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Los Angeles Summer Travel 2026: New Hotels, Restaurants & the Best Beaches

July 22, 2026

Summer is when Los Angeles feels most alive. Mornings begin with coffee overlooking the Pacific, afternoons stretch from designer shopping to world-class museums, and evenings end with rooftop cocktails or dinner beside the ocean. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, Los Angeles continues to reinvent itself with exciting hotel openings, acclaimed restaurants, and revitalized neighborhoods that blend glamour with laid-back beach culture.

This summer, travelers will find everything from the newly opened Regent Santa Monica Beach and Michelin-starred tasting menus to hidden Malibu coves and lively beachfront communities. Whether you’re staying in Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Malibu, Venice Beach, or Downtown Los Angeles, this guide highlights where to stay, what to eat, and which beaches deserve a spot on your itinerary.

What’s New in Los Angeles for Summer 2026

Los Angeles continues to evolve as one of the world’s premier luxury travel destinations, with new hotel debuts, celebrated restaurant openings, and refreshed cultural attractions drawing visitors from around the globe.

Some of the biggest highlights this summer include:

Regent Santa Monica Beach, one of California’s newest ultra-luxury oceanfront resorts, continues to redefine luxury accommodations along the coast with expansive suites, a destination spa, and elevated dining.
The return of Somni, chef Aitor Zabala’s acclaimed tasting-menu restaurant, has re-established Los Angeles as one of America’s top fine-dining cities.
Beverly Hills continues welcoming luxury boutiques and flagship fashion houses along Rodeo Drive, while the Sunset Strip remains one of Southern California’s premier nightlife destinations.
Cultural institutions including The Broad, LACMA, and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures continue unveiling new exhibitions throughout the summer season.

Where to Stay in Los Angeles

Santa Monica: Best for Beachfront Luxury

If your ideal vacation includes waking up to the Pacific Ocean, walking to cafés, and watching the sunset from your balcony, Santa Monica is difficult to beat.

Regent Santa Monica Beach

Formerly the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, this property has been completely transformed into one of Southern California’s most luxurious beachfront resorts. Guests enjoy oversized rooms, a Guerlain Spa, ocean-view dining, and direct access to Santa Monica State Beach.

Shutters on the Beach

One of California’s most iconic luxury hotels, Shutters combines Cape Cod-inspired architecture with elegant interiors, private balconies, and one of the best beachfront locations in Los Angeles.

Hotel Casa del Mar

Next door to Shutters, Casa del Mar offers Mediterranean elegance, spacious oceanfront suites, and the acclaimed Terrazza restaurant overlooking the Pacific.

Beverly Hills: Classic Hollywood Glamour

Luxury shopping, palm-lined streets, and legendary hotels make Beverly Hills one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods.

The Beverly Hills Hotel

Known worldwide as the “Pink Palace,” this historic property has welcomed Hollywood royalty for over a century. Private bungalows, lush gardens, and timeless service continue to define the experience.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Its rooftop pool offers panoramic city views, while Jean-Georges Beverly Hills remains one of the city’s signature fine-dining destinations.

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Elegant without feeling flashy, The Maybourne features one of Los Angeles’ finest spas and is just steps from Rodeo Drive.

West Hollywood: Design, Dining & Nightlife

West Hollywood blends luxury hotels with celebrity-chef restaurants and rooftop lounges.

Recommended hotels include:

Each provides easy access to Sunset Boulevard, live music venues, and the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Malibu: Coastal Escape

For travelers seeking a quieter luxury experience, Malibu delivers spectacular ocean views and a slower pace.

Malibu Beach Inn

Few California hotels sit as close to the Pacific as Malibu Beach Inn. Oceanfront balconies, attentive service, and Carbon Beach create an intimate luxury retreat.

Calamigos Guest Ranch

Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, Calamigos combines rustic elegance with luxury cottages, wellness experiences, and easy access to Malibu wineries and beaches.

Downtown Los Angeles: Urban Sophistication

Downtown LA has become one of the city’s most exciting destinations.

Top luxury hotels include:

Stay here if your itinerary includes museums, concerts, Lakers or Dodgers games, or rooftop nightlife.

Where to Eat Right Now

Los Angeles remains one of America’s great food cities, where Michelin-starred tasting menus coexist with neighborhood gems and oceanfront restaurants.

Somni

Recently reopened, Somni once again offers one of the country’s most sought-after tasting menus, blending theatrical presentation with exceptional technique.

Funke

Chef Evan Funke’s flagship Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills celebrates handmade pasta and regional Italian cuisine in a glamorous setting.

Providence

Still one of Southern California’s premier seafood restaurants and a longtime Michelin-starred destination.

