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Los Angeles is home to so many A-listers that it knows how to turn an ordinary activity into one of luxury. Whether you are looking for some outdoor time or an afternoon at the spa, Los Angeles is full of luxurious activities.
For most people, the level of luxury you experience depends on your budget. However, for this article, I thought it would be fun to pretend money is no object and focus instead on some of the most luxurious and splurge-worthy things to do in Los Angeles. Keep reading for once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles.
Your Guide to Luxurious Things to Do in Los Angeles
Tour Los Angeles by Helicopter
There are countless companies offering tours around Los Angeles by car, bus, or van. Why not elevate your tour and take flight above Los Angeles in your own helicopter?
You have a few choices when picking a helicopter tour. You can choose from a ride over Los Angeles to see iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign.
Do you want even more privacy and luxury? Orbic Air tours offers a private helicopter getaway with an overnight glamping experience on a 40 acre property in the Santa Monica Mountains. Can I just say, WOW. This sounds amazing and a true luxurious experience in Los Angeles!!
Avoid Traffic in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for its sun, warm weather, and of course, its traffic. We talk about route selection and the best way to get from here to there as much as most people talk about their kids. Sad, but true. The traffic in Los Angeles is as bad as most people say it is. But, what if you could bypass all of the traffic, and quickly fly from point A to B?
Orbic Air can make your dreams come true by flying across the friendly skies in a chartered helicopter. You decide when and where you want to go. Do you want to go to a Dodger game, head downtown, or take a quick trip out to Big Bear or Palm Springs for the day? You can! You might ask, how is this possible? Orbic Air can land a helicopter on approved rooftop helipads, or private estates to create a convenient and luxurious alternative for getting around Los Angeles.
Luxury on the High Seas
Have you seen Below Deck and wondering what it would be like to rent a megayacht with your own crew? Now is your chance! Grab your 12 closest friends and head to either Marina Del Rey or Malibu for a day of luxury aboard the 145′ Sun Coast luxury yacht. The Sun Coast features two main salons, an enormous bow for partying or sunbathing, 6 staterooms, two indoor dining areas, three outdoor deck dining areas, and a ten-person jacuzzi. The Sun Coast even has a helipad so you can take a helicopter to your yacht charter! Bring your checkbook because a day on the water starts at $27,387.60.
One-of-a-Kind Movie Inspired Experiences Reserved for Guests at These Luxurious Los Angeles Hotels
Live Like Marilyn at The Beverly Hills Hotel
Marilyn Monroe spent weeks at a time in Bungalow 1 at the famed Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s where she fell in love, indulged in ice cream sundaes, and lounged between filming blockbusters. Every detail of Bungalow 1 at The Beverly Hills Hotel reflects aspects of Marilyn Monroe’s life and pays homage to her most iconic on-screen moments. The glamourous one-bedroom bungalow suite includes a living room with a dining area, fireplace, master suite and bath with a dressing room, and a private terrace. The main suite also connects to two adjoining bedrooms making it a three-bedroom bungalow (2,620 sq. Ft.).
The Live Like Marilyn Package also comes with:
- A welcome bottle of chilled Dom Pérignon champagne
- Chanel No. 5 perfume bar and gift
- Chanel bath amenities
- Marilyn Monroe Champagne Bath Bubble Experience featuring a “Some Like it Hot Bubble Bath” (Ceara pure Atlantic Sea salt from the coast of Brazil and Sweet Orange and Grapefruit Oils), bath pillow, wood back brush, bath mitt, and a bottle of Dom Pérignon.
- Marilyn’s dinner for two which was inspired by an interview she did for Pagnet Magazine in 1952. Marilyn’s Menu includes Prawn Cocktail, Heirloom Carrot Salad, DiMaggio’s Spaghetti and Meatballs, Grilled New York Steak, and Marilyn’s Ice Cream Sunday.
- A library featuring classic Marilyn Monroe films and books, including “Norman Mailer Marilyn Monroe Bert Stern and Andre de Dieme,” Some Like it Hot, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes
Package rates start at $9,200 per night.
- Pro Tip
If this experience is a little out of your league, both The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air offer additional luxurious experiences to their guests.
Enjoy a champagne bath experience that includes among other indulgent items such as the finest scrubs, oils, and a 750ml bottle of Dom Pérignon Champagne. Guests can experience the romantic package to set the mood with champagne, chocolate strawberries, rose petals, and Wolfgang Puck chocolate. Contact each hotel to learn more about their Experience More packages.
