We’ve spent a lot of time in Beverly Hills and LA over the years, and at this point we definitely have our spots. We’re creatures of habit in the best possible way. There are places we go back to every single trip, things we order every time, and a few newer finds that have already made the list.

This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive guide to Los Angeles. It’s simply the places we genuinely love and would send a friend if they were headed to Beverly Hills or LA for a few days.

Where We Stay

The Beverly Hills Hotel

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, this probably isn’t a surprise. The Beverly Hills Hotel is one of my favorite places in the world.

I love everything about it. The history, the beautiful grounds, the iconic pink and green, and especially the people. So many of the employees have been there for over 30 years, and there’s something really special about coming back and seeing familiar faces.

I also always feel incredibly safe there, which matters so much to me when I’m traveling with Ally or staying without Dan.

We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Days and so many regular days here. It truly feels like a home away from home.

And as much as we love running around LA, one of my absolute favorite things to do is nothing at all. Give me a day by the pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel and I’m the happiest girl on earth. It’s truly one of my favorite places to spend a day.

And yes, you need to get the pancakes.

Breakfast, Coffee + Matcha

This is probably the category we take most seriously. We’ll walk miles for a good coffee, matcha or breakfast.

Leora

Our ride or die.

If we only had time for one coffee stop in Beverly Hills, this would probably be it. There is almost always a line, but we wait. It’s worth it.

GET the frozen coffee.  A MUST. 

There’s also currently a Leora pop-up inside ANINE BING on Melrose, which makes shopping and coffee dangerously convenient.

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, breakfast here is such a treat.

The pancakes are iconic for a reason. Fluffy, simple and SO good. I finally got the recipe and shared it HERE because I’ve had so many people ask about them over the years.

Jon & Vinny’s

I feel like everyone knows Jon & Vinny’s for pizza and pasta, but not everyone realizes they serve breakfast.

It is SO good.

We love coming here in the morning, and it’s a completely different experience than dinner.

Community Goods

One of our favorite matcha stops. If you’re anywhere near Melrose/Beverly Grove, add it to your list.

And yes, this is LA, so there’s always a chance you’ll run into a Bieber while you’re there. ?

Max & Helen’s

Another breakfast spot we love. Cute, casual and the kind of place that has something for everyone.  Their menu is like an old fashioned diner.  Don’t skip the hot chocolate! 

Carla Cafe

SO cute, with great drinks and really good sandwiches. Perfect when you want something casual without turning lunch into a whole event.

Urth Caffé

An LA classic and always a good option for breakfast, lunch, coffee or matcha.

Croft Alley

Another easy favorite for coffee and a quick breakfast or lunch.  Great cookies! 

ChaCha Matcha

If you love matcha, put this one on your list. We’re always looking for a good matcha when we travel, and this is one of our Beverly Hills stops.  I LOVE THEIR BROWNIE COOKIE!!  The matcha donut is also two thumbs up.  

Erewhon

Is an LA trip even complete without an Erewhon run?

We usually stop for drinks, snacks and whatever their newest smoothie is. Even if you don’t need groceries, it’s fun to wander through.

Where We Eat

Here’s the funny thing: we actually don’t go out to big dinners very often when we’re in LA.

We tend to go HARD during the day. We walk everywhere, shop, stop for coffee and matcha, wander through neighborhoods and somehow look at the clock and realize we’ve been out for ten hours.

By nighttime, room service or takeout sounds perfect.

Goop Kitchen

One of our favorite things to order back to the hotel. It’s fresh, easy and exactly what we want after eating our way through LA all day.

Jon & Vinny’s

Just as good for dinner as it is for breakfast. Go to the restaurant or order it in. Either way, you really can’t go wrong. Their pizza is sooo good.

The Polo Lounge

If you want the quintessential Beverly Hills experience, have lunch, dinner or drinks at The Polo Lounge.

It’s beautiful, iconic and one of those places that still feels special every time.

The burger and fries plus a soufflé is my go-to, but you also have to know about the McCarthy Salad. It’s one of The Polo Lounge’s classics and has been served there for decades. I love it so much that I made my own version at home. 

There is obviously no shortage of incredible restaurants in LA, but we’ve learned that we’d rather spend our days exploring and have an easy night than force ourselves into another reservation.

A Morning at the Farmers Market

Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market

If you’re in Beverly Hills on a Sunday morning, go.

It’s small, charming and such a fun way to start the day. Grab fresh fruit, flowers and whatever looks good, then make one very important stop:  the petting zoo!!  I die over all the baby animals! 

Beverly Hills Cookies.

Get the s’mores cookie at their market booth.  TRUST ME. 

