From the scenic stretch of coastline tracing the Pacific Ocean to the pulsating heartbeat of Downtown to the iconic glamour of Hollywood, Los Angeles is certainly a diverse destination. You’ll find a laid-back surfer vibe on the beaches and refined luxury in Beverly Hills (and a combination of both aesthetics in Malibu). Theme parks, beaches and boardwalks, major league sports teams and famed theaters all contribute to L.A.’s well-earned reputation as the Entertainment Capital of the World.

With buzz-worthy restaurants showcasing California’s culinary prowess and more than 100 museums, L.A. is also a destination with loads of substance and worthy of repeat visits. Plus, with a portfolio of luxury hotels well-suited for hosting meetings and events, a high-tech convention center and an international airport that connects directly to major cities around the world, Los Angeles is a consummate host for groups looking for a sunny spot to gather.

Why Los Angeles?

• Whether you need a set design for a special meeting or a notable keynote speaker, L.A. has a large talent pool. The region is home to world-class institutions and companies spanning a number of sectors, from entertainment and fashion to healthcare and aerospace. Plus, there are fun teambuilding opportunities, like driving the latest sports cars at the Porsche Experience Center or taking surf lessons.

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers nonstop flights to 100 domestic cities, plus 88 cities in 44 countries, making it an easy-to-reach destination for dispersed workforces.

• For the growing segment of bleisure travelers who want to add some fun to their work travel, Los Angeles is considered an entertainment capital. The City of Angels boasts beaches, museums, major league sporting events, theme parks, golf courses and more.

• Located in sunny Southern California, Los Angeles is bathed in sunshine 300 days out of the year. L.A. has mild weather in the mid-to-high 70s, with average high temperatures ranging from 66°F in January to 83°F in August.

What’s New In Los Angeles?

• In the heart of Downtown, the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) has emerged as one of the most technologically advanced convention and exhibition centers, thanks in part to its 5G capabilities. LACC has 720,000 square feet of exhibit hall space and 147,000 square feet of meeting room space, including a newly renovated 299-seat presentation theater. The convention center achieved a GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation for its stringent health and safety protocols. (You can read ALHI’s guide to industry-wide safety certifications here).

• Set to open in fall 2021, the anticipated Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will celebrate the art and science of movies. The six-floor museum covers the past, present and future of filmmaking.

• A two-wheeled robot cargo carrier, which LAX named “NomNom,” is carrying food and beverage deliveries to select gate areas. The robot can move at speeds of up to 6 mph and uses a series of cameras and sensors to move around the airport. It’s a fun project that’s part of the much larger $14.5 billion effort currently underway to modernize LAX.

• Exposition Park—an urban park with world-class museums, sports facilities, entertainment venues and more—is expanding. The park is already home to the California Science Center, Banc of California Stadium and the recently renovated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Set to open in 2023, the George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which will explore the art of visual storytelling, will have state-of-the-art theaters, an event space, restaurants and more.

See

Santa Monica Pier

From the salty air to the crescendo of the crashing waves and the blue abyss of the Pacific Ocean, taking a stroll along the Santa Monica Pier is truly a multi-sensory experience. Stop to snap some photos of the ocean or the buzzy boardwalk. Or, for an aerial view of the beach, enjoy a spin on the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel. While on the pier catch a show from the street performers providing entertainment or grab a sweet treat, like a creamy, handspun milkshake. The Santa Monica Pier, which was originally built in 1909, is a National Historic Landmark and regularly hosts everything from group events and activations to Hollywood film shoots. 

Photo Credit: Kirk Wester / Shutterstock.com

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, Calif.

Spread out over 120 acres, the Huntington Gardens near Pasadena is home to 16 lovely and distinct gardens, as well as scenic lakes, gardens and fountains. The transportive Chinese Garden has a wooded backdrop of oaks and pines, along with a teahouse and tea shop, stone bridges and waterfalls. More than 200 species of palms stud the hillside in the Palm Garden. The three-acre Rose Garden, which blooms from late March into November, features 1,200 different cultivated flower varieties. Wander around the 16,000 square-foot greenhouse for a rare opportunity to spot plants from all around the world. 

