Smart Meetings

Beverly Hills' character is a blend of European sophistication and California casual.  And its reputation for people watching—easy with all the outdoor dining—is richly deserved.  If you plan an outdoor lunch for your group, expect to see a mélange of fashionistas, talent agents, everyday people doing their shopping as well as international visitors.

On these six square miles, Beverly Hills also has a number of lovely parks and gardens where you can hold an event.  For example, there's the two-mile strip known as Beverly Gardens that parallels Santa Monica Boulevard on the north side ending with a gorgeous early 20th-century tiled fountain at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard ( across from the Beverly Hilton).

While you won't find the traditional freestanding major meetings venue here, there are some unique venues to consider. Museum of Television and Radio (mtr.org) for its theater, rooftop and seminar rooms. Also the Spanish Renaissance-style City Hall has some great space.

One of the city's best kept secrets is Greystone Estate (beverlyhillsbehere.com) a 38,470-square-foot-mansion that sits on hillside acreage overlooking not only Beverly Hills buy much of the Los Angeles basin. You've seen it in a number of popular films, Spiderman, What Women Want, Ghostbusters, The Bodyguard and X-Men, just to name a few recent releases. Greystone was also the longtime home of the American Film Institute. Access for your event of up to 200 persons in the lovely gardens, pool area and courtyards can be arranged through the city which owns the property.

Beverly Hills also has another former private home in a six-acre sylvan setting that is open for a group event, the Virgina Robinson Gardens (robinson-gardens.com). Both properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Getting There

LAX (lawa.org), with eight terminals, is one of the world's busiest airports. To get from LAX to downtown, the FlyAway (lawa.org) bus service to downtown's Union Station.

Bob Hope Airport (bobhopeairport.com) in Burbank has nine on- and off-airport car rental companies, shuttles, hotel shuttles and taxis. An airport shuttle can take you from the curb to the nearby Amtrak station for connections to downtown.

Long Beach Airport (longbeach.gov) handles four carriers, including jetBlue Airways, which is not at LAX. It is about 25 miles from downtown and has cab and shuttle service.

Not To Be Missed

The Beverly Hills Trolley - (beverlyhills.org) runs every Saturday throughout the year. 

Peninsula Spa  - uses Shiffa products made of powdered precious gems like emeralds and rubies.

Sprinkles - (sprinklescupcakes.com)  a selection of famous cupcakes.