(Originally created for Grey Door Publishing and the Beverly-Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel)

Spend the day circulating through LA’s iconic top shelf shopping, dining, culture, and architecture, while steering clear of the over-touristy, miss-able stops along the way.

The legendary shopping mecca that is Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive neighborhood has a reputation for opulence. European-styled luxury storefronts and old world walkways might make you think you were in Saint-Tropez if it weren’t for all the traffic. The problem a discerning traveler may run into is that the lavish destination’s reputation as a celebrity outpost attracts packs of looky-loos who can make finding your groove in a round of light shopping a little too crowded for comfort.

One of the best ways to experience the ambiance of classic Rodeo Drive (without engaging with the hordes) is to visualize your preferred itinerary in advance (with some wiggle room for wandering and exploration). Having an idea beforehand of which classic houses of design (and which budding talents) you want to find on the shopping trail, can help you elevate your trip to best-ever status. Which of the many cafes and bistros do you want to drop into for lunch? And if your vacation motives extend beyond the hedonistic pleasures of shopping and eating, which of the unexpected cultural treasures of Rodeo Drive must you go out of your way to see? Want an invaluable insider tip on how to achieve the most unique and tailor-made experience from your Rodeo Drive trip? Envision the iconic luxury destination as including the entire surrounding neighborhood, and take a few steps off of the beaten path rather than sticking only to the one strip.

A Bold Beginning

A mimosa at the bar of the lavish Beverley-Wilshire (Four Seasons) Hotel provides a good starting point for a day of discovery. Its prime locality borders the preferred, shopping-dense end of the two-mile stretch making up Rodeo Drive (9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA).

And if you are able to grace the enchanting white sidewalks of Rodeo Drive sometime before this fall, you can witness the rare cultural spectacle that is North America’s largest open-air exhibition of Salvador Dali’s ‘Monumental Sculptures.’ What’s unique about this particular installation is that it was hand-chosen and designed by two members of the art elite: Beniamino Levi, President of The Stratton Institute, and Michael Schwartz, owner of Galerie Michael—an onsite showcase of “museum quality collections.” Both men knew Dali personally, and bring rare insight to onlookers into the power of the artist’s work.

On loan from the Stratton Institute, these incredible pieces of three-dimensional art are displayed throughout the piazza-like atmosphere of Two Rodeo— a charmingly stylized, walkers-only carve-out of shops designed by the architectural firms of Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz and Brand & Allen. Cobblestones, Victorian-styled facades, and iron lampposts lining the walkway, all add to the old Hollywood ambiance. This newer architectural addition to Rodeo Drive boasts an enclave of shops full of fine goods, art, and eateries, which make the location awfully convenient for picking up a few pretty little things for yourself at any of the boutiques within. Editor’s picks include Serapian for handbags and small leather goods, Lladró for contemporary porcelain design, and Etro for finely made clothes with a colorful and provocative aesthetic.

(2 Rodeo Drive, Beverley Hills, CA)

A Preference for the Exceptional

Over recent years, Rodeo Drive’s consumer climate has evolved to include more big-name retailers and fewer unique fine boutiques. Partly, this is just one more side effect of the shopping district’s presence in popular film and television, as well as the globalized consumer marketplace. But there are still oases of independent designers, stylists, and artisans that set up their one-of-a-kind and extravagant wares in exclusive shops within this fashionable zip code.

House of Bijan

The Iranian designer, Bijan Pakzad, claimed five U.S. presidents among his clientele, according to his 2011 obituary in the New York Times. Other world leaders like Vladamir Putin and Tony Blair, and even Hollywood celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio have been known to be customers. This notoriously costly men’s shop requires an advanced appointment to visit but is well-worth the planning ahead. Menswear, jewelry, fragrance, and even custom-designed automobile interiors, are all among the luxuries one can find in the exclusive showroom. Telephone (310) 273-6544 to arrange entrance.