The Flower Market, Downtown L.A.

A renaissance in Downtown L.A. (better known as DTLA) has given way to a walkable city core with an abundance of world-class museums, concert halls, theaters and famed restaurants. But for an instant mood boost when strolling this energetic city hub, pop into The Original Los Angeles Flower Market, which is stocked with an abundance of fresh-from-the-farm florals. The century-old market’s 50 vendors offer more than 125 different varieties of cut flowers, ranging from ombré dahlias to elegant ivory Calla Lilies to roses in a rainbow of colors. The market practically doubles as a mini botanical garden in the middle of the city, with desert succulents and tropical plants also available.

Hollywood Legion Post 43 

Experience the glamour of the Gilded Age in Hollywood. An iconic place to do just that is Hollywood Legion Post 43, which is owned by the American Legion, and is in the heart of Hollywood. The venue is a favorite spot for private, offsite events. The Hollywood landmark has an Art Deco bar, banquet hall and a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art, 6,000 square-foot cinema with seating that can accommodate 482 guests. For those who want to make return visits to Hollywood, groups can explore famous movie sets and props at the Warner Bros. Studio or for a red carpet experience, embark on a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art Dolby Theatre, the venue of the Academy Awards. 

For more activities and ideas ask your ALHI GSO about working with Global DMC Partners

Do

Tour a Hollywood Studio

Going behind the scenes of a major Hollywood studio is perfect for groups, whether it’s part of a public tour or a super-exclusive private booking. Each of the studios offers a little something different. At Universal Studios, for instance, guests can check out live performances in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or go on thrill rides, including the updated Jurassic Park water ride, the all-new Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash ride. Explore movie history at Paramount Studios or check out the pop culture-centric sets and memorabilia at Warner Bros.

Take an Instagram Bike Tour

To get a unique view of DTLA, explore the city on two wheels. An “Instagram Bike Tour” is an on-trend experience that gives groups a good highlight reel of the arts, pop culture and history of the destination. On this customized tour, guests can cruise the streets, take selfies, visit notable film locations and more. Stops include some of the most iconic Downtown Los Angeles locations, and knowledgeable tour guides can relay the history of each location.

Take a (Guided) Hike

For a fit-focused group activity, attendees can take a guided hike to the summit of Mount Hollywood where they can get a panoramic view of Los Angeles—spanning the towering skyscrapers of Downtown to the luxe neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and beyond. The hike also offers a vista overlooking the iconic Hollywood sign where groups can learn the fascinating story of its history. Guided tours also showcase where blockbuster movies and hit televisions shows were filmed. The excursion includes a tour of the recently refurbished Griffith Park Observatory, as well, which opened in 1935.

For more activities and ideas ask your ALHI GSO about working with Global DMC Partners

Eat

Spago

In addition to movie stars, L.A. also has some celebrity chefs who are admired in the City of Angels. Perhaps one of the most notable is Wolfgang Puck, whose signature restaurant Spago is an ideal spot for a group dinner and a must-visit while in Beverly Hills. Steak, fish and gourmet pizzas are all on the menu. The chef himself is often onsite and if he is in town, he’ll often pop over to say “hello” to private groups. The entire restaurant can accommodate 500 people for a reception or 300 seated.

Perch LA

Atop the 16th-floor rooftop of a high rise and amid the Los Angeles skyline, Perch LA is a glamorous restaurant that boasts 360-degree city views. Colorful furniture, cozy fire pits, the glittering urban landscape, and live music all make for a fun and memorable setting. Groups can enjoy French-inspired small plates and appetizers (think: surf-and-turf skewers) paired with handcrafted cocktails or bubbles. The rooftop is available for partial bookings or full buyouts.

