Planning A Trip To Los Angeles | The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

Top floor view over downtown Los Angeles at dusk

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.

Planning Your Trip

What To Pack

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.

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.

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.

Planning Your Trip

What To Reserve

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

Featuring sweeping views from the hotel’s 24th floor, Sendero is a culinary journey down the Pan-American highway, offering a collection of dining experiences dedicated to the cuisine found across Latin America. Corteza at Sendero features a lively bar and dining room inspired by colorful coastal markets, while Lena at Sendero is an Argentine-influenced steakhouse with a refined gaucho style. You can also dine at Savoca, a Californian Trattoria located in the adjacent JW Marriott hotel lobby atrium.

Day Trips

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.

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.

Nightlife

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.

Planning Your Trip

Itineraries

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.

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.

A contemporary soaking bathtub in the Ritz-Carlton Suite master bedroom

Day 1

Morning

Dive In.
Ease into your day with a dip in the heated pool, set on the hotel’s 26th floor, and take in sweeping views of the City of Angels and San Gabriel Mountains beyond.

The Breakfast of Angels.
Snag a table at nearby Bottega Louie for a proper Angeleno breakfast of egg-white omelets and green juice. Save room for something sweet, though — the stylish all-day café is known for its tempting assortment of pastries and pastel-hued macarons.

Midday

Star Architecture.
Get a closer look at the stunning Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry in his signature metallic form reminiscent of billowing sails. One-hour self-guided audio tours are offered most days beginning at 10 a.m. and are fittingly narrated by an award-winning actor (John Lithgow), with input from the star architect himself.

Tokyo in Los Angeles.
In a city known for its excellent sushi options, Q is among the very best. Hailing from Tokyo’s Roppongi District, Chef Hiroyuki Naruke brings his skill to this serene spot in downtown L.A. Relax over a sushi lunch, served omakase style, and marvel that a place like this exists outside of Japan.

Afternoon

Art Appreciation.
Just a stone’s throw from Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad is another visually stunning structure. Designed by architectural firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the futuristic honeycomb-like building houses over 2,000 works of contemporary art and features rotating special exhibitions like the recent “Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors.”

A Double Dose of Art.
The Museum of Contemporary Art has three outposts in Los Angeles, but its main branch is conveniently across from The Broad. Amble through galleries showcasing pieces by Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko and other art-world luminaries, and don’t miss the notable collection of Robert Frank photographs.

Evening

Dramatic Views.
End your day the way you started it — with a panoramic view of Los Angeles, only this time starring the glittering evening skyline. Sendero on the hotel's 24th floor is a culinary journey down the Pan American highway, offering beautifully designed spaces to enjoy Latin American fare while watching the sun set and the city lights come alive.

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.

Corteza at Sendero Bar Detail Night View

A plate of ceviche with a sauce poured over it.

Day 1

Morning

Morning Jolt.
An elevated coffee culture has begun to bloom in Los Angeles in recent years, and downtown’s Verve Coffee is home to some of the best brew in town. Pair your cuppa with one of their breakfast offerings, like their vegan grain bowl or overnight oats.

Midday

Public Art.
Spend some time exploring the Arts District, which has become one of the country’s most important destinations for street art. At the intersections of Traction Avenue and East 3rd Street, you can see works by Shepard Fairey, How and Nosm, among others. On Saturdays, the square plays host to a farmers market where you can peruse fresh produce and meet local artists.
Grab a Local Beer.
Pop into the Arts District Brewing Co. for a quick quaff at one of Los Angeles’ few craft brewpubs. With an on-site 15-barrel brewhouse and 30+ beers brewed on-site, the open, airy space is the perfect place for an early happy hour. Don’t miss the classic bar games, like pinball and Skeeball.

Afternoon

Sample the Market.
Opened in 1917, Grand Central Market has undergone a revitalization in recent years, lending buzz to downtown’s food scene. Amble around the sprawling indoor space while attempting to narrow your choices from among the many standout shops. Try a traditional pastrami or Reuben sandwich at Wexler’s Deli, or tuck into a bowl of wonton soup at China Café, one of the market’s longest-standing vendors.

Evening

Middle Eastern With a Twist.
An intimate, relaxed spot from celebrated chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, from L.A.’s equally lauded restaurant Bestia, Bavel serves fresh takes on Mediterranean classics like hummus with duck’ nduja and lamb neck shawarma. Located in the Arts District, the only downside to Bavel’s celebrated menu, designed for sharing, is that it’s impossible to get through in one visit.

Day 2

Morning

Pastries, Please.
Arrive early to beat the crowds at Republique, one of Los Angeles’ quintessential breakfast spots. Try the Shakshouka, a wood oven-baked blend of tomatoes, peppers, and eggs, or indulge with a classic Croque Madame using house-cured ham. It’s also practically obligatory to order one of their signature pastries like flaky pain-au-chocolate, yeasty brioche, and sweet or savory flavored bombolini.

Midday

Hit the Trail.
Work off the pastries with a brisk walk in Runyon Canyon Park. Trails vary in difficulty, but each affords stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the city below.

Afternoon

Make Time for Tacos.
Although the Los Angeles taco options are endless, you can't go wrong with Sonoratown. The restaurant concept is simple: serve tacos in the style of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora—a part of Northern Mexico known for having the most delicious carne asada. Just a seven-minute drive from the hotel, this tiny order-at-the-counter taco spot does just that, making it difficult to order wrong.

Evening

Dinner With a View.
Set in a former rectory in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Redbird by culinary power couple Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll serves up an award-winning menu of modern American cuisine meant for sharing. An impressive Cathedral glass ceiling in the main dining room offers views of the old rectory bell tower, while a sofa-stuffed lounge and bar space is the perfect setting for an intimate drink.
Sipping Against the Skyline.
End your evening with a cocktail at Sendero, a celebration of Latin American cuisine on the hotel’s 24th floor. Sip a glass of wine or specialty cocktail while enjoying breathtaking views from above.

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900 W Olympic Blvd,

Los Angeles, California, USA, 90015

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