The Ultimate Pretty Woman for the Day Experience at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, has put together the ultimate Pretty Woman for a day experiences. For the few who have not seen Pretty Woman, it is an iconic American movie with a happy ending (no pun intended) starring Julia Roberts. To fully appreciate the creative packages offered by the Beverly Wilshire, you should watch Pretty Woman to understand the significance of the luxurious activities included in the packages below that run up to $300,000. Yes, you read correctly, $300,000.
Feeling Pretty: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pretty Woman, you can relive iconic scenes from the movie over three days. The Feeling Pretty package includes a personal shopping experience on Rodeo Drive, NetJets flight up to San Francisco to see an Opera, a meet and greet with Chef Wolfgang Puck, and the ultimate date night experience on the outdoor rooftop cinema.
(Price: $300,000)
Pretty Woman for a Day: Enjoy a two-night celebrity-style fairy tale at the Beverly Wilshire. Stay in one of the Specialty Suites and indulge in a variety of VIP offerings such as a personal wardrobe consultant and stylist, an exclusive dining experience night one at THEBlvd, a romantic dinner for two will be delivered to your Suite on night two, a couples massage, and a hand-drawn bath by a Bath Butler in the privacy of your suite.
- Pro Tip
For the Pretty Woman fans on a significantly smaller budget, you can take a selfie in the elevator where Vivian had her “Well colour me happy – there’s a sofa in here for two” moment.
- Pro Tip
Call well in advance to book these once-in-a-lifetime luxurious experiences in Los Angeles.
Relax and Indulge at these Luxurious Resort Spas
When looking for tranquil and luxurious activities in Los Angeles, look no further than these resort spas which offer decadent treatments.
Hotel Bel-Air Spa
The signature valmont facial is the ultimate in luxury. The serene surroundings set the mood for your relaxing facial. Valmont’s cellular collagen masks are applied to the face, eyes, neck, and décolleté to renew and restore the skin. LED and microcurrent technologies are used to lift and define the contours of the face and massage techniques are used to clear and detoxify the skin. A relaxing and deeply hydrating hand and foot treatment concludes this lavish treatment. (Price: $1,000)
La Prairie Spa at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
La Prairie Spa is 5,000 square foot spa providing services to rejuvenate and relax the mind and body. Enjoy the Swiss Bliss Treatment which promises relaxation from head to toe. The treatment includes a scrub, full-body massage, scalp shiatsu, and facial. Your treatment includes a lifting and firming Skin Caviar designed to nourish your skin for total pampering and well-being. (Price: $700)
Get Your Heart Racing in a Sports Car
If you are looking for a luxurious activity with a sense of adventure, then I have you covered. The Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles has an incredible driver development track designed to teach you skills and get your adrenaline pumping. There are eight different modules, such as the acceleration straight, wet and slick circuits, the perfectly banked Karussell Curve, and several others that will leave a large grin on your face.
I was lucky enough to drive the track in an all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S ($185,000 car). Even though the Taycan is electric, the get-up-and-go power is surprisingly fast. My favorite part of my day on the track was engaging launch control, 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. With g-force speed, my heart was pounding out of my chest. I could not wait to do it again! Even though I am not a car enthusiast, I found this experience to be amazing. Next time you are in Los Angeles, I highly recommend that you add the Porsche Experience to your list of must-do activities.
You have several different cars to choose from for your day on the track. At the Porsche Experience Center, you can choose from several different cars, including the 911 GT3 and the 911 Turbo S.
(Prices range from $435-$2,500)
Enjoy Luxury at the Beach
Spend the Day at the Beach
Southern California is known for its beautiful wide sandy beaches. It would be a shame to visit Los Angeles and not get the chance to enjoy a day at the beach. However, as a tourist, you probably aren’t traveling with a full beach setup. Don’t worry, Beachonista has you covered. Beachonista offers beach setup packages that include beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, a table, and Instagram-worthy floaties for a fun day in the sun! Just think, how great it would be to just show up at the beach without having to lug all your beach gear.
Relax and Enjoy the Sunset
Sunset at the beach is a magical experience. As the sun starts to dip below the ocean, spectacular colors often light up the sky. In the South Bay, you will often see people on the strand enjoying a glass of wine while taking in the beautiful evening scenery. Why not enhance your experience with a lovely sunset picnic setup. Let Ready Set Party take care of all the details for you so you can enjoy the sunset without having to lift a finger!
Indulge in an Unforgettable Dinner
Steakhouse
One of my favorite steakhouses in Los Angeles is Mastro’s. The food is impeccable, the service is on point, and there is a good vibe in the restaurant. Mastro’s gives its patrons a modern spin on the classic steakhouse without losing the steakhouse luster. You can even enjoy live entertainment at the bar seven nights a week. Mastro’s Ocean Club in Malibu, which overlooks the water, is also very popular. Always keeping current with trends, Mastro’s in Beverly Hills now accepts Bitcoin.
