A Guide to Los Angeles for Your Out-Of-Town Guests

The best places to stay, eat, and play while in LA for a wedding.

A Guide to Los Angeles for Your Out-Of-Town Guests

tour-of-los-angeles-for-wedding-guests-and-family
Photo: Danny Baker for Epic Imagery

When hosting out-of-town guests in LA for a wedding, you'll want to give them the opportunity to check out the city and everything it offers. Before guests arrive, get them ready for their visit by sending them a guide of places to stay as well as restaurants and tourist attractions they might like to check out. See below for some iconic hotels, restaurants, and attractions that your loved ones are sure to enjoy during their stays. 

Hotels


Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Resort); photo courtesy of Don Riddle/Four Seasons 

There are many hotels in the area that offer great accommodations for all sorts of budgets. You just need to decide which part of the city your guests will want to stay in. If they want to be a part of the action, then Hollywood is a fun place to stay. From great restaurants to nightclubs and tons of activities that you can do during the day, Hollywood has it all. If your guests are looking for a little magic during their visit, then they might want to check out The Magic Castle Hotel. A hidden gem in Los Angeles, this former apartment building is perfect for families and boasts large rooms with full kitchens. 

Santa Monica is a great location for guests who want to stay by the beach. Whether cruising the coast along the Pacific Coast Highway, riding the carousel on The Santa Monica Pier, or stepping into the shops on Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica offers something for everyone. We recommend the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. From its friendly staff to its beautiful accommodations, you can’t go wrong here. They also have a location in Hollywood. 

Beverly Hills is a wonderful location because it is between the beach and Hollywood, so guests can get to both areas relatively quickly. Staying in Beverly Hills means that the accommodations will be luxe. We love the Beverly Wilshire (pictured above), where Pretty Woman was filmed, or the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, which is located on a 7-acre estate that boasts 522-square-foot standard rooms (that's bigger than some apartments!).

Food


Photo by Richard Irving

While your guests are traveling to Los Angeles to celebrate your wedding, there's always time to squeeze in some great food and drinks. You won’t be disappointed with the plethora of options that LA has to offer, from paparazzi-filled restaurants to beautiful views and great service. 

If your guests are interested in catching sight of a celebrity or two while grabbing a bite to eat during their stay, then they will want to make a reservation at The Ivy (pictured above). Located on Robertson Boulevard, The Ivy serves nouvelle American cuisine and is a favorite of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, the Kardashian family, Jessica Simpson, Patrick Stewart, and Tom Hanks, among others. 

For breathtaking views of LA, make a reservation at Perch. This 15th floor, French-inspired bistro offers unobstructed views of Downtown LA from the outdoor patio. At night, anyone 21 and over can go to the rooftop lounge and enjoy music and dancing. 

Dining in Santa Monica is always fun, and we recommend The Hungry Cat. This seafood restaurant sits right on Pacific Coast Highway and boasts incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. All of the food is locally sourced and fresh from farmers markets. And don’t worry, if you don’t love seafood, you can order a delectable burger and still enjoy the awesome atmosphere. If your guests can’t make it to Santa Monica, there is also a location in Hollywood. 

Your out-of-town guests will have a great time discovering the city that Hollywood built. If they have a day to explore, a guided tour of the city is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours looking at the sights. The best part is, your guests won’t have to navigate the LA traffic by themselves. 

If they aren’t interested in a formal tour of Los Angeles, they can still check out some of the more popular sites in and around the city. Some of our favorites include: Hollywood Boulevard, where they can see the stars on the Walk of Fame and match their footprints to the ones in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. They can also hike up to the Hollywood Sign or get a gorgeous view from the Griffith Observatory

If the weather permits (and it almost always does in LA!), have them check out the beaches. Besides just hanging out on the beach itself, your guests might be interested in surf lessons or going whale watching. The Santa Monica Pier is also a lot of fun for the whole family. Guests can stroll on the pier, go on some thrill rides at Pacific Park, and relax with a drink at one of the many beachside hotel bars that are dotted along the shore.