OUR SUGGESTIONS
LOS ANGELES
SANTA MONICA
There are incredible beaches throughout L.A., but Santa Monica is one of our favorites. Book a waterfront hotel room and sip beachside cocktails watching the sun set. Explore the amusements on Santa Monica Pier, which also is the beginning of Route 66, join the locals for some beach volleyball, or take a stroll down the boardwalk to bohemian Venice Beach.
BEVERLY HILLS
Get a taste for the high life in this very upscale neighborhood. Head to the Golden Triangle where you'll find famous spots, such as the Beverly Wilshire hotel from Pretty Woman (do brunch on the patio for some excellent people and supercar watching), before window shopping on Rodeo Drive. Try Wally's for lunch, and for dinner, our pick is South Beverly Grill. Check out Sixty Beverly Hills for a (more) affordable hotel with rooftop pool in the heart of the action.
HOLLYWOOD
Not one of our favorite places in L.A., but worth a visit. Walk Hollywood Blvd., to see famous sights like the Chinese Theater, the Walk of Fame, and the Capitol Records Building, then head to Ovation Hollywood, where you can grab a bite to eat and hit the shops. For village-vibes, adjacent West Hollywood is a nicer neighborhood with lots of independent shops, bars and restaurants. This is where you'll find the storied Sunset Strip and the iconic Melrose Avenue.
GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY
While you'll get glimpses of the famed Hollywood Sign from around the city, in our opinion, the best spot to take the perfect photo is at the Griffith Observatory (which is worth a visit regardless). Sitting atop Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park with commanding views of L.A., the architecturally beautiful Art Deco observatory has been used as a location in many movies and Adele recently performed on its lawn.
THEME PARKS
Universal Studios Hollywood combines film studios and a theme park. Take a tour the studios before experiencing intense rides in 10-themed lands, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Or, feel the magic at the original Disneyland Resort in neighboring Anaheim, featuring two separate parks as well as Star Wars: Galaxy Edge. Thrill-seekers should head to Six Flags Magic Mountain, featuring the world's tallest, longest and fastest stand-up rollercoaster.