This Is Ultimate 72-Hour Guide to Living Like a Local (With Great Taste)
Yeah, yeah—we know. Los Angeles is sprawling, overwhelming and perpetually stuck in traffic. But give it three days—really give it three days—and this glittering city of palm trees and pop-ups might just charm the SPF off your face. From sun-drenched mornings in Malibu to rooftop martinis in Beverly Hills to late-night tacos in DTLA, this is Los Angeles at its most delicious, design-y and delightfully chaotic.
This is not your average tourist checklist (no offense to the Hollywood Sign)—it’s a curated crash course in living like a local with taste. Think bagels with a cult following, cold plunges in tucked-away spas, beach walks that double as therapy and sushi so good you’ll question your life choices up to this point.
Whether you’re craving matcha and midcentury vibes or mezcal and Malibu mist, this guide breaks it all down day by day. So cancel whatever you had planned, clear some space on your phone for photos and prepare to fall hard for the City of Angels.
Let’s do LA the right way.
DAY 1: WESTSIDE
STAY: The Surfrider Malibu
If Barbie had a beach house in Malibu, this would be it—only swap the pink for organic linen, surfboards and Australian minimalism. The Surfrider Malibu is a 20-room boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant exclusive to guests, surf-butler service (yes, really) and custom McTavish boards that beg to be paddled out into the Pacific. Rooms are decked in reclaimed teak and earthy textures and the mini bar features local small-batch everything. Order a mezcal spritz on the rooftop, kick your feet up on the cushioned banquette and watch the waves roll in like you live here. Because for a few glorious nights, you kind of do.
MORNING: Coffee, Cold Plunges and Canals
Venice mornings hit different—especially when they start at Little Lunch, a pint-sized Aussie-inspired coffee shop that serves drinks with names like “Best Mate” (which tastes like a cinnamon cereal dream) and pastries that look like art. Once you’ve caffeinated, wake yourself all the way up with a contrast therapy session at wellness haven Likeminded, where the cold plunge and infrared sauna circuit is as much about community vibes as it is about recovery.
Still feeling the buzz? A peaceful walk along the Venice Canals is just what the doctor ordered. Think quaint footbridges, quiet water reflections and pastel homes with canoes docked out front—it’s like a Wes Anderson scene with duck sightings. Wrap up the morning with a breakfast bagel from the Yeastie Boys truck (follow them on IG for their daily location). The “Game Over” is everything your taste buds have been dreaming of.
MIDDAY: Rooftop Cocktails or Seaside Sashimi
Feeling fancy? Head up to Calabra on top of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel and order a rooftop negroni alongside halloumi bites and ocean views. It’s the kind of place where influencers are born and Aperol never runs dry.
Want that A-list energy? Nab a lunch resy at Nobu Malibu, where sushi meets stardom and the spicy tuna crispy rice and black cod miso have a fan club. It’s sleek, it’s seaside and if you squint hard enough, you might just spot Harry Styles across the restaurant.
AFTERNOON: Surf, Sun and Street Tacos
Now’s your moment to play beach roulette. El Matador State Beach is Malibu drama at its finest—think sandstone arches and tidepool caverns made for photo ops. Prefer your beach more chill? Zuma Beach delivers with endless sand and breezy vibes. Or, walk across the street from The Surfrider and paddle out at Surfrider Beach, where the surf is classic, the crowd is local and the saltwater rinse comes courtesy of your rooftop shower.
Around 4 p.m., hunger creeps in again. Enter: Brothers Cousins Tacos—a parking lot taco stand with two nearby locations and lines so long they speak for themselves. Their $2 al pastor is legendary. No frills, no seating, no cards. Just hot, glorious meat in a warm tortilla.
EVENING: Santa Monica Sunset to Culver City Cool
When the sky turns cotton candy, head to The Bungalow, Santa Monica’s beloved beach bar where surf shack chic meets boozy nostalgia. Sip a margarita on a mismatched sofa, flirt over ping pong and soak in that salty breeze. Afterward, elevate your dinner game at Mélisse, the two-Michelin-starred dining experience that feels part performance, part pilgrimage. Each course is a sensory deep dive—expect golden Osetra caviar, spring vegetables arranged like fine jewelry and a staff member who knows the name of your cow’s farmer.
Still not ready for bed? Slide into a booth at the Old Man Bar, tucked behind the neighborhood restaurant, Hatchet Hall. It’s dim, woodsy and candlelit, with a serious whiskey list and all-vinyl soundtrack. On Sundays and Mondays, the kitchen slings one of the best burgers in town—served until they sell out (which they always do).
