Whether it’s Housewives, Hillbillies, Cops or a Chihuahua, we all have our references when it comes to the city of Beverly Hills.

No matter where you draw your imaginings from, you likely have a clear picture of what 90210 is all about. The flagship stores, exorbitant celebrity homes, Mission Revival style architecture and, of course, the epiphany fountain from Clueless.

And yes, this historic suburb of Los Angeles County is all of those things. It’s a city that draws the wealthy in to shop and dine, to occasionally see but mostly to be seen.

It’s also a relatively safe and walkable place to stay while you’re visiting L.A., rich in luxuries and curiosities. From its many historic and boutique hotels, you can get to Santa Monica, Echo Park, West Hollywood and Venice Beach in under 21 minutes (traffic permitting).

Prepare yourself for brunching, long lunching and eating out. Just within the Golden Triangle — an area aptly named for its designer stores and eye-watering price tags — you’ll find countless iconic eateries.

For the institutions, you’ve got The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills and Edelweiss Chocolates.

The institutions

The Cheese Store — Opened in 1967, The Cheese Store is your go-to for charcuterie, wine, caviar, gourmet foodstuffs, gift baskets and every cheese created by God, goat and cow. You’ll smell it coming before you step through its doorway.

While you’re there, keep an eye out for Norbert Wabnig, who’s been behind the counter since 1978.

Find it at: 9705 S Santa Monica Boulevard

Edelweiss Chocolates — As for Edelweiss, it’s known as ‘the place with the chocolate conveyor belt from that one episode of I Love Lucy’, among many other delicious things. One of the ‘oldest confectionaries in America that still processes chocolates by hand,’ it is famous for its truffles, marshmallows, toffees and caramels — all made from scratch.

Find it at: 444 N Canon Drive

Breakfast & Brunch

Urth Caffé — For a specialty morning tea or organic coffee, stop in at the Cali classic Urth Caffé for all your farm-to-table needs.

Find it at: 267 S Beverly Drive

Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market — On a Sunday, head to the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market. It’s on from 9am to 1pm and has only the freshest California-grown seasonal fruits and vegetables, juices, breads and whatever else the farmer’s have been working on.

Find it at: 9300 Block Civic Center Drive

Lunch

Il Pastaio — For lunch, you’ve got endless options to (wealthy) people watch. Il Pastaio is a well-known locals spot, serving authentic Italian and a selection of truffle dishes. Go for the cheese wheel or try Justin Bieber’s favourite: the artisan wide rigatoni pasta with pink sauce.

Find it at: 400 N Canon Drive

The Hideaway. Photo credit: Erik Melvin

The Hideaway — The Hideaway is unsurprisingly hidden away behind the shop fronts of Rodeo Drive, right across the road from Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Ride the escalator down and you’ll be met with a subterranean Mexican Steakhouse. It’s all Stucco Rustico, interior courtyards and cosy booths. Oh, and it’s partly owned by the former Mr. Witherspoon (aka Ryan Phillippe) so a sighting is not out of the question.

Find it at: 421 Rodeo Drive

Cantina Frida — Keeping with the Cal-Mex theme, Cantina Frida is where you want to go for the tastiest steak taco of your life: the Arrachera Questaco with crispy melted cheese, skirt steak, red onion, cilantro and outrageously fresh guacamole. Go with the intention of sharing and be sure to ask for recommendations.

Find it at: 252 N Beverly Drive

Cantina Frida

Dinner

Steak 48 — Roll on into dinner time with a reservation at Steak 48. It’s considered one of the more upscale restaurants in the area but still has a distinctly steakhouse vibe. The New England Lobster Rolls and anything from the prime steak menu are real stand outs.

Find it at: 9680 Wilshire Boulevard

Avra — If there’s one thing the interior designers of Beverly Hills’ eateries love, it’s an indoor statement tree. Enter: Avra. Co-founder Nick Tsoulos was inspired by his Greek upbringing and passion for fishing/cooking/eating (in that order). You can pick your own seafood from their in-house fish market, some of which is wild-caught and sent direct from the Aegean Sea.

Find it at: 233 N Beverly Drive

Funke — As the hour gets later and later, consider getting Funke. Named after pasta maestro and head chef Evan Funke, this is a discreet “dining ecosystem” which features three bars, one rooftop, two kitchens and a central two-storey “pasta lab”, so you know it’s going to be good. (As such, be sure to book in advance).

