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Los Angeles isn’t really a late night town — not when surf’s up as soon as the sun is. Of course, if you’re looking for a place to sip on a cocktail post-dinner or get your groove on, this has-it-all city offers something for everyone. West Hollywood and Hollywood are still the heart of Los Angeles nightlife, coursing with swanky lounges, upbeat clubs and, yes, celebrities. Head to the W Hollywood for two new bars: Station Hollywood and the Living Room. Located in the lobby, the Living Room includes a 19-foot fiber optic and glass chandelier, a circular staircase, and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that lead out to Station Hollywood, which is the hotel’s outdoor bar. For a fantastic view of the city, Drai’s Hollywood nightclub is located on the roof of the W hotel.

Heading west, West Hollywood is home to the Tropicana Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a sexy old-Hollywood spot for drinkers who can keep their balance around the historic David Hockney pool; if not, there’s the indoor Teddy’s, a lounge selective enough to turn away celebrities. West on the Sunset Strip lies the SkyBar at the Mondrian, an ivy-covered rooftop bar filled with chaises that you can reserve.

In Beverly Hills, the SLS Beverly Hills is home to the Bazaar, which has Bar Centro, a sexy bar that remains one of the city’s hot spots, thanks to Philippe Starck’s mixed and matched design and an extensive cocktail list. For something more elegant, the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows has remained a favorite among generations of Hollywood dealmakers.

Further west in Westwood’s W Hotel is Rande Gerber’s Whiskey Blue, which boasts upbeat Polynesian décor. The Marina Del Rey Marriott Hotel features Glow, one of the nation’s best outdoor bars. It’s stuffed with plush seating, fireplaces, waterfalls and cozy cabanas. But perhaps the most frequented spot on the Westside is Cameo Bar at Viceroy Santa Monica, a lounge dressed in Victorian-inspired décor and perched on the pool deck - the perfect spot for a moonlit nightcap along the Pacific.

Although not long ago, downtown L.A. was a ghost town at night, some of the city’s best bars and lounges have opened there in recent years. The Rooftop Bar at The Standard hotel offers the city’s best view of the skyline. But it also has a not-off-limits pool, mattresses in red spherical pods and waitresses who deliver potent drinks while dodging the music-video-style dancers on the makeshift dance floor.

Los Angeles isn’t really a late night town — not when surf’s up as soon as the sun is. Of course, if you’re looking for a place to sip on a cocktail post-dinner or get your groove on, this has-it-all city offers something for everyone. West Hollywood and Hollywood are still the heart of Los Angeles nightlife, coursing with swanky lounges, upbeat clubs and, yes, celebrities. Head to the W Hollywood for two new bars: Station Hollywood and the Living Room. Located in the lobby, the Living Room includes a 19-foot fiber optic and glass chandelier, a circular staircase, and a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that lead out to Station Hollywood, which is the hotel’s outdoor bar. For a fantastic view of the city, Drai’s Hollywood nightclub is located on the roof of the W hotel.

Heading west, West Hollywood is home to the Tropicana Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, a sexy old-Hollywood spot for drinkers who can keep their balance around the historic David Hockney pool; if not, there’s the indoor Teddy’s, a lounge selective enough to turn away celebrities. West on the Sunset Strip lies the SkyBar at the Mondrian, an ivy-covered rooftop bar filled with chaises that you can reserve.

In Beverly Hills, the SLS Beverly Hills is home to the Bazaar, which has Bar Centro, a sexy bar that remains one of the city’s hot spots, thanks to Philippe Starck’s mixed and matched design and an extensive cocktail list. For something more elegant, the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows has remained a favorite among generations of Hollywood dealmakers.

Further west in Westwood’s W Hotel is Rande Gerber’s Whiskey Blue, which boasts upbeat Polynesian décor. The Marina Del Rey Marriott Hotel features Glow, one of the nation’s best outdoor bars. It’s stuffed with plush seating, fireplaces, waterfalls and cozy cabanas. But perhaps the most frequented spot on the Westside is Cameo Bar at Viceroy Santa Monica, a lounge dressed in Victorian-inspired décor and perched on the pool deck - the perfect spot for a moonlit nightcap along the Pacific.

Although not long ago, downtown L.A. was a ghost town at night, some of the city’s best bars and lounges have opened there in recent years. The Rooftop Bar at The Standard hotel offers the city’s best view of the skyline. But it also has a not-off-limits pool, mattresses in red spherical pods and waitresses who deliver potent drinks while dodging the music-video-style dancers on the makeshift dance floor.

Despite its glamour and glitz, Los Angeles is a surprisingly kid-friendly spot, filled with restaurants that are ideal for a family meal. Chain restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen and Johnny Rockets are always safe bets. The Farm of Beverly Hills and the Westfield Century City Mall food court are also worth checking out.

For the sports-obsessed, Los Angeles is filled with spots to watch your favorite City of Angels team play. Head to Dodgers Stadium for some baseball, the Home Depot Center for a soccer match, the Santa Anita Racetrack, or the iconic Staples Center, home to the Lakers and Clippers.

Los Angeles is home to a number of music spots, both iconic and up-and-coming — it all depends on what you want to hear. Some of the city’s best gems are the Hollywood Bowl, the L.A. Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Music Center (home to the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion). Also worth checking out are the Greek Theater (seats 5,700) and the Nokia Theater, adjacent to the stunning Grammy Museum.

There are several Four- and Five-Star hotels in Beverly Hills, including the Beverly Hilton, the Beverly Hills Hotel, Hotel Bel-Air, the Montage, the Beverly Wilshire (a Four Seasons Hotel), the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, and The Peninsula.

Los Angeles is filled with museums. We recommend checking out the Grammy Museum, the Hollywood Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Getty Center, the Hammer Museum and the Annenberg Space for Photography.

The Los Angeles cultural scene spans thrilling seasons of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall to modern museums, such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Getty Center. The city also has some cultural treasure-troves in Beverly Hills, including the Paley Center for Media and the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which both hold screenings. Promising even more cultural programming is the forthcoming Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Free” and “Los Angeles” aren’t phrases that you’d typically put together, but there are several ways to experience Los Angeles without putting a dent in your wallet.

1. Take a trolley tour of Beverly Hills.

2. Go window shopping on iconic Rodeo Drive, and take a snapshot at 2 Rodeo, which overlooks Wilshire Boulevard — a spot immortalized in Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

3. Cruise down the Pacific Coast Highway, the signature drive that hugs the Los Angeles coastline.

4. See a movie at the Beverly Hilton, which hosts drive-in movies in the summer.

5. Visit Madame Tussauds wax museum in Hollywood.

There are a surprising amount of couple-centric activities in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, so if you’re in town for a romantic vacation, here are a few things to take advantage of.

1. Go for a hike in one of the area’s many regional parks at sunset, or go for a horseback ride in the mountains.

2. What’s more romantic than an oceanfront stroll and a picnic? Check out gorgeous Paradise Cove.

3. Experience Los Angeles from above, and take a sunset helicopter ride over the city while sipping on Champagne.

4. Share a romantic dinner at Yamashiro in Hollywood, which provides stunning views of Los Angeles.

5. Charter a sailboat or yacht for a brunch or dinner cruise.

Shopping is a way of life in Los Angeles. Some of the best spots include Rodeo Drive in posh Beverly Hills, Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood, Melrose Avenue, The Grove, Santa Monica Place and Third Street Promenade, and Westfield Century City Mall (an AMC theater is also inside).

Despite its sophisticated reputation, Los Angeles is a surprisingly kid-friendly destination, so parents can rest easy knowing that there are plenty of ways their young ones can keep busy and entertained while in the City of Angels.

1. Take a tour of one or more of the many TV and movie studios in L.A.

2. Head to the gorgeous Santa Monica Pier, which features a solar-powered Ferris wheel, carousel, arcade, bumper cars, trapeze and copious amounts of cotton candy and popcorn.

3. Los Angeles is home to a number of exciting and kid-friendly theme parks, such as Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Knott’s Berry Farm, just to name a few.

4. Restored by Disney, the El Capitan Theatre, located across from the Hollywood and Highland Center, offers special presentations of the studio’s animated releases combined with performances for kids.

5. Visit the California Science Center, filled with hands-on stuff to build, baby chicks to watch, and cool experiments. You can watch an eye-opening IMAX movie, too.

It’s hard to pick just five of the best things to experience in Los Angeles, but if we had to choose, we recommend taking advantage of all the star-studded activities this glamourous town has to offer.

1. Go for a shopping (or window-shopping) spree on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

2. Take a tour of some of the most iconic celebrity homes.

3. Go star-gazing in Hollywood, and check out the Hollywood and Highland Center, home to the Oscars ceremony each year. The area also boasts several shops, as well as the new Cirque du Soleil show. Take a stroll on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, famous for its celebrity handprints embedded in the sidewalks along the 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard. Rub shoulders with the wax versions of your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. See the iconic “Hollywood” sign from Griffith Park, the largest urban park in America, where you can hike, picnic, golf and ride horses. The park’s observatory is home to one of the country’s best planetariums.

4. Attend a studio taping of one of your favorite shows, such as American Idol, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

5. Take a tour of one of the many studios in L.A. such as NBC, Paramount, Sony, Universal and Warner Bros.

The heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is a mecca for live music. But at large arenas, the number of jaded music industry execs in attendance can make performances feel like a church choir recital. Two notable exceptions are the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre, both bowl-shaped amphitheaters under the stars that have an enveloping, intimate feel to them.
Other excellent small venues for live music include Pantages and hipster-music-locale The Wiltern theaters. And you can’t forget rock-and-roll hall of famers: The Roxy Theatre and Troubadour club are two of L.A.’s old-school music forums that still manage to bring in big-name headliners.

Los Angeles isn’t really a sports town; you may see celebs such as Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio bringing dates to a Lakers game, but the locals don’t get as jazzed about a home team win as say a New Yorker. With no professional football league, your best bet for catching a game during your visit is at a basketball or baseball game. Spend a warm sunny evening at Dodger Stadium and watch the L.A. baseball team play ball. The downtown stadium has some of the city’s best visual backdrops, from a view of downtown and the forests of the Elysian hills to the heights of the distant but visible San Gabriel Mountains. Fans pile into the stadium to cheer on their favorite cerulean-clad ballplayers and to devour the famous foot-long Dodger Dogs.

And if you’re looking to rub elbows with tons of Angelenos - or see athletes throw a couple elbows - head to the Staples Center. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Staples is home to some of the city’s finest sports teams: the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks. Besides being able to cheer along with Jack Nicholson, Tobey Maguire and other famous fans, visitors to the Staples Center can also watch some of the biggest performers in the world onstage. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys are just a few of the A-listers who have performed here.

If you’ve planned a trip with the family, Los Angeles offers no shortage of kid-tested-and-approved dining operations. From healthier options at farmer’s markets to burgers and shakes at the beach, no matter what part of town you find yourself in, you won’t be far from your kid’s dining dream.

1. Pretty much any burger place in this city — and there are tons — will be as good for the kids as it is for the adults. Burgers, fries and shakes are totally kids territory, while adults can enjoy the craft beers and cocktails many of L.A.’s joints offer. If you’re checking out the celebrity quotient in Hollywood, pop into Lucky Devils for a meat patty and craft beer; for a great burger west of the 405 freeway, check out the build-your-own menu and kid-friendly décor at The Counter in Santa Monica.

2. Located at Fairfax Avenue and Third Street, the Original Farmer’s Market is one of the U.S.’s first farmer’s markets, which has been going strong since the 1930s. While only a handful of fresh fruit-and-vegetable stalls are left, it’s a great destination for an alfresco lunch, with plenty of options for picky eaters. Bennett’s offers some of L.A.’s best ice cream and sorbet with fun flavors such as pumpkin and Fancy Nancy, a mix of banana chunks, coffee and caramel; ¡Loteria! serves lighter versions of Mexican fare, like chiles rellenos stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo; and Magee’s Kitchen, one of the oldest stalls in the market, tempts with all-American dishes like roast and corned beef.

3. Part deli, part bakery and part institution, Canter’s Delicatessen is a historic restaurant with a special spot in Los Angeles culture. More than a Jewish landmark, Canter’s has long been the nexus for comfort food, whether it be a bowl of matzo ball soup, a pastrami on rye or a cookie for your kid from their old-school bakery counter.

