Journey Friday - LA

Los Angeles doesn't ask you to choose between the mountains

and the ocean, between high art and a perfect taco, between

barefoot beach mornings and rooftop cocktails at golden hour.

It simply offers all of it — and lets you find your own version of the city.

THE SPIRIT OF THE CITY

Coastal Energy & Outdoor Living

LA is a city lived largely outdoors. The Pacific coastline stretches from Malibu

through Santa Monica and Venice down to Palos Verdes, offering everything

from surf breaks and beach volleyball to sunset cycling on the boardwalk.

Hiking is woven into daily life — Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park deliver city

views that stop you mid-stride, while the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu

Creek State Park reward those willing to go further with wildflower meadows,

creek crossings, and canyon silence.

The laid-back lifestyle is real, but don't mistake it for disorganized. Beneath the

sunshine is a city that leads the world in culture, cuisine, and creative ambition

— and does all of it with a certain effortless cool.

World-Class Dining

From Japanese omakase counters in Little Tokyo to Michelin-starred tasting

menus in Beverly Hills, LA's dining scene is genuinely global and deeply serious

about food. Farmers' markets anchor the local produce culture — the Sunday

Santa Monica market supplies half the city's best restaurants. Coastal seafood,

wood-fired Californian cuisine, and neighborhood taco stands all exist within a

few miles of each other. Don't skip the tacos.

THE NEIGHBORHOODS

A City of Distinct Worlds

Downtown LA

The Arts District pulses with gallery openings, craft cocktail bars, and converted warehouse restaurants. Little Tokyo delivers authentic ramen, wagashi sweets, and one of the most culturally rich pockets in the city. Grand Central Market is a must. The Broad and MOCA are world-class.

Beverly Hills

Rodeo Drive remains the gold standard of luxury retail — three blocks of flagship boutiques set against manicured palms. The surrounding streets offer excellent French and Italian dining, and the hotels here are some of the most iconic addresses in the world.

West Hollywood

WeHo is the city's social heartbeat — rooftop bars along Sunset Strip, the Design District, standout restaurants on Melrose, and a nightlife energy that draws the creative class. The 1 Hotel and Sunset Tower are the neighborhood's spiritual anchors.

Santa Monica & the Westside

Santa Monica Beach is the classic California postcard — the pier, the promenade, the volleyball nets, the sunsets. Venice is grittier and more creative. Pacific Palisades and Malibu add a quiet, cliffside drama. This is outdoor-living Los Angeles at its finest.

OPENINGS & BUZZ

The New Hotel Landscape

2026 and beyond are exceptional years for LA hotel debuts. Here's what's

opened and what's on the horizon:

OPEN NOW Hotel Lili Opened April 1st, Pal Society's latest addition brings a

warmly curated, design-led experience to the mix —

intimate in scale.

OPEN NOW The Valerian Also opened April 1st. A new name to watch with a

character and identity all its own — botanical-inspired

atmosphere with a strong sense of place.

SUMMER 2025 Public Hotel West Hollywood Opening this summer on the

Sunset Strip. Ian Schrager's Public brand brings its exceptional design at surprisingly accessible rates.

END OF YEAR Mama Shelter DTLA Opening late 2025 in Downtown LA. The

beloved Parisian group's playful, irreverent sensibility meets the energy of the Arts District. Expect a great rooftop and even better vibes.

LATE 2027 Aman Beverly Hills The ultra-luxury Aman brand makes its LA debut in

Beverly Hills — with the brand's hallmark sanctuary atmosphere, world-class spa, and the kind of service that feels almost implausibly attentive.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotels by Neighborhood & Travel Style

Downtown LA

Conrad Los Angeles Polished and modern, ideal for business travel with

spectacular skyline views. Connected to The Grand LA

complex with Gehry architecture outside your window.

Proper Hotel DTLA A historic Italianate building brought back to life with

Kelly Wearstler's signature maximalist design. Rooftop

pool, standout food, and a creative-class clientele.

Los Angeles Marriott Centrally located near LA Live and Crypto.com Arena

— dependable and convenient for event-driven trips and families.

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Hotel The Pink Palace. The iconic LA experience —

bungalows, the Polo Lounge, a pool frequented by

legends. This is old-Hollywood glamour preserved and celebrated.

Four Seasons Beverly Hills Steps from Rodeo Drive, impeccably staffed, with a

lush garden setting that feels worlds away from the city streets below. Consistently excellent.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills Honeymoon-worthy in every sense — classic,

romantic, with a rooftop garden bar and service that anticipates your needs. The standard for quiet luxury in this zip code.

Sofitel Los Angeles European elegance near Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. French-influenced service, a lovely pool, and a sophisticated atmosphere without the Beverly Hills price point.

