THE US LA 3 WAYS DESTINATIONS LA
cyclists, with designated lanes and most motorists giving a wide berth. And, as more visitors opt not to
hire a car, more tours have become available, and with hotel pick-ups too. Reflecting the trend, community
group CicLAvia organises car-free days in neighbourhoods, allowing cyclists, skaters and walkers to take over. Encourage clients to ditch the wheels, leave the freeways to the huge Hummers and limos, and unearth some gems in the process.
w WALK For those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, recommend a stay in one of LA’s vibrant, foot-friendly neighbourhoods. After a taxi from the airport or
arrival via the bus and Metro network, clients can relax and explore without worrying about driving, or parking fees. West Hollywood is a classic option, with posh boutiques, brunch spots and retro emporiums. The art deco rooms of The Chamberlain make the perfect base here, tucked down a leafy residential street between the restaurants of
cucumber) cocktail and live jazz. For a beach break with character,
Recommend clients leave the freeways to the limos and unearth some gems in the process
Sunset Strip and busy bars of Santa Monica Boulevard. Suites start at £180 per night and include use of the rooftop pool lined with cabanas. Another chic option is Hotel Angeleno, at the gateway to Beverly Hills and near the Getty Museum, from £110 a night. Downtown has whizzy transport
TOP: Santa Monica Pier
RIGHT: Cole’s French Dip
BELOW: Loews Santa Monica
links for people who want to explore. Several Metro stations take you as far as Long Beach and Pasadena, up to the bohemian cafes and record stores of North Hollywood and a few stops to Union Station, for Amtrak trains. Recommend Barrel Down brew
pub’s wide selection of local, American and imported beers poured from a row of 24 unmarked taps (the bartenders have big memories). The French dip sandwiches (with a side of gravy) at Cole’s are legendary, as are the breakfast scrambles at Nickel Diner. Hotel-wise, Downtown is home to luxury option The Standard, which has a chic rooftop pool, German beer garden, ping-pong club and enormous rooms from £150 a night. Those on a budget can always
pop into The Standard for a drink on the terrace, or join the queue for Perch bistro and bar, on the corner of Pershing Square. The view from Perch’s terrace is seriously impressive, and somewhat improved by the addition of a French Maid (cognac, mint and
suggest Santa Monica, where rooms at upscale Loews Santa Monica cost from around £200 a night. And at quirky, laid-back Venice Beach, the slap of flip-flops is more prevalent than the roar of engines. Blush pink, oceanfront Venice on the Beach hotel has simple, cosy rooms from £130 a night.
w TOUR Now that visiting LA without a car is no longer an alien concept, many companies offer hotel pick-up and drop-off options. Cruise through Beverly Hills on a
Movie Stars’ Homes Tour (£39 from Do Something Different including transfers). The two-hour minibus route takes in the residences of Tom Cruise, Al Pacino and the Beckhams, the former estates of Elvis and Michael Jackson, and celebrity hangouts on Sunset Strip and Rodeo Drive. For those celebrating a special
occasion, recommend the Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Experience (£202 with Do Something Different). This once-in-a-lifetime treat takes guests behind the scenes of movie and TV sets, and for a nosey around the prop warehouse before a slap-up lunch and priority access to rides. The Los Angeles Grand Tour (£42
from Attraction World) ticks off highlights like the Walk of Fame, Kodak Theatre, the oldest farmers’ market in LA and, of course, the Hollywood sign.
Shopping can be tricky without a
car to ferry all those bargains back to your hotel. Attraction World’s Palm Springs & Outlet Shopping Day Trip (£116) combines sightseeing with time at Desert Hills Premium Outlets,
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