4. For a real 1950s diner experience, bring the kids to Dinah’s Family Restaurant. With its kitschy red-and-white sign and naugahyde banquettes, much of this west side diner’s décor hasn’t changed since its opening in 1959, but the famous fried chicken and oven-baked pancakes are sure to please small and big mouths alike.

5. For a high-end meal that will still please the kids, head to The Getty, whose sun-soaked courtyards and maze-like gardens can distract the kids while you enjoy lunch of roasted quail stuffed with wild mushrooms or braised beef short ribs in the modern dining room after viewing the collections.

Although you could easily burn through a budget on your Los Angeles vacay, you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a trip to this West Coast destination. Because of year-round sunny weather, you are almost always guaranteed a number of outdoor activities and the coastal city offers the best of beaches and hiking for the outdoorsy types, as well as well of sights and cultural activities, gratis of course, to help fill your days.

1. Griffith Park includes miles of trails for both hikers and horseback riders; you could easily spend the day climbing around the dusty hills of this sprawling park. Make it to the top at Mount Hollywood and you’re rewarded with scenic vistas of the entire Los Angeles basin. Picnic areas, tennis courts, a swimming pool and athletic fields are sprinkled throughout the park.

2. A day at the beach won’t cost you more than a few dollars for the ice cream vendor. Both the Santa Monica and Venice beaches offer plenty of area to relax in the sand, recreational paths for biking, rollerblading or jogging and beach volleyball. For a little post-sun entertainment, walk along the Venice boardwalk for some people watching. No matter the season, you are guaranteed to see an odd assortment of circus-like street performers, hippie art-vendors and toned bodybuilders working out on Muscle Beach. Or get into a game of basketball; it’s a popular place for pick-up games and the inspiration for the movie White Men Can’t Jump.

3. For the price of parking, you can see some of the U.S.’s finest and most valuable European art as well a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities at the Getty. Perched high up on a prime bluff in the coastal nearby town of Malibu, this museum’s sun-soaked courtyards and gardens provide a scenic backdrop most other museums disregard - we advise you pack the sunglass for this trip. Outdoor breezeways and patios connect the galleries, and maze like gardens offer plenty walking opportunities.

4. A cruise along Mulholland drive and the Pacific Coast Highway will offer spectacular views of the ocean, city skyline and some pretty incredible homes - Los Angeles is home to some of the wealthiest people in America after all. This windy road is a romantic drive at night, when twinkling evening lights hide the city’s notorious fog.

5. If you’ve come to L.A. with hopes of making it big or at least seeing someone famous, one way to get your celebrity intake is at a taping of your favorite sitcom. Although being an audience member might not be as fun as watching the shows on TV - you’ll end up spending plenty of time waiting around - it will give you a chance to see the soundstage first hand, peek at the sets up-close-and-personal and hear some of the bloopers that never make it on the tube.

Los Angeles has often been described as 40 suburbs without a city. Another way to think of it is as 40 small cities that don’t have much in common and therefore have little need to interact. The residents of Beverly Hills, Burbank and Malibu do come together on occasion, but as soon as the Lakers game is over, they all get back in their Mercedes and BMWs then speed off as if it never happened.

Visitors usually stick to four distinct areas. If it’s sun and sand you seek, make a beeline for the beach communities of Malibu, Venice and Santa Monica. Malibu is full of surfers and million-dollar homes right on the water and it’s almost a guaranteed spot for a celebrity sighting. Venice, as funky as ever, especially on the honky-tonk boardwalk, is packed full of an array of vagabond hippies playing in drum circles, eclectic street performers and an up-and-coming dining scene. Santa Monica is a cross between the two, with a popular amusement park on the pier, ritzy beachside hotels and restaurants and a few more homeless people than the city would like.

If you’ve come to shop, you might never leave Beverly Hills. The glitzy stores of Rodeo Drive are here, as are some of L.A.’s most expensive homes. For shopping on a mere mortal’s budget, try the Beverly Center or The Grove, L.A.’s premier malls-turn-entertainment-centers, home to retailers ranging from Gucci to trendy H&M. Heading west, you’ll hit West Hollywood, which is, ironically, the most centrally located part of Los Angeles and home to the hippest restaurants and nightspots of the moment along Melrose Avenue and the Sunset Strip. If you are looking for a MTV shoot or a trendy cocktail, it’s the place to be. Just as in its hey-day, the Sunset Strip still offers a variety of rock-and-roll clubs and music venues, as well as stand-up comedy clubs, so entertainment options are never far off. And unlike Hollywood proper, which is somewhat seedy, you might see movie stars here. Just don’t expect to find parking.

Los Angeles does have an actual downtown, which includes Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, several top-flight museums, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Mexican marketplace Olvera Street. With an upshot of trendy bars, clubs and restaurants — everything from snazzy hotel roof bars to 20s-era cocktail lounges — downtown L.A. is definitely undergoing a renaissance. And just east of downtown, you’ll find the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, L.A.’s answer to New York’s Brooklyn.

Los Angeles may be known for its bumper crop of reality TV shows and bleach-blonde babes, but this West Coast locale is actually a booming center of arts and culture. The city is home to numerous art museums and galleries, and neighborhoods from the west side’s Venice to the eastern downtown skyscrapers are setting up monthly art-walks. For brick-and-mortar locales, check out the impressive Museum of Contemporary Art, whose permanent collection includes the works of Mark Rothko, Diane Arbus and others, while temporary exhibits have featured such greats as Robert Frank’s The Americans. The museum is spread among three buildings; the most impressive is downtown’s Grand Avenue location, although the Geffen Contemporary’s Little Tokyo location and intriguing exhibits make for an artsy afternoon. Head west into L.A. and along Miracle Mile you’ll find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, with a new centerpiece: an enormous collection in the new contemporary wing, which features works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and others. The original collections offer plenty to keep you busy: 100,000 art objects make up LACMA’s catalogue, including Egyptian sarcophagus, Ansel Adams photographs and Edgar Degas paintings.

If you’re not an art fan, don’t worry, L.A.’s museums offer something for everyone. If you love cars, a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum, which houses antique cars, steam engines and famous vehicles that have appeared in movies, is worth a trip. For a serious time-machine back to Fred Flinstone’s era, head to the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. It’s hard to imagine that saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths once roamed the gridlocked streets of L.A., but when you visit the tar pits, or Rancho La Brea, as it’s often called, you’ll still see the bubbling pools of black asphalt that trapped hundreds of species thousands of years ago. Located in the famous Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum is a must for the Tinseltown-obsessed. The Art Deco building itself is beautiful and it’s where cosmetics genius Max Factor did the actual makeup of icons such as Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. The permanent collection features items such as Judy Garland’s dress from A Star is Born, a Mae West display, and the prison cell used in the film Silence of the Lambs.

The city’s finest hotels have a long history of catering to the most discerning travelers and the most demanding guests, so it’s doubtful you can present them with a challenge they haven’t passed before with flying colors.

As the name suggests, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows is famed for its private cottages, not to mention its pale pink color and the legendary Polo Lounge, still a power-broker spot after all these years. A parade of movie junkets at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills attracts all entertainment industry types from journalists to actors who also like to visit the spa for its excellent treatments, as well as Windows Lounge for cocktails. Montage Beverly Hills, a Spanish Colonial-Revival style luxury property, features 201 rooms and suites designed to bring to life the glamour of the glory days of early Hollywood. The Peninsula Beverly Hills recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, adding cutting edge technologies to rooms that were already some of the plushest in town. And speaking of renovations, look for a refreshed design at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, known for its spacious rooms and excellent service, as it transitions to the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.

If you’d rather rest your head near the beach, you’ll find your fill of locals hanging out at Shutters Hotel on the Beach, Santa Monica’s most beloved spot for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to poolside basking, especially since fine dining restaurant One Pico and the pool deck both received a makeover.

For the total Hollywood experience, head to the infamous Chateau Marmont, but if you can’t take the scene, get out. Constant updates are not the thing at this elite hilltop retreat, although the rooms do have iPod docking stations and cashmere throws, where every celebrity you could conceive of lingers around the dimly lit lounge’s couches.

And if you’re looking for a more urban-feel, stay amidst L.A.’s few skyscrapers downtown. Part of Downtown’s glitzy new entertainment complex, L.A. Live, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is a welcome new addition offering luxurious rooms, a new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, a lavish spa and gorgeous views of the city.

You don’t need a guide to tell you about Rodeo Drive; one of the world’s greatest concentrations of luxury stores is all in a three-block stretch between Los Angeles’ Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. For a younger take on the haute couture look, nearby Melrose Avenue has emerged as the new Rodeo Drive - with big-name labels such as Alexander McQueen, Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacobs, as well as hipster brands like A.P.C. and Agent Provocateur.

Located east of Beverly Hills and west of West Hollywood, Robertson Boulevard has become the main drag for celebrities and local fashionistas. Before, the paparazzi would never budge from their post outside of The Ivy, the infamous white-picket-fenced eatery; now, these shutterbugs keep a good eye on shoppers coming out of Kitson, Lisa Kline and Chanel, which have practically taken over Robertson Boulevard.

If you are looking for some L.A. flair, another great stretch for shopping is on West Third Street between the city’s two destination malls, The Beverly Center and The Grove. Start out shopping at some of the high-end retailers at The Beverly Center, then cruise along Third Street for more independent boutiques. Satine, Milk and Hillary Rush are perhaps the most popular. EM & Co has lots of cute designer pieces and a fabulous collection of accessories, while luxe menswear shop Douglas Fir offers options for the male counterpart. And once you reach Fairfax, you’ll hit The Grove, a Disneyland-esque mall, complete with a trolley, a fountain show and well-known stores like J.Crew and the Gap.

This Third Street is not to be confused with Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall with four movie theaters, dozens of casual restaurants and familiar shops like Banana Republic, Diesel and Anthropologie. Intersecting Montana Avenue offers one of four local Planet Blue boutiques, as well as Kiehl’s, the famous skincare line.

For more eclectic shops and surfer wares, try Abbott Kinney Boulevard in nearby Venice. This formerly seedy strip of used furniture shops and dive bars has attracted trendy boutiques, including Heist — which carries American designer labels NSF and Inhabit as well as hard-to-find French designers, like Isabel Marant — and The Stronghold, which has a custom denim bar. You’ll also find vintage resale shops such as Surfing Cowboys, as well as perfectly edited boutiques like Madley.

A weekend trip for two demands surprise, relaxation, romance and scenery: Los Angeles offers it all. Whether you are looking for a day spent enjoying nature and L.A.’s picturesque views or you prefer the luxe amenities of a spa day and a ten-course meal, this West Coast locale offers plenty in the romance department.

1. Enjoy the built-in romance of Los Angeles with a day spent on the beach in nearby Malibu. This coastal community offers some of best views around: the city stretches along the Pacific Coast Highway and homes sit right along the waters edge on cliffs or tucked into the nearby hillsides. Popular beaches include Zuma and Will Rogers. Dining options range from low-key fish shacks to the infamous sushi-temple Nobu.

2. When the luster of Hollywood begins to fade, get back to basics in the Santa Monica Mountains. This mountain range may be home to some of L.A.’s most beautiful hiking, but it’s also a great spot for horseback riding. Arrange a guided sunset, sunrise or moonlit ride with Los Angeles Horseback Riding and take in the scenic views of the city while you make eyes at each other.

3. If you’d prefer the total luxe treatment, a couple’s spa day is sure to have you both relaxed and refreshed. In a city where there is no end to the excess, Los Angeles has plenty of great urban retreats to choose from, but Spa Montage is our pick for the best duo experience. At the center of this gorgeous Spanish-style Beverly Hills spa is a co-ed relaxation area where couples and friends can relax together around a large mineral pool.

4. Venice Beach offers a bit of romance in the tune of its namesake - the canals and walkways of this California city instantly transport you to the Italian locale (minus the gondola). A stroll along these walkways, originally built in the early 1900s by developer Abbott Kinney and now surrounded by upscale condominiums and uber-chic beachfront homes, is the perfect way to end a romantic day relaxing on the sand.

5. Arguably the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles, Il Cielo is deserving of its name, which means “the sky,” because patrons dine in the outdoor garden beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Dining here will put you in the mood for love - it seems that every couple in the place makes eyes at each other over plates of homemade pasta and focaccia.

