Ease into Downtown's Historic Core with an early wander before the heat climbs (it hits 95°F/35°C by afternoon, so move now). Grab a legendary French-dipped sandwich at Philippe The Original, a 1908 institution with sawdust floors and communal tables, ideal for a group and welcoming to well-behaved dogs on the outdoor benches. If Philippe The Original is fully booked or closed, try Bottega Louie nearby for a quick bite.

Duck into the air-conditioned calm of The Broad for contemporary art (free general admission, reserve timed entry online). The Infinity Mirror Room alone rewards the trip, and the plaza outside is dog-friendly for anyone tapping out. Reserve free timed-entry tickets online well ahead; arrive before 9am or after 4pm to avoid weekend crowds. Rainy day alternative: the galleries here are entirely indoor, so this stop works in any weather.

Golden hour calls for Perch, a rooftop bistro overlooking the Downtown skyline. Order small plates and a cocktail as the Art Deco spires light up. Dogs aren't allowed on the rooftop, so this is a leave-the-pup-at-the-hotel stop. Rainy day alternative: head indoors to Bottega Louie for pastries and a glass of wine. If Perch is fully booked or closed, try The Lexington Bar nearby.

Dinner as street food, done right: head to BROKEN MOUTH | Lee's Homestyle for Hawaiian-Korean plates in a tiny, beloved counter spot (check current hours, it fills fast). If it's fully booked or closed, try Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs nearby. Then descend into Rhythm Room L.A, an intimate basement jazz-and-soul room on 6th Street, for a late, low-lit set.

Beat the heat with an early stroll toward the Lovers Bench near Bixel Street, a quiet hillside perch with skyline views just northwest of Downtown. It's leashed-dog friendly and popular but rarely busy before mid-morning. (Note: driving from Toronto is roughly 37 hours / 4,055 km, so nearly everyone flies, more on that below.) Rainy day alternative: duck into The Broad's indoor galleries instead.

Quick eats at a warm Vietnamese street-food spot near Hoover Street serving bún and comfort plates (check current hours). If that's closed, try Philippe The Original for a French-dipped sandwich instead. Then cool off inside Hidden History Museum on West Jefferson, an offbeat, story-rich collection that rewards the curious traveler over the box-ticker (confirm hours before visiting).

Wind toward a quiet skyline overlook as the light softens, then settle in at Bottega Louie on Grand Avenue for an afternoon pick-me-up. Bring water; even at dusk it stays warm (low around 77°F/25°C). Rainy day alternative: the café interior is a comfortable indoor refuge.

Dinner in the Arts District at Manuela, a chef-driven Southern-Californian spot with a leafy, dog-friendly patio suited to a group. If Manuela is fully booked or closed, try Philippe The Original nearby. After, walk to The Lexington Bar on 3rd Street for late cocktails in a moody, low-key room.

Start with counter-style brunch and pastries at Bottega Louie on Grand Avenue, bright, buzzy, and built for a table of friends (arrive before 9am or after 4pm to avoid weekend crowds, the line grows fast). If Bottega Louie is fully booked or closed, try Philippe The Original nearby. Then take a short walk through the Historic Core past the Art Deco towers along Grand Avenue and Hill Street, worth craning your neck for.

A final unhurried bite: corn dogs and people-watching at Two Hands Seoul Fresh Corn Dogs in Koreatown (check current hours), an easy, group-friendly send-off before you head to the airport. If it's closed, try Philippe The Original nearby.

Aim to leave Downtown by 1:00 PM for your flight out of LAX (Los Angeles International Airport), roughly 45 to 75 minutes via the I-110 South to I-105 West with weekend traffic. Nonstop flights back to Toronto Pearson run about 5 hours. If you have extra time, detour along Exposition Boulevard past the museums en route south.