Land at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), grab your bags, and pick up the rental car right away so you can move through the week on your own schedule. If you’re arriving mid-afternoon, traffic on Sepulveda Blvd and I-405 can be slow, so don’t panic if the drive feels a little sticky at first — that’s just LA being LA. Plan on about 20–40 minutes to Santa Monica depending on the exact time you land and where your Airbnb is tucked in; for a luxury stay, the sweet spots are usually near Ocean Avenue, the Palisades, or the quieter north end by Montana Avenue.
Your first meal should feel like a reward, and Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows is exactly that. Head to FIG or the lobby lounge for a polished lunch or early drinks with that easy coastal energy and a little old-school Santa Monica glamour. Expect roughly $60–$120 per person, especially if you lean into cocktails, seafood, or a nicer bottle of wine. It’s also a good place to ease into the pace of the trip — no rush, just a proper welcome with the ocean nearby.
Afterward, keep it classic with a stroll through Santa Monica Pier. Go for the views, the ferris wheel, the arcade lights, and the people-watching; it’s touristy, yes, but on a first day it absolutely works. From there, drift over to Tongva Park, which is one of the nicest low-key sunset walks in the city — landscaped paths, ocean breezes, and a calmer vibe than the pier. It’s a short drive or a very doable walk depending on where you park, and this is the right time to slow down after travel.
For dinner, end the day at The Lobster, right by the pier with front-row ocean views and a genuinely strong first-night splurge. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in over oysters, crab, or a proper seafood tower and let the trip officially begin; plan on $90–$160 per person. If you still have energy after dinner, take one last slow drive along Ocean Avenue before heading back to your Airbnb — that’s the Santa Monica version of a perfect first night.
Start with a slow, beautiful walk at Palisades Park in Santa Monica, ideally before the marine layer burns off. The bluff-top path gives you those classic Pacific views without trying too hard, and it’s the kind of place locals actually use for a reset walk, not just photos. Give yourself about an hour here; parking along Ocean Avenue can be tight, so if you’re driving, arrive early and keep an eye on street-sweeper signs. In mid-June, mornings are usually cool and breezy, so bring a light layer even if the day looks sunny.
Head into downtown for the Farmers Market at Arizona Ave. and 3rd St. Promenade. This is one of the best easygoing food stops in the area: grab fresh strawberries, a pastry, or something savory and wander a bit before moving on. The market is lively but not overwhelming, and it’s perfect for a casual browse around Downtown Santa Monica. If you want coffee, this is the moment to get one and just enjoy the street energy for a while. Budget-wise, $15–$30 per person is plenty for a light snack and drink.
From there, drive up the coast for lunch at Big Deahl’s Roadhouse in Malibu. It’s a polished, relaxed stop that feels very Malibu without being stiff, and it’s a nice contrast after the busy market. Plan on roughly $45–$80 per person, especially if you’re doing cocktails or a fuller lunch. Afterward, continue to El Matador State Beach, which is the most dramatic beach on the route and absolutely worth the short effort to get down to the sand. The access path is steep and a little uneven, so wear shoes you can actually walk in, and know that parking is limited and can fill quickly on June afternoons. If you want the best light and fewer people, this is where timing matters most.
Wrap the coastal loop with a mellow stop at Malibu Pier. It’s a good reset after the beach: easy ocean views, a slow stroll over the water, and just enough shops and snack options to feel like a proper outing without overdoing it. From there, ease into dinner at Nobu Malibu, which is the splurge meal of the day and very much the point of a luxury trip like this. Expect about $120–$250 per person, and reserve well ahead if you want a prime sunset slot. If you can time it right, arrive a little early, take in the coastline, and let the evening feel unhurried—that’s the real Malibu luxury.
Start your day at Greystone Mansion & Gardens as soon as it opens, ideally around 10:00 AM, because the grounds are at their prettiest before the day heats up. The estate feels properly grand without being stuffy: clipped hedges, sweeping lawns, stone terraces, and those classic Beverly Hills views that make you slow down a little. Admission to the gardens is free, while special interior access varies by tour, so check the schedule if you want to peek inside. Give yourself about an hour to wander, take photos, and just enjoy the quiet—this is one of those places that feels very “LA old money” in the best way.
From there, head over to Rodeo Drive for a late-morning stroll through the most famous shopping street in the area. Even if you’re not buying, it’s worth doing properly: start near Wilshire Boulevard, linger by the flagship boutiques, and people-watch around Two Rodeo Drive for the glossy, movie-set version of Beverly Hills. Most stores open around 10:00 or 11:00 AM, and the whole area is best treated as a relaxed browse rather than a mission. If you want a coffee stop, the Beverly Hills Hotel area is nearby, but this is really about the walk and the window shopping.
For lunch, settle into The Palm Beverly Hills for a classic power-lunch experience with steakhouse energy and polished service. This is one of those places where the pace is part of the appeal, so don’t rush it; plan for about 90 minutes and expect a check in the $60–$110 per person range depending on drinks and extras. Afterward, take a slow walk through Beverly Gardens Park, which gives you a nice breather between all the glam. The park stretches along Santa Monica Boulevard, and the Beverly Hills sign is the obvious photo stop, but the real win is the easy, shaded stroll and the very LA contrast of manicured lawns against the city backdrop. If you want the best photos, the light is usually nicer in early afternoon than at sunset here.