Stretching 14 miles from the sunny beach of Santa Monica to the skyscrapers of its downtown neighborhood, Los Angeles is one long city. Even if you've never traveled to this West Coast locale, you are bound to recognize some of its neighborhoods from the silver screen. From the famous Venice boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier to the lesser-known downtown L.A. skyline, the City of Angels is not only the second largest city in the country, it's also one of the most fun.

1. Without its marvelous string of gold sand beaches, L.A. wouldn't be much different from any other major city. But whether you want to swim in the ocean, relax on the sand, bike along the oceanfront or stroll the Venice Boardwalk, the beach is an essential part of any visit to Los Angeles.

2. The super-touristy Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrities must be nominated and agree to pay a $25,000 sponsorship fee to get a star, which might explain why Mabel Taliaferro has one, but Robert Redford doesn't. Still, just about everybody walks with his head down until he reaches Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Since it opened in 1927, the theater has become one of the city's most iconic landmarks, and it is an essential stop on any tour of Los Angeles.

3. The Getty Villa is the perfect museum for Los Angeles — it's one part beautiful beach babe and one part cultural icon. Perched on a prime bluff in Malibu overlooking the ocean, the former estate of oil magnate J. Paul Getty has one of the world's finest collections of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities.

4. When it was completed in 2003, Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall immediately became L.A.'s most recognizable piece of architecture. It has been compared to the petals of a flower or billowing metal sails. There's no charge for wandering around the building's labyrinthine exterior, with its secret passageways and pocket amphitheaters beyond each serpentine turn.

5. L.A.'s farmer's markets are some of the finest in the country. The city's Mediterranean climate means something is always in season: apples and persimmons in fall, avocados and citrus fruits in winter, peaches and plums in summer, and strawberries year-round. A good pick is the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, arguably the best market in the country that rightfully draws foodies and chefs from all over the area.

Los Angeles may be the second largest city in the country, but with its sprawling landscape - 14 miles stretch from the beachside neighborhood of Santa Monica to its more urban downtown locale - this West Coast mecca can at times feel more suburban than big city. L.A. offers plenty of fun-filled activities to keep your kids happy: from a dip in the Pacific Ocean to a trip to nearby Disneyland, the entire city often takes on the feel of an amusement park.

1. No family vacation would be complete without a swimming expedition, and Los Angeles offers plenty of beaches to explore. Kids love the popular Santa Monica pier, packed full of arcade games, carnival-style rides and fair food.

2. Just a 45-minute drive away from Los Angeles, nearby Anaheim is home to the original amusement park, Disneyland, and Disney's spotlight on all-things West Coast, California Adventure. Scream your lungs out on Space Mountain, spin around at the Mad Tea Party and say hello to Mickey at the original Disney park; adult-friendly activities include a California-style winery and thrilling shows.

3. Surrounded by the sprawling Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory is a two-for-one when it comes to keeping the kids busy. Hang out for a few hours outside in the park, climbing around the picturesque hiking trails; if you make it to the top of Mt. Hollywood, you'll not only see great city vistas, but you'll also get a close up view of the Hollywood sign. Then head inside the Observatory to find out how much you weigh on other planets, see real meteorites and explore the Milky Way without leaving the comfort of planet Earth, all for free.

4. Your kids will love a chance to walk in the steps of the Hollywood's stars: visit Grauman's Chinese Theater and let them match hands and feet against the cement molds of their favorite Tinseltown. For a few celebrity-action shots, let them take photos with the costumed characters you'll find nearby - actors dress up as everyone from Sponge Bob to Marylyn Monroe to Jake Sparrow.

5. The California Science Center is a hands-on museum that makes science fun and accessible for kids with special exhibits and an IMAX Theater, where you can take 3D tours of exotic places. Highlights include a high-wire bicycle ride, a motion-based simulator and Tess, a 50-foot animatronic woman whose body parts are revealed to show how the human body functions.

With its sandy beaches, hillside bungalows and scene-setting locales, Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. And after a day of horseback riding in the city’s cavernous hillside cliffs or surfing lessons in Venice Beach, you’ll be ready for a meal made for two.

1. Named after an aromatic, calming Mediterranean herb also known as lemon balm, Mélisse is a favorite spot for Westside gourmands. Chef Josiah Citrin opened this elegant but unpretentious eatery in 1999, creating contemporary American dishes with French influences. The dishes here are artfully presented and innovative but not overly intellectual, and ingredients are always fresh. It?s a sophisticated spot to court a serious date and enjoy the delicious cuisine together.

2. Arguably the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles, Il Cielo is deserving of its name, which means — the sky — because patrons dine in the outdoor garden beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Dining at this Three-Star restaurant will put you in the mood for love — it seems that every couple in the place makes eyes at each other over plates of housemade pasta and focaccia — so give in and order the antipasto Il Cielo, described as “good for two.”

3. With respected executive chef Neal Fraser at the helm, Grace has done what few high-profile restaurants manage to do: turn deafening early buzz into long-term success. Foodies from around town keep returning for the simple, but divine roasted beet salad with feta, pistachios and goat cheese fondue — it’s the perfect prelude to the grilled tenderloin of wild boar served with roasted Brussels sprouts, herbed Yukon gold potato spaetzle and violet mustard sauce. It’s no wonder that even after six years, reservations at Grace are still essential, and your foodie-loving date will thank you for making dinner reservations here.

4. For a sensory roller-coaster ride, head to the Bazaar, located in the SLS hotel, perhaps the most exciting restaurant in L.A. right now. The menu is divided into modern and traditional tapas, and while they’re both excellent, the modern tapas are thrilling adventure to share. Take the foie gras lollipops, for example, in which a piece of foie gras is wrapped in vanilla-scented cotton candy. At first you experience the sweetness and aroma of the cotton candy, and then your mouth is filled with the cold and creamy foie gras.

5. Chef Thomas Keller's Buchon has finally arrived in Beverly Hills, and with that you can stop the search for the ultimate French bistro date. Like the others, this third Bouchon the chef's wonderful bistro fare in a sprawling and lively space in the heart of Beverly Hills. The menu, an oversized fold-out of wax paper, is simple and unfussy — blood sausage, roasted chicken, even an $18 Croque Madame.

Los Angeles is a town all about brunch; the laid back and casual attitudes most of its residents portray, combined with year-round sunny weather, make brunch an everyday event in the West Coast locale. From the beachfront-favorite Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica to the classic Polo Lounge Sunday brunch, this city offers the best breakfast, or lunch, you could want.

1. Yes, BLD stands for “breakfast, lunch and dinner,” but the offerings here are nothing so quotidian. The pancakes aren’t just boring old buttermilk; they’re blueberry-ricotta hotcakes with Berkshire maple syrup. Even better, they’re served until 3 p.m. on the weekend, along with the rest of the still breakfasty brunch menu, which offers such options as grapefruit brûlée and eggs Florentine. A meal as easy as the restaurant’s name.

2. Jar is more like a distillation of everything a fine neighborhood restaurant ought to be: a place that offers reliably great food and service, and a warm atmosphere. The space is a little more sleek than your typical local bistro, but it’s still functional. Brunch at this modern chophouse is a great alternative to the always-busy dinner service. You’ll find hearty choices such as corn pancakes, pot roast hash and steak and eggs.

3. There are few more pleasant ways to spend a summer evening than by sitting in the carefully tended garden on the patio of the Polo Lounge, cocktail in hand. Located at The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Polo Lounge remains a place for deal-making businessmen. But it’s just as swank to head over for a morning meal: listen to live jazz out on the patio as you bite into the sinfully rich French toast with cranberry bread, toasted pecans and banana cream.

4. For in-the-know locals, Shutters on the Beach is a frequent destination. It is Santa Monica’s most beloved hotel for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to poolside basking. On the second floor restaurant, One Pico, below lofted ceilings decorated with antique boat hulls and art nouveau lanterns casting warm light, you’ll sample chef Michael Reardon’s new seasonally driven menu - upscale, but never stuffy, with breakfast highlights like house smoked salmon and Belgian waffles.

5. One of Los Angeles’ most venerable fine-dining restaurants, the acclaimed Belvedere at The Peninsula Beverly Hills has long catered to the city’s most discerning crowd and served as a deal-sealing destination in Beverly Hills serving exceptional modern American food..

Wolfgang Puck and his California Cuisine — think smoked salmon topped pizzas and composed beet salads — may have put this western state on the culinary map in the 1980s, but in recent years, the dining scene in Los Angeles has been generating plenty of buzz, with standouts such as the Mad Hatterish modernist conceptions at The Bazaar and Mario Batali’s Italian eatery-turned-foodie-mecca Osteria Mozza.

1. Wolfgang Puck is perhaps the most recognizable name in and outside of the culinary world, and Spago Beverly Hills is the flagship of his empire. The famous Austrian also has Chinois, CUT and the brand new WP24. If you’re star-seeking, Spago is probably your best bet for a famous face (Tom Cruise is a big fan), but you really can’t go wrong with any of Puck’s offerings.

2. Suzanne Goin is a superstar in Los Angeles, with three restaurants — AOC, Tavern and Hungry Cat. Lucques, opened in 1998 to rave reviews, is her first and still draws foodies who come here for Sunday suppers, prix fixe lunches or the enjoyable bar menu. Reservations are hard to come by, but when you finally score one, you’ll be glad you waited for a taste of co-owner and chef Goin’s simple and absolutely delicious dishes.

3. In 1999, Nobu Malibu opened its doors in the Malibu Country Mart shopping center at Cross Creek Road and the Pacific Coast Highway, and reservations have been hard to come by ever since. But, Nobu Los Angeles has finally taken over the space formerly occupied by L’Orangerie, not to mention Matsuhisa Beverly Hills has opened as well; so sushi lovers can choose from more than one location for a mouthful of chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s signature yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño.

4. Westside gourmands love Mélisse, a restaurant named after an aromatic, calming Mediterranean herb also known as lemon balm. Opened in 1999 by chef Josiah Citrin, this elegant but unpretentious serves up contemporary American dishes with French influences, like the tasting menu’s 48-hour short rib with celery confit, dijonnais and herbed bordelaise sauce.

5. Chef Thomas Keller's Buchon has finally arrived in Beverly Hills and Angelinos couldn’t be happier. In the heart of Beverly Hills, the sprawling and lively space features a 16-seat bar with full-dinner service plus close proximity to the seafood raw bar and Bar Bouchon, whose small French plates are meant for sharing along with their carafes of wine. The bistro-style menu, an oversized foldout of wax paper, is simple and unfussy.

The city’s finest hotels have a long history of catering to the most discerning travelers and the most demanding guests, so it’s doubtful you can present them with a challenge they haven’t passed before with flying colors.

As the name suggests, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows is famed for its private cottages, not to mention its pale pink color and the legendary Polo Lounge, still a power-broker spot after all these years. A parade of movie junkets at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills attracts all entertainment industry types from journalists to actors who also like to visit the spa for its excellent treatments, as well as Windows Lounge for cocktails. Montage Beverly Hills, a Spanish Colonial-Revival style luxury property, features 201 rooms and suites designed to bring to life the glamour of the glory days of early Hollywood. The Peninsula Beverly Hills recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, adding cutting edge technologies to rooms that were already some of the plushest in town. And speaking of renovations, look for a refreshed design at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, known for its spacious rooms and excellent service, as it transitions to the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.

If you’d rather rest your head near the beach, you’ll find your fill of locals hanging out at Shutters Hotel on the Beach, Santa Monica’s most beloved spot for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to poolside basking, especially since fine dining restaurant One Pico and the pool deck both received a makeover.

For the total Hollywood experience, head to the infamous Chateau Marmont, but if you can’t take the scene, get out. Constant updates are not the thing at this elite hilltop retreat, although the rooms do have iPod docking stations and cashmere throws, where every celebrity you could conceive of lingers around the dimly lit lounge’s couches.

And if you’re looking for a more urban-feel, stay amidst L.A.’s few skyscrapers downtown. Part of Downtown’s glitzy new entertainment complex, L.A. Live, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is a welcome new addition offering luxurious rooms, a new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, a lavish spa and gorgeous views of the city.

If you’ve planned a trip with the family, Los Angeles offers no shortage of kid-tested-and-approved dining operations. From healthier options at farmer’s markets to burgers and shakes at the beach, no matter what part of town you find yourself in, you won’t be far from your kid’s dining dream.

