Los Angeles 9-Day Leisure Itinerary

Dinner recommendation:

Ink
Address: 8360 Melrose Ave #107, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Why: Chef Michael Voltaggio is the "David Beckham" of the culinary world
Cuisine: Molecular gastronomy, a fusion of American and Kaiseki

Lodging: Hotel in Hollywood

Travel tip: Located on the busy Melrose Ave, where parking can be a challenge, it's recommended to use Uber for transportation.

Brunch recommendation:

Eveleigh
Address: 8752 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Why: Large floral viewing terrace with pleasant scenery
Cuisine: American, vegetarian-friendly

Trendy Shopping in West Hollywood

While Hollywood's Rodeo Drive is the West Coast’s fashion hub (comparable to New York's Upper East Side), where you can experience Beverly Hills' extravagant vibe and the exceptional delights offered by top brands, the real shopping mecca for trendsetters is located in West Hollywood: Robertson Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. In these two districts, you'll find everything from top-tier brands like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana to street-style labels like Opening Ceremony and Supreme. There are also countless high-end art galleries, furniture stores and thrift shops worth exploring.

Artistic and Indie Adventures

If you're an artistic individual who's not particularly enthusiastic about shop-till-you-drop excursions, West Hollywood can still cater to your tastes. The area is home to Book Soup, the only long-standing independent bookstore in the entire Los Angeles region. It also features the West Hollywood Library, tucked away in a mid-century retro-style building, the iconic Pacific Design Center, affectionately known as the "Big Blue Whale," and the West Coast's premier pop art gallery, Hamilton Selway Fine Art—all havens for the artistically inclined youth.

Dinner recommendation:

Barton G
Address: 861 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Why: A unique dining experience that engages both visual and taste senses
Cuisine: American

Dinner recommendation:

Maison Akira
Address: 713 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Why: Extremely refined dishes; "Miso Sea Bass" is a signature dish
Cuisine: French-Japanese fusion

Downtown Museum Tour

Many people consider Downtown Los Angeles to be a less-than-ideal tourist destination, but in reality, it's home to two art museums that are well worth a visit. The first is The Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, on par with New York's MOMA, featuring a collection of over 5,000 post-war American modern art pieces. The second is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which boasts nearly 130,000 pieces in its collection, making it the largest museum in the western U.S. Its most famous attraction is Urban Light at the central entrance plaza, a popular filming location and a must-see for tourists.

Dinner recommendation:

Eight Korean BBQ
Address: 863 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Why: The eight-flavor BBQ set is worth a try, showcasing the various tastes of Korean barbecue.
Cuisine: Korean

Lunch recommendation:

Bottega Louie
Address: 700 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90017
Why: Combines bakery, sweets and dining in one, with an excellent dining atmosphere.
Cuisine: Italian

Riding Horseback at Sunset Ranch

Address: 3400 N Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Features: Want to experience the thrill of galloping on horseback just like a Western cowboy? Sunset Ranch Hollywood, the only ranch within the city limits of Los Angeles, is the perfect choice. Enjoy a leisurely horseback ride along the trails of Griffith Park, where you can look up to see the iconic Hollywood sign and be surrounded by captivating scenery.

Griffith Observatory Viewpoint

Address: 2800 E Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Features: Located within Griffith Park, the Griffith Observatory is widely known as the best vantage point for up-close views of the Hollywood sign. Additionally, you can also gaze upon the sprawling skyscrapers of Los Angeles and appreciate the city's dazzling scenery. Of course, as an observatory open to the public for free, it offers visitors an array of astronomical and physical knowledge through displays and images. You can even explore the mysteries of the stars using the in-house giant telescopes.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Address: 3400 W Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91522
Features: If Universal Studios Hollywood is a playground for all ages, then Warner Bros. Studio, also located in Hollywood, is a pilgrimage site for avid movie fans. It's the only film and television center that allows you to directly explore real movie sets. Simply book your tickets online a day in advance, and you can ride a tour vehicle equipped with a professional guide to navigate the entire studio lot. The tour also includes visits to the company's internal museum, warehouses and various film and TV set locations, letting you uncover intriguing behind-the-scenes stories during the 2.5-hour tour.

Experience Roman Charm at the Getty Villa

Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Features: The saying "One Getty, two locations" refers to the two distinct venues in Los Angeles, both named "Getty." In a previous travel plan, we introduced the Getty Center. This time, we focus on the Getty Villa, which requires advance reservations for visits. What sets the Getty Villa apart is its museum exclusively dedicated to ancient Roman culture, a rarity elsewhere. The main collections display art and civilizations from ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. Within its Roman-style courtyard, you'll encounter plants cultivated to match varieties from 2,000 years ago, along with historically replicated sculptures and frescoes, all providing a sensation of time travel.

Marvel at the Scenic Beauty of Malibu Beach

Malibu Beach is one of the most famous beaches surrounding Los Angeles. Located next to the Pacific Coast Highway, also known as Route 1, it boasts stunning coastal views and serves as a filming location for many movies and TV shows. The beachside is another wealthy area, second only to Beverly Hills, with many Hollywood stars owning oceanfront mansions here. After spending time on the beach, you can find a great place to savor delicious food, listen to the sound of waves crashing on the shore and quietly wait for the enchanting sunset—a true pleasure.

Dinner Recommendation

Geoffrey's Malibu
Address: 27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90625
Reason for Recommendation: Delicious food paired with beautiful views makes it an excellent choice for a romantic date.
Cuisine: California-style American restaurant

Long Beach Excursion

Long Beach, located in southern Los Angeles, offers a more artistic and less mainstream atmosphere compared to the bustling Santa Monica. If you're tired of LA traffic, opt for a greener mode of transportation today: the subway. Take the Metro Blue Line from downtown LA to 103rd Street-Kenneth Hahn Station. From there, walk to the astonishing Watts Towers. Continue on the Blue Line to its last stop, where you can catch the Passport shuttle to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and the luxury liner Queen Mary.

Outlet Malls — The Final Shopping Spree

For every tourist visiting Los Angeles, shopping is an absolute must. As your trip nears its end, why not head to a nearby outlet mall to find the perfect gifts for yourself, family and friends. Among the numerous outlets in Los Angeles, we recommend two for their value: Ontario Mills Mall and Citadel Outlets. Ontario Mills Mall is North America's largest indoor outlet mall with over 200 brands, while Citadel Outlets is just a 10-minute drive from downtown LA and features 130 brands.