West Hollywood

1 Hotel West Hollywood The sustainability-forward choice — natural materials, living walls, rooftop pool with panoramic views, and a commitment to biophilic design without sacrificing an ounce of style.

Palihouse West Hollywood An intimate, apartment-style retreat inside a 1920s building. Ideal for longer stays or those who prefer a residential, neighborhood feel over grand-hotel formality.

Sunset Tower Hotel Art deco perfection on the Strip. The Tower Bar is an LA institution — reliably stylish, excellent people-watching, and a timeless sense of occasion.

Santa Monica & the Coast

Fairmont Miramar Perched on the bluffs above Santa Monica Beach, this iconic property offers dramatic ocean views, a bungalow garden setting, and an energetic rooftop scene at Fig. A classic choice.

Regent Santa Monica Beach A modern, wellness-focused property steps from the

sand. Clean lines, excellent spa programming, and a calm that feels intentional and restorative.

Casa del Mar Couples will love the upscale beach glamour of this

grand beachfront property — oceanfront rooms, a sunset-facing terrace, and a romantic Mediterranean sensibility.

Proper Santa Monica Design-forward and sun-washed California style with interiors that feel effortlessly curated — think Aerin Lauder meets coastal artisan. Smart, stylish, and independently spirited.

WHEN TO VISIT

Seasons of Los Angeles

SPRING

March – May

LA's finest season. Green hills, wildflowers in the canyons, lighter crowds, and warm — not hot — temperatures. Ideal for hiking and exploring.

EARLY SUMMER

June – July

"June Gloom" brings grey mornings that burn off by midday — locals love it. Cooler on the coast, warm inland, and the city hums with activity.

LATE SUMMER –

FALL

August – October

Hot, dry, and golden. Prime beach weather. Santa Ana winds arrive in October, bringing crystal clarity and dramatic light that photographers chase.

WINTER

November – February

Cooler evenings, occasional rain, and a quieter, more local version of the city. Snow

on the mountains (visible from the beach on clear mornings) and holiday atmosphere downtown.

SETTING SAIL

Cruise from Los Angeles & Long Beach

LA and Long Beach are major Pacific embarkation points, giving you access to

some of the most varied itineraries in North America — from short Mexican

Riviera getaways to epic Panama Canal crossings.

ITINERARY DURATION HIGHLIGHTS

Mexican Riviera

3–7 days Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta — sun, tequila, and turquoise water

Pacific Coast

4–7 days San Francisco, Oregon, British Columbia — dramatic scenery up the coast

Hawaii

14–16 days Maui, Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island — the classic trans-Pacific voyage

Panama Canal

14–16 days One of the world's great engineering marvels, plus Caribbean and Central American ports

Alaska ~16 days Glaciers, fjords, wildlife, and Hubbard Bay — a true wilderness voyage

Virgin Voyages

Adults-only. Chic, music-forward, and genuinely fun. No buffets, no kids, and a vibe closer to a boutique hotel at sea than a traditional cruise ship.

Regent Seven Seas

Ultra-luxury, all-inclusive. Included shore excursions, butler service, and elegant ships with an older, discerning clientele who know what they want.

Royal Caribbean

Family-focused with activities for every age, large ship entertainment, and outstanding value. The go-to choice when traveling with children.

BEYOND THE CITY

Day Trips & Add-On Destinations

Day Trips from LA

Disneyland — Anaheim · ~45 min

The original park, and still singular. Book Genie+ in advance.

Catalina Island · ~2 hrs by ferry

A different pace entirely — golf carts instead of cars, turquoise coves, snorkeling, and charming Avalon village. Take the Catalina Express from Long Beach or San Pedro.

Big Bear Lake · ~2 hrs

Mountain escape above the smog line. Skiing in winter, paddle-boarding and hiking in summer. A beloved local weekend retreat with cabin charm.

Add-On Destinations

Santa Barbara · ~2 hours north

The American Riviera. White-washed Spanish colonial architecture, a charming State Street, excellent wine country nearby in Santa Ynez, and a pace of life that immediately soothes. Pair with 2 nights for the full effect.

Palm Springs · ~2.5 hours east

Mid-century modern architecture, desert pools, world-class golf, and an arts scene anchored by the Coachella Valley. Add Joshua Tree National Park for one of California's most otherworldly landscapes. Best October through April.

San Diego · ~3 hours south

A more relaxed, sun-soaked cousin to LA — with Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, world-class craft beer, and Coronado Island. Add on 2–3 nights for a natural, unhurried extension to any LA itinerary.

Journey Friday

Los Angeles rewards those who come with curiosity and leave the

itinerary a little loose. Let the city show you what it is today — it's always becoming something new.