Away from the fierce ambitions of the waiters and waitresses at the city's core, LA is just plain cool. And with chic hangouts, picture perfect beaches, sunny movie-set suburbs and lashings of Frappuccino, it's possible to get a taste of it all. Let us know if you'd like your LA laid-back or lively, or if you'd prefer a bit of both, and our experts will put together bespoke suggestions we know you'll enjoy.
'Some say LA is plastic personified, but those who do are not looking in the right places. Yes, Hollywood Strip is filled with the sights we've come accustomed to on TV - such as Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame - yet step beyond this and discover the infamous muscle beach in Venice, or the picturesque pier in Santa Monica. If you want something a little more hip, try any one of the celeb-owned restaurants, and then head down to one of the many bars, The Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go or The Viper Rooms. Then why not treat yourself to an In-N-Out Burger the morning after to help cure the hangover. Los Angeles is diverse enough to match any of your moods.'
Katie O'Neill - lifestyle manager
What we have done for members in Los Angeles
• Secured face-value tickets to LA Lakers games at the last minute.
What we can’t do
• Personally introduce you to George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Orlando Bloom, The Beckhams, The Real Mickey Mouse, Marilyn Monroe...
Set Your Sights
In downtown and Hollywood, there are a few things you might want to see in the flesh - your favourite stars' stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Hollywood sign, Mickey Mouse. But other than those, the best way to get to grips with LA is by going for a roller blade along one of the awesome beaches, eating whopping breakfasts and soaking up the Cali sun. Whatever it is you want to do, call us and we'll work our LA contacts to make sure you get the real deal.
Seize The Day
Take control and see Los Angeles the way you want to.
Morning: Turns out a billion dollars goes a long way - the Getty Centre has got Ruben's Entombment, Van Gogh's Irises and Antonio Canova's Apollo, housed in a stunning complex in the Santa Monica hills, a monorail's ride away.
Lunch: In LA there are burgers, and there are burgers, and most of them beg to be bitten. They range from the sublime - the drive-thru chain In-N-Out Burger, which never disappoints; to the lip-lickingly ridiculous - the pile-high patties at Father's Office which come stacked with bacon compote, gruyere and blue cheese.
Afternoon: You could spend an afternoon doing Hollywood - the Walk of Fame, the letters in the hills, the famous homes tour. Or, you could make a break for the beach. On Venice, a bizarre flock of street performers, musclemen, and stoned musicians will have you gawping, while Malibu is quieter, more manicured and rather lovely.
Spa: An hour’s drive from the glitz of downtown day spas, Glen Ivy is the smart choice. Alongside a calming array of mud baths and cabanas, there are mineral baths and lounge pools to soak in at length between treatments.
Dinner: Sushi is so California - healthy, delicious and packed neatly into good-looking morsels. At Mori Sushi, chef Morihiro Onodera has been making friends at Zagat and the LA Times since 2000.
Show: See something, anything, at the Hollywood Bowl, home to the LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl orchestras. To do it right, order a gourmet picnic basket crammed with meats, cheeses, fine wines and puddings, and get it delivered to your box.
Nightcap: Part of Canter's 24-hour deli, the Kibitz Room is a low-key bar with black leather booths and beer on tap. By 1am most nights, a jam session erupts.
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