48 Hours in Los Angeles Itinerary

Day One

Morning

Start your morning out right with a delicious breakfast. If you have an appetite, head to the hotel’s Grand Café and feast on the Art of Breakfast Buffet, which features made-to-order omelet and waffle stations and a wide array of sides and beverages. On weekends, indulge in bottomless mimosas and an endless brunch buffet with twists on international cuisine, seafood and prime rib. Or, visit an iconic LA institution about a mile away from the hotel. The Original Pantry Café has been serving up the epitome of “diner food” since 1924. With generous portions, breakfast selections include all the usual favorites, plus unique options like the Philly cheese omelet.

Afternoon

Los Angeles is home to dozens of world-class museums. Begin your quest for California culture with a short walk to The Broad. One of the hottest tickets in town since its opening in 2015 (tickets are free but should be reserved in advance), The Broad includes 120,000 square feet of contemporary art and innovative exhibits some of which include unique opportunities for visitor interaction. Before heading to other nearby museums, refuel with a healthy lunch right next door at Otium. This convivial restaurant serves rustic, yet sophisticated fare and features a massive open kitchen and outdoor spaces filled with 100-year-old olive trees. Enjoy hand-cut pasta, seafood and meats served with custom cocktails, fresh juices and craft beers. After lunch, hit another nearby museum such as the Museum of Contemporary Art or the Grammy Museum.

Evening

For dinner, the hotel’s Noé Restaurant serves up seasonal California cuisine inspired by the neo-bistro movement of frequently changing menus as well as prix-fixe market-driven tasting menus. The accompanying Noé Bar provides an extensive wine list and full menu of signature cocktails. To complete the Southern California experience, take in the stunning view of the downtown skyline from the outdoor patio. Or, for an elevated Mexican-food experience, head over to Broken Spanish to sample some contemporary Los Angeles food. In a city saturated with Mexican restaurants, this downtown eatery stands out from the rest as celebrated Angelino chef Ray Garcia melds his Latin roots with his Los Angeles upbringing to offer guests innovative dishes like carnitas with lamb shoulder, carrot “escabeche” (pickled carrot), and spring onion “mermelada” (jam).

Finish the evening in style with an authentic speakeasy experience. Make your way to The Varnish (if you can find the entrance). This prohibition-era style bar is tucked away in the back of Coles, an iconic bar and French dip sandwich joint in its own right. Enter through the unassuming door and be transported back to another time while sipping expertly made top-shelf cocktails with the other hipsters.

Day Two

Morning

There’s no doubt that Los Angeles is a culinary heaven. All that dining out may have you ready for a morning jog or trip to the fitness center, open 24 hours a day. Be sure to stop by the health club for a map of the area jogging paths. If you prefer to take in a little history while you exercise, take a walking tour through the Los Angeles Conservancy. Their walking tour program explores the heart and rich history of the city through architecture. The expertly guided Art Deco tour, one of the most popular, is available every Saturday at 10:00 a.m., while numerous self-guided tours can be downloaded from their website.

Appetite fully engaged, head to the habit-forming Eggslut. The long but quick-moving lines reveal the popularity of this wildly successful food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar must-try. Don’t leave without savoring one of the sandwiches for pure comfort food with a twist.

Afternoon

In addition to being a top culinary destination, Los Angeles is also a shoppers’ paradise. Spend the afternoon searching for the finest fashions and best treasures. Nearby shopping options include the famed LA Fashion District, which features more than 1,200 showrooms representing more than 4,500 fashion lines. While many of the showrooms are largely dedicated to wholesale business, hundreds of stores in the district sell to the general public at discounted prices. You’ll also find Santee Alley, which includes more than 150 vendors selling all types of wares—from apparel to accessories, toys and perfumes.

When hunger strikes, consider Grand Central Market, which brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA in one historic location. Whether you’re craving a full lunch or just a snack or dessert, the market’s dozens of purveyors offer many options to hit the spot.

Evening

Nearby L.A. Live and the Staples Center provide a plethora of entertainment options. Depending on the season, you can catch a basketball game featuring the Lakers, Clippers or Sparks, or a hockey game with the Kings. The center also hosts X Games, boxing, figure skating, concerts and more. Choose from one of the dining venues at L.A. Live, such as the famed sushi restaurant Katsuya or the lively gastropub Tom’s Urban, the perfect venue for sampling craft beer and watching your favorite team on one of the 75 TV screens.

Finish your evening above it all at 71 Above. Located on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower, 71 Above’s sky lounge offers breathtaking views of Malibu, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

If you have more time...

Take a trip to Koreatown. This revitalized area west of downtown has become one of the hippest areas of the city complete with innovative coffee shops, numerous popular restaurants and an energetic nightlife. Perfect your swing at Los Angeles’ largest semi-indoor golf range at Aroma Spa & Sports; grab a table at the incomparable Beer Belly for craft beer and unique gourmet comfort food; and seek out Art Major to experience an art bar that showcases original art & crafts.

Visit Melrose Avenue for some of the best shopping and people watching in LA. With a wide range of eclectic shops—from second-hand cool to high-end chic—and plenty of bars and restaurants, Melrose Avenue is truly a unique LA experience.

The Omni Los Angeles concierge team contributed to this article.