1. Pretty much any burger place in this city — and there are tons — will be as good for the kids as it is for the adults. Burgers, fries and shakes are totally kids territory, while adults can enjoy the craft beers and cocktails many of L.A.’s joints offer. If you’re checking out the celebrity quotient in Hollywood, pop into Lucky Devils for a meat patty and craft beer; for a great burger west of the 405 freeway, check out the build-your-own menu and kid-friendly décor at The Counter in Santa Monica.

2. Located at Fairfax Avenue and Third Street, the Original Farmer’s Market is one of the U.S.’s first farmer’s markets, which has been going strong since the 1930s. While only a handful of fresh fruit-and-vegetable stalls are left, it’s a great destination for an alfresco lunch, with plenty of options for picky eaters. Bennett’s offers some of L.A.’s best ice cream and sorbet with fun flavors such as pumpkin and Fancy Nancy, a mix of banana chunks, coffee and caramel; ¡Loteria! serves lighter versions of Mexican fare, like chiles rellenos stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo; and Magee’s Kitchen, one of the oldest stalls in the market, tempts with all-American dishes like roast and corned beef.

3. Part deli, part bakery and part institution, Canter’s Delicatessen is a historic restaurant with a special spot in Los Angeles culture. More than a Jewish landmark, Canter’s has long been the nexus for comfort food, whether it be a bowl of matzo ball soup, a pastrami on rye or a cookie for your kid from their old-school bakery counter.

4. For a real 1950s diner experience, bring the kids to Dinah’s Family Restaurant. With its kitschy red-and-white sign and naugahyde banquettes, much of this west side diner’s décor hasn’t changed since its opening in 1959, but the famous fried chicken and oven-baked pancakes are sure to please small and big mouths alike.

5. For a high-end meal that will still please the kids, head to The Getty, whose sun-soaked courtyards and maze-like gardens can distract the kids while you enjoy lunch of roasted quail stuffed with wild mushrooms or braised beef short ribs in the modern dining room after viewing the collections.

The heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is a mecca for live music. But at large arenas, the number of jaded music industry execs in attendance can make performances feel like a church choir recital. Two notable exceptions are the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre, both bowl-shaped amphitheaters under the stars that have an enveloping, intimate feel to them.
Other excellent small venues for live music include Pantages and hipster-music-locale The Wiltern theaters. And you can’t forget rock-and-roll hall of famers: The Roxy Theatre and Troubadour club are two of L.A.’s old-school music forums that still manage to bring in big-name headliners.

Los Angeles isn’t really a sports town; you may see celebs such as Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio bringing dates to a Lakers game, but the locals don’t get as jazzed about a home team win as say a New Yorker. With no professional football league, your best bet for catching a game during your visit is at a basketball or baseball game. Spend a warm sunny evening at Dodger Stadium and watch the L.A. baseball team play ball. The downtown stadium has some of the city’s best visual backdrops, from a view of downtown and the forests of the Elysian hills to the heights of the distant but visible San Gabriel Mountains. Fans pile into the stadium to cheer on their favorite cerulean-clad ballplayers and to devour the famous foot-long Dodger Dogs.

And if you’re looking to rub elbows with tons of Angelenos - or see athletes throw a couple elbows - head to the Staples Center. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Staples is home to some of the city’s finest sports teams: the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks. Besides being able to cheer along with Jack Nicholson, Tobey Maguire and other famous fans, visitors to the Staples Center can also watch some of the biggest performers in the world onstage. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys are just a few of the A-listers who have performed here.

Los Angeles may be known for its bumper crop of reality TV shows and bleach-blonde babes, but this West Coast locale is actually a booming center of arts and culture. The city is home to numerous art museums and galleries, and neighborhoods from the west side’s Venice to the eastern downtown skyscrapers are setting up monthly art-walks. For brick-and-mortar locales, check out the impressive Museum of Contemporary Art, whose permanent collection includes the works of Mark Rothko, Diane Arbus and others, while temporary exhibits have featured such greats as Robert Frank’s The Americans. The museum is spread among three buildings; the most impressive is downtown’s Grand Avenue location, although the Geffen Contemporary’s Little Tokyo location and intriguing exhibits make for an artsy afternoon. Head west into L.A. and along Miracle Mile you’ll find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, with a new centerpiece: an enormous collection in the new contemporary wing, which features works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and others. The original collections offer plenty to keep you busy: 100,000 art objects make up LACMA’s catalogue, including Egyptian sarcophagus, Ansel Adams photographs and Edgar Degas paintings.

If you’re not an art fan, don’t worry, L.A.’s museums offer something for everyone. If you love cars, a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum, which houses antique cars, steam engines and famous vehicles that have appeared in movies, is worth a trip. For a serious time-machine back to Fred Flinstone’s era, head to the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. It’s hard to imagine that saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths once roamed the gridlocked streets of L.A., but when you visit the tar pits, or Rancho La Brea, as it’s often called, you’ll still see the bubbling pools of black asphalt that trapped hundreds of species thousands of years ago. Located in the famous Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum is a must for the Tinseltown-obsessed. The Art Deco building itself is beautiful and it’s where cosmetics genius Max Factor did the actual makeup of icons such as Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. The permanent collection features items such as Judy Garland’s dress from A Star is Born, a Mae West display, and the prison cell used in the film Silence of the Lambs.

You don’t need a guide to tell you about Rodeo Drive; one of the world’s greatest concentrations of luxury stores is all in a three-block stretch between Los Angeles’ Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. For a younger take on the haute couture look, nearby Melrose Avenue has emerged as the new Rodeo Drive - with big-name labels such as Alexander McQueen, Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacobs, as well as hipster brands like A.P.C. and Agent Provocateur.

Located east of Beverly Hills and west of West Hollywood, Robertson Boulevard has become the main drag for celebrities and local fashionistas. Before, the paparazzi would never budge from their post outside of The Ivy, the infamous white-picket-fenced eatery; now, these shutterbugs keep a good eye on shoppers coming out of Kitson, Lisa Kline and Chanel, which have practically taken over Robertson Boulevard.

If you are looking for some L.A. flair, another great stretch for shopping is on West Third Street between the city’s two destination malls, The Beverly Center and The Grove. Start out shopping at some of the high-end retailers at The Beverly Center, then cruise along Third Street for more independent boutiques. Satine, Milk and Hillary Rush are perhaps the most popular. EM & Co has lots of cute designer pieces and a fabulous collection of accessories, while luxe menswear shop Douglas Fir offers options for the male counterpart. And once you reach Fairfax, you’ll hit The Grove, a Disneyland-esque mall, complete with a trolley, a fountain show and well-known stores like J.Crew and the Gap.

This Third Street is not to be confused with Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall with four movie theaters, dozens of casual restaurants and familiar shops like Banana Republic, Diesel and Anthropologie. Intersecting Montana Avenue offers one of four local Planet Blue boutiques, as well as Kiehl’s, the famous skincare line.

For more eclectic shops and surfer wares, try Abbott Kinney Boulevard in nearby Venice. This formerly seedy strip of used furniture shops and dive bars has attracted trendy boutiques, including Heist — which carries American designer labels NSF and Inhabit as well as hard-to-find French designers, like Isabel Marant — and The Stronghold, which has a custom denim bar. You’ll also find vintage resale shops such as Surfing Cowboys, as well as perfectly edited boutiques like Madley.

The movies make it seem like Los Angeles is a summer wonderland 365 days a year; but L.A. does actually have seasons, they are just not the ones you know back home. The city's various microclimates mean it can be gloomy and cold in one part of town and scorching in another. The dry season starts around April or May, and the city doesn't see a drop of rain until November. Fog can make May gray or June gloomy, but July through October is the finest time of year in the beach communities. Typically, they enjoy sunny 75 F days and nights perfect for sleeping with open windows. Further inland and in the valleys, however, temperatures get into the 80s and 90s, making air-conditioning a must, so if you've planned a summer vacay pack the suntan lotion and a hat. By September or October, enclaves in the canyons and near national forests become hot and dry tinderboxes subject to devastating wildfires. Even during the season between November and April, there isn't that much rain. Just 15 inches falls in an average year, usually in the form of big downpours between January and March. When it's not raining, days are sunny and bright, with temperatures in the high 70s and 80s during the day and 50s or 60s at night.

Although you could easily burn through a budget on your Los Angeles vacay, you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a trip to this West Coast destination. Because of year-round sunny weather, you are almost always guaranteed a number of outdoor activities and the coastal city offers the best of beaches and hiking for the outdoorsy types, as well as well of sights and cultural activities, gratis of course, to help fill your days.

1. Griffith Park includes miles of trails for both hikers and horseback riders; you could easily spend the day climbing around the dusty hills of this sprawling park. Make it to the top at Mount Hollywood and you’re rewarded with scenic vistas of the entire Los Angeles basin. Picnic areas, tennis courts, a swimming pool and athletic fields are sprinkled throughout the park.

2. A day at the beach won’t cost you more than a few dollars for the ice cream vendor. Both the Santa Monica and Venice beaches offer plenty of area to relax in the sand, recreational paths for biking, rollerblading or jogging and beach volleyball. For a little post-sun entertainment, walk along the Venice boardwalk for some people watching. No matter the season, you are guaranteed to see an odd assortment of circus-like street performers, hippie art-vendors and toned bodybuilders working out on Muscle Beach. Or get into a game of basketball; it’s a popular place for pick-up games and the inspiration for the movie White Men Can’t Jump.

3. For the price of parking, you can see some of the U.S.’s finest and most valuable European art as well a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities at the Getty. Perched high up on a prime bluff in the coastal nearby town of Malibu, this museum’s sun-soaked courtyards and gardens provide a scenic backdrop most other museums disregard - we advise you pack the sunglass for this trip. Outdoor breezeways and patios connect the galleries, and maze like gardens offer plenty walking opportunities.

4. A cruise along Mulholland drive and the Pacific Coast Highway will offer spectacular views of the ocean, city skyline and some pretty incredible homes - Los Angeles is home to some of the wealthiest people in America after all. This windy road is a romantic drive at night, when twinkling evening lights hide the city’s notorious fog.

5. If you’ve come to L.A. with hopes of making it big or at least seeing someone famous, one way to get your celebrity intake is at a taping of your favorite sitcom. Although being an audience member might not be as fun as watching the shows on TV - you’ll end up spending plenty of time waiting around - it will give you a chance to see the soundstage first hand, peek at the sets up-close-and-personal and hear some of the bloopers that never make it on the tube.

When you visit Los Angeles, it's not surprising to see why Wolfgang Puck's popular California cuisine took off in the mid 1980s: His seasonal, produce-focused menu capitalized on the city's year-round growing season and impressive farmers markets. Today you'll still find L.A. rich with restaurants that feature that farm-to-table mentality, including his iconic Spago Beverly Hills. If you are looking to taste some of the best in Southern California's produce, make reservations anywhere from Mélisse for chef Josiah Citrin's contemporary French tasting menu, to Abbot Kinney's laid-back, Mediterranean-influenced Gjelina.

In the haute cuisine department, you can find the seafood-loving temple Providence, the mind-blowing modernist cuisine at The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, and everything in between. Top-notch steakhouses have popped up, as Wolfgang Puck reinvents the plate again with his Richard Meier-designed CUT, as well as scene-setting Dakota and local favorite Jar. And since Matsuhisa's opening in 1987, Los Angeles has been a well-known destination for sushi lovers. Nobu, Sushi Katsu-ya and Restaurant Nishimura are other top spots for fresh cuts of fish.

Of course, this city is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities: from the large influx of Mexican and Hispanic cultures to the many Asian communities — it's said that L.A. is home to one of the largest Korean populations outside of Seoul — that make up its suburban-like neighborhoods, it's possible to find almost any dish you want in this city. With a Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Mexico-like Olvera street, Thai Town and Chinatown, all you need to do is take a look around to find cheap and delicious ethnic eateries all over town.

And you can't talk about L.A.s food scene without mentioning its influence in the food-truck phenomenon; in fact, the city basically gave birth to the trend with Roy Choi's addictive Korean-style tacos and his Kogi truck. Nowadays Twitter is abuzz with L.A.'s trucks, and you can find everything from a breakfast-focused driver to a grilled-cheese slinger, proving that whether the food is straight from the market, cooked in traditional Japanese-style or on wheels, you can find it in this city.