(420 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA)

Switch Boutique

The light and breezy California style that pervades the streets of Beverly Hills is infectious. If you find yourself wanting to supplement your travel duds with some airy, stylish pieces, this unique boutique can help you dress for easy daytime adventure, through the steamy, Los Angeles night. Recognizable luxury brands, mixed with independent designers, line the carefully curated racks.

(238 S Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA)

Gearys

Gearys has been a staple of the Rodeo Drive shopping experience for more than 80 years. As a trusted source of fine jewelry, luxury gifts, and generally beautiful objects, the greatest draw to experience this retailer is the renowned service and design knowledge of their highly expert staff.

(351 North Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA)

Hungering for something rare?

While Rodeo Drive may be best known for its reputation as a luxe shopping haven, famished travelers will be uplifted by the availability of superior, fresh cuisine. You’re not the kind of jet-setter who wants to end up eating your lunch at a Hard Rock Café because you don’t have an insider tip on where to find the best nosh. Take a beat and plan ahead. One of these two lunch and dinner spots is an excellent place to relax, refuel, and take in a glass of California wine.

SUGARFISH-Beverly Hills by Sushi Nazawa

With locations only in Los Angeles, this local phenomenon is an exceptional server of fine traditional sushi. Walk a few blocks northeast of Rodeo for lunch or dinner. Highlights include the tasting menu-style prix-fixe options called “Trust Me,” or “Trust Me-Lite.” With menu items rotating according to freshness and local availability, put your faith in the executive chef to choose a sumptuous selection of traditional Japanese vegetables, sushi and sashimi with optional sake pairings. Note: Reservations are not accepted, so be prepared for an unpredictable dining adventure.

(212 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA)

SPAGO-Beverly Hills

If celebrity chefs or California-style farm to table cuisine are among your interests, this hip New American eatery will deliver. Owned by famed master chef, Wolfgang Puck, this is the restaurant that launched his career. This delightful bistro was named “the most iconic restaurant in the city of Los Angeles,” by Zagat. The current head chef, Lee Hefter, has recently redesigned the interior and menu to appeal to the fresh, healthy, and organic desires of the fine California diner. Highpoints include creative cocktails mixed by master bartenders, red snapper fish n’ chips, and the succulent Japanese wagyu beef entrée. Telephone (310) 385-0880 for reservations.

(176 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA)

Reverie and People watching

 Just around the corner from Two Rodeo, tucked between Montage Hotel and Bouchon Bistro, one of the latest and most charming additions to the area’s outdoor landscape includes a lovely tree-lined promenade, multiple fountains, stretches of grass, an alfresco dining spot, and little batches of outdoor bistro tables reminiscent of what you’d find lining a bocce court in Southern France. According to reps from the City of Beverly Hills, “The beautiful and tranquil Beverly Cañon Gardens, located in the 200 block of North Cañon Drive, is the City’s newest green space. The 33,000 square feet of public gardens and open space features public outdoor dining areas, water features, landscaped gardens, and public colonnaded walkways connecting Beverly and Cañon Drives.”

The garden now plays host to a variety of outdoor cultural events, including a popular outdoor concert series on summer Thursday nights through September first, 2016 (visit beverlyhills.org for show lineups and times). While liable to be teeming with tourists on a summer Saturday, perching on the side of the stone fountain with a croissant and a to-go cup of nearby Chaumont Bakery and Cafe’s own locally-brewed espresso (143 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA), offers a welcome moment of reflection in the morning or evening, when the open-air shopping arcade is unlikely to be overcrowded.

It is tempting to schedule a trip to beautiful Southern California during the depths of winter, as a little soulful pick-me-up. But you must also consider dropping by Rodeo Drive in the middle of the summer heat. Temperatures may seem torrid, but the nightlife is at its most celebratory and luxuriant when the weather turns sizzling. Arrange a visit around Father’s Day (in June every year), to witness the annual largest public display of rare automobiles from the past, present and future— Concours d’ Elegance.