Upscale LA: More Than a Zip Code
Spend a day exploring Beverly Hills and Hollywood
© 2009 10Best
by Kirbie Crowe
Los Angeles provides an abundance of superb restaurants, shopping, cultural venues, and nightlife; for visitors, choosing what to see and do can be overwhelming. A day spent in lush Beverly Hills and its famous neighbor to the north, Hollywood, offers activities that the entire family can enjoy, with the added bonus of possible celebrity sightings!
In true LA style, treat yourself to the finest accommodations during your stay. The Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills is an elegant, well-appointed hotel with luxurious guest rooms and indulgent amenities. Fit in a morning workout in the spacious fitness room, or take a dip in the Mediterranean-style pool before breakfast. When you're ready for a bite to eat, plenty of charming breakfast spots are in the area. Clementine, a bustling bakery and café, serves simple and delicious morning eats. Dig in to a bowl of hearty homemade granola, or savor a poached egg breakfast sandwich, served on a fresh biscuit.
The shopping-inclined should take advantage of nearby Rodeo Drive and the Beverly Center. Posh upscale shops line Rodeo, while the mega-mall Beverly Center is home to over 160 brand-name shops and boutiques. If you'd rather spend your morning absorbing some culture, head to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Wilshire. Upcoming exhibits include a retrospective of influential artist Dan Flavin, who works with neon and fluorescent lights.
Hungry yet? The Grill on the Alley is a favorite lunch spot and offers modern takes on American favorites like chicken pot pie and meatloaf. A hearty lunch here will serve you well for an afternoon of sightseeing in Hollywood, only minutes away.
Prepare to be starstruck – the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre are a one-two punch of silver screen glitz and glamour. The famous walk, lined with stars bearing the names of personalities from the film, TV, and music industries, is a gathering spot for tourists, cameras in hand. The adjacent theater, a chinoiserie wonder, opened in 1927 and has been the site of hundreds of high-profile movie premieres.
Dinner opportunities abound in LA. When you've worked up an appetite from a long day of sightseeing, tuck into a delicious Italian meal at Angelini Osteria, a top-notch restaurant in West Hollywood. Rustic fare like pumpkin tortelli and Romagna-style Dover sole are indicative of the menu's luscious cuisine.
A plethora of nightlife choices awaits you, from the hottest clubs to the coolest lounges. If you're looking for a change of pace, head to Lucky Strike Lanes Hollywood for a hip night of bowling. The '60s-themed, retro venue is stylish, fun, and has a little something for everybody. Don't worry – if bowling's not your thing, there's no shortage of other ways to end an exciting day in Hollywood and Beverly Hills.