Tinseltown may make this city seem sunny everyday, but don't expect Los Angeles to be all clear skies and perfect weather. The city's many microclimates mean the temperature could vastly change depending on where you are, so it is best to be prepared. Of course, you'll need your swimsuit and suntan lotion for a jaunt along the Santa Monica shoreline, but pack layering pieces as well; the Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu beach towns can get chilly come evening. Your best bet is to expect heat, so pack warm-weather duds, but be prepared for the occasional chilly day — you never know when a random rainy day will come along. If you've planned a winter trip West, you'll definitely want to bring a jacket and some long-sleeve pieces; L.A. may not get snow, but the temperature does dip down into the 40s during the chillier months. And no matter what time of year you're headed to L.A., you'll want to read up on the latest-celebrity gossip and bring a camera; you never know what B-list (or C-list) celeb will be standing next to you at Urth Caffé.

Start your first day in the artsy, east-side neighborhood of Los Feliz with one of the best breakfasts in town at Square One Dining. After a plate of pecan-bourbon brioche French toast, make your way toward the Griffith Park area. If you’re traveling with the kids, head to the L.A. Zoo to see some incredible creatures. Next, get yourself to Griffith Park for some hiking or a leisurely stroll. Once your legs have had it, or you need an A.C. break, make your way to the Griffith Observatory for a planetarium show and lunch at the observatory’s Wolfgang Puck café.

After you’ve learned all you can about celestial bodies, get on the 101 freeway and drive downtown. Once there, stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art for a quick peek at an excellent selection of contemporary art offerings. After MOCA, it’s time to visit the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall for dinner and a show. Then it’s off to see the L.A. Philharmonic or maybe a concert with Natalie Cole or Air. After the show, cap off your evening at the swanky Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel.

Get ready to see some stars, because Hollywood here you come. On day two, drive north on Highland, and park your car at the Hollywood & Highland complex. From there, walk to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where you can get a close-up view of Marilyn Monroe’s tiny footprints. Outside of Grauman’s you can also board the Starline Tours bus (one departs every half hour from outside the Chinese Theatre) for a guided tour of the city - you’ll see celebrity homes, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip haunts.

After the bus drops you back at Grauman’s two hours later, head west for an afternoon at the beach. But before you bask in the sand, cruise along Santa Monica Boulevard for a quick peek at the palm tree-lined Beverly Hills and a snapshot of the infamous Rodeo Drive. Then dart over to Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park, where you’ll find a slew of carnival games and theme park rides. After you’ve won a stuffed animal with your skeeball tickets, walk over to Spokes N’ Stuff and rent a bike. Saddle up and pedal your way down the bike path to Venice Beach and its boardwalk, where you can see all kinds of crazy street performers. After you’ve worked up a sweat biking, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Gjelina, where you can order a wonderful sandwich or pizza. When you’re ready to move again, head back to Santa Monica to the Third Street Promenade, where you can window-shop at more than 200 stores and leisurely watch street performers until dinnertime.

If you have only one day to spend in Los Angeles, your best bet is to rent a car and take a driving tour of the city. Start off in downtown L.A., where you can see the historic sites of Bunker Hill. Around here is the Broadway Theater District, Pershing Square and the Bradbury Building on Third and Broadway, which was built in 1893. You will also discover contemporary architectural feats such as Frank Gehry's stainless-steel behemoth, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Rafael Moneo's beautifully asymmetrical, concrete house of worship, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Afterwards, order breakfast at the Original Pantry Cafe, which has been scrambling eggs and frying bacon since 1924. Then head to bright-lights, big-city Hollywood. Traveling along Hollywood Boulevard past Vine and Highland streets, you'll see the heart of Tinseltown, including the Pantages Theatre, the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. You should also get some pretty good views of the Hollywood sign.

When you're ready for lunch, head down La Brea Avenue until you get to Melrose Avenue, where you'll find the famous Pink's Hot Dogs. You'll probably have to stand in a long line, but these legendary hot dogs are worth the wait; they're consistently hailed as L.A.'s best and the line — complete with its share of comedians, locals and tourists alike — is just part of the experience. Next, head west to Fairfax Avenue and make your way north to Sunset Boulevard. Once you get to Sunset, go west to the legendary Sunset Strip, where you'll see hot spots Chateau Marmont, the Roxy Theatre and the Viper Room. Continue cruising west down Sunset to Beverly Hills and you'll spy the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. Sunset will take you all the way to the 405 freeway; get on the freeway and go south. Then merge onto the 10 West and drive on until you hit the beach. Once you arrive in Santa Monica, make your way to the Santa Monica Pier to take a spin on the oceanfront Ferris wheel, or if you want some souvenirs, hit up Third Street Promenade for some shopping.

If you haven't overloaded on cotton candy and funnel cake, stop in the beachside Hotel Casa del Mar for an aperitif while you watch the sunset. For dinner, make a reservation at The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel, where you'll dine on gourmet steak, mac and cheese, and sauteed spinach while taking in breathtaking panoramas of the city from the hotel's 18th floor.

A weekend trip for two demands surprise, relaxation, romance and scenery: Los Angeles offers it all. Whether you are looking for a day spent enjoying nature and L.A.’s picturesque views or you prefer the luxe amenities of a spa day and a ten-course meal, this West Coast locale offers plenty in the romance department.

1. Enjoy the built-in romance of Los Angeles with a day spent on the beach in nearby Malibu. This coastal community offers some of best views around: the city stretches along the Pacific Coast Highway and homes sit right along the waters edge on cliffs or tucked into the nearby hillsides. Popular beaches include Zuma and Will Rogers. Dining options range from low-key fish shacks to the infamous sushi-temple Nobu.

2. When the luster of Hollywood begins to fade, get back to basics in the Santa Monica Mountains. This mountain range may be home to some of L.A.’s most beautiful hiking, but it’s also a great spot for horseback riding. Arrange a guided sunset, sunrise or moonlit ride with Los Angeles Horseback Riding and take in the scenic views of the city while you make eyes at each other.

3. If you’d prefer the total luxe treatment, a couple’s spa day is sure to have you both relaxed and refreshed. In a city where there is no end to the excess, Los Angeles has plenty of great urban retreats to choose from, but Spa Montage is our pick for the best duo experience. At the center of this gorgeous Spanish-style Beverly Hills spa is a co-ed relaxation area where couples and friends can relax together around a large mineral pool.

4. Venice Beach offers a bit of romance in the tune of its namesake - the canals and walkways of this California city instantly transport you to the Italian locale (minus the gondola). A stroll along these walkways, originally built in the early 1900s by developer Abbott Kinney and now surrounded by upscale condominiums and uber-chic beachfront homes, is the perfect way to end a romantic day relaxing on the sand.

5. Arguably the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles, Il Cielo is deserving of its name, which means “the sky,” because patrons dine in the outdoor garden beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Dining here will put you in the mood for love - it seems that every couple in the place makes eyes at each other over plates of homemade pasta and focaccia.

Stretching 14 miles from the sunny beach of Santa Monica to the skyscrapers of its downtown neighborhood, Los Angeles is one long city. Even if you've never traveled to this West Coast locale, you are bound to recognize some of its neighborhoods from the silver screen. From the famous Venice boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier to the lesser-known downtown L.A. skyline, the City of Angels is not only the second largest city in the country, it's also one of the most fun.

1. Without its marvelous string of gold sand beaches, L.A. wouldn't be much different from any other major city. But whether you want to swim in the ocean, relax on the sand, bike along the oceanfront or stroll the Venice Boardwalk, the beach is an essential part of any visit to Los Angeles.

2. The super-touristy Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrities must be nominated and agree to pay a $25,000 sponsorship fee to get a star, which might explain why Mabel Taliaferro has one, but Robert Redford doesn't. Still, just about everybody walks with his head down until he reaches Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Since it opened in 1927, the theater has become one of the city's most iconic landmarks, and it is an essential stop on any tour of Los Angeles.

3. The Getty Villa is the perfect museum for Los Angeles — it's one part beautiful beach babe and one part cultural icon. Perched on a prime bluff in Malibu overlooking the ocean, the former estate of oil magnate J. Paul Getty has one of the world's finest collections of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities.

4. When it was completed in 2003, Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall immediately became L.A.'s most recognizable piece of architecture. It has been compared to the petals of a flower or billowing metal sails. There's no charge for wandering around the building's labyrinthine exterior, with its secret passageways and pocket amphitheaters beyond each serpentine turn.

5. L.A.'s farmer's markets are some of the finest in the country. The city's Mediterranean climate means something is always in season: apples and persimmons in fall, avocados and citrus fruits in winter, peaches and plums in summer, and strawberries year-round. A good pick is the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, arguably the best market in the country that rightfully draws foodies and chefs from all over the area.

Los Angeles may be the second largest city in the country, but with its sprawling landscape - 14 miles stretch from the beachside neighborhood of Santa Monica to its more urban downtown locale - this West Coast mecca can at times feel more suburban than big city. L.A. offers plenty of fun-filled activities to keep your kids happy: from a dip in the Pacific Ocean to a trip to nearby Disneyland, the entire city often takes on the feel of an amusement park.

1. No family vacation would be complete without a swimming expedition, and Los Angeles offers plenty of beaches to explore. Kids love the popular Santa Monica pier, packed full of arcade games, carnival-style rides and fair food.

2. Just a 45-minute drive away from Los Angeles, nearby Anaheim is home to the original amusement park, Disneyland, and Disney's spotlight on all-things West Coast, California Adventure. Scream your lungs out on Space Mountain, spin around at the Mad Tea Party and say hello to Mickey at the original Disney park; adult-friendly activities include a California-style winery and thrilling shows.

3. Surrounded by the sprawling Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory is a two-for-one when it comes to keeping the kids busy. Hang out for a few hours outside in the park, climbing around the picturesque hiking trails; if you make it to the top of Mt. Hollywood, you'll not only see great city vistas, but you'll also get a close up view of the Hollywood sign. Then head inside the Observatory to find out how much you weigh on other planets, see real meteorites and explore the Milky Way without leaving the comfort of planet Earth, all for free.

4. Your kids will love a chance to walk in the steps of the Hollywood's stars: visit Grauman's Chinese Theater and let them match hands and feet against the cement molds of their favorite Tinseltown. For a few celebrity-action shots, let them take photos with the costumed characters you'll find nearby - actors dress up as everyone from Sponge Bob to Marylyn Monroe to Jake Sparrow.

5. The California Science Center is a hands-on museum that makes science fun and accessible for kids with special exhibits and an IMAX Theater, where you can take 3D tours of exotic places. Highlights include a high-wire bicycle ride, a motion-based simulator and Tess, a 50-foot animatronic woman whose body parts are revealed to show how the human body functions.

When you visit Los Angeles, it's not surprising to see why Wolfgang Puck's popular California cuisine took off in the mid 1980s: His seasonal, produce-focused menu capitalized on the city's year-round growing season and impressive farmers markets. Today you'll still find L.A. rich with restaurants that feature that farm-to-table mentality, including his iconic Spago Beverly Hills. If you are looking to taste some of the best in Southern California's produce, make reservations anywhere from Mélisse for chef Josiah Citrin's contemporary French tasting menu, to Abbot Kinney's laid-back, Mediterranean-influenced Gjelina.

In the haute cuisine department, you can find the seafood-loving temple Providence, the mind-blowing modernist cuisine at The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, and everything in between. Top-notch steakhouses have popped up, as Wolfgang Puck reinvents the plate again with his Richard Meier-designed CUT, as well as scene-setting Dakota and local favorite Jar. And since Matsuhisa's opening in 1987, Los Angeles has been a well-known destination for sushi lovers. Nobu, Sushi Katsu-ya and Restaurant Nishimura are other top spots for fresh cuts of fish.

Of course, this city is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities: from the large influx of Mexican and Hispanic cultures to the many Asian communities — it's said that L.A. is home to one of the largest Korean populations outside of Seoul — that make up its suburban-like neighborhoods, it's possible to find almost any dish you want in this city. With a Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Mexico-like Olvera street, Thai Town and Chinatown, all you need to do is take a look around to find cheap and delicious ethnic eateries all over town.