Mother Wolf

Hollywood’s celebrated Roman restaurant continues drawing visitors for wood-fired dishes, handmade pasta, and stylish interiors.

Nobu Malibu

Perched directly above the Pacific, Nobu remains one of the world’s most iconic waterfront restaurants. Signature black cod with miso and yellowtail sashimi continue to anchor the menu.

Gjelina

Venice’s beloved restaurant remains one of LA’s best places for seasonal California cuisine, wood-fired vegetables, and house-made pizzas.

Felix Trattoria

Chef Evan Funke’s original Venice restaurant continues serving some of America’s finest handmade pasta.

Élephante

With Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and panoramic ocean views, Élephante remains one of Santa Monica’s hottest rooftop reservations.

Pasjoli

Chef Dave Beran’s refined French restaurant offers an intimate fine-dining experience just blocks from the beach.

Fishing With Dynamite

A Manhattan Beach favorite known for pristine oysters, seafood towers, and one of the South Bay’s strongest wine lists.

The Best Beaches in Los Angeles

Santa Monica State Beach

Perfect for first-time visitors, Santa Monica combines wide sandy beaches with the famous pier, bike paths, shopping, and easy access to luxury hotels.

Venice Beach

Come for the boardwalk, street performers, Muscle Beach, skate park, and endlessly entertaining people-watching.

El Matador State Beach

One of Malibu’s most photogenic beaches, El Matador features dramatic sea stacks, hidden coves, and spectacular sunset views.

Zuma Beach

A favorite among locals for its wide shoreline, clean sand, and excellent swimming conditions.

Carbon Beach

Often called “Billionaire’s Beach,” Carbon Beach offers scenic walks past some of California’s most impressive oceanfront estates.

Manhattan Beach

An upscale beach town with boutique shopping, volleyball courts, and outstanding restaurants surrounding the historic pier.

Hermosa Beach

Known for its lively nightlife, beachfront bars, and active coastal atmosphere.

Will Rogers State Beach

A quieter alternative to Santa Monica with fewer crowds and expansive ocean views.

Three Perfect Summer Days

Day One: Santa Monica & Venice

Breakfast at Huckleberry Bakery
Walk Santa Monica Pier
Bike the Marvin Braude Bike Trail
Lunch at Gjelina
Shopping on Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Sunset cocktails at Élephante

Day Two: Malibu

Coffee at Malibu Farm Café
Visit Malibu Pier
Explore El Matador Beach
Afternoon at Zuma Beach
Dinner at Nobu Malibu

Day Three: Beverly Hills & West Hollywood

Breakfast at The Maybourne
Rodeo Drive shopping
Visit LACMA or Academy Museum
Dinner at Funke
Cocktails at The Sun Rose

Insider Summer Tips

Reserve Nobu Malibu, Somni, Providence, and Funke several weeks in advance.
Santa Monica and Beverly Hills are ideal for first-time visitors who want to minimize driving.
Visit Malibu beaches early in the day, as parking fills quickly during summer weekends.
Consider rideshare services for evenings in West Hollywood and Downtown to avoid parking hassles.
Coastal mornings can begin with a marine layer before clearing to sunshine by midday—pack a light sweater for early beach walks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best luxury hotel in Los Angeles?
Regent Santa Monica Beach, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and Shutters on the Beach are among the city’s premier luxury stays.

Where should first-time visitors stay?
Santa Monica offers the best balance of beach access, walkability, dining, and luxury accommodations.

Which Los Angeles beach is best for families?
Zuma Beach and Santa Monica State Beach offer wide sandy beaches, lifeguards, and family-friendly amenities.

Is Malibu worth visiting?
Absolutely. Malibu offers some of Southern California’s most beautiful beaches, luxury dining, scenic drives, and a quieter coastal atmosphere.

Santa Monica or Venice—which is better?
Santa Monica is more polished and upscale, while Venice is creative, eclectic, and known for its vibrant boardwalk and arts scene.

Your Ultimate Los Angeles Summer Escape

Whether you’re sipping cocktails above the Pacific in Santa Monica, enjoying a Michelin-starred tasting menu in Beverly Hills, watching surfers at Malibu’s iconic beaches, or exploring the creative energy of Venice and Downtown, Los Angeles offers a summer experience unlike anywhere else in California.

The key is choosing the neighborhood that matches your travel style. Beach lovers will feel at home in Santa Monica and Malibu, food enthusiasts can build entire itineraries around Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, and culture seekers will find endless inspiration in Downtown Los Angeles. With world-class hotels, unforgettable restaurants, and miles of iconic coastline, Los Angeles continues to prove that it isn’t just a destination—it’s a collection of extraordinary experiences waiting to be explored.