Santa Monica’s outdoor rooftop restaurant Elephante is a beach-adjacent gem. Heat lamps are strategically placed to warm diners from the cool ocean air. Though the cactus garden room is gorgeous, the sunset room has ocean-viewable seats. The menu reads Italian but leans Californian with a gem salad and spinach alongside the wood-fired burrata pizza, fusilli pasta, and grilled octopus.

When entering Terra at Eataly’s fifth-floor location, take a deep breath and take in the delicious scents emanating from the wood-fired grill. Next, turn around to observe the view. It’s far more than a glance at the Westfield Century City. Check out the metropolis's sightlines, hills, and blue sky while eating burrata, pasta, and grilled meats and vegetables. Terra also has a reasonable tasting menu for $65 per person.

The Strand House is a dining staple not just for Manhattan Beach, but the entire South Bay. The two-level restaurant is barely a block away from the ocean. Most seats are ideal for watching the Pacific and its well-trafficked walking area called the Strand. This is the spot for date night views of surf and sunset, paired with crowd-pleasing dishes like grilled octopus or bone-in ribeye with miso potato mille-feuille conceived by chef Chris Park.

Harriet’s in the 1 Hotel West Hollywood has one of LA’s most stunning views. This Sunset Strip lounge is open late, where cocktails are paired with snacks for those seeking cocktails or a meal under the SoCal sky, including charcuterie, salmon flatbreads, a short rib French dip, and a Maine lobster roll.

For decades, the Mondrian has continued to attract visitors to its iconic Sunset Strip location. It’s got glitz and glam in droves, especially now that the Tulum-inspired Casa Madera has taken over the rooftop. The menu ranges for every type of diner, with chicken al pastor taco platters alongside a 44-ounce bone-in Wagyu tomahawk for $295. But the views are truly exceptional.

After enjoying the skyline views, stop into a Häagen-Dazs®️ Shop and try their latest creation, the New York Strawberry Cheesecake Dazzler. Featuring the new ice cream flavor from Häagen-Dazs®️ – creamy cheesecake ice cream, with a swirl of sweet strawberry sauce and graham cracker pieces – layered with fresh strawberries and graham cracker pieces, topped with whipped cream and a strawberry garnish. Indulge in the new flavor at Häagen-Dazs®️, like this one at The Grove.

The candles and low light are a particularly lovely touch when dining at Mother Tongue during evening hours. Daytime is also a pleasant experience on the fifth floor just above the 75,000-square-foot fitness club Heimat. Michael Mina’s restaurant has gorgeous views while serving crowds centered on specific dietary needs, including those who follow keto, anti-inflammatory, gluten-free, vegetarian, and plant-based dining.

LA’s legendary Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne created a restaurant with one of the best views of the Hollywood Bowl and the surrounding mountains. The Backyard utilizes two wood-burning grills to prepare crusty house-made bread, whole sea bream, grilled asparagus with farro tabbouleh, and some outstanding mac and cheese.

Sendero contains two restaurants at the moment on the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton, with plans to open more in the future. Its best feature is that it sports views of the Downtown skyline and beyond. Try the steakhouse fare at Leña or a la carte Latin American dishes from Corteza for chef Kevin Luzande’s menus that track his travels throughout Central and South America.

Above the bustling Downtown is The Rooftop at the Wayfarer. At the right hour, the setting can be quite peaceful. The restaurant closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday or midnight on weekends, making it a good late-night hangout in Downtown. Brunch is also available, with fish and chips made with cornmeal-crusted branzino, chicken and waffles, cocktails, and more.

Go to Cara Cara on the top floor of the Proper Hotel for the Downtown LA views, a dip in the pool, chef Suzanne Goin’s food — or all three. Goin’s piri piri fried chicken, tacos, and focaccia are particularly delicious, showcasing the chef’s instinct for using fresh seasonal ingredients.

Inside the Conrad Los Angeles hotel is chef José Andrés Downtown spot, San Laurel. It sports views of the San Gabriel Mountains and a terrific perch before a Walt Disney Concert Hall show. Spanish food rules the menu with dishes like the fennel soup made with crab and Manchego foam and a lobster salpicon. The staff prepares other specialties like the mole rack of lamb, but the tasting menu is its own experience.

At the southern tip of LA County is Long Beach’s Ballast Point. A true waterfront brewery and restaurant is a Long Beach go-to with craft beers and extensive seaside views to go with the small bites like calamari or barbecued shrimp, salads, pizzas, burgers, and a hearty plate of Szechuan glazed ribs.