And you can't talk about L.A.s food scene without mentioning its influence in the food-truck phenomenon; in fact, the city basically gave birth to the trend with Roy Choi's addictive Korean-style tacos and his Kogi truck. Nowadays Twitter is abuzz with L.A.'s trucks, and you can find everything from a breakfast-focused driver to a grilled-cheese slinger, proving that whether the food is straight from the market, cooked in traditional Japanese-style or on wheels, you can find it in this city.

There’s no shortage of breath-taking beaches near Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu. Steady year-round breezes from almost every direction make Kailua Beach Park Oahu’s wind - and kite - surfing capital. Windsurfers, kiteboaders and kayakers share the waters with snorkelers and swimmers. The nearby town of Lanikai is known for its expensive real estate and the creamy slip of sand that you reach through the public access pathways along Mokulua Drive. Head to Lanikai Beach Park for swimming, boating, snorkeling and sunbathing, or simply to catch a picture-perfect Hawaiian sunrise. Of course, the most famous of Oahu’s sandy shores is Waikiki Beach. Though a consistent tourist trap, this beach does provide great water for swimming, surfing and canoe rides. If you want to avoid the crowds, head to the Waimanalo Bay State Recreation Area, which is ideal for those who want to learn to surf for the first time (and are less than eager to biff in front of a gaggle of gawking spectators).

The beaches of Los Angeles County offer California dreamers plenty of surf, sand and people watching. In fact, Los Angeles County is home to some of the most famous beaches in the world, including Venice Beach, Manhattan Beach and star-studded Malibu. For the ultimate people watching, head to Venice Beach, where the cast of characters that frequent the famous beach grows quirkier every day, even by L.A. standards. In some ways, Venice Beach hasn’t changed a bit since 1970s - unless you notice the new, eco-chic hotels and luxe condos going up next to the stores selling off-beat t-shirts. You’ll still find the usual fortune-tellers, flame-eaters and muscle heads that have made this beach one of the most popular in Los Angeles County. Surfers haunt Manhattan Beach, especially in the winter months when the waves are at their highest. Manhattan Beach also draws volleyball players from all over the Los Angeles area. Get in the game or just kick back and watch. In Malibu, the scene is movie stars, white sand and some lively spots for sushi or oysters on the half shell after you’ve soaked up that famous California sunshine.

A trip to Miami Beach is not complete without a jaunt to the cit’s most famous sandy parcel, South Beach (sometimes called SoBe). Here you'll find the ultimate people-watching perch. And it’s not just fellow travelers and lithe locals you’ll see prowling the sands. SoBe is one of the most popular meccas for fashion shoots, so be on the lookout for leggy glamazons heating up the beach in skimpy suits. When you’ve tired of ogling, stretch those legs with one of Miami Beach’s many aquatic adventures like sailing, snorkeling and jet skiing.

Manhattan has every quality that makes a city a city and then some - sheer density, tall buildings, gaggles of people and businesses. Which is why New Yorkers need a respite every now and then, and nothing quite satisfies like retreating to The Hamptons for its sandy shores. Main Beach in East Hampton, in particular, is regarded as one of Long Island’s most serene, scenic beaches, and it’s just a few hours east of the city. Cape Cod is to Boston what The Hamptons are to New York City in that they serve as great beach vacations.

Cape Cod National Seashore Beach is located, well, in the heart of the national seashore. Great for swimming and regularly named one of the best beaches in the country, Cape Cod National Seashore Beach borrows some of Boston’s rich colonial history, as it’s where The Mayflower landed in 1620 after 65 days at sea.

If you've come to California to truly experience the beach (and we're guessing you have), don't be fooled by the number of California hotels claiming to have ocean views. Not all do, so begin with our list of the best beach resorts in California, all located right on the beach or so close that you absolutely can't miss it:

1) Reigning over Laguna Beach from its rugged cliff-top location, Montage Laguna Beach blends arts and crafts style with the luxury of a full-service resort. Just about every room has a view of the beach and ocean, as does the resort's Mosaic Pool, which serves as a great (and more comfortable) alternative to hitting the sand for those who want to sun worship

2) Resting on 20 lush acres along the Pacific Ocean, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara pays tribute to the region's Spanish colonial history with its red-tiled roof, arches and hacienda-style main building. Guests have exclusive access to the private Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club, built in 1937 on Butterfly Beach and recently restored to its former glory.

3) For in-the-know locals (including celebrities whom the hotel prefers to keep hush-hush), Shutters On The Beach is a frequent destination. It is Santa Monica's most beloved spot for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to beachside basking. You can make a day of taking advantage of the friendly service delivered by the resort's beach staff, whether it's the daily free morning yoga class held right on the beach or the spa-worthy lunches delivered sand-side while you lounge in a chaise under an oversized umbrella.

With its sandy beaches, hillside bungalows and scene-setting locales, Los Angeles is the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. And after a day of horseback riding in the city’s cavernous hillside cliffs or surfing lessons in Venice Beach, you’ll be ready for a meal made for two.

1. Named after an aromatic, calming Mediterranean herb also known as lemon balm, Mélisse is a favorite spot for Westside gourmands. Chef Josiah Citrin opened this elegant but unpretentious eatery in 1999, creating contemporary American dishes with French influences. The dishes here are artfully presented and innovative but not overly intellectual, and ingredients are always fresh. It?s a sophisticated spot to court a serious date and enjoy the delicious cuisine together.

2. Arguably the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles, Il Cielo is deserving of its name, which means — the sky — because patrons dine in the outdoor garden beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Dining at this Three-Star restaurant will put you in the mood for love — it seems that every couple in the place makes eyes at each other over plates of housemade pasta and focaccia — so give in and order the antipasto Il Cielo, described as “good for two.”

3. With respected executive chef Neal Fraser at the helm, Grace has done what few high-profile restaurants manage to do: turn deafening early buzz into long-term success. Foodies from around town keep returning for the simple, but divine roasted beet salad with feta, pistachios and goat cheese fondue — it’s the perfect prelude to the grilled tenderloin of wild boar served with roasted Brussels sprouts, herbed Yukon gold potato spaetzle and violet mustard sauce. It’s no wonder that even after six years, reservations at Grace are still essential, and your foodie-loving date will thank you for making dinner reservations here.

4. For a sensory roller-coaster ride, head to the Bazaar, located in the SLS hotel, perhaps the most exciting restaurant in L.A. right now. The menu is divided into modern and traditional tapas, and while they’re both excellent, the modern tapas are thrilling adventure to share. Take the foie gras lollipops, for example, in which a piece of foie gras is wrapped in vanilla-scented cotton candy. At first you experience the sweetness and aroma of the cotton candy, and then your mouth is filled with the cold and creamy foie gras.

5. Chef Thomas Keller's Buchon has finally arrived in Beverly Hills, and with that you can stop the search for the ultimate French bistro date. Like the others, this third Bouchon the chef's wonderful bistro fare in a sprawling and lively space in the heart of Beverly Hills. The menu, an oversized fold-out of wax paper, is simple and unfussy — blood sausage, roasted chicken, even an $18 Croque Madame.

If you’ve planned a trip with the family, Los Angeles offers no shortage of kid-tested-and-approved dining operations. From healthier options at farmer’s markets to burgers and shakes at the beach, no matter what part of town you find yourself in, you won’t be far from your kid’s dining dream.

1. Pretty much any burger place in this city — and there are tons — will be as good for the kids as it is for the adults. Burgers, fries and shakes are totally kids territory, while adults can enjoy the craft beers and cocktails many of L.A.’s joints offer. If you’re checking out the celebrity quotient in Hollywood, pop into Lucky Devils for a meat patty and craft beer; for a great burger west of the 405 freeway, check out the build-your-own menu and kid-friendly décor at The Counter in Santa Monica.

2. Located at Fairfax Avenue and Third Street, the Original Farmer’s Market is one of the U.S.’s first farmer’s markets, which has been going strong since the 1930s. While only a handful of fresh fruit-and-vegetable stalls are left, it’s a great destination for an alfresco lunch, with plenty of options for picky eaters. Bennett’s offers some of L.A.’s best ice cream and sorbet with fun flavors such as pumpkin and Fancy Nancy, a mix of banana chunks, coffee and caramel; ¡Loteria! serves lighter versions of Mexican fare, like chiles rellenos stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo; and Magee’s Kitchen, one of the oldest stalls in the market, tempts with all-American dishes like roast and corned beef.

3. Part deli, part bakery and part institution, Canter’s Delicatessen is a historic restaurant with a special spot in Los Angeles culture. More than a Jewish landmark, Canter’s has long been the nexus for comfort food, whether it be a bowl of matzo ball soup, a pastrami on rye or a cookie for your kid from their old-school bakery counter.

4. For a real 1950s diner experience, bring the kids to Dinah’s Family Restaurant. With its kitschy red-and-white sign and naugahyde banquettes, much of this west side diner’s décor hasn’t changed since its opening in 1959, but the famous fried chicken and oven-baked pancakes are sure to please small and big mouths alike.

5. For a high-end meal that will still please the kids, head to The Getty, whose sun-soaked courtyards and maze-like gardens can distract the kids while you enjoy lunch of roasted quail stuffed with wild mushrooms or braised beef short ribs in the modern dining room after viewing the collections.

Wolfgang Puck and his California Cuisine — think smoked salmon topped pizzas and composed beet salads — may have put this western state on the culinary map in the 1980s, but in recent years, the dining scene in Los Angeles has been generating plenty of buzz, with standouts such as the Mad Hatterish modernist conceptions at The Bazaar and Mario Batali’s Italian eatery-turned-foodie-mecca Osteria Mozza.

1. Wolfgang Puck is perhaps the most recognizable name in and outside of the culinary world, and Spago Beverly Hills is the flagship of his empire. The famous Austrian also has Chinois, CUT and the brand new WP24. If you’re star-seeking, Spago is probably your best bet for a famous face (Tom Cruise is a big fan), but you really can’t go wrong with any of Puck’s offerings.

2. Suzanne Goin is a superstar in Los Angeles, with three restaurants — AOC, Tavern and Hungry Cat. Lucques, opened in 1998 to rave reviews, is her first and still draws foodies who come here for Sunday suppers, prix fixe lunches or the enjoyable bar menu. Reservations are hard to come by, but when you finally score one, you’ll be glad you waited for a taste of co-owner and chef Goin’s simple and absolutely delicious dishes.

3. In 1999, Nobu Malibu opened its doors in the Malibu Country Mart shopping center at Cross Creek Road and the Pacific Coast Highway, and reservations have been hard to come by ever since. But, Nobu Los Angeles has finally taken over the space formerly occupied by L’Orangerie, not to mention Matsuhisa Beverly Hills has opened as well; so sushi lovers can choose from more than one location for a mouthful of chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s signature yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño.

4. Westside gourmands love Mélisse, a restaurant named after an aromatic, calming Mediterranean herb also known as lemon balm. Opened in 1999 by chef Josiah Citrin, this elegant but unpretentious serves up contemporary American dishes with French influences, like the tasting menu’s 48-hour short rib with celery confit, dijonnais and herbed bordelaise sauce.

5. Chef Thomas Keller's Buchon has finally arrived in Beverly Hills and Angelinos couldn’t be happier. In the heart of Beverly Hills, the sprawling and lively space features a 16-seat bar with full-dinner service plus close proximity to the seafood raw bar and Bar Bouchon, whose small French plates are meant for sharing along with their carafes of wine. The bistro-style menu, an oversized foldout of wax paper, is simple and unfussy.

Los Angeles is a town all about brunch; the laid back and casual attitudes most of its residents portray, combined with year-round sunny weather, make brunch an everyday event in the West Coast locale. From the beachfront-favorite Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica to the classic Polo Lounge Sunday brunch, this city offers the best breakfast, or lunch, you could want.

1. Yes, BLD stands for “breakfast, lunch and dinner,” but the offerings here are nothing so quotidian. The pancakes aren’t just boring old buttermilk; they’re blueberry-ricotta hotcakes with Berkshire maple syrup. Even better, they’re served until 3 p.m. on the weekend, along with the rest of the still breakfasty brunch menu, which offers such options as grapefruit brûlée and eggs Florentine. A meal as easy as the restaurant’s name.

2. Jar is more like a distillation of everything a fine neighborhood restaurant ought to be: a place that offers reliably great food and service, and a warm atmosphere. The space is a little more sleek than your typical local bistro, but it’s still functional. Brunch at this modern chophouse is a great alternative to the always-busy dinner service. You’ll find hearty choices such as corn pancakes, pot roast hash and steak and eggs.

