Raising the Roof: a Bird's-Eye View of Things to Do in Los Angeles, California

Before you get lost in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, take a night to sway with chill ocean vibes at Hotel Erwin. Right across the street from Venice Beach, this laid-back hotel will hook you up with everything from beach towels and yoga mats to bicycles and volleyballs. Beach views, cold brews and light bites await upstairs on the High Rooftop Lounge, where you’ll watch the sky cradle the sun and stars appear before you retreat to your eclectic ocean-view suite.

Now that you’re ready to wade into the city, let the Peninsula in Beverly Hills help you look and feel the part. Its rooftop garden pool and spa offer a transformative experience of mind, body and spirit. Anti-aging treatments, signature massages and a coconut-powered mani-pedi will leave every inch of your body prepared for close-ups. Leave this rooftop retreat ready to make an A-list arrival in LA.

Even in LA, it’s hard to subsist on a liquid lunch alone, so head back to Beverly Hills, and sober up at the Rooftop by JG. Seated above the Waldorf Astoria, all-day dining is ready to fill you up, from breakfast to last orders. An espresso and an avocado toast do the trick most mornings, though sunrise is definitely more manageable after late-night truffle cheeseburgers and crispy fries with caviar. If the hair of the dog is necessary, a passionfruit whiskey fizz should calm any queasiness.

It was the first hotel on the Sunset Strip, and, today, it’ll give you an amazing first impression of Hollywood. Andaz West Hollywood delights with stylish rooms and Sunset Boulevard views, inspiring you to look your best as you follow the Strip to the Comedy Store, Whisky a Go Go bar and infamous Viper Room. Not in a rush to spend the night on the town? Claim a daybed at the highest rooftop pool in the city, and let the bartender send over martinis to accompany views of the Hollywood Hills.

Where better to spy celebrities than at a bar where comedian Dave Chappelle has his own corner table? Harriet’s Rooftop is a favorite watering hole for many stars, musicians and A-listers. While you wait with your camera ready for the next star to stroll through the door, Blue Velvet cocktails, teriyaki beef skewers and generous bottle service will hold you over.

Get high in the Hills, and leave all worries behind at Petit Ermitage. The rooftop heated saltwater pool is one of the sexiest places in town where you can strip off without apology. Pick from a private cabana or striped sunbed, though your adjacent high suite is also the perfect place to hang with friends. Before retreating into your bohemian quarters, we suggest dining among the hummingbirds and butterflies at the rooftop restaurant that doubles as a nature sanctuary.

If Petit Ermitage doesn’t fulfil your high, perhaps Spire 73’s elevation will meet your expectations. You’ll dine atop the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere at this reservations-only restaurant on the InterContinental Hotel’s 73rd floor. Seasonal chef selections fill the menu with favorites like wagyu beef burgers and truffle parmesan fries, charting a course that leads straight to a plate of tiramisu.

Before the credits roll on your Los Angeles adventure, set the scene for one final-act party at Skybar. This calm pool deck above the Mondrian Hotel seduces you into a wild atmosphere as the sun starts fading and the DJ starts spinning. Light fare is available to eat, but it’ll, no doubt, be the Skybar lemonade, redheaded mule and other spirits that keep you grooving into the night.