EN 
Los Angeles is a treasure trove of museums, exhibits, shops, bars and restaurants. Ideally located in the heart of the action, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air are the perfect bases for exploring its hidden gems.
Live like a local
Our ‘little black book’ of places to visit in LA
April 04, 2022
Los Angeles is filled with a myriad of lesser-known, hidden gems. Our in-the-know concierge, Abbas Golestani and Steve Sorg, have opened their ‘little black books’ to share a few secret tips on what to experience in the City of Angels.
Musso & Frank
Musso’s has been a favourite among Hollywood’s A-list from the very beginning. The original restaurant was sold in 1927 to two Italian immigrants, who later moved the Musso & Frank Grill next door to 6667 Hollywood Boulevard, where it still stands. Musso’s exclusive Back Room opened in 1934 and became a legendary private space for Hollywood’s elite. Today, the restaurant’s New Room holds the Back Room’s original famous bar, light fixtures and furniture from 1934. Reservations fill up quickly but you may get a last-minute table early in the evening to beat the crowds. Note – the restaurant is closed on Mondays.
6667 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
The Magic Castle
Dubbed “the most unusual private club in the world,” the Magic Castle is an exclusive venue for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts, located in a Victorian mansion high above Hollywood. While the castle is for members and invited guests only, the concierge team can perform some magic of their own and conjure up tickets for hotel guests to this extra “un-ordinary” venue. All members and guests over 21 are required to dress in evening wear or business attire that’s conservative, formal and elegant. When in doubt, overdress!
7001 Franklin Avenue
Hollywood, California
As a Les Clefs d’Or Concierge, I proudly wear my golden keys and follow our ‘Service Through Friendship’ motto to form real connections with our guests. It’s so rewarding when guests tell me how I’ve helped them create incredible memories during their stay.
Steve Sorg
Chef Concierge at Hotel Bel-Air
El Matador Beach, Malibu
Although Malibu’s beaches are all spectacular, El Matador is particularly beautiful. You can park atop a cliff and take in the breathtaking views, not only of the beach, but the entire coastline and Pacific Ocean. Striking and unusual rock formations are scattered along the beach, some with small arches within them and all provide the perfect photo backdrop. It’s no surprise this is a well-known photoshoot area for the pros, especially at sunset. Make your way down the steep winding stairs and don’t forget to pause every now and then to capture different vantage points.
32350 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
Just One Eye
Just One Eye is an edgy, art-filled Hollywood boutique. The enormous space showcases one-of-a-kind pieces by Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol and Takashi Murakami, alongside men’s and women’s fashion pieces by Gucci, Prada, Chloe, Missoni, and Christian Louboutin. You can spend all day exploring this emporium of a store. There’s furniture designed by Brad Pitt, vintage décor from the forties to the sixties, Hermés tabletop items, fine jewellery and fragrances. Look out for the VIP entrance in the back, where celebrities stroll straight into the Jorge Serrano salon, enjoy lunch and get their car washed while they wait.
915 N Sycamore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Our team is entrusted with finding the best entertainment in Los Angeles and we love delivering on that promise – exclusive access and insider tips are our specialty.
Abbas Golestani
Chef Concierge at The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The all-new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, designed by Pulitzer Prize-winning Italian architect Renzo Piano (responsible for The Centre Pompidou in Paris and The Shard in London) is finally complete. It features four floors of gallery space, showcasing an unparalleled collection of cinematic gems and two theatres – one of which is situated in the stunning glass sphere with 1,000 seats. The Academy holds more than 13 million objects, including costumes, film reels, posters, props, and screenplays dating back to 1927 and is also home to a restaurant and gift shop.
6067 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Los Angeles
The Beverly Hills Hotel
For over a century, The Beverly Hills Hotel has been the spot for Hollywood’s brightest lights, the ultimate beacon of glamour. She greets you like a movie star from the moment you pass the iconic signage, step onto the signature red carpet and enter the grand lobby. Welcome to the legacy.
Los Angeles
Hotel Bel-Air
A hidden sanctuary amongst the wooded hills, untouched by the clamour of life beyond the gates of Bel-Air. The most quintessentially private and exclusive hotel, delivering low-key elegance since 1946.
More like this
-
Live like a local 21 things to see on our Hotel Bel-Air nature walk -
Live like a local A neighbourhood guide to St James’s -
Live like a local Five festive photo opportunities in Beverly Hills -
Live like a local A neighbourhood guide to Monti in Rome -
Live like a local A neighbourhood guide to Palais Royal -
Live like a local Meet Paris’s finest artisans
Collect Magazine
View the latest issue of Collect, our bi-annual magazine featuring a curated mix of culture, art and lifestyle, together with the latest news from Dorchester Collection hotels.