3. There are few more pleasant ways to spend a summer evening than by sitting in the carefully tended garden on the patio of the Polo Lounge, cocktail in hand. Located at The Beverly Hills Hotel, the Polo Lounge remains a place for deal-making businessmen. But it’s just as swank to head over for a morning meal: listen to live jazz out on the patio as you bite into the sinfully rich French toast with cranberry bread, toasted pecans and banana cream.

4. For in-the-know locals, Shutters on the Beach is a frequent destination. It is Santa Monica’s most beloved hotel for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to poolside basking. On the second floor restaurant, One Pico, below lofted ceilings decorated with antique boat hulls and art nouveau lanterns casting warm light, you’ll sample chef Michael Reardon’s new seasonally driven menu - upscale, but never stuffy, with breakfast highlights like house smoked salmon and Belgian waffles.

5. One of Los Angeles’ most venerable fine-dining restaurants, the acclaimed Belvedere at The Peninsula Beverly Hills has long catered to the city’s most discerning crowd and served as a deal-sealing destination in Beverly Hills serving exceptional modern American food..

The heart of the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is a mecca for live music. But at large arenas, the number of jaded music industry execs in attendance can make performances feel like a church choir recital. Two notable exceptions are the Hollywood Bowl and the Greek Theatre, both bowl-shaped amphitheaters under the stars that have an enveloping, intimate feel to them.
Other excellent small venues for live music include Pantages and hipster-music-locale The Wiltern theaters. And you can’t forget rock-and-roll hall of famers: The Roxy Theatre and Troubadour club are two of L.A.’s old-school music forums that still manage to bring in big-name headliners.

Los Angeles isn’t really a sports town; you may see celebs such as Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio bringing dates to a Lakers game, but the locals don’t get as jazzed about a home team win as say a New Yorker. With no professional football league, your best bet for catching a game during your visit is at a basketball or baseball game. Spend a warm sunny evening at Dodger Stadium and watch the L.A. baseball team play ball. The downtown stadium has some of the city’s best visual backdrops, from a view of downtown and the forests of the Elysian hills to the heights of the distant but visible San Gabriel Mountains. Fans pile into the stadium to cheer on their favorite cerulean-clad ballplayers and to devour the famous foot-long Dodger Dogs.

And if you’re looking to rub elbows with tons of Angelenos - or see athletes throw a couple elbows - head to the Staples Center. Located in downtown Los Angeles, Staples is home to some of the city’s finest sports teams: the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks. Besides being able to cheer along with Jack Nicholson, Tobey Maguire and other famous fans, visitors to the Staples Center can also watch some of the biggest performers in the world onstage. Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys are just a few of the A-listers who have performed here.

Los Angeles may be known for its bumper crop of reality TV shows and bleach-blonde babes, but this West Coast locale is actually a booming center of arts and culture. The city is home to numerous art museums and galleries, and neighborhoods from the west side’s Venice to the eastern downtown skyscrapers are setting up monthly art-walks. For brick-and-mortar locales, check out the impressive Museum of Contemporary Art, whose permanent collection includes the works of Mark Rothko, Diane Arbus and others, while temporary exhibits have featured such greats as Robert Frank’s The Americans. The museum is spread among three buildings; the most impressive is downtown’s Grand Avenue location, although the Geffen Contemporary’s Little Tokyo location and intriguing exhibits make for an artsy afternoon. Head west into L.A. and along Miracle Mile you’ll find the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, with a new centerpiece: an enormous collection in the new contemporary wing, which features works by Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and others. The original collections offer plenty to keep you busy: 100,000 art objects make up LACMA’s catalogue, including Egyptian sarcophagus, Ansel Adams photographs and Edgar Degas paintings.

If you’re not an art fan, don’t worry, L.A.’s museums offer something for everyone. If you love cars, a visit to the Petersen Automotive Museum, which houses antique cars, steam engines and famous vehicles that have appeared in movies, is worth a trip. For a serious time-machine back to Fred Flinstone’s era, head to the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. It’s hard to imagine that saber-toothed cats and woolly mammoths once roamed the gridlocked streets of L.A., but when you visit the tar pits, or Rancho La Brea, as it’s often called, you’ll still see the bubbling pools of black asphalt that trapped hundreds of species thousands of years ago. Located in the famous Max Factor Building, the Hollywood Museum is a must for the Tinseltown-obsessed. The Art Deco building itself is beautiful and it’s where cosmetics genius Max Factor did the actual makeup of icons such as Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland. The permanent collection features items such as Judy Garland’s dress from A Star is Born, a Mae West display, and the prison cell used in the film Silence of the Lambs.

The city’s finest hotels have a long history of catering to the most discerning travelers and the most demanding guests, so it’s doubtful you can present them with a challenge they haven’t passed before with flying colors.

As the name suggests, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows is famed for its private cottages, not to mention its pale pink color and the legendary Polo Lounge, still a power-broker spot after all these years. A parade of movie junkets at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills attracts all entertainment industry types from journalists to actors who also like to visit the spa for its excellent treatments, as well as Windows Lounge for cocktails. Montage Beverly Hills, a Spanish Colonial-Revival style luxury property, features 201 rooms and suites designed to bring to life the glamour of the glory days of early Hollywood. The Peninsula Beverly Hills recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, adding cutting edge technologies to rooms that were already some of the plushest in town. And speaking of renovations, look for a refreshed design at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills, known for its spacious rooms and excellent service, as it transitions to the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills.

If you’d rather rest your head near the beach, you’ll find your fill of locals hanging out at Shutters Hotel on the Beach, Santa Monica’s most beloved spot for everything from seaside brunches and cocktails to poolside basking, especially since fine dining restaurant One Pico and the pool deck both received a makeover.

For the total Hollywood experience, head to the infamous Chateau Marmont, but if you can’t take the scene, get out. Constant updates are not the thing at this elite hilltop retreat, although the rooms do have iPod docking stations and cashmere throws, where every celebrity you could conceive of lingers around the dimly lit lounge’s couches.

And if you’re looking for a more urban-feel, stay amidst L.A.’s few skyscrapers downtown. Part of Downtown’s glitzy new entertainment complex, L.A. Live, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is a welcome new addition offering luxurious rooms, a new Wolfgang Puck restaurant, a lavish spa and gorgeous views of the city.

The movies make it seem like Los Angeles is a summer wonderland 365 days a year; but L.A. does actually have seasons, they are just not the ones you know back home. The city's various microclimates mean it can be gloomy and cold in one part of town and scorching in another. The dry season starts around April or May, and the city doesn't see a drop of rain until November. Fog can make May gray or June gloomy, but July through October is the finest time of year in the beach communities. Typically, they enjoy sunny 75 F days and nights perfect for sleeping with open windows. Further inland and in the valleys, however, temperatures get into the 80s and 90s, making air-conditioning a must, so if you've planned a summer vacay pack the suntan lotion and a hat. By September or October, enclaves in the canyons and near national forests become hot and dry tinderboxes subject to devastating wildfires. Even during the season between November and April, there isn't that much rain. Just 15 inches falls in an average year, usually in the form of big downpours between January and March. When it's not raining, days are sunny and bright, with temperatures in the high 70s and 80s during the day and 50s or 60s at night.

If you have only one day to spend in Los Angeles, your best bet is to rent a car and take a driving tour of the city. Start off in downtown L.A., where you can see the historic sites of Bunker Hill. Around here is the Broadway Theater District, Pershing Square and the Bradbury Building on Third and Broadway, which was built in 1893. You will also discover contemporary architectural feats such as Frank Gehry's stainless-steel behemoth, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Rafael Moneo's beautifully asymmetrical, concrete house of worship, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Afterwards, order breakfast at the Original Pantry Cafe, which has been scrambling eggs and frying bacon since 1924. Then head to bright-lights, big-city Hollywood. Traveling along Hollywood Boulevard past Vine and Highland streets, you'll see the heart of Tinseltown, including the Pantages Theatre, the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. You should also get some pretty good views of the Hollywood sign.

When you're ready for lunch, head down La Brea Avenue until you get to Melrose Avenue, where you'll find the famous Pink's Hot Dogs. You'll probably have to stand in a long line, but these legendary hot dogs are worth the wait; they're consistently hailed as L.A.'s best and the line — complete with its share of comedians, locals and tourists alike — is just part of the experience. Next, head west to Fairfax Avenue and make your way north to Sunset Boulevard. Once you get to Sunset, go west to the legendary Sunset Strip, where you'll see hot spots Chateau Marmont, the Roxy Theatre and the Viper Room. Continue cruising west down Sunset to Beverly Hills and you'll spy the famous Beverly Hills Hotel. Sunset will take you all the way to the 405 freeway; get on the freeway and go south. Then merge onto the 10 West and drive on until you hit the beach. Once you arrive in Santa Monica, make your way to the Santa Monica Pier to take a spin on the oceanfront Ferris wheel, or if you want some souvenirs, hit up Third Street Promenade for some shopping.

If you haven't overloaded on cotton candy and funnel cake, stop in the beachside Hotel Casa del Mar for an aperitif while you watch the sunset. For dinner, make a reservation at The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel, where you'll dine on gourmet steak, mac and cheese, and sauteed spinach while taking in breathtaking panoramas of the city from the hotel's 18th floor.

Tinseltown may make this city seem sunny everyday, but don't expect Los Angeles to be all clear skies and perfect weather. The city's many microclimates mean the temperature could vastly change depending on where you are, so it is best to be prepared. Of course, you'll need your swimsuit and suntan lotion for a jaunt along the Santa Monica shoreline, but pack layering pieces as well; the Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu beach towns can get chilly come evening. Your best bet is to expect heat, so pack warm-weather duds, but be prepared for the occasional chilly day — you never know when a random rainy day will come along. If you've planned a winter trip West, you'll definitely want to bring a jacket and some long-sleeve pieces; L.A. may not get snow, but the temperature does dip down into the 40s during the chillier months. And no matter what time of year you're headed to L.A., you'll want to read up on the latest-celebrity gossip and bring a camera; you never know what B-list (or C-list) celeb will be standing next to you at Urth Caffé.

Start your first day in the artsy, east-side neighborhood of Los Feliz with one of the best breakfasts in town at Square One Dining. After a plate of pecan-bourbon brioche French toast, make your way toward the Griffith Park area. If you’re traveling with the kids, head to the L.A. Zoo to see some incredible creatures. Next, get yourself to Griffith Park for some hiking or a leisurely stroll. Once your legs have had it, or you need an A.C. break, make your way to the Griffith Observatory for a planetarium show and lunch at the observatory’s Wolfgang Puck café.

After you’ve learned all you can about celestial bodies, get on the 101 freeway and drive downtown. Once there, stop at the Museum of Contemporary Art for a quick peek at an excellent selection of contemporary art offerings. After MOCA, it’s time to visit the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall for dinner and a show. Then it’s off to see the L.A. Philharmonic or maybe a concert with Natalie Cole or Air. After the show, cap off your evening at the swanky Rooftop Bar at The Standard Hotel.

Get ready to see some stars, because Hollywood here you come. On day two, drive north on Highland, and park your car at the Hollywood & Highland complex. From there, walk to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where you can get a close-up view of Marilyn Monroe’s tiny footprints. Outside of Grauman’s you can also board the Starline Tours bus (one departs every half hour from outside the Chinese Theatre) for a guided tour of the city - you’ll see celebrity homes, Rodeo Drive and Sunset Strip haunts.

After the bus drops you back at Grauman’s two hours later, head west for an afternoon at the beach. But before you bask in the sand, cruise along Santa Monica Boulevard for a quick peek at the palm tree-lined Beverly Hills and a snapshot of the infamous Rodeo Drive. Then dart over to Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park, where you’ll find a slew of carnival games and theme park rides. After you’ve won a stuffed animal with your skeeball tickets, walk over to Spokes N’ Stuff and rent a bike. Saddle up and pedal your way down the bike path to Venice Beach and its boardwalk, where you can see all kinds of crazy street performers. After you’ve worked up a sweat biking, enjoy a relaxing lunch at Gjelina, where you can order a wonderful sandwich or pizza. When you’re ready to move again, head back to Santa Monica to the Third Street Promenade, where you can window-shop at more than 200 stores and leisurely watch street performers until dinnertime.

