Walk of Fame, Rodeo Drive, Hollywood sign. . . Some of Los Angeles’ most iconic attractions seem to be as endemic as the Santa Monica Mountains that surround the city. But like the transplants who have flocked here for decades — seeking a new habitat, making their name in the bright lights or just some sunshine — Los Angeles is constantly reinventing itself, offering new reasons to visit and plenty of things to do around. city.

Photos courtesy of Bar Chelou

target food

Long overshadowed by that of New York and San Francisco, Los Angeles’ food scene has become a force to be reckoned with over the past decade. Case in point: Udatsu SushiIt opened in September. When Japanese chef Hisashi Udatsu wanted to open a branch of his Michelin-starred omakase restaurant outside Asia, he focused on Hollywood, but it did not work out as expected. No big signs or flashing lights direct you to Udatsu, located above Sunset Boulevard. Housed in a former recording studio and hidden behind an antique wooden door imported from Japan, the intimate sushi bar (seats eight) makes you feel like you’re dining at the home of a wonderful friend who’s just returned from Japan with a trunk. full of treasures. You might not remember everything on the menu (a typical meal consists of 17 courses), but you’ll leave this culinary theater satiated as you watch Udatsu’s Tokyo-trained chefs transform slices of fish and grains of rice into edible works of art. in every sense.

A few miles west of Beverly Hills, there’s another show: funkeThe latest Los Angeles addition to Evan Funke’s Roman empire. It is widely considered one of the leading pasta producers outside Italy and is featured in the new season of Netflix. Chef’s Table—Funke treats pasta like sticky gold. Following his success, you can find him heading up the open kitchen several nights a week at the Beverly Hills restaurant he opened in 2023. Felix (in Venice) and Mother Wolf (in Hollywood). Best pre-dinner appetizer? Better to enjoy the negroni-colored sunset view at Funke’s rooftop bar.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Bel Air

If the idea of ​​top-notch pasta seems wrong in a city famous for avoiding carbs, prepare to be blown away by the food on the menu at the newly renovated Hotel Bel-Air. On site PatisserieOpened in August, private pastry chef Christophe Rull brings out the forgotten buttery croissants; In the Living Room, culinary director Joe Garcia (formerly of the French Laundry) turns out a truffle grilled cheese sandwich that might convince even the most carb-averse.

Of course, there are also salads and light meals in this city. Here are some of the best Don’t sayAn Eastern Mediterranean restaurant that opened in August in downtown’s Hotel Figueroa turns the stars of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market (hello Early Girl tomatoes) into spectacular sauces. my dearOpened in Silver Lake in March, it attracted attention with its home-style, vegetable-focused Persian cuisine. But in a town full of scene-stealers, some restaurants defy classification: Bar ChelouOpened in 2023, the Pasadena “neo-bistro” is just outside the Marais district of Paris; here Szechuan peppercorns and sprouting cauliflower mingle happily with curry-flecked lamb ribs and natural wine.

wellness center

Is there anything to do in Los Angeles other than food? The trails of Runyon Canyon, Griffith Park, and Point Dume have been beckoning us for decades; Newer ways to get your steps include: ClassOpening in 2022, the Santa Monica studio serves founder Taryn Toomey’s signature workout; A blend of yoga and gymnastics will get your heart pumping and your motivation up, if you take the personal healing mantras that come with it seriously. every class. like health clubs heimatOpening in West Hollywood in 2022 and love.lifewhich opened in El Segundo in September, offers one-stop shops for those who want to break up their days with periodic sweat sessions, colds, and holistic health checks. (In what other city can you get an analysis of 120 biomarkers with your post-workout smoothie, as in Love.Life?)

in the city

Yes, there’s always a reason to wake up early in Los Angeles—to work up a sweat, throw some balls, beat traffic—but there are also plenty of new excuses to stay out late. you can spy Intuitive Dome Given its dazzling exterior of illuminated diamond panels, when landing at Los Angeles International Airport. It’s a worthwhile endeavor to get up close and personal with the city’s newest stadium, which has hosted stars such as Billy Joel and Bruno Mars since its opening in August; Standout names of 2025 include Mary J. Blige and the LA Clippers, who call the arena home. Because of its construction, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and no matter where you are, you can catch the action on a video board that wraps around the inside of the dome. Thanks to Face ID technology and the Intuit application, you can easily pass by discount stands without scanning your card. When you evaluate your expenses at the end of the night, you can decide whether that’s a good or bad thing (or strategically avoid doing that because you’re afraid of the bill you’ll run up).

Beyond sports and music, Los Angeles will also host critically acclaimed theater productions this winter. In December, Bad takes over Pantages Theater in Hollywood before surrender Harry Potter and the Cursed Child In February. If you’re interested in stand-up comedy, you’ve come to the right place. Comedy Store, Laugh Factory and Largo regularly host some of the biggest comics in the game, including Jerry Seinfeld, Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle There are personal exhibitions on deck in the area.

If you’ve brought your dancing shoes, good news: There are many new places in the city where you can practice your skills. keysThe three-story Sunset Boulevard club dedicated to electronic dance music opened in August, the latest offering from H.Wood Group, the nightlife impresarios behind Delilah and Bird Streets. Moon Roomon Melrose Boulevard and Mars HollywoodBehind Funke’s restaurant, Mother Wolf, they start out as cocktail bars and turn into raucous parties, each with its own flavor, as the night progresses. (The Moon Room’s centerpiece: a baby grand piano. Mars Hollywood’s calling card: red velvet sofas you’ll find yourself jumping on before the night is over.)

Photo courtesy of Conrad LA

Hotels that are happening

What about sleeping? Conrad Los AngelesOpening in 2022, this hotel is an ideal downtown home base with spacious suites, world-class dining and drinking options (Agua Viva shakes up some of the best margaritas in town), and a prime location steps from the Broad Museum and Walt’s. Disney Concert Hall. Those looking for a home away from home in West Hollywood would be wise to hide here. pendryOpened in 2021 favorite Los Angeles hotelsThe Pendry has what may be the nicest rooftop pool in the neighborhood, with expansive views of the mansions and manicured lawns below. Spa enthusiasts will rejoice Regent Santa Monica Beachwhich opened in October and promises to be the only Guerlain facility on the West Coast. But like a rare good sequel, one of Los Angeles’ most exciting “new” hotels is getting a revival. GeorgianIn Santa Monica, it first opened in 1933 but is looking better than ever thanks to a 2023 renovation to its art deco glory. From comfy velvet sofas to light-filled guest rooms to oceanfront banquettes on Sunset Terrace, it’s easy to see why Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin chose the Georgian as the place to see and be seen. Now you can join them.