Planning a Los Angeles vacation? We’re here to help!

Los Angeles, California is a city that many of us feel like we know, even if we’ve never been. Featured in countless movies and TV shows, the iconic sights of Rodeo Drive, Grumman’s Chinese Theater or the Hollywood Sign are part of our daily lives. Taking a trip to Tinseltown to see these locations for real is something that many people dream of, and as a city, L.A. does not disappoint. It’s bright and sunny, bold, brash and beautiful. It’s also very, very big - 500 sq miles to be exact. We recommend basing yourself in one location and taking day trips to other areas over trying to stay all over the city in one trip.

Of course, L.A. is all about the beautiful people - and nowhere is better for watching them in action than the beach.

In the north of the city, Malibu is well known as a home for celebrities including Barbra Streisand, Jennifer Aniston and more, and the best way to see the beach is with a vacation rental right on the sand - which is where Luxury Retreats comes in. If you’re not staying in Malibu, finding the access paths to the beach can be a challenge, but with a little effort, you can be sunning yourself like a Baywatch babe in no time.

Just down the road, Santa Monica awaits. The laid-back cousin to chic Malibu, the beach here has a pier complete with coffee shops, carousel, amusement park and more, and the beach is lovely and wide. When you want a break from the sun you can stroll from the beach to the pedestrian 3rd Street Promenade where you’ll find great shopping and good restaurants too.

For a day of sunny exploring, spend the morning in Santa Monica before jumping on a beach cruiser for the easy bike ride south to Venice Beach. Named in homage to the Italian city, Venice L.A. has colorful homes dotted alongside calm canals and is a great place to explore by bike. From the canal side homes to the buzzy boardwalk and the fun spectacle of Muscle Beach there’s a lot to see and do here. Just off the beach, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is a mecca for stylish city dwellers looking for artisan coffee, healthy lunches, and the latest fashion.  

Looking good is serious business in Los Angeles - and every neighborhood has a stylish shopping district.

For classic glamour - think Gucci, Armani, Miu Miu and more - there’s no better place than Rodeo Drive. The Beverley Hills street has been immortalized in movies from Pretty Woman to Clueless. It’s the best place in the city for a serious shopping fix. Our Beverly Hills vacation rentals are a great choice if you’re planning to spend some time exploring this seriously chic area.

Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica is a whole lot more relaxed, and the place where you’ll find most of the big name brands like Banana Republic, Zara, Anthropologie and Victoria’s Secret, while Abbot Kinney in Venice has up and coming designers and stores like Alexis Bittar, Current/Elliott and more.

For locals, a hike in Griffith Park is an integral part of Angeleno life. For visitors, it’s a great way to get active and enjoy a unique view of the city. Start your hike at Griffith Observatory - which you might recognize from its recent starring role in the movie La La Land. Open to the public, visitors can learn about the stars or look through the telescopes (which kids will love), or simply enjoy the view.

Also in Griffith Park, and a key destination for many visitors is the Hollywood Sign.

Visible from across the city, the sign has been a part of the city’s fabric for almost 100 years and is perhaps the most iconic sight in the city. The illuminated sign was constructed to advertise a new housing development called Hollywoodland in 1923, featuring some 4,000 electric bulbs. Over the years it has come to represent the hopes and dreams of actors hoping to make it big in the city. There are several trails of increasing difficulty that you can choose from - we like the trek up Innsdale Drive to Mount lee Drive as it offers great views of the sign as you go. If you do set out on a hike remember to wear sturdy shoes and take plenty of water and sunscreen - the sun can get very hot in L.A.!

Experience our luxurious homes in Los Angeles

From Downtown L.A. to Venice Beach, the Hollywood Hills to Malibu, we have gorgeous homes in all of the city’s top spots. The first choice you have to make is - do you want to be based on the beach or up in the hills? With cozy homes sleeping four people all the way up to hillside estates with 9 bedrooms, whatever you’re looking for we’ve got a great option for you.

If you want to combine days of city exploring with time to relax on the beach, our Malibu mansions make a great choice. Many of our homes in the area have direct access to the beach, where you can run, stroll or simply enjoy the view from your own private terrace. Others are tucked away in the Santa Monica mountains with beautiful grounds and plenty of privacy. What all the homes share are their beautiful interiors and modern amenities which mean you’ll be feeling relaxed as soon as you step in the door.

For a true taste of Los Angeles glamour, pack your bags and head up into the Hills for a luxurious getaway where amazing views and swimming pools come as standard. If you’re hosting a cocktail party or get-together we can organize private chef services, bar staff and more. Whether you’re in town for work or pleasure, our houses for rent in Hollywood make the perfect home base for a stay in La La Land.