All products featured on Ethos have been independently selected by our editorial team.
When you buy something through our links, Ethos may earn an affiliate commission.
From eco-hotels and restaurants to the city’s iconic parks here’s why Los Angeles is the most sustainable travel destination.
Los Angeles is a city of contradictions, where Teslas idle in traffic jams and coastal hikes end at wellness cafés serving $17 mushroom lattes. But beneath the celebrity sheen and freeways, the sprawling metropolis is quietly rewilding itself. From backyard pollinator gardens in Highland Park to marine restoration zones off the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the entire city has been designated a certified wildlife habitat. LA isn’t just greening its image — it’s literally growing one.
And while coyotes roam Griffith Park and wildflowers reclaim freeway medians, the city’s style scene is evolving too. Vrai’s new flagship offers lab-grown diamonds in minimalist settings, while vintage dealers from Silver Lake to Venice Beach are redefining what it means to shop sustainably. There’s no single way to “do” LA — but the city’s new blueprint blends climate consciousness with cool, one compost bin and couture capsule at a time.
Where to stay
The most sustainable stays don’t compromise on comfort, either.
Four Seasons Beverly Hills
The Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills offers a luxurious experience with a blend of California charm and Hollywood glamour. The 285-room property focuses heavily on outdoor living with its patios, gardens, and dining areas designed to capture the essence of Southern California’s lifestyle. In addition to its luxury accommodations, the hotel incorporates several sustainable initiatives such as sourcing local and organic ingredients for its dining services, reusable amenities, such as glass water bottles, eco-friendly toiletries, and reducing plastic waste. It also features a range of energy-efficient solutions across its guest rooms and facilities, aiming to minimize resource consumption without compromising guest comfort.
Enjoy the saltwater pool, spa, or a leisurely stroll down to the shops on Rodeo Drive.
The Conrad, Downtown LA
Legendary architect Frank Gehry designed the sustainable Conrad Hotel situated across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which he also designed. Interior design by Tara Bernerd & Partners gives LA’s newest luxury hotel a timeless feel. José Andrés restaurants provide delicious coastal-inspired dining with fresh local ingredients. Enjoy a dip in the pool, sip cocktails at the rooftop terrace, and re-energize with a facial and a steam at the spa.
The Shore Hotel, Santa Monica
Let the ocean views offered by the boutique Shore Hotel remind you why your choice matters. The LEED Gold Certified hotel is a leader in eco-luxury.
Enjoy the eco amenities: the pool is solar-heated (from the roof panels!), sustainable Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood furniture, LED lighting, low VOC paint, and carpeting.
Even the elevator pulley system is designed to save up to 75 percent more energy than conventional elevators. Who knew that was even an option?
The Terranea Resort, Palos Verdes
A few miles south of LAX airport lies the greater LA basin’s only eco-resort. Terranea sits on 102 acres of oceanfront property at the edge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
The luxury resort says it “embraces a continuous interplay with nature and the coastal habitat of the Pacific Ocean.” In addition to green best practices in rooms and across facilities, it works with local conservation groups, grows some of its own food, and maintains more than 14 acres of wildlife habitat surrounding the resort.
Enjoy pool time, spa day, coastal strolls, or a dip in the saltwater pools.
Viceroy L’Ermitage, Beverly Hills
The luxury accommodations at Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills are only enhanced by its sustainability commitments. The hotel says it consciously employs practices aimed at helping the surroundings flourish and reduce the hotel’s footprint.
Sustainable practices include low-flow water fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, recycling and composting, and green purchasing policies. It also partners with influencers across social platforms to make an impact by supporting various charities.
Visit the spa for a little personal sustainability, relax by the pool, or enjoy a healthy meal made with fresh, local ingredients.
Where to eat
There’s no shortage of dining options in Los Angeles, but make sure you visit these spots.
Crossroads Kitchen
Get your dose of celeb sightings and one of the best meals around at chef Tal Ronnen’s Crossroads Kitchen in West Hollywood or the new location in Calabasas. The plant-based restaurant is the place to be for great food and ambient vibes.
With a rotating menu that embraces seasonal produce stars, vegan Impossible meat, and Kite Hill cheese, it’s a sustainable menu bursting with flavor and creativity. Forgot to make a reservation? Grab a seat at the bar where you can order off of the menu and peek at all the vegan, organic, and biodynamic wine offerings.
