Eight Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors in Beverly Hills

1. Admire The Rooftop by JG View

Enjoy a cocktail and small plates with striking 360-degree views of glamorous Beverly Hills at this rooftop garden bar and restaurant, overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a Michelin-starred French chef. The Rooftop Beverly Hills sits atop the 12-story Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and is the largest rooftop of its kind in Beverly Hills. Sip one of the restaurant's ever-changing hand-crafted cocktails or nibble on some of its market-driven small plates, inspired by Latin American and Southeast Asian influences, using New York flare and California’s local ingredients. This is the perfect location to see, be seen and admire those iconic views.

Photo courtesy of @wild_sarebear.

2. Spend “Golden Hour” Walking the Golden Triangle

Clocking in at under six square miles, Beverly Hills is extremely compact and walkable. The “Golden Triangle” is the area bordered by Santa Monica Boulevard, Wilshire Boulevard and North Rexford Drive, where world-famous stores, chef-driven restaurants and award-winning hotels are concentrated and easily accessed on foot. There’s no better time to walk and explore than in the hours leading up to sunset – often referred to as “golden hour,” – when the sun casts a honeyed hue over the city.

3. Roam Virginia Robinson Gardens

Built in 1911, Virginia Robinson Gardens, one of the oldest estates in Beverly Hills, was once the residence of retail giants Virginia and Harry Robinson (of the Robinson department stores) and now is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and open by appointment only to the public. Guided tours explore five gardens including the Tropical Palm Garden with a grove of Australian King Palms, the bucolic Rose Garden and the tranquil Italian Terrace Garden featuring camellias, gardenias and azaleas.

4. Drink an Iced Vanilla Latte at Alfred Coffee

Hot days call for cool drinks and, thanks to Alfred Coffee, you can order a cold beverage to enjoy as you explore the city on foot. Try its world-famous iced vanilla latte made with real vanilla beans or enjoy a tasty matcha latte, blended with the milk of your choice. 

Photo courtesy of @jamie_sear.

5. Dine on Il Pastaio’s Wrap-Around Patio

Bustling day and night, Il Pastaio, overseen by Sicilian-born Giacomino Drago who grew up making everything he ate, is one of the most popular restaurants on the stretch of North Cañon Drive called Little Restaurant Row. You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurant's well-executed Italian fare, especially the freshly handmade pastas, but many are partial to the risotto nero - carnaroli rice intermixed with ocean-caught calamari, shrimp and scallops, and poured over with squid ink, caught off the waters of Italy and France. There's also linguine con crostacei, pasta with fresh half lobster and crab meat, slathered in a light spicy tomato sauce.

6. Explore the Grounds of Greystone Mansion: The Doheny Estate

Built in 1928 for the son of a prominent oil baron, the majestic Greystone Mansion & Gardens today is surrounded by 18.5 pastoral acres of lush, city-owned parkland. This registered historic landmark has been used as a shooting location for many films, including The Big Lebowsky, The Bodyguard, The Social Network and Spider-Man. Wander the manicured gardens and courtyard that surround the mansion, making sure to catch a glance of the impressive fountain and pool.

7. Discover Rodeo Drive’s Walk of Style

Introduced in 2003, the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style honors legends in the worlds of fashion and entertainment. Similar to the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, recipients of the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style are presented with bronzed plaques that feature personal quotes and their signatures, which are then embedded into the sidewalks along the street. Everyone from Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani and Herb Ritts, to Salvatore Ferragamo, Gianni and Donatella Versace and Mario Testino are among the past honorees. Stroll the famed street to find the plaques of your favorite fashion designers and other icons of the industry, including costume designers, photographers and supermodels.

8. Experience a Treasure of Public Art in Beverly Gardens Park

Beverly Gardens Park, a two-mile-long linear park that runs along Santa Monica Boulevard, is home to a walking and jogging path, the historical Electric Fountain, rose and cactus gardens and numerous pieces of public art. Simply follow the park pathways to discover them all, but don't miss the "Endless V" (2012), an 8-foot by 8-foot by 7-foot stainless steel sculpture by Jaume Plensa, an internationally renowned Spanish artist. This sculpture is a remarkable example of Plensa’s ability to weave symbols together in a compelling alphabetical chainmail. The work depicts a seated figure with arms clasped around his own body, alluding to Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker.

Complimentary Walking Tour Maps are available at the Beverly Hills Visitor Center.