Los Angeles demands a deliberate approach to glamour. Start with accommodation at The Beverly Hills Hotel, where the Polo Lounge remains Hollywood's most storied dining room. Rooms run $400 to $600 nightly, but the pink-hued palace delivers the aesthetic that defines LA luxury.
Dining shapes the LA weekend. Nobu Malibu serves pristine sashimi and rock shrimp tempura overlooking the Pacific, with entrees averaging $50 to $80. For Italian, Republique in West Hollywood plates handmade pasta in a converted 1920s townhouse. Lunch spots like Gwen in Downtown LA showcase seasonal California cooking without the pretension.
Days unfold at Griffith Observatory for cityscape views, or through the Getty Center's white travertine galleries overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains. Budget three hours here. Shopping happens on Melrose Avenue or Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, where independent boutiques compete with established designers.
Sunset cocktails belong at Catch in West Hollywood, where sea urchin ceviche pairs with aged tequila. The Chateau Marmont's bar carries Hollywood intrigue from its 1929 opening. Nightlife clusters around WeHo's corridor of clubs like Skybar, where entry costs $20 to $40.
Beach time at Santa Monica or Malibu's El Matador State Beach anchors afternoon hours. Bring sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.
Getting there: American Airlines, United, and Alaska Airlines offer direct flights from major hubs to LAX and Burbank airports, with economy fares starting around $150 roundtrip from the West Coast. Rental cars from Budget or Hertz run $35 daily.
Budget $250 daily for meals beyond hotel dining, plus $60 for