Planta Cocina
With its first LA location, the Toronto-based Planta’s large and inviting indoor-outdoor space sits along the waterfront at Boardwalk Marina Del Rey Shops. Dive into pan-Latin-inspired dishes including tostadas, tacos, queso fundido, pizza, sushi, and more. Sip on creative concoctions from the bar and save room for dessert with showstoppers like the churro cheesecake.
Civico 2064
Located in Los Feliz, Civico offers an innovative take on traditional Italian cuisine with a strong emphasis on vegan options. Founded by brothers Dario and Pietro Gallo as a sister restaurant to Civico 1845 in San Diego, this spot merges Calabrian culinary heritage with modern, plant-based elements. About half of its menu caters to plant-forward dishes, including a breaded eggplant Milanese, spicy rigatoni puttanesca, and a traditional bolognese made with vegan Impossible meat.
The restaurant is committed to sustainability, sourcing fresh seasonal produce from local suppliers such as Orto Farm. The dining experience is further enhanced by the restaurant’s design, blending rustic aesthetics with modern touches, inspired by the Arte Povera movement, using reclaimed materials throughout its interiors.
Bacari
Bacari is a small‑plates Mediterranean chain with locations spanning the city. It specializes in Venetian‑style cicchetti served alongside a curated selection of small‑production wines, craft cocktails, and beers. Each outpost is known for its charming, plant‑filled patios — with the Silver Lake and West Third locations frequently hailed for their treehouse‑like outdoor spaces. The menu offers a variety of Mediterranean and Italian‑influenced shareables alongside brunch and late‑night options in a warm, casual‑dining experience that blends cozy ambiance, flavorful dishes, and social drink specials.
What to do
Maybe you’re just here for the perfect beach weather. But there’s lots more on offer in the city.
Natural attractions
From the tide pools of Malibu (they are a must!) to the trails of Griffith Park, Los Angeles is a natural wonder. Enjoy it all — Lake Hollywood, hikes to the sign, the beaches, the tide pools.
It’s easy to see how Los Angeles became the largest city to receive the certified Wildlife Habitat status. Even strolling through the neighborhoods is a sight: hundreds of migratory and local bird species, deer, coyote, bobcats, skunks, and bears all make their homes here. It’s also a big pit-stop for migrating Monarch butterflies.
The Row DTLA
Support local businesses and enjoy a slice of LA history at The Row — the 32-acre outdoor retail center in the LA Arts District. The Row is home to a collection of sustainable and vintage fashion boutiques as well as the ongoing residency for The Pickwick Vintage Show — a must-visit for vintage and eco fashion lovers.
Grab an oat milk latte from Go Get ‘Em Tiger. The Fashion speakeasy Bodega is a multi-dimensional concept store fusing art, fashion, and design. LVIR offers modern and natural styles to represent a comfortable and stereoscopic style.
Erewhon
Adding a grocery store to the list may seem like an odd choice, but this is Erewhon we’re talking about. The chain just received its certified B Corp status and it’s home to all manner of local goods you’ll want to try out. You’ll find mostly organic produce on offer and the freshest baked local bread and pastries.
Explore local artisan-crafted ready meals, SoCal-made tempeh, and dairy-free cheeses. Enjoy a lunch outside any of its locations (Silver Lake, Beverly Hills, Venice, Santa Monica, Calabasas, Pacific Palisades, and Pasadena), or grab it to go and head to the beach for a perfectly delicious picnic.
Eco shopping
It wouldn’t be a sustainable trip to Los Angeles without some shopping — but make it eco. Head to West Hollywood for sustainable secondhand shopping at The RealReal where you can shop top-tier labels for a fraction of the price. Or head to Reformation, the label that incorporates deadstock materials and renewables across its range. The LA-based brand embraces slow fashion, fair wages, and environmental responsibility. Try to grab Taylor Swift’s favorite dress, spy the latest looks in denim, seasonal collections, and its newest activewear.
Spa Day
The hustle can take its toll. Whether it’s 405 traffic, spending your nights on the dance floor, or long days on the beach, relax and unwind in LA’s best spas. Try Ole Henriksen for a complete day of pampering from head to toe.
For facial lovers, you’re also in luck as Los Angeles is home to the best facial — hands down — at Being In LA located in the trendy heart of Silver Lake. There, founder and skin whisperer, Jenette Serrins, works wonders on your skin intuitively and precisely. Be sure to stock up on her delicious handmade Jenette skincare products to keep the glow long after your visit.
The bustle of Los Angeles too much? Check out our guide to sustainable travel destinations in Santa Barbara.
Related on Ethos:
