactive museum tours and catch a 3D educational film.
Buy your tickets at tarpits.org.
Find Your Childlike Wonder
Miracle Mile Toys & Gifts
This shop on South La Brea Avenue celebrates the wonder of childhood with its stock of award-winning brands such as Meri Meri from the UK and Japanese Kiko & gg (miraclemiletoysandgifts.com). Browse shelves filled with board games, soft toys, educational sets, vintage wooden toys, and more to pick out gifts for the little ones in your life.
Score a Table at a Contemporary or Classic Hot Spot
Mother Wolf
Mother Wolf is chef Evan Funke’s ode to the cuisine of Rome which, legend has it, was founded by Romulus and Remus, twins nursed by a wolf. Handmade pastas include tonnarelli cacio e pepe and spaghetti con bottarga among the handmade pastas; pizza with braised artichokes and prosciutto and scottadito (rib lamb chops with salsa verde) are other high notes. Meals unfold with dramatic flair in a vast space with marble tabletops, Murano glass lighting, and open kitchen action.
La Dolce Vita LA
A favorite among Hollywood A-listers since the 1960s, the famed La Dolce Vita has many stories to tell (there’s a reason it has no windows). Today, La Dolce Vita welcomes anyone who loves their Hollywood nostalgia paired with classic Italian-American cuisine and warm neighborhood hospitality. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know who might drop by to join you.
Take in a Show
The Hotel Café
The Hotel Café is an intimate venue with two stages where 200 or 85 patrons can tune into the area’s up-and-coming artists. Early birds will snag coveted front row tables; stragglers will be left with standing room only. The venue is strictly ages 21 and over. Even more coveted is a ticket to the mind-boggling shows at The Magic Castle, accessible only to members of this magician’s clubhouse and their invited guests (magiccastle.com).
Buy your tickets at hotelcafe.com.
The Hollywood Bowl
An iconic LA landmark, the 1922-era Hollywood Bowl has a concentric-arched bandshell and the Hollywood Hills and Hollywood Sign as a backdrop. The outdoor amphitheater hosts big-name acts across genres: rock, jazz, opera, Latin, musical theater, stand-up comedy, and the Bowl’s very own classical orchestra in residence. Pack your own picnic, sit back, and enjoy the show–complete with fireworks in summer.
Buy your tickets at hollywoodbowl.com.
Savor a 4 x 4 Vineyard Tour
Take a guided two-hour tour of a rolling 1,000-acre wine estate on this 4x4 adventure experience. Along the way, you’ll make stops to explore Chumash Native American cave paintings, organic gardens, mountain top vantage points, and, of course, the vines and wine production. Charcuterie board and beverages included.
Buy your vineyard tour at malibuwinehikes.com.
Learn to Surf at an Exclusive Malibu Beach
It’s no coincidence that surf culture grew up around Southern California: the conditions are excellent. Hone your surf skills with an experienced instructor who will customize the lesson to your level and lead you to more secluded stretches of coastline where you can learn comfortably. Conquer the waves on your board as the turquoise water rises around you and the palm trees wave at you from the shore.
Buy your surf experience at malibusurfcoach.com.
Mishe Mokwa Trails and Sandstone Park
This 9-mile loop trail through the Santa Monica Mountains and red rock canyons provides views of the Echo Cliffs and sandstone formations along with chances to observe golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and other native wildlife. It’s a moderately difficult hike that takes about three hours and is popular with locals for hiking, birding, and trail running.
El Matador State Beach
If you know, you know that this is the best beach in Malibu: El Matador is peaceful and relaxed, with powder-soft sand and mild waves. Make your way along the trail that leads to sandstone rock towers jutting out of coves with impossibly clear waters and explore the caves and tidepools at low tide. Remember to bring your own food, water, and supplies as there are no services at this beach.
Taverna Tony
Greek eats and sweets await. Taverna Tony offers a little piece of the Mediterranean amid the Malibu beach scene. Traditional delicacies feature fresh seafood, poultry, and lamb dishes, though for some, the best part of the menu is the flaming cheese. More than a Greek restaurant, Taverna Tony is an experience, complete with live music and belly dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
Although there is a 3-mile sandy beach, Venice Beach is most famous for the people-watching. Stroll the boardwalk and street market and take in the eclectic mix of body builders, aspiring stars, hippies, tattoo artists, and all others. You can also compare beach scenes–and take in all the scenery–on a guided bike tour of Venice Beach and Santa Monica.
Book with GetYourGuide.com
Shop Small or Paddle Through Venice
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Some of LA’s coolest boutiques are clustered along the mile-long strip of Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. There are also plenty of coffee shops and cafes where you can refuel. Every First Friday of the month, there’s the added appeal of a food truck festival that brings together buzzed-about dining concepts from around the city.
Canals of Venice
Just off Abbot Kinney Boulevard awaits a residential area whose man-made canals were inspired by the OG Venice itself. Admire the picturesque views while paddling along on your own private tour with Canal Pals. You might stop and feed the ducks as you chat with your local guide, who will tell you fascinating stories about this distinctive area of Los Angeles.
Book your private book tour or rental at canalpals.com.
Opt for LA-Style Asian Cuisine
Night + Market SAHM
Bangkok frenzy meets California chill at Night + Market SAHM in Venice, where boldly seasoned “LA Thai” caters to the tastes and cravings of the local crowd. Night + Market adds another layer of distinction with an applauded selection of wines that rivals the classiest Parisian wine bars. The restaurant is vibey and buzzing with energy. Dishes are served in a sharable, family style.
RVR
RVR, on Venice’s buzzy Abbot Kinney boulevard, adds a twist of California to an all-day “izakaya,” a traditional Japanese tavern. Everyday Japanese drinking fare is served with a bounty of local and seasonal produce and seafood. Be ready for a laid-back evening around a casually elegant table. Fill your plates with deliciously prepared ramen, gyoza, lacy bottoms, and karaage chicken—as only chef Travis Lett can prepare. Reservations are highly recommended.
Linger over Wine or Cocktails
Gran Blanco
Located beneath the iconic Venice sign, Gran Blanco serves Japanese-inspired small plates—think salmon wonton tacos, yellowtail ceviche, and chicken katsu—alongside inventive cocktails and rotating wines. Grab an outdoor table, especially sought after around sunset, or head inside where DJs spin eclectic tracks throughout the week.
Barrique
Tucked inside a charming yellow cottage on Main Street, Barrique is a longtime neighborhood favorite known for its Italian-focused wine list and rustic cooking. Choose from a thoughtfully selected list by the glass or bottle, then settle in for handmade pastas and seasonal dishes in the intimate dining room or on the relaxed garden patio.
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1As of 01/2026.
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