- Pro Tip
Mastro’s has a strict upscale dress code so be sure to leave your joggers and yoga pants at home.
Japanese
At the helm of n/naka is Chef Niki Nakayama, a two-starred Michelin chef. She uses the traditional Japanese culinary art form of Kaiseki to prepare dishes with only the freshest ingredients. Using both traditional and modern techniques Chef Nakayama has created a 13-course meal that will engage your attention and your tastebuds by demonstrating that the whole meal is important as the sum of its parts. Reservations are released about a month in advance and are quickly snapped up.
Sushi
Sushi is an artform in Los Angeles. The amount of quality sushi restaurants here is staggering. Stiff competition exists in the sushi arena making it difficult to stand out in a crowded field. However, there are a couple of restaurants that have elevated their cuisine and experience to stand out high above the rest.
Nobu in Malibu is one of my favorite sushi restaurants. The food is so delicious that Nobu is where I chose to celebrate my last milestone birthday. Not only is the food creative and spectacular, but the views, ambiance, and people-watching is off the charts.
- Pro Tip
These restaurants require advance reservations because they are local hot spots. I would suggest trying to make a reservation a least a month in advance, especially during the summer months.
Elevate Your Bar Hopping Experience with Bottle Service
Las Vegas is known for bottle service but the clubs in Los Angeles have done a good job mirroring the experience. The advantages of bottle service go far beyond just reserving a bottle of alcohol. Generally, when you arrange for bottle service, you skip the line to get in and you have a separate table that you and your guests can enjoy. With a private table, you have a home base to relax when you are tired of dancing or need a break from the crowds, and you have a waiter or waitress to take care of you for the night. The price can be steep but having a table and bottle service makes the experience leagues and bounds better than waiting in line at the bar.
Pricing depends on the size and location of your table and the type of alcohol you select. The best tables cost more because they are in the best locations.
- Pro Tip
Clubs usually have a rule on how many people can get into a club for free with each bottle. So don’t expect to buy one bottle and invite 50 people. It’s more like one bottle gets you a table for 5-10 men. Clubs are often more flexible with the number of women admitted per table.
Hire a Celebrity for Your Next Party
Have heard, that for a fee, some celebrities are available for virtual and private entertainment bookings. You can actually hire a celebrity to sing at your party, tell jokes at your charity event, or give speeches at your next function. You might ask, how do I get someone like Jimmy Buffett or Jennifer Lopez to perform at my event or have Jerry Seinfeld or Trevor Noah tell jokes at my corporate retreat? Not surprisingly, there are companies that specialize in celebrity bookings. These types of bookings are available, but be prepared to open your wallet, because celebrity appearances will cost you. But, if you can swing it, more power to you.
Writing this article was fun! I hope you enjoyed learning about some of the most luxurious activities and things to do in Los Angeles. I know I did!
On your next visit to Los Angeles, I recommend you take some time to visit the South Bay where you will find exciting things to do on and off the beach and incredible restaurants. You might even consider making the South Bay your home base while visiting Los Angeles!
Other Things to Do in Los Angeles
If you are planning a trip to Los Angeles, you may also enjoy these posts:
A Comprehensive One-Day Beverly Hills Itinerary
How to Explore Los Angeles During a Layover at LAX
The Best Hotels in and Around Beverly Hills
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills: An In-Depth Look
Everything You Need to Know about the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Porsche Experience in Los Angeles
The 20 Best Coastal Towns to Visit in California
I wish I could afford to just make this my entire itinerary ? Looks like a blast!
The Maldives is a special place.
Such a great list of amazing experiences! Whenever I am back I would love to get some of the sushi because it looks incredible. Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of a picnic on the beach, especially if it’s setup like that! These are all such great tips – but I probably can’t afford most of them!
Great experiences to dream about having!
What an awesome list! I love sushi and sunsets so those two activities is what I’d want to do in LA.
I too, cannot get enough of either!
This was a great post to look for more unusual things to do on a visit to Los Angeles. A helicopter ride would be right up my alley. Especially if it took me to a clamping experience in the mountains. But a luxury boating experience might truly spoil me for life! I am keeping this post for my next visit.
Terrific! I hope you get to visit soon!
Yum, all those dinners sound amazing! I would love to relax at a luxurious resort and watch the sunset. That sounds like my kind of way to experience Los Angeles, haha. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I totally agree!
A luxury break in LA looks incredible! I’d love to splurge on a megayacht just to try the experience! A luxury spa day is well overdue too! I’d love a luxury trip to Los Angeles! Thanks for the great guide!
You’re so welcome!