What To Do in Beverly Hills For First-Time Visitors (With Local Tips)

To visit Beverly Hills is to be at the center of glamour and luxury.

Los Angeles has no area with more mansions, shopping, and fine dining. It’s where Prada and Louis Vuitton operate, and famous chefs like Wolfgang Puck and Curtis Stone have placed their restaurants.

Outside of the finer things in life, there’s also an assortment of natural beauty and parks. Franklin Canyon is one of the best hikes in Los Angeles, and Beverly Gardens Park is one of the most beautiful green spaces.

For first-timers to Beverly Hills, knowing how to spend their time in a smart way can be overwhelming.

To help you make sense of it, I’ve compiled a list of the absolute must-do activities so you can best experience LA’s top area—a neighborhood that I called home for a year and a half. After living there, I consider myself a bit of a Beverly Hills expert.

So, I can confidently say there are options for every type of visitor on every budget. Because despite its reputation, Beverly Hills caters to everyone.

1. Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is one of the world’s most famous shopping streets. Prada, Gucci, and Saint Laurent are a few of the many high-end stores that you see.

• If shopping isn’t your thing, simply driving down the street and looking around is exciting. It’s lined with palm trees, golden storefronts, and Bugatis.

• If you want to miss the crowds, visit before 10 AM. The streets are quiet and the tourists haven’t arrived yet.

• I recommend walking Via Rodeo, the elevated side street next to the main one. There’s a European feel you don’t often find in Los Angeles, with cobblestone streets and street dining.

2. Beverly Gardens Park

Beverly Gardens Park is a public park that runs along Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s the unofficial dividing line between the Beverly Hills mega-homes (aka the “Flats”) and the shops and restaurants. It’s your indicator that you’ve left Century City or West Hollywood and you’re now in Beverly Hills

• It has well-maintained landscapes, including rose gardens and a cactus garden. It’s also a great spot to relax on the grass, picnic, or stroll on one of the walking paths.

• This is where the famous Beverly Hills sign is located; it’s the park’s centerpiece. At any given time, you’ll see a crowd of people standing in front of it for a photo op.

• Throughout the year, Beverly Hills hosts events across the lawn. If you go at the right time of year (typically May and October), you’ll catch the Beverly Hills Art Show. Hundreds of artists gather to display their work; you’ll see everything from oil paintings to jewelry.

3. Brunch at Beverly Wilshire

The Beverly Wilshire, on the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, is the best brunch option in Beverly Hills.

• The indoor area of the restaurant is elegant and elevated, but I recommend opting for patio seating. The front-row seat to the Rodeo Drive scenery is the restaurant’s selling point.

• The food is delicious, and brunch is what they do best. The fresh fruit and pancakes are worth the price, and the coffee is fantastic.

• To enhance the experience, book a room at the hotel; it’s one of the best in Beverly Hills, mainly for its location.

4. Greystone Mansion

The Greystone Mansion is a historic mansion in the hills that’s been the setting for many Hollywood films due to its distinctly English architecture.

• Built in 1928 for the Doheny family, the residence is one of the largest private homes ever built in California. It has 55 rooms, a theater, and a bowling alley!

• In fact, the bowling alley is the location of the final scene in There Will Be Blood.

• Although not generally open to the public, the mansion offers guided tours on select days. However, the grounds and garden are free. I recommend going here for a scenic walk with great photo opportunities.

5. Hike at Franklin Canyon Park

Franklin Canyon Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains, is the best place in Beverly Hills to hike. Despite its location in the middle of Los Angeles, it gives a feeling of exclusion from busy city life.

• The trails are fantastic for nature watching due in part to the large duck pond next to the path. Chances are good that you’ll see wildlife like foxes, turtles, fish, and ducks.

• The Franklin Canyon hike is about 1.5 miles, so I recommend accounting for 30 to 45 minutes to complete. It’s relatively flat, so it works for most levels.

6. Sunday Markets

Beverly Hills hosts a wonderful farmers market each Sunday from 9 AM – 1 PM. It’s located next to the City Hall and has a range of vendors selling various items.