Los Angeles has often been described as 40 suburbs without a city. Another way to think of it is as 40 small cities that don’t have much in common and therefore have little need to interact. The residents of Beverly Hills, Burbank and Malibu do come together on occasion, but as soon as the Lakers game is over, they all get back in their Mercedes and BMWs then speed off as if it never happened.

Visitors usually stick to four distinct areas. If it’s sun and sand you seek, make a beeline for the beach communities of Malibu, Venice and Santa Monica. Malibu is full of surfers and million-dollar homes right on the water and it’s almost a guaranteed spot for a celebrity sighting. Venice, as funky as ever, especially on the honky-tonk boardwalk, is packed full of an array of vagabond hippies playing in drum circles, eclectic street performers and an up-and-coming dining scene. Santa Monica is a cross between the two, with a popular amusement park on the pier, ritzy beachside hotels and restaurants and a few more homeless people than the city would like.

If you’ve come to shop, you might never leave Beverly Hills. The glitzy stores of Rodeo Drive are here, as are some of L.A.’s most expensive homes. For shopping on a mere mortal’s budget, try the Beverly Center or The Grove, L.A.’s premier malls-turn-entertainment-centers, home to retailers ranging from Gucci to trendy H&M. Heading west, you’ll hit West Hollywood, which is, ironically, the most centrally located part of Los Angeles and home to the hippest restaurants and nightspots of the moment along Melrose Avenue and the Sunset Strip. If you are looking for a MTV shoot or a trendy cocktail, it’s the place to be. Just as in its hey-day, the Sunset Strip still offers a variety of rock-and-roll clubs and music venues, as well as stand-up comedy clubs, so entertainment options are never far off. And unlike Hollywood proper, which is somewhat seedy, you might see movie stars here. Just don’t expect to find parking.

Los Angeles does have an actual downtown, which includes Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, several top-flight museums, Chinatown, Little Tokyo and Mexican marketplace Olvera Street. With an upshot of trendy bars, clubs and restaurants — everything from snazzy hotel roof bars to 20s-era cocktail lounges — downtown L.A. is definitely undergoing a renaissance. And just east of downtown, you’ll find the neighborhoods of Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, L.A.’s answer to New York’s Brooklyn.

Although you could easily burn through a budget on your Los Angeles vacay, you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy a trip to this West Coast destination. Because of year-round sunny weather, you are almost always guaranteed a number of outdoor activities and the coastal city offers the best of beaches and hiking for the outdoorsy types, as well as well of sights and cultural activities, gratis of course, to help fill your days.

1. Griffith Park includes miles of trails for both hikers and horseback riders; you could easily spend the day climbing around the dusty hills of this sprawling park. Make it to the top at Mount Hollywood and you’re rewarded with scenic vistas of the entire Los Angeles basin. Picnic areas, tennis courts, a swimming pool and athletic fields are sprinkled throughout the park.

2. A day at the beach won’t cost you more than a few dollars for the ice cream vendor. Both the Santa Monica and Venice beaches offer plenty of area to relax in the sand, recreational paths for biking, rollerblading or jogging and beach volleyball. For a little post-sun entertainment, walk along the Venice boardwalk for some people watching. No matter the season, you are guaranteed to see an odd assortment of circus-like street performers, hippie art-vendors and toned bodybuilders working out on Muscle Beach. Or get into a game of basketball; it’s a popular place for pick-up games and the inspiration for the movie White Men Can’t Jump.

3. For the price of parking, you can see some of the U.S.’s finest and most valuable European art as well a collection of Greek and Roman antiquities at the Getty. Perched high up on a prime bluff in the coastal nearby town of Malibu, this museum’s sun-soaked courtyards and gardens provide a scenic backdrop most other museums disregard - we advise you pack the sunglass for this trip. Outdoor breezeways and patios connect the galleries, and maze like gardens offer plenty walking opportunities.

4. A cruise along Mulholland drive and the Pacific Coast Highway will offer spectacular views of the ocean, city skyline and some pretty incredible homes - Los Angeles is home to some of the wealthiest people in America after all. This windy road is a romantic drive at night, when twinkling evening lights hide the city’s notorious fog.

5. If you’ve come to L.A. with hopes of making it big or at least seeing someone famous, one way to get your celebrity intake is at a taping of your favorite sitcom. Although being an audience member might not be as fun as watching the shows on TV - you’ll end up spending plenty of time waiting around - it will give you a chance to see the soundstage first hand, peek at the sets up-close-and-personal and hear some of the bloopers that never make it on the tube.

Los Angeles may be the second largest city in the country, but with its sprawling landscape - 14 miles stretch from the beachside neighborhood of Santa Monica to its more urban downtown locale - this West Coast mecca can at times feel more suburban than big city. L.A. offers plenty of fun-filled activities to keep your kids happy: from a dip in the Pacific Ocean to a trip to nearby Disneyland, the entire city often takes on the feel of an amusement park.

1. No family vacation would be complete without a swimming expedition, and Los Angeles offers plenty of beaches to explore. Kids love the popular Santa Monica pier, packed full of arcade games, carnival-style rides and fair food.

2. Just a 45-minute drive away from Los Angeles, nearby Anaheim is home to the original amusement park, Disneyland, and Disney's spotlight on all-things West Coast, California Adventure. Scream your lungs out on Space Mountain, spin around at the Mad Tea Party and say hello to Mickey at the original Disney park; adult-friendly activities include a California-style winery and thrilling shows.

3. Surrounded by the sprawling Griffith Park, Griffith Observatory is a two-for-one when it comes to keeping the kids busy. Hang out for a few hours outside in the park, climbing around the picturesque hiking trails; if you make it to the top of Mt. Hollywood, you'll not only see great city vistas, but you'll also get a close up view of the Hollywood sign. Then head inside the Observatory to find out how much you weigh on other planets, see real meteorites and explore the Milky Way without leaving the comfort of planet Earth, all for free.

4. Your kids will love a chance to walk in the steps of the Hollywood's stars: visit Grauman's Chinese Theater and let them match hands and feet against the cement molds of their favorite Tinseltown. For a few celebrity-action shots, let them take photos with the costumed characters you'll find nearby - actors dress up as everyone from Sponge Bob to Marylyn Monroe to Jake Sparrow.

5. The California Science Center is a hands-on museum that makes science fun and accessible for kids with special exhibits and an IMAX Theater, where you can take 3D tours of exotic places. Highlights include a high-wire bicycle ride, a motion-based simulator and Tess, a 50-foot animatronic woman whose body parts are revealed to show how the human body functions.

You don’t need a guide to tell you about Rodeo Drive; one of the world’s greatest concentrations of luxury stores is all in a three-block stretch between Los Angeles’ Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards. For a younger take on the haute couture look, nearby Melrose Avenue has emerged as the new Rodeo Drive - with big-name labels such as Alexander McQueen, Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacobs, as well as hipster brands like A.P.C. and Agent Provocateur.

Located east of Beverly Hills and west of West Hollywood, Robertson Boulevard has become the main drag for celebrities and local fashionistas. Before, the paparazzi would never budge from their post outside of The Ivy, the infamous white-picket-fenced eatery; now, these shutterbugs keep a good eye on shoppers coming out of Kitson, Lisa Kline and Chanel, which have practically taken over Robertson Boulevard.

If you are looking for some L.A. flair, another great stretch for shopping is on West Third Street between the city’s two destination malls, The Beverly Center and The Grove. Start out shopping at some of the high-end retailers at The Beverly Center, then cruise along Third Street for more independent boutiques. Satine, Milk and Hillary Rush are perhaps the most popular. EM & Co has lots of cute designer pieces and a fabulous collection of accessories, while luxe menswear shop Douglas Fir offers options for the male counterpart. And once you reach Fairfax, you’ll hit The Grove, a Disneyland-esque mall, complete with a trolley, a fountain show and well-known stores like J.Crew and the Gap.

This Third Street is not to be confused with Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, an outdoor mall with four movie theaters, dozens of casual restaurants and familiar shops like Banana Republic, Diesel and Anthropologie. Intersecting Montana Avenue offers one of four local Planet Blue boutiques, as well as Kiehl’s, the famous skincare line.

For more eclectic shops and surfer wares, try Abbott Kinney Boulevard in nearby Venice. This formerly seedy strip of used furniture shops and dive bars has attracted trendy boutiques, including Heist — which carries American designer labels NSF and Inhabit as well as hard-to-find French designers, like Isabel Marant — and The Stronghold, which has a custom denim bar. You’ll also find vintage resale shops such as Surfing Cowboys, as well as perfectly edited boutiques like Madley.

A weekend trip for two demands surprise, relaxation, romance and scenery: Los Angeles offers it all. Whether you are looking for a day spent enjoying nature and L.A.’s picturesque views or you prefer the luxe amenities of a spa day and a ten-course meal, this West Coast locale offers plenty in the romance department.

1. Enjoy the built-in romance of Los Angeles with a day spent on the beach in nearby Malibu. This coastal community offers some of best views around: the city stretches along the Pacific Coast Highway and homes sit right along the waters edge on cliffs or tucked into the nearby hillsides. Popular beaches include Zuma and Will Rogers. Dining options range from low-key fish shacks to the infamous sushi-temple Nobu.

2. When the luster of Hollywood begins to fade, get back to basics in the Santa Monica Mountains. This mountain range may be home to some of L.A.’s most beautiful hiking, but it’s also a great spot for horseback riding. Arrange a guided sunset, sunrise or moonlit ride with Los Angeles Horseback Riding and take in the scenic views of the city while you make eyes at each other.

3. If you’d prefer the total luxe treatment, a couple’s spa day is sure to have you both relaxed and refreshed. In a city where there is no end to the excess, Los Angeles has plenty of great urban retreats to choose from, but Spa Montage is our pick for the best duo experience. At the center of this gorgeous Spanish-style Beverly Hills spa is a co-ed relaxation area where couples and friends can relax together around a large mineral pool.

4. Venice Beach offers a bit of romance in the tune of its namesake - the canals and walkways of this California city instantly transport you to the Italian locale (minus the gondola). A stroll along these walkways, originally built in the early 1900s by developer Abbott Kinney and now surrounded by upscale condominiums and uber-chic beachfront homes, is the perfect way to end a romantic day relaxing on the sand.

5. Arguably the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles, Il Cielo is deserving of its name, which means “the sky,” because patrons dine in the outdoor garden beneath a canopy of twinkling lights. Dining here will put you in the mood for love - it seems that every couple in the place makes eyes at each other over plates of homemade pasta and focaccia.

Stretching 14 miles from the sunny beach of Santa Monica to the skyscrapers of its downtown neighborhood, Los Angeles is one long city. Even if you've never traveled to this West Coast locale, you are bound to recognize some of its neighborhoods from the silver screen. From the famous Venice boardwalk and Santa Monica Pier to the lesser-known downtown L.A. skyline, the City of Angels is not only the second largest city in the country, it's also one of the most fun.

1. Without its marvelous string of gold sand beaches, L.A. wouldn't be much different from any other major city. But whether you want to swim in the ocean, relax on the sand, bike along the oceanfront or stroll the Venice Boardwalk, the beach is an essential part of any visit to Los Angeles.

2. The super-touristy Hollywood Walk of Fame runs along Hollywood Boulevard. Celebrities must be nominated and agree to pay a $25,000 sponsorship fee to get a star, which might explain why Mabel Taliaferro has one, but Robert Redford doesn't. Still, just about everybody walks with his head down until he reaches Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Since it opened in 1927, the theater has become one of the city's most iconic landmarks, and it is an essential stop on any tour of Los Angeles.

3. The Getty Villa is the perfect museum for Los Angeles — it's one part beautiful beach babe and one part cultural icon. Perched on a prime bluff in Malibu overlooking the ocean, the former estate of oil magnate J. Paul Getty has one of the world's finest collections of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities.

4. When it was completed in 2003, Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall immediately became L.A.'s most recognizable piece of architecture. It has been compared to the petals of a flower or billowing metal sails. There's no charge for wandering around the building's labyrinthine exterior, with its secret passageways and pocket amphitheaters beyond each serpentine turn.

5. L.A.'s farmer's markets are some of the finest in the country. The city's Mediterranean climate means something is always in season: apples and persimmons in fall, avocados and citrus fruits in winter, peaches and plums in summer, and strawberries year-round. A good pick is the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, arguably the best market in the country that rightfully draws foodies and chefs from all over the area.