If you were to judge Santa Monica by its most iconic site, a cacophonous pier bursting with amusement park rides and stands that sell fishing tackle, you’d think it was all about kitschy fun. But steps away from the tourist haunts lies a sometimes laid-back and beachy, other times arty locale. Most recently, it’s a neighbourhood that’s rebuilding, with a cluster of new luxury developments that are breathing new life to an area hit hard by January’s devastating fires in the nearby Pacific Palisades. The Regent, a five star with roots in Asia which recently opened its only North American outpost steps from that iconic pier, offers a respite through restorative ocean views, and a new layer of sophistication.

From new designer storefronts to enduring cultural hotspots that, here’s a roundup to make your next trip to Los Angeles’s west side feel like the first time.

Where to Stay: The Regent Santa Monica

Film buffs will remember The Regent’s first iteration as the glamorous Beverly Hills hotel central to Pretty Woman’s rags-to-riches plotline, and its new incarnation—the chain’s only outpost in North America—is nothing less cinematic. With guestrooms starting at 720 square feet, the hotel blends coastal glamour with modern refinement: think towering brass sculptures and curved seating in the lobby, floor-to-ceiling Calacatta marble in the bathrooms, and sweeping Pacific views from both the oversized rooms and the rooftop pool deck. Despite being just steps from the iconic boardwalk, the property feels like a serene escape, which you’ll especially ease into with a luxe treatment at the Guerlain Spa (another first for the Western seaboard). To take relaxation to the next level, try the four-handed massage, which is performed by two therapists simultaneously.

Where to Fine Dine: Orla by Michael Mina

Amidst The Regent’s dining offerings is the latest from Michelin starred chef Michael Mina, who brings his Egyptian roots to life with Orla, located within the hotel’s airy jewel box atrium. The cuisine is California meets the Mediterranean—tuna sashimi topped falafel, black truffle saganaki, and mains that are meant to be shared, like an overflowing kebab platter of filet mignon, lamb kofta, chicken dolmas and perfectly spiced sides. Nearby, its seductive sister bar offers similarly inspired nightcaps, like the Magic Carpet Ride (vodka, rose petals and hibiscus orange blossom).

Where to Indulge: Cossetta

A sleek pizzeria in an industrial complex near the airport? That’s so L.A. (Granted, the Santa Monica Airport is more of an arts and culture venue these days, and the indoors feels more like a breezy Italian patio.) Cossetta is a new spot on the west side that blends the chewy goodness of classic Neapolitan pies with an imaginative raw bar—Nonna’s caponata is reimagined with yellowtail, for example—and seriously amazing Negronis.

What to See: The Getty Villa

This legendarily opulent villa was miraculously saved from the Palisades fires which reached its grounds, and thank goodness: it’s home to one of the world’s most important collections of Greek and Roman antiquities care of famed billionaire J. Paul Getty, its founder (its sister, the modernist Getty Museum is also a must-see and located in nearby Brentwood). With columned courtyards, reflecting pools, and terraced gardens that overlook the ocean, The Getty Villa feels like both a sanctuary for ancient art and a little bit of Europe, right in Malibu.

Where to Get (more) Cultured: Bergamot Station Arts Center

The Bergamot Station Arts Center, a sprawling former warehouse complex houses dozens of galleries to explore, from the blue-chip Leslie Sacks Gallery that exhibits the likes of Jeff Koons, Alice Neel and Alex Katz, to experimental up and comers showing the latest in contemporary art. The open-air courtyards make for the ideal raw framework for rotating exhibits that seem to always bring something new to the hood.

Where to Shop + Experience: The Circular Library

Also on Abbott Kinney, The Circular Library, a concept shop features sustainable collections, whether transformed from deadstock fabrics, or made new with a strict set of guidelines that offset waste, like the ethical Korean brand, Le Cashmere. Beyond shopping, it’s a hub for circular conversation, offering workshops on how to repair and upcycle your clothing, creating artwork out of reclaimed clay and more.

Feature image by Tanveer Badal.