A Perfect Day in Los Angeles

8.00am

Morning hike

Rise and shine early like an Angeleno and make your way to Hollywood’s Runyon Canyon for a blood-pumping walk and some serious people-watching. If it’s a clear day, you’ll be able to see to the ocean from the top.

9.30am

Breakfast

Head back to your hotel to freshen up, then indulge in a hearty but healthy Californian breakfast (egg-white scramble, fresh fruit and multigrain toast), either at your hotel or at the ever-popular Toast Bakery Cafe on West 3rd Street.

10.30am

Shopping

Time for retail therapy – from Toast, stroll Third Street between La Cienega and Fairfax and explore the stylish clothing boutiques and gift stores.

12 noon

Farmer’s Market and lunch

Heading west down Third, you’ll arrive at the historic Farmer’s Market at the corner of Third and Fairfax, where you can check out the food stalls, and touristy shops. To work up an appetite before lunch, walk over first to the adjoining Grove outdoor shopping area and browse its upmarket chain stores.

1.30pm

Museum row

A five-minute drive south is Museum Row. You could spend an entire day at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), but head first to the Pavilion for Japanese Art – it’s particularly stunning. When you’re in need of refreshment, you can head to Ray’s & Stark Bar in the heart of the museum or across the street to the food trucks.

4.00pm

Tar Pits

From LACMA, take a stroll through adjacent Hancock Park (not the same as the neighborhood a mile east) over to the La Brea Tar Pits. The Museum tells the story of the landmark site, but admission isn’t necessary to see bubbling cauldrons of asphalt and life-size models of prehistoric animals excavated from the pits.

5.00pm

Hancock Park house tour

After leaving Museum Row, hop in the car and head to Hollywood. Take the scenic route by making a right on 4th Street off La Brea, and ogle the stunningly magnificent homes in LA’s Hancock Park neighborhood.

6.00pm

Early movie

Relax after a busy day of sightseeing by catching a movie at the state-of-the-art ArcLight theater in Hollywood. It offers reserved seating, so purchase your ticket online in advance and walk right in to the movie a minute or two before it starts.

8.30pm

Dinner

End the day by sliding into a leather booth and ordering a classic cocktail and steak at the famous Musso & Frank Grill (for more information, click here) on nearby Hollywood Boulevard. If an old-school menu doesn’t appeal, head to the hipper Hungry Cat (for more information, click here) for a top-notch raw bar, beautifully cooked seafood, and equally excellent (though more modern) cocktails.