Pink’s

Pink’s is a local hot spot that makes for a perfect pit stop during a tour of Hollywood. The L.A. institution has been serving up hot dogs, burgers, coconut cakes and more to celebrities, locals and visitors since 1939. This landmark eatery, which serves more than 2,000 hot dogs and 200 hamburgers a day, typically has a line out of the door. Some popular items include the “Lord of the Rings” hot dog which is topped with onion rings, and the “Jaws” chili cheeseburger topped with a Polish dog.

For more activities and ideas ask your ALHI GSO about working with Global DMC Partners

Stay / Meet

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

At 73 stories tall, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown looms large and offers spectacular views of California sunsets. Rising 1,100 feet above the street level, the hotel is the tallest building on the West Coast. The 70th story Sky Lobby as well as Spire 73, an open-air bar, celebrate the height advantage and the hotel’s 889 guestrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to show off the views. With more than 95,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event, meeting, conference and banquet space, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown hosts unforgettable events. Guests have a variety of dining options from fresh sushi to an American steakhouse with a French twist.

Loews Hollywood Hotel

Enjoy the allure of Hollywood at Loews Hollywood Hotel, which is a 628-room hotel located in the birthplace of American cinema. Sleek and spacious guest rooms have pops of orange and purple and come with classic L.A. views, like the Hollywood Hills and Hollywood sign. Meeting guests here get red carpet treatment. The hotel has 76,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, high-tech capabilities, and renowned cuisine from the hotel’s culinary team and Wolfgang Puck Catering.

Terranea Resort

Terranea Resort is perched on coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific. Just 16 miles from LAX, this picturesque 102-acre Mediterranean-style resort on the Palos Verde Peninsula feels a world away. In addition to its oceanfront casitas and luxurious villas, the resort has a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, a spacious oceanfront spa and four swimming pools. Terranea also has 75,000 square feet of outdoor and 60,000 square feet of indoor event space, with meeting rooms and ballrooms framed by the Pacific Ocean. The hotel’s nine dining venues showcase seasonal ingredients from the herb and vegetable gardens, lemon groves, bee hives and Sea Salt Conservatory.

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

A Pasadena landmark, The Langham Huntington served as an exclusive getaway for Hollywood elite and royalty throughout the years. The elegant hotel has 379 guest rooms surrounded by beautiful landscaping and mountain views. The Langham Huntington also has 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Guests here can take a 90-minute walking tour of the hotel and grounds and learn about the many films and television shows that incorporated the location into their productions.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica

Set on five acres, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has 302 luxury guest rooms and suites, including a few dozen bungalows that are nestled in the resort's gardens and surrounded by tropical flowers, palm trees and tranquil waterfalls. Eateries include FIG, a seasonal restaurant with Mediterranean influence, and The Bungalow, a beachfront cocktail bar. The hotel has 25,000 square feet of event space, including manicured gardens and the largest ballroom in Santa Monica.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel offers unmatched views of the Pacific Ocean, Santa Monica Pier and Malibu. This celebrated beachfront hotel recently underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, which included the addition of glass guestroom balconies. With white shutters and a bungalow feel, plus cozy poolside fire pits, a fitness center, salon and spa, the resort exudes a barefoot elegance vibe. Loews Santa Monica Hotel also has 17,000 square feet of customizable indoor and outdoor space, and the hotel can help stage events at beach, ballroom and poolside venues, as well as at the nearby historic Santa Monica Pier Carousel.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Design visionary Kelly Wearstler created a serene beach-inspired oasis at Santa Monica Proper Hotel with a neutral scheme of organic materials, bespoke wallpaper, and rooms furnished with mid-century European inspired pieces and marble vanities. The stylish hotel offers 24,000 square feet of flexible space, including a ballroom, courtyards, terraces and a rooftop pool-deck restaurant that provides panoramic ocean views. The hotel is also home to the 3,000-square- foot Surya Spa, which specializes in Ayurvedic treatments.