You can also visit their main shop, but either way, do not leave Beverly Hills without trying one. It may genuinely be the best cookie I’ve ever had, and that is saying something.

Santa Monica Farmers Market

If your trip includes a Wednesday morning, the Santa Monica Farmers Market is worth the drive.

This is the market where you’ll see chefs shopping for restaurants alongside locals. The produce is incredible. Fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, you name it.

It feels like such a quintessential California morning.

Melrose Favorites

We love spending an afternoon around Melrose because you can shop, eat and grab coffee without needing much of a plan.

Sporty & Rich

Their new café is super cute. Get the soft serve and a coffee, then browse the shop.  Or a matcha, juice, smoothie..You can’t choose wrong.  

Café Leon Dore

Another newer stop we loved. Beautiful space, delicious yogurt bar, and the cookie is yummm. 

Madhappy

Always worth popping into if you love a good sweatsuit. Their Melrose location is fun to browse, and Pantry, their drink/matcha concept, makes it even better.

Reformation Vintage

Definitely worth a stop if you love Reformation and vintage.  I’ve found some of my fav vintage levis here over the years! 

ANINE BING + Leora

Two favorites in one place right now. Shop ANINE BING and grab a Leora drink while you’re there. The mint chip frozen coffee is the move.

The Row

If you love beautiful clothes and bags, The Row on Melrose Place is absolutely worth wandering into. It’s definitely a splurge, but the store itself is gorgeous and we love stopping in when we’re in the area.  Say hi to Jay for us! 

A Few More Fun Stops

Brentwood Country Mart

If you have some extra time, wander out to Brentwood Country Mart. It’s such a cute little shopping area and feels completely different from Beverly Hills or Melrose.

You’ll find Dôen, Jenni Kayne, goop, Hudson Grace, Clare V. and more, plus plenty of places to grab something to eat or drink. Sézane is also scheduled to return this fall.

It’s an easy place to spend a couple of hours shopping, grabbing lunch and wandering around.

The Grove

We actually don’t go to The Grove very often, but on our most recent trip we went specifically to try the Brandy Melville café.

And it was really good.

Great pizza, cookies and drinks, and just a fun stop if you’re already planning to be at The Grove.

La La Land reserve

Their Beverly Hills location is super chic and an easy stop if you’re walking around town and need another coffee. Which, apparently, we always do.

Color Me Mine

Yes, I know Color Me Mine locations are everywhere, but we went on this past trip and had SO much fun.

We painted pieces inspired by our Beverly Hills trip and it ended up being one of those random activities we’ll remember forever. It’s also such a good idea if you need a break from shopping, have kids with you or just want to sit down and do something creative for a couple of hours.

Walk Beverly Hills

This might be my biggest tip, and people always think we’re crazy when I tell them how much we walk in LA.

We choose walking over an Uber whenever it makes sense.

Beverly Hills is SO beautiful to walk through. We love wandering through the residential streets looking at the homes, from incredible historic houses to brand-new builds. The architecture is beautiful, but the landscaping might be even better.

You see so much more when you’re on foot.

We’ll grab a coffee or matcha and just start walking with no real destination, and those are often some of my favorite parts of the trip.

Obviously, pay attention to distance, weather and where you’re going. LA is huge and definitely not everything is walkable. But within Beverly Hills and certain neighborhoods, don’t automatically call the Uber.

If I Had One Day in Beverly Hills

If a friend asked me to plan one perfect day, this is probably what I’d do:

Start with breakfast at The Beverly Hills Hotel and order the pancakes.

Walk through Beverly Hills afterward and look at the homes and gardens.

Stop at Leora for a frozen coffee.

And then I’d make a decision: spend the afternoon shopping Beverly Hills or head toward Melrose for ANINE BING, Reformation Vintage, Sporty & Rich, Café Leon Dore, Madhappy and The Row.

Grab a matcha somewhere along the way because one caffeinated beverage is never enough.

Or, forget all of that and spend the entire afternoon by the pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel. There are no wrong answers here.

Then head back to the hotel, change, and have drinks or dinner at The Polo Lounge.

And if we were exhausted?

Jon & Vinny’s or Goop Kitchen delivered to the room, robes on, and absolutely no guilt about calling it a night.

That might actually be my perfect LA day.

Save This for Your Next LA Trip

LA changes constantly, which is part of what makes it so fun to visit. There is always a new café, shop or restaurant opening, but these are the places we genuinely love right now and the ones I’d recommend to a friend.

And knowing us, this list will keep growing.

If you’re headed farther toward the coast, I also put together our favorite stops for a day in Malibu, including where we shopped, ate and spent the afternoon by the water.

Where is your favorite spot in LA? Let me know!

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