DAY 2: BEVERLY HILLS
STAY: Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
Retro, refined and refreshingly relaxed, the Avalon Hotel is your glamorous HQ for all things Beverly Hills. Once a hangout for Marilyn Monroe, this midcentury gem features a palm-lined pool, bold interior design and private nooks perfect for sipping champagne in a plush robe. Your itinerary here starts with Viviane’s eggs benedict and ends with fluffy towels and a siesta under a striped umbrella.
MORNING: Matcha and Canyon Strolls
Slide into a sunny booth at Croft Alley, where breakfast is served with a side of Rodeo Drive cool. The truffled soft scramble and Okinawa matcha are pure joy. From there, escape the glitz for a tranquil walk around Franklin Canyon Reservoir, a hidden oasis with stroller-friendly trails, shady benches and just enough wildlife to make it feel like a nature documentary.
MIDDAY: Spa Bliss and Dewy Skin Dreams
Pampering is a sport in Beverly Hills, and Tomoko Spa is the major league. Their signature Japanese Experience for couples includes full-body massages, detox foot baths and a private sushi lunch in a wood-paneled suite that smells faintly of hinoki and heaven. Follow it up with a trip to Hanok K-Beauty, where the 90-minute “glass skin” facial will leave you luminous—and the traditional tea ceremony will make you feel like an honorary Korean princess.
GOLDEN HOUR: Rooftop Revelry at Dante
Time to sip and stare. At Dante, perched atop The Maybourne Beverly Hills, martinis are $10 at golden hour and oysters arrive faster than your last hinge date replied. With a Mediterranean menu and a horizon view that melts into pinks and golds, it’s equal parts swanky and sublime. Pro tip: Order the Melon Sbagliato with melon aperitif, Martini Bianco white vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco and prosecco for the ultimate sky-high sipper.
EVENING: Classic LA or Cool Newcomer?
Tonight’s dinner decision is really a choose-your-own-adventure. Lawry’s The Prime Rib is a timeless institution—think tableside carts, prime rib carved like a showpiece and a spinning salad that has garnered quite the accolades. On the flip side, Craig’s is more about the crowd than the cuisine, but if celeb sightings are on your list, this is your spot. If you prefer pure Japanese sushi artistry, Matsuhisa never disappoints. And if you’re looking for somewhere intimate and unexpected, Alba serves up upscale Italian with lobster cardinale and focaccia you’ll dream about for months.
Tonight’s dinner decision is really a choose-your-own-adventure. Lawry’s The Prime Rib is a timeless institution—think gleaming silver carts, servers in pressed whites, and prime rib carved tableside like it’s a performance art. And let’s not forget the spinning salad—it’s famous for a reason. On the flipside, Craig’s is more about the crowd than the cuisine, but if celeb sightings are on your bingo card, this buzzy West Hollywood staple delivers.
If you’re craving pure Japanese culinary artistry, Matsuhisa is your move. Opened by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa long before his name became synonymous with high-end sushi across the globe, this original Beverly Hills gem is the blueprint for it all. It’s wildly understated from the outside, and the interior is equally low-key—but don’t let the humble vibe fool you. The omakase menu is a revelation, and each dish is a masterclass in flavor, texture and restraint.
And if your heart (and stomach) are pulling you toward pasta, Alba offers an intimate escape with a coastal Italian menu that’s elegant without being fussy. Get the focaccia with whipped ricotta, follow it with the lobster cardinale and prepare to question why this place isn’t on every foodie’s radar—yet.
SHOWTIME: The Greek Theatre
Cap off your night under the stars at The Greek Theatre, one of LA’s most iconic outdoor venues tucked in the hills of Griffith Park. Designed in 1928 and officially opened in 1930, this open-air amphitheater has seen it all—from Neil Diamond’s legendary “Hot August Night” performance to blockbuster moments in “A Star Is Born,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Get Him to the Greek.”
With just under 6,000 seats and canyon acoustics that make every note soar, The Greek delivers a concert experience that’s both intimate and electric. Whether it’s a chart-topper or a rising indie star, the sound is flawless, and the vibes are peak LA romance. Pro tip: Arrive early because the openers are often unforgettable.
DAY 3: SILVER LAKE/DTLA
STAY: Silver Lake Pool & Inn
If The Surfrider Malibu is your laid-back beach bestie, Silver Lake Pool & Inn is your effortlessly cool Eastside friend. The one with incense burning, a perfectly worn-in denim jacket, and a talent for making everything look like a vibe. On Santa Monica Boulevard near Sunset Junction, this boutique hotel in LA is a masterclass in low-key luxury with serious design cred.
Created by Venice-based firm Electric Bowery, the 54-room inn mixes California minimalism with global touches—terrazzo nightstands, earthy textures, sun-soaked interiors and Diptyque bath amenities. Rooms come stocked with Nespresso machines, plush robes and curated minibars featuring local snacks and biodynamic wines. But the crown jewel? The rooftop pool deck. Surrounded by cacti and city views (hello, Griffith Observatory), the space is pure Eastside serenity. The striped loungers, soft light and lemon-hued tiled wall are made for your camera roll.
