Top 15 Things To Do in Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is often shorthand for luxury, but skim past the shopfronts and the city becomes a compact launchpad for a surprising range of outdoor experiences. From morning e-bike loops and walking tours through palm-lined streets to short drives that open onto coastal boat tours and surf breaks, the neighborhood is a pivot point between urban sightseeing and coastal water activities. Rent a bike or e-bike for a breezy spin to nearby parks, join a photography tour to capture iconic architecture and sunset light, or take a boat rental from a nearby marina to trade storefronts for sea air. For travelers who favor curated access, city tours and bus tours translate local culture into routes that are easy to follow; for hands-on adventurers, kayak and SUP options, surf lessons, and wildlife-watching boat trips are all within reach. This guide stitches those strands together—practical, navigable, and tailored to travelers who want to layer a bit of adventure onto a famously glamorous address.
Top 15 Things To Do in Beverly Hills
Ranked by number of available trips • Each activity type links to all experiences
Why Beverly Hills Belongs on Your Adventure Shortlist
Beverly Hills is a city that rewards curiosity. The headline attractions—Rodeo Drive, manicured parks, palm-lined boulevards—are the approachable surface of a place that doubles as a microhub for Los Angeles’s sprawling outdoor palette. Drive ten minutes west and you can stand where concrete meets surf; head north onto Mulholland and you’re chasing ridgeline views that look over the basin to the ocean. That compressed geography turns the neighborhood into a day-planner’s dream: morning on a guided walking tour through architectural landmarks, midday on a photography tour along scenic stretches, and late afternoon paddling out from a nearby marina or catching a surf lesson as twilight arrives. The contrast is part of the appeal—glossy storefronts and quiet, shady parks in one neighborhood, then the roar of surf and the open horizon not far beyond.
There’s also a civic texture that makes outdoor activities easy to access. Outfitters and tour operators stage from nearby beaches and marinas, offering boat tours, boat rental, and wildlife-watching trips that target local seal rookeries and migratory birds. E-bike and bike rentals make short, scenic loops practical without a car, and guided bike tours and bus tours translate LA’s sprawl into digestible sections. For photographers and culture-seekers, curated photography tours pair golden-hour light with architectural detail; for families, gentle walking tours and calm water activities provide low-stress ways to be outside. The diversity of options means you can dial the day to your energy: a calm morning walking tour with a late-afternoon surf; a sunrise airplane tour of the coastline followed by a relaxed lunch and a marina stroll.
Beyond logistics, there’s a psychological benefit to Beverly Hills’ scale. It’s possible to craft a full outdoor day without committing to a long, complicated drive. That accessibility invites experimentation—try a quick e-bike route one day and a guided boat tour the next. It also flattens barriers for travelers who want the comforts of urban lodging with the payoff of immediate access to water activities, bike tours, and scenic drives. If you’re planning to use Beverly Hills as basecamp for a Southern California exploration, stack your itinerary around short transit windows: dawn flights or airplane tours, late-morning bike loops, midafternoon coastal paddling, and sunset drives on Mulholland. Practical planning—reservations for popular boat tours, surf lesson windows, and e-bike availability—keeps those windows wide open.
Proximity is the ace here: in under 30 minutes you can trade palm-lined avenues for a marina dock, a surf lineup, or a ridgeline overlook. Outfitters in and near Beverly Hills simplify logistics—shuttles to beaches, secure bike storage, and photography tours timed for golden hour.
Layer the urban and natural: spend mornings on a city tour or museum visit and afternoons on water activities or a short scenic drive. Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer softened crowds and mild temperatures that are ideal for walking tours, bike excursions, and boat-based wildlife viewing.
Best Time to Visit
Best Months
Weather Notes
Spring and fall offer mild temperatures and steady marine influence; summer is warm with busy beaches and consistent surf; winters are mild and generally ideal for walking tours and off-peak sightseeing.
Peak Season
Summer months (June–August) and holiday weekends—expect busier beaches and higher demand for boat rental, surf lessons, and guided tours.
Off-Season Opportunities
Late fall through winter weekdays bring lower lodging rates and thinner crowds; ideal for photography tours, walking tours, and scenic drives when light is crisp and traffic is lighter.
Choose Your Adventure Level
Beginner
Short, easy activities that require little gear or prior experience: self-guided city walks, mellow bike loops on flat streets, and introductory boat tours or calm-water paddles.
- Walking tour of Beverly Hills landmarks and gardens
- Morning e-bike rental loop to a local park
- Half-day sightseeing boat tour from Marina del Rey
Intermediate
Activities that require planning and a moderate comfort level: guided bike tours in varied traffic, surf lessons with progressive conditions, or multi-site photography tours.
- Guided bike tour linking Beverly Hills to Santa Monica
- Surf lesson at a nearby beach with changing swell
- Boat rental for a self-guided coastal wildlife trip
Advanced
Higher-skill outings needing experience or a guided operator: open-water paddling, advanced surf sessions, and airplane or seaplane excursions that require booking and some tolerance for exposure.
- Open-water SUP or kayak from a marina
- Advanced surf sessions off local reefs
- Chartered airplane or helicopter coastal flight
What to Bring
Essential
- Sun protection (hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses)
- Reusable water bottle and small daypack
- Comfortable walking shoes or supportive sneakers
- Light layers for coastal breeze and evening cool-down
- Phone with maps and contact details for bookings
Recommended
- Compact camera or smartphone gimbal for photography tours
- Windbreaker or light shell for boat trips
- Secure, lockable bag for valuables during beach or city stops
- Comfortable cycling clothes and a helmet for rentals or guided bike tours
Optional
- Binoculars for wildlife-watching from boats or shoreline
- Water-appropriate footwear for short boat-to-beach transfers
- Dry bag for electronics on boat rentals or SUP outings
Insider Tips & Local Knowledge
Verify operator schedules, closure notices, and tide conditions before you go.
Beat peak beach and tour crowds by booking morning slots or weekday departures. Reserve boat tours, surf lessons, and photography tours in advance—operators often fill early in summer. For coastal launches, check tide and swell reports and pack layered clothing for wind and sea spray. Use e-bikes to bridge neighborhoods and avoid parking headaches in high-demand areas; for longer coastal adventures, consider a short rideshare to the marina. If wildlife viewing is a priority, check local operator itineraries—seasonal migrations and nesting sites affect where boats go. Finally, respect private property and posted signage in residential neighborhoods when on walking or bike tours; many of the most photogenic streets are active, lived-in communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do most activities without a guide?
Yes. Many city tours, walking tours, and bike rentals are self-guided or accompanied by easy-to-follow maps. For boat tours, wildlife outings, surf lessons, or airplane/coastal flights, a guide or operator is recommended for safety and local knowledge.
How do I get from Beverly Hills to the nearest marina or surf breaks?
Marina del Rey and Santa Monica are 20–35 minutes by car depending on traffic. E-bike or bike tours can reach nearby parks and certain waterfront neighborhoods, but for most boat rentals and surf lessons a short drive or rideshare is the most practical option.
Are family-friendly water activities available nearby?
Yes. Many operators offer calm-water boat tours, gentle SUP sessions, and beginner surf lessons suited to families. Book in advance during summer weekends.