Where to Go, Stay & Dine in Beverly Hills
Were those 10 inch heels? From our bistro table, we watched a parade of stilettos and Ferraris zoom by. Forget Paris and NYC Fashion Runways! These front row seats on Rodeo Drive offer the best people watching to the most famous outdoor catwalk in the world. Sharing our favorites from a recent trip to Beverly Hills with our recommendations on where to stay, dine & what to do in Beverly Hills!
Beverly Hills is a central location to venture out and explore the Los Angeles area from Hollywood, Santa Monica, to Disneyland & Universal Studios and the VIP Studio Tour at Warner Brothers! There’s so much to do in Los Angeles, it’s hard to know where to start.
We stayed in the heart of L.A., at the SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, and found 7 favorite things to do. Next trip we will try out 50 more things to do for FREE – provided by the Beverly Hills Tourism Office – see below.
Stay & Dine
We stayed at the hotel with Style. Luxury. Service. The SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, is centrally located in Beverly Hills, close to Beverly Blvd, Melrose Drive, Rodeo Drive, West Hollywood and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The hotel’s design is modern and playful. TIP! Reserve the complimentary house car to drive you within 2 miles radius of the hotel.
This five-star luxury hotel with chic decor and inspired amenities is a FUN place to stay! We felt at home in our suite and relaxed in our living room and by the pool. The ultra-modern and classically elegant guest rooms and suites are designed by Philippe Starck.
Marriott recently renovated the rooms and suites. There are seven upscale suite categories that offer a variety of layouts – some with outdoor terraces and balconies with city and garden views.
The dining options include In-room Dining, breakfast at The Nook in the lobby, and dinner on the Vista Rooftop terrace with sunset views over the city.
The dinner on the rooftop was delicious – we ordered the braised beef ribs and chicken dishes. Plated to perfection! Outdoor dining under the SoCal skies at its best.
Dining Nearby…
The concierge suggested the following restaurants within walking distance or take the hotel car:
- Ysabel – Contemporary American fare & mixology-focused cocktails in a midcentury-modern space with a patio.
- Toca Madera – Upscale, organic Mexican fare (including vegan options) & cocktails, served amid posh decor.
- Cecconi’s – An elegant, chic, retro Roman setting with outdoor seating for Venetian-style Italian cuisine.
- Catch – Slick, rooftop space known for celebrity sightings, creative seafood-focused food & cocktails.
- Craig’s – American cuisine, including meatloaf & rib-eye steak, in a handsome venue known for celeb sightings.
- Alfred Coffee – Searching for a good latte? Take a morning walk to Melrose Place! There’s a line, so order online before or wait for 10 mins.
Top 7 Things to Do + 50 Free Things to Do
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Shop! and/or Window Shop!
Start on world-famous Rodeo Drive and visit renowned shops like Prada, Hermes, Gucci, Fende, Ferragamo, and more. You’ll find high-end fashion boutiques and designer stores on every block.
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People & Star Watch:
What list of Beverly Hills would be complete without being on the the lookout for stars! Sometimes the best entertainment is people watching, especially in Beverly Hills. You might even have a celebrity sighting! Keep a lookout for paparazzi arriving just before the star makes their appearance. If you want to take a Starline Tour, you can find out where celebrities have lived since 1935. Or check out TimeOut Los Angeles guide to see where the stars live, eat and play.
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Avenues of Art & Design:
Looking for art and design? You’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, art galleries, design boutiques along Melrose Avenue, Robertson Boulevard, and La Cienega Boulevard. The Pacific Design Center is open to the public. Stop by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has a is located on the west corner of the PDC, open Tuesday – Sunday.
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Beautiful Beverly Hills Estates:
Driving down palm lined streets and see elegant, one-of-a-kind properties in nearby neighborhoods is a must as you visit Beverly Hills.
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Farmer’s Markets:
Check the dates for farmer’s markets, where you meet farmers and produce vendors from the area, and sample fresh fruits, baked goods, and can find a variety of crafts.
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Museums:
Our concierge pointed out, “just minutes from the hotel sits L.A.’s historic “Museum Row.” Situated on Wilshire Boulevard’s Miracle Mile, you’ll find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Peterson Automotive Museum, The George C. Page Museum of La Brea discoveries and the La Brea Tar Pits. Adjacent to Museum Row is the famed Third Street Farmers’ Market featuring “The Grove,” an outdoor mall with specialty shops and entertainment. And if you have time, visit The Getty Center. The stunning Richard Meier-designed facility houses major collections from around the world and boasts a stunning view of the city and coastline.”
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Visit nearby neighborhoods
Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, Downtown L.A. Some ideas on what to do in each of these neighborhoods, see below.
- Santa Monica and visit the Pier, ride the Ferris Wheel, walk the 3rd Street Promenade or Montana Ave where you’ll find boutiques and galleries, or Ocean Avenue where you can have the best view of the sunset. Don’t miss the Beach Boardwalk where you can stroll, cycle, or rollerblade on the beach. Venice Beach is south of Santa Monica where you can find more beaches and shopping on Abbot Kinney.
- Downtown LA: Be sure to visit the 1st street in L.A. – Olvera Street, where you can hear mariachis singing while eating taquitos and delicious Mexican food. Lots of crafts stalls along this historic street. Shop at the Garment District for clothes bargains. Watch a game at Dodger’s Stadium, or see a show at The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion or the new Walt Disney Concert Hall.
- Hollywood: See the 2,500 brass stars on the Walk of Fame or The Hollywood Wax Museum, Mann’s Chinese Theater, the Ripley’s Museum. Hike up to the iconic Hollywood sign and visit Griffith Park where you’ll find 50+ miles of trails and 150 native plant species. The Griffith Park Observatory is open to the public for stargazing too!
PLUS 50 FREE Things to Do!
Beverly Hills isn’t just for the “rich and famous”. We found a list from the Tourism Office of 50 free things to do in this city for everyone and every budget.
Travel Resources
Travel Acknowledgements
Thanks to SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills and staff that hosted us during our stay. Until next time Beverly Hills!