Find it at: 9388 S Santa Monica Boulevard

Wally’s — If you’re looking for a nightcap, you’re going to want to head on over to Wally’s. Having said that, it’s also designed to be a one-top shop for cheese, specialty meats, caviar and artisanal chocolates. And having said that, the first Wally’s opened in 1968 and was a fine wine store. So go there anytime for a snack or to find a wine list that is unmatched, award-winning, coveted — you name it. Also, their French black truffle dishes are a signature and the Truffle Caesar Salad is a fan favourite.

Find it at: 447 N Canon Drive

Shopping

Let’s start with the shopping.

It simply wouldn’t be a trip to Beverly Hills without a walk down Rodeo Drive (pronounced for the Spanish ro·de·o not the yee-haw rodeo). Known as one of the most expensive streets in the world, so renowned is Rodeo Drive® that it even has its own podcast. So bring some $ and witness the opulence in capitalism’s spiritual home.

Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier, Celine, Chanel, Fendi, Ferrari, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Prada, Rolex, Saint Laurent, Versace — gang’s all here.

The Dior flagship on Rodeo Drive

If you’re ready and willing to spend, and are looking for all-access and no waiting in lines, you can book in with Lalaluxe. They offer luxury fashion styling services and — full disclosure — usually deal with royalty and tech mill/billionaires.

If you’re looking to be shown around without the $20k buy-in, Brian Rodda is your man. (Although, he wouldn’t say no if you’re offering). Brian runs the newly created LA FOOD TOURS offshoot: ‘Food, Film and Fashion’ tour of Beverly Hills. You’ll get tasting stops at places like Wally’s and Cantina Frida, while learning the ins and outs of the town. (Tea will be spilt all over the Golden Triangle).

Art & Culture

For the local events calendar, check Love Beverly Hills to plan your poolside Clueless screenings and Concerts on Cañon ahead of time. Or sign up to the TASCHEN Store Beverly Hills newsletter for book signings and events.

But when it comes to Beverly Hills’ real cultural highlights, here’s a couple of unmissable favourites:

Virginia Robinson Gardens — For a more sedate view of the Hills, book in a visit to the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Built in 1911 and bequeathed to LA County in 1977 by Mrs. Robinson, the estate has hosted countless dignitaries and stars from Charlie Chaplin to Sophia Loren.

To book a guided tour, check the website for costs and details. And *niche tip for people who enjoy gardening* you can also email in advance and offer to volunteer for an hour or so. They’ll give you a job and you can potter about among the lawns and flowers. Gorgeous.

Find it at: 1008 Elden Way

One angle of the beautiful Virginia Robinson Gardens

Gagosian Beverly Hills — Lovers of contemporary and modern art should be sure to plan a trip to the Beverly Hills Gagosian. The gallery was first established in 1980 by rockstar art dealer Larry Gagosian and showcases works by some of the most esteemed artists and designers from America and beyond.

Find it at: 456 North Camden Drive

Mr Brainwash Art Museum — If you enjoy a bit more pop in your art, the Mr. Brainwash Art Museum is always an option. The pop-up museum is the brainchild of Thierry Guetta aka Mr Brainwash (a name you might be familiar with through his gonzo Banksy meta-documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop) whose vibe is about bringing positivity and hope through art.

Find it at: 465 N Beverly Drive

Rent an incredible ride

To get around in style, hit up the exotic car experts at Beverly Hills Car Rental and hire a Ferrari F8 for $2500 per day or even hire a driver while you’re in town.

Go full Beverly Hills with a luxury car rental

Main section image: The Virginia Robinson Gardens (provided).

When it comes to hotels in the greater Los Angeles area, you’re looking at some true icons like The Hollywood Roosevelt and Chateau Marmont as well as more contemporary pearlers like Pendry West Hollywood or Santa Monica Proper.

But when it comes to Beverly Hills hotels, they don’t come much more beloved than the Beverly Wilshire. Completed in 1928, not only is it “the Pretty Woman hotel”, it has also played home to the likes of Elvis Presley and John Lennon.

Start the day with a breakfast THE BVRLY and enjoy an al fresco refreshment with a view right up Rodeo; see the championship rings at Jason of Beverly Hills; get a 5-star treatment at The Spa at Beverly Wilshire; finish the day at CUT, a Michelin-starred steakhouse with a contemporary twist.

The entry to CUT at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel.

If you want to go all-out, there are few cities in the world where you can do quite like Beverly Hills.

From the most high end of high end shopping, head-turning celebrity sightings and fine dining, it’s truly an endlessly entertaining playground for those ready to splash the cash and experience real luxury. Because if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it properly.

You can fly direct to Los Angeles from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane on United Airlines.

Words by Claire Bracken, who travelled as a guest of the City of Beverly Hills.

Top image: Poolside at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.