A Neighbourhood Guide to “LA LA LAND” inspired Los Angeles

January 31, 2017

A Neighbourhood Guide to “LA LA LAND” inspired Los Angeles

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 JANUARY 2017 – Whether you’re chasing the American Dream in Hollywood or discovering the history of Downtown, Los Angeles has it all, and with La La Land hitting cinemas, it’s never been a better time to discover the city of angels.

Check out British Airways’ neighbourhood guide for things to do, places to stay and food to eat as you explore Los Angeles:

Beverly Hills

Welcome to LA’s swankiest district, characterised by upscale boutiques, infamous hotels and that exclusive 90210 postcode.

Stay

First opened in 1955 by hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, The Beverly Hilton was destined to be a celebrity hotspot from the outset, with regular visitors including Elizabeth Taylor. It’s also hosted the glitzy Golden Globe Awards for more than five decades at its famous International Ballroom. Enjoy the star treatment at one of the hotel’s nearly 600 rooms and be sure to relax and refresh at the renowned Aqua Star Pool, Beverly Hill’s largest.

*Tips: Snap a selfie with Robert Graham’s Torso sculpture – the area’s unofficial mascot – you’ll find it on the intersection by cobblestoned Via Rodeo

Head to the original Spago, the first outpost in celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck’s sprawling empire and a Michelin-starred temple to the modern Californian cuisine which Puck helped shape – see how by sampling one of his signature smoked salmon and crème fraîche thin-crust pizzas. Chef Scott Howard’s new Citizen is a refreshingly relaxed alternative to its somewhat stuffier neighbours around this part of town. Dawdle on the patio over crispy jidori chicken and raw oysters, or sidle up to the bar pick your favourite from mixologist Josh Goldman’s impressive, tiki-heavy cocktail list.

There’s nowhere more glamorous to max out your credit card than the so-called Golden Triangle, anchored by Rodeo Drive and home to flagship stores for Gucci, Louis Vuitton et al. Snap a selfie with Robert Graham’s Torso sculpture – the area’s unofficial mascot – you’ll find it on the intersection by cobblestoned Via Rodeo. If you’d rather focus on culture than couture, opt for an evening at the former Post Office, now repurposed as a gleaming cultural centre known as ‘The Wallis’. The perfectly preserved vintage murals in the lobby are free to view.

Downtown

With its skyline of squat, Art Deco-era buildings and soaring, mirrored skyscrapers, see where it all started in LA’s oldest neighbourhood.

Stay

Victorian-era Bunker Hill, home to the Omni Downtown, played backdrop to countless classic film noir thrillers like Kiss Me Deadly. It’s now one of the most buzzing and lively districts in the city, with its old buildings repurposed as trendy artists’ lofts, and thriving museums and theatres.

French Laundry alumnus Timothy Hollingsworth’s airy Otium sits in a custom-built home in the heart of Downtown’s new culture district. It’s a temple to his inventive cooking, including the brunch special – a crunchy funnel cake scattered with foie gras and strawberries. Offset the high-end treats with an evening at the saloon-style Cole’s, a century-old institution recently given a hipsterish makeover. It claims to be the site where the French dip sandwich – a baguette filled with thinly sliced roast beef served with a side of gravy – was invented.

Billionaire collector Eli Broad’s (rhymes with road) newly opened purpose-built museum showcases his world-class contemporary art collection. Entry is free, but to avoid the queues, try booking online a month or so in advance; otherwise, check the museum’s Twitter feed (@thebroadstandby) for current standby times. If lines are too long, venture to the Downtown Arts District, with its emerging art galleries, shops and cafés taking up residence in former factory buildings. Undoubtedly the star attraction here is Hauser Wirth & Schimmel. Straddling the divide between museum and commercial gallery, it’s housed in a vast former flourmill.

Hollywood

Though most movie production now takes place in the Valley, this is the area that gave the City of Angels its wings – and its Tinseltown nickname.

Stay

The site of the first ever Academy Awards, the Hollywood Roosevelt – named in honour of President Theodore – has counted Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe among past guests (the latter lived for several months in Cabana Suite 246). Today, the poolside scene remains among the city’s hottest.

Affable Aussie chef, Curtis Stone, opened Gwen to indulge his love of high-calibre meat – come for a tasting menu of game, Wagyu beef and house-cured cuts or snack on so-called ‘butcher scraps’ at the bar in the huge, Art deco-inflected space. Alma earned multiple James Beard Award nominations during its first few months Downtown, before closing unexpectedly. Mercifully, it’s been reborn in Hollywood with the same team, Ari Taymor and Ashleigh Parsons, and an equally delicious menu – get up early and go for breakfast, the Dungeness crab poutine is a must.

Take in the plethora of starry sights jigsawed together in this area, on an hour-long walking tour, from Grauman’s Chinese Theater to the Stella Adler Academy (where actors still learn their craft). Expect to see those same celebs – albeit in sweats and shades – hiking Griffith Park nearby. Start at the Observatory on the peak of the hill then stroll down, pausing to snap a good view across to the iconic Hollywood sign.

Santa Monica

This waterfront area, originally a standalone resort town founded in the early 20th century, is now shorthand for LA’s obsession with the beach (and beach bodies).

Stay

The Loews Santa Monica Beach hotel is perfectly placed for access to the golden sands and warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, and just steps from the iconic century-old pier with its solar-panelled Ferris wheel.

Sushi maestro chef Nozawa’s Sugarfish is a classic Japanese joint, serving only traditional-style sushi (be gone California rolls!) accompanied by homemade soy and ponzu sauces. It’s affordable and walk-in only, so arrive early or expect a wait. Named after the ideal scent of a Barolo wine, Tar & Roses offers an impressive list of vintages accompanied by irresistible small plate snacks. But be warned: one serving of its caramelised bacon popcorn is never enough.

Channel your inner hard-bodied Hasselhoff or Pamela Anderson on the beach here, the backdrop to the classic Baywatch TV series. Packed on any sunny day, it’s worth detouring to see the original Muscle Beach on weekends, where the acrobatics on the outdoor bars is Olympic-worthy. Otherwise, work up a sweat on the Santa Monica Stairs, a 199-step uphill hike or take the plunge at Annenberg Community Beach House’s pool – the adults-only sunset swim on the second Friday of each month is a treat, right next to the water’s edge.

Travellers from Malaysia can have the opportunity to travel on British Airways’ most technologically-advanced four-class configured Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which features the new First suites, to the award-winning London Heathrow Terminal 5 . Thanks to the airline’s extensive network and stress-free onward connections, travellers can now fly to Los Angeles direct from London Heathrow in just 11 hours.