Later, head to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a cultured, low-key change of pace. It’s a sleek space in the heart of Beverly Hills, and even if you’re not catching a show, it’s a nice place to reset for an hour before dinner. Check the calendar ahead of time in case there’s a matinee, talk, or exhibit worth building around—tickets and timing vary, but it’s the sort of spot that keeps the day feeling elevated without becoming overplanned. Then finish at Il Pastaio, which is exactly where you want to be for a Beverly Hills dinner: lively, stylish, and reliably indulgent. Reserve ahead if you can, especially for a peak summer evening, and expect roughly $70–$140 per person once you factor in wine and a proper Italian dinner. Afterward, you’ll have enough energy left for a final slow drive or ride through the neighborhood before calling it a night.
Start with The Getty Center right when the day is still soft and cool, ideally around opening time at 10:00 AM. It’s one of those places that feels effortlessly luxurious without trying too hard: the tram up, the white stone architecture, the gardens, and those wide views over Los Angeles all make it feel like a proper Westside reset. Plan on about 2.5 hours here, with plenty of time to wander the galleries at your own pace and linger in the Central Garden. Admission is free, but parking is typically around $25 per car, and it’s worth it for the convenience. If you want a quieter coffee stop before leaving, grab one at the museum café rather than trying to rush somewhere else.
From The Getty Center, head into West Hollywood for brunch at The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker on Santa Monica Boulevard. It’s polished but not stuffy, exactly the kind of place that fits a luxury LA day, and it works well as a late-morning meal after the museum. Expect around $35–$65 per person, especially if you add cocktails, and allow about 1.25 hours so you can actually enjoy it. After that, spend your early afternoon on Melrose Avenue, where the fun is in the wandering: designer boutiques, small concept shops, galleries, and the kind of stylish people-watching West Hollywood does better than almost anywhere else. Give yourself about 1.5 hours to drift, browse, and pop into whatever catches your eye before moving on.
As the light gets lower, cruise Sunset Strip for that classic LA stretch of billboards, music history, and hotel energy. Even if you’re not stopping at every famous corner, this is the kind of place where just driving and taking it in is part of the experience. Then keep the night going with The Comedy Store, one of the best true-night-out experiences in the city; showtimes vary, but plan on a solid 2 hours once you’re seated and settled. Tickets can run anywhere from roughly $20–$40+ per person depending on the lineup, and it’s smart to arrive a little early for good seats and drinks. After the show, finish with dinner at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood. It’s a glamorous, high-energy steakhouse scene with strong cocktails, excellent people-watching, and a menu that comfortably lands around $90–$160 per person. If you want the full LA luxury feel, this is the night to lean into it—no need to overplan beyond a reservation and a late, easy return to your hotel or Airbnb.
Arrive in Venice Beach and head straight to Abbot Kinney Boulevard, the stretch locals treat like the neighborhood’s style runway. It’s best before noon, when the light is softer and the sidewalks are lively but not yet jammed. Pop into a couple of boutiques, grab coffee, and enjoy a slow walk past the design shops and galleries — this is the part of Venice that feels polished, creative, and a little bit effortlessly cool. If you want a good coffee stop, Blue Bottle Coffee or Menotti’s Coffee Stop are easy wins, and most shops open by 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM.
From there, walk or drive a few minutes over to Gjusta for brunch. This is one of those places where the bread alone is worth the stop, and the menu is built for a luxury-feeling last-day meal without being stiff. Expect a wait around peak brunch hours, especially on a Friday in mid-June, so go with a little patience or plan to linger. Budget about $30–$55 per person, and if you’re sharing, the smoked fish, pastries, and seasonal vegetables make a great spread. After brunch, continue to the Venice Canals for a quieter reset — the footpaths and bridges are a lovely contrast to the energy of Abbot Kinney, and it’s an easy, unhurried wander that usually takes about an hour.
Spend the afternoon on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, where the mood shifts from polished to classic California spectacle. Expect murals, roller skaters, street performers, muscle beach energy, and a lot of people-watching; this is Venice in full voice. It’s not the place for a strict plan, just a long stroll, maybe a stop on the sand, and time to soak in the final ocean views before departure. If you want a smoother experience, stay near the ocean side and keep valuables minimal — parking can be tight, so it’s worth using one spot and walking.
Settle in at Hotel Erwin Rooftop Lounge for a farewell drink with a view — one of the best elevated spots in Venice for golden hour, especially if you want something chic without feeling overdone. It’s a good place to pause, regroup, and let the day cool down before dinner. Then finish with Felix Trattoria, a standout final meal that feels properly special: handmade pastas, refined Italian cooking, and service that matches the price point. Expect about $80–$150 per person, and it’s absolutely worth booking ahead for a Friday evening. After dinner, you’ll be in a great position to head out for your flight with one last luxurious memory of the coast.