Things to Do in Beverly Hills Beyond Rodeo Drive
Rodeo Drive may be Beverly Hills’ most recognizable address, but the city itself extends far beyond luxury storefronts and designer flagships.
Behind the polished façades and palm-lined streets is a quieter side of Beverly Hills, one shaped by historic estates, hidden gardens, neighborhood cafés, architecture, and cultural landmarks that often go unnoticed by first-time visitors.
For travelers wondering what to do in Beverly Hills beyond shopping, the answer lies in slowing down and exploring the city beyond its most photographed corners. From peaceful residential streets to historic attractions and scenic drives, Beverly Hills offers a version of Los Angeles that feels more relaxed, refined, and residential.
For guests staying at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, many of these experiences are just minutes away, making it easy to explore the neighborhood at a more considered pace.
Start the Morning at Beverly Gardens Park
One of the best things to see in Beverly Hills CA is also one of its simplest.
Stretching along Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Gardens Park offers a quieter way to experience the city away from the energy of Rodeo Drive. The park runs for more than a mile through Beverly Hills and connects gardens, fountains, walking paths, and public art installations.
The iconic Beverly Hills sign remains one of the most photographed landmarks in the neighborhood, but the park itself is worth exploring beyond the photo stop.
Visitors will also find:
- The historic Lily Pond
- Sculptures and seasonal gardens
- Tree-lined walking paths
- Open green spaces ideal for slower mornings
For first-time visitors, it’s an easy introduction to the residential atmosphere that defines much of Beverly Hills beyond its retail districts.
Explore Greystone Mansion and Gardens
For travelers searching for Beverly Hills tourist attractions with history and architecture, Greystone Mansion offers one of the city’s most distinctive experiences.
Located in the hills above Beverly Hills, the estate combines formal gardens, stone pathways, fountains, and panoramic views overlooking Los Angeles.
The mansion itself has appeared in countless films and television productions, but the grounds remain surprisingly peaceful during the day. Visitors can wander through landscaped gardens and explore one of the city’s most historic properties without needing to leave Beverly Hills.
What makes Greystone different from many Los Angeles attractions is the atmosphere. Despite being only minutes from central Beverly Hills, it feels removed from the pace of the city below.
Spend an Afternoon Along Canon Drive
While Rodeo Drive draws international attention, Canon Drive offers a more local perspective on Beverly Hills.
The street is lined with cafés, restaurants, and outdoor patios that feel calmer and more residential than the city’s major shopping corridors. It’s one of the best areas to slow down between sightseeing stops or enjoy a long lunch beneath the palm trees.
Visitors will find a mix of long-standing Beverly Hills favorites and stylish neighborhood cafés throughout the area. Stop for coffee and pastries at Alfred Coffee, enjoy classic Italian dishes and celebrity-spotting at Il Pastaio, or settle into the garden patio at The Honor Bar for a more relaxed afternoon meal.
Guests staying at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills can also continue the experience back at the hotel with dining options designed around the same slower Beverly Hills rhythm.Costa Covo brings coastal Mediterranean cuisine and California ingredients together in an elegant, residential-style setting, while rooftop lounge Poza offers cocktails, small plates, and panoramic views across Los Angeles.
For lighter lunches and café culture, visitors also gravitate toward Avra Beverly Hills and La Colombe Coffee Roasters nearby, both popular spots for lingering between shopping, sightseeing, and afternoon walks.
The slower pace throughout Canon Drive creates a more neighborhood-focused atmosphere, particularly during weekday mornings and afternoons.
For visitors deciding what to do in Beverly Hills during a relaxed afternoon, simply walking through the surrounding streets often becomes part of the experience.
Visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Just a short drive from Beverly Hills, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures offers one of the most significant cultural attractions in Los Angeles.
The museum explores the history of film through exhibitions, costumes, props, and rotating installations connected to Hollywood and global cinema.
For visitors interested in experiencing Los Angeles beyond shopping and celebrity landmarks, the museum provides a more cultural perspective on the entertainment industry that shaped the city.
Highlights include:
- Classic Hollywood memorabilia
- Film exhibitions and archives
- Temporary installations and screenings
- Views across Los Angeles from the museum terrace
Its location also makes it easy to combine with a wider day exploring Beverly Hills and nearby neighborhoods.
Drive Through the Beverly Hills Residential Streets
Some of the most memorable things to do in Beverly Hills involve simply exploring the streets beyond the main commercial areas.
North of Sunset Boulevard, quiet residential roads wind through landscaped hillsides lined with historic estates, modern architecture, and mature palm trees. The pace shifts noticeably here, offering a side of Beverly Hills that feels private and understated.
Unlike more crowded parts of Los Angeles, these streets are defined by space, greenery, and calm.
For many visitors, this becomes the version of Beverly Hills that feels most recognizable, elegant homes, curved roads, and the slower atmosphere often associated with classic Los Angeles.
Discover Art and Culture at The Wallis
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts adds another dimension to Beverly Hills attractions.
Located within a restored historic post office building, The Wallis hosts:
- Live theater performances
- Dance productions
- Music events
- Cultural programming throughout the year
The venue blends historic architecture with contemporary performance spaces, creating an experience that feels both local and distinctly Los Angeles.
For visitors spending multiple days in Beverly Hills, checking the performance calendar can offer a different way to experience the city after dark.
See Beverly Hills at Golden Hour
As the afternoon transitions into evening, Beverly Hills takes on a noticeably calmer rhythm.
Palm-lined streets soften in the evening light, outdoor patios begin to fill, and the city becomes quieter compared to nearby areas like West Hollywood or Hollywood.
Some of the best ways to experience Beverly Hills in the evening include:
- Walking through Beverly Gardens Park at sunset
- Dining outdoors along Canon Drive
- Exploring nearby rooftop restaurants and lounges
- Taking a scenic drive through the hills above Sunset Boulevard
This slower pace is part of what separates Beverly Hills from other parts of Los Angeles.
Where to Stay in Beverly Hills
Exploring Beverly Hills beyond Rodeo Drive becomes easier when staying within the neighborhood itself.
L’Ermitage Beverly Hills offers a more residential approach to Los Angeles hospitality, combining all-suite accommodations with a quieter location just moments from the city’s major attractions.
Guests can easily access:
- Rodeo Drive
- Beverly Gardens Park
- West Hollywood
- Sunset Boulevard
- Museums and cultural attractions across Los Angeles
At the same time, the hotel offers a sense of privacy and calm that reflects the surrounding neighborhood.
For visitors looking for things to do in Beverly Hills while experiencing a more refined side of Los Angeles, staying centrally within the neighborhood creates a more seamless way to explore.
Experience a Different Side of Beverly Hills
Beyond Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills reveals a more layered version of Los Angeles, one shaped by architecture, gardens, culture, and quieter streets that often leave a stronger impression than the city’s most photographed landmarks.
From Greystone Mansion to Canon Drive cafés and evening walks beneath the palms, the neighborhood offers experiences that feel more connected to the rhythm of the city itself.
Staying at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills places visitors within easy reach of these experiences while offering a more refined and residential retreat from the pace of the city. With spacious all-suite accommodations, rooftop dining, and a quieter Beverly Hills setting, the hotel reflects the same sense of balance that defines the neighborhood itself.
For travelers looking to experience Beverly Hills beyond shopping alone, this side of the neighborhood offers a slower, more considered perspective on Los Angeles.