Downstairs, Marco Polo delivers Italian-meets-California fare that’s fresh and unfussy. Think avocado toast and spritzes by day and handmade pasta and natural wine by night. Whether you’re soaking up the sun poolside or wandering Silver Lake’s indie shops and wine bars, this stay hits all the right notes—stylish, soulful and unmistakably LA.
MORNING: Bagels, Pastries and Scenic Strolls
Kick off your Eastside morning at Courage Bagels, the kind of place that makes you believe in carbs again. The burnt everything bagel topped with smoked trout, dill and a schmear of cream cheese is smoky, crunchy and exactly what LA breakfast dreams are made of. Lines wrap around the block, but that’s part of the ritual—grab a coffee and enjoy the wait (it’s worth it).
From there, head to Fondry in Highland Park, where croissants are treated like couture. This pastry haven is known for its kouign-amanns (caramelized, flaky magic) and the keu-loong-gi, a Korean-style flat croissant that’s equal parts buttery and crisp. Pro tip: Get a few to-go, because you’ll want a snack later.
With your pastry fix secured, stroll the Silver Lake Reservoir—a 2.2-mile loop with water views, native plants, and some of the best people-watching in the city. The dog park is a hotspot, the vibe is serene-yet-social and you’ll probably leave wanting to buy a vintage bicycle and a bandana for your pup.
LATE MORNING: Sqirl and Scenic Rides
Brunch at Sqirl is an Eastside rite of passage. The iconic sorrel pesto rice bowl is still the star—bright, herbaceous and topped with a jammy egg—but the Yoghee Pancake made with cardamom ghee is a sleeper hit. The vibe is peak Silver Lake: artsy, offbeat and deliciously unpretentious.
Once you’ve satisfied your brunch cravings, head downtown to ride the Angel’s Flight Railway in downtown LA. For just $1, this bright-orange funicular whisks you up Bunker Hill in the most charmingly retro way possible. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it ride, but a fun slice of LA history and a way to pretend you’re the star in “LA LA Land.”
MIDDAY: Deli Icons and Taco Stars
Time for a double lunch—because when in LA, one stop simply won’t do. First, swing by Philippe the Original, where the French dip sandwich was allegedly invented over 100 years ago. The roast beef is tender, the au jus is piping hot and the house mustard? Sinus-clearing, in the best way. Sit at a communal table, embrace the sawdust-covered floor and feel the city’s history come alive in every bite.
Next up: Villa’s Tacos at Grand Central Market. This fan-favorite taco stand is known for blue corn tortillas crusted in crispy cheese and piled with smoky mesquite-grilled meats. It’s messy, cheesy and absurdly good. Bonus: you’re just a few steps away from The Broad, where contemporary art icons (hello, Kusama!) await. If you can, snag a reservation for the Infinity Mirrored Room—it’s like stepping into another dimension.
AFTERNOON: Dodger Dogs and a Ballpark Sunset
If the Dodgers are in town, clear your schedule. Dodger Stadium is more than a baseball field—it’s an LA landmark with panoramic skyline views, a 60-year history and that electric hometown energy that pulls everyone in.
Grab a cold beer, some smoked elote street corn and a Dodger Dog—long, classic and somehow never disappointing. Even if you don’t care about baseball, the people-watching, sunset skyline and seventh-inning stretch will make you a believer. If you’re lucky enough to catch golden hour from the upper deck, don’t forget to snap a pic. It’s one of the most iconic views in the city.
EVENING: Artsy and Atmospheric Eats
Your final dinner in LA should be memorable—and these three spots don’t miss. Over in the Arts District, Bavel blends Israeli, Moroccan and Egyptian flavors with bold flair in a soaring, plant-filled space. Think housemade pita, smoky baba ganoush, lamb neck shawarma and cocktails that pair just as beautifully as the lighting.
Prefer moody and music-filled? Head to Checker Hall in Highland Park, where the vibe is vintage Masonic lodge meets modern cocktail bar. The flaming halloumi is a spectacle, and a must-order. Dance to live DJs or bands, who often keep the night going long after dessert.
If you’re craving something more intimate, head to Botanica in Silver Lake. By day, it’s a bright, all-day cafe. By night, it turns into a natural wine-fueled dinner party. The menu leans veg-forward with chickpea pancakes, turmeric carrots, and smoked labneh. Every dish bursts with seasonal flavor and casual elegance. Order a bottle from their curated natural wine list. Sit on the twinkle-lit patio and toast to a perfectly packed weekend in LA.
