Skip to Content

Planning Your Trip

With its laid-back culture and celebrity style, Los Angeles inspires low-key glamour. Dress to impress, Angeleno-style, whether you arrive for business, leisure or a quick weekend getaway.

515915980

Business Travel

Business casual is even more relaxed in L.A. High temperatures and poolside meetings mean ties and hosiery are things of the past, while high-end sunglasses and smart accessories are a must.

 

  • If you do need to wear a suit, make sure it’s made of a lightweight natural fiber and cut slim. That way you can stay calm, cool and collected even when the sunshine is full blast.
  • Women can pack their favorite sundresses to pair with a light coat or blazer for a fashionable look that goes from conference rooms to client dinners.
  • High-end accessories are the stars of the show, so bring your favorite watches, bracelets and sunglasses. Packing more than one option isn’t overdoing it — come awards season, that’s what the stars do.  

Exploring the City

While L.A. may be a sprawling metropolis, there are a lot of pedestrian-friendly areas and fabulous hiking spots that make it easy to forego a car. Here’s what to bring for the sidewalks and trails.

 

  • Yoga pants may already be on your packing list, which is a great idea since yoga gear is the uniform of many Angelinos. You can wear them on a morning hike up Runyon Canyon, then wear them to lunch at Sqirl in Silver Lake.
  • A sweatshirt might seem odd for a trip to Southern California, but the air conditioning in many restaurants, stores and museums is often on high blast.
  • A sturdy pair of sandals (for men and women) offers your feet ventilation when you’re running around town on hot days.
The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles 26th Floor Pool

Weekend Getaway

This town invented “athleisure,” so when preparing for a weekend, you can nix anything that seems too formal. You will absolutely love how laid-back this city is when it comes to chilled-out and low-key looks.

 

  • A cool pair of vintage-looking sneakers are the perfect kicks. This town loves its leisure wear and there are few restaurants that have a dress code that doesn’t allow them.
  • A beach wrap or fashionable sari is a great idea for ladies so that you can put on a cover-up if you need to run from the rooftop pool down to your hotel room.
  • Fashionable backpacks — think cool patterns or bold stripes — are the go-to bag for a weekend in this eco-friendly town. You can pack in the things you need for the day, then any cool purchases you make during the day.  
Don't Forget:

A light cotton sweater or a substantial wrap scarf can be essential even though temperatures in Southern California are high year-round. It can get chilly at night or inside air-conditioned bars and restaurants.

Planning the perfect LA getaway means planning ahead. With its abundance of attractions and strong tourist appeal, Los Angeles offers plenty to see and plenty of competition for access. Here is what you should reserve before you arrive.

Dining Reservations

Place Setting icon

Savor fresh local fare on site at Savoca, a Californian Trattoria. This Italian restaurant provides a fresh take on your favorite dishes made with regionally sourced ingredients, served in an open air atrium space. Or escape to a Casablanca-style summer oasis on the 4th floor deck. Enjoy poolside crafted cocktails in a colorful Marrakesh-inspired hideaway complete with vibrant tenting, sparkling lights and photo-inspiring backdrops. You can also stop by Glance Lobby Bar for delicious light dining. This laid-back restaurant and bar located in the JW Marriott boasts an extensive cocktail menu and a stylish ambiance, perfect for post-meeting drinks and dinner in downtown L.A.

Day Trips

car icon

Families can’t pass up a chance to visit the happiest place in the world: Disneyland. The world-renowned theme park offers more than just rides and live characters; it has a year-round entertainment schedule that includes fireworks shows, Jedi training classes and parades down Main Street, USA. If you crave sun and sand, head one hour south to Laguna Beach, a 7-mile stretch of ocean that is a year-round retreat for beach lovers. Simply soak up the rays on a beach towel, or rent a stand-up paddle board, take a surf lesson or try skim boarding.  

Museum Tickets & Cultural Sights

The Broad, a contemporary art museum right in downtown, opened to critical acclaim in 2015. Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad and designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Gensler, the museum offers free general admission with advanced reservations. Spend a full day browsing the museum’s 2,000 works of art and 120,000 square feet of gallery space. Another renowned culture space is the hilltop Getty Center, home to the huge art collection of the J. Paul Getty Trust. The $1 billion project is a complex of white pavilions, impeccable gardens and a rotunda lobby. The jaw-dropping journey begins with an electric tram ride up the steep hillside to the museum’s entry.
 

 

Nightlife

cocktail icon

Speakeasies are now a firmly established fixture of L.A. nightlife. The Varnish offers incredible cocktails and a chic crowd, while The Edison harkens back to the city’s legendary nightspots with its art-nouveau-meets-industrial-gothic design. And you don’t have to go far from The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles for a full roster of concerts and sporting events. Situated within the L.A. Live entertainment complex, the hotel has easy access to the many ballrooms, bars, restaurants and theaters. It is also next to STAPLES Center, home to the Lakers and Clippers (basketball) and Kings (hockey), and a popular venue for live music and comedy. Talk to the concierge on arrival to find out what’s on the schedule.

Whether you are planning a whirlwind adventure, a family staycation or a spa getaway, Los Angeles won’t disappoint. Plan your visit around these sample itineraries to ensure you hit all the highlights.

View over a city with tall buildings

24 Hours in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is known as much for its perennial sunshine as it is for its sprawling landscape, so if you only have one day to take in this vibrant city, make the most of your time by spending less of it on the highway. Situated downtown, The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is within walking distance — a treasure in a town that relies so heavily on driving — to some of the most compelling museums, restaurants and architectural gems the city has to offer. 

 

Discover More
A city skyline is reflected in water

Culinary Tour

With its confluence of cultures, access to an abundance of fresh produce and an influx of talented chefs in recent years, Los Angeles is home to one of the most exciting food scenes in the country. While two days won’t scratch the surface of the culinary landscape here, with a little strategic planning (and a healthy appetite) you can taste your way around the city, and save a little room for your next visit. 

 

Discover More