• You can buy fresh produce, bread, and crafts at the market. Food vendors offer options like barbecue, tacos, and fried chicken, so you can have lunch and stay for a bit.

• The market is very family-friendly, so bring the kids for this one. They’ll love the live music!

7. Mr. Brainwash Museum

Mr. Brainwash is the unofficial artist of Beverly Hills—his works pop up everywhere. The Mr. Brainwash Museum is a modern art space with exhibits you won’t find anywhere else.

• The museum, discreetly located on Beverly Drive, contains many of his creations, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. They’re vibrant, pop-art-inspired exhibits that are large-scale and colorful.

• Some are immersive, while others are visual. The common thread is the combination of old-world art with modern-day ideas. It’s not every day you see Mona Lisa wearing a Dodger hat!

• Book your tickets in advance; to make the most of the museum, give yourself 1-2 hours to see the exhibits in detail.

8. Beverly Hills Hotel

The Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard is known as ‘The Pink Palace’ because its soft pink exterior exudes elegance and a classic Hollywood vibe. It seamlessly mixes a relaxed California feeling with luxury.

• The hotel has private bungalows and incredible restaurants and bars. The famous (and exclusive) Polo Lounge is a fine dining experience and a popular spot for celebrity sightings.

• For a more affordable experience where you can still see the hotel, I recommend choosing the Fountain Coffee Room, an intimate coffee shop where you can grab a quick bite.

• For breakfast/lunch, the Cabana Cafe’s prices are relatively high (less than the Polo Lounge), but it has the vibe you would expect from The Beverly Hills Hotel—shades of pink and green and a relaxing pool.

9. Pasta Pizza at Mulberry

Mulberry Street Pizzeria is famous for its authentic New York-style pizza and is the go-to place for thin-crust pizzas.

• The highlight at Mulberry Street is their range of pizzas, but mainly the mouth-watering pasta pizza. Why not combine the two best Italian dishes? The rigatoni pizza is my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the lasagna pizza.

• There are two locations, one on Canon and the other on Beverly. Canon is better for street dining, and Beverly is better for a laid-back, hole-in-the-wall style. The staff at both are fabulous.

10. The Witch’s House (Spadena House)

Officially known as the Spadena House, “Witch’s House” is a more fitting title. It is a quirky sight! It’s also a fascinating contrast to the more traditional luxury homes in Beverly Hills. It’s a private residence, but you can view and photograph the exterior.

• It was originally built in 1921 for a movie studio in Culver City and later moved to its current location in 1934. The house has since become a popular attraction featured in photographs and film productions.

• It has an intentionally shabby appearance with a crooked roof, uneven windows, and stucco. It’s like a haunted fairytale cottage from Hansel and Gretel.

• Take advantage of the house if you’re in Beverly Hills during Halloween. They elaborately decorate the front lawn with decorations and have costumed performers.

11. Coffee at The Maybourne Hotel

The Maybourne Hotel is the best place to enjoy the sunshine while having a coffee. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, you can sit in the cozy inside area or on the outdoor patio.

• The outdoor section is next to a grassy lawn and feels like an oasis away from the busy streets. The plush seating and refined decor are casual but feel high-end.

• There’s a huge selection of lattes and pastries. It’s more expensive than your traditional cafe, but the food is outstanding. The best bang for your buck is the chocolate chip banana bread (it’s more of a loaf than a slice).

12. Walk Around The Flats

The Flats in Beverly Hills is a residential area containing the most luxurious and historic homes in Los Angeles. The houses have no set style; each is unique and ranges from traditional to contemporary.

• Streets in the Flats are lined with trees that merge seamlessly with the houses; it creates an eye-popping scenic walk.

• It’s a popular area for the scenery and its reputation for quietness and safety. Its level and wide streets are ideally suited for a casual walk. You feel a friendly, community-oriented vibe as you walk around.

• I recommend grabbing a coffee (or vanilla latte) from Alfred before crossing Santa Monica Boulevard to the Flats.