West Hollywood’s Neighborhoods
Located in sunny Southern California in Los Angeles County, West Hollywood is a 1.9 square mile city situated between glitzy Beverly Hills on the west and funky Hollywood to the east; a destination often referred to as the “playground of the stars” due to its entertainment industry influences and its southern-position at the base of the Hollywood Hills, a hilly area dotted with celebrity homes. West Hollywood’s central location truly makes it the essence of all things ‘hip and happening’ and having just celebrated its 23rd year of official city-dom, a young city as well, adding to the progressive and creative nature of City Government, residents, and visitors to the area.
West Hollywood is comprised of a distinct variety of neighborhoods for such small square mileage and a population of 39,000. Think you can’t walk in LA? West Hollywood is the only walkable city in LA; you can move easily from Sunset Boulevard to Santa Monica Boulevard’s gay and Russian communities, and south to the Avenues of Art & Design District, and you may spot several celebrity homes along the way. Combined, West Hollywood’s unique history, venues, and energy create a community atmosphere unlike any other.
The famed Sunset Strip
Located at the base of the western-most Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Strip on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California, is legendary for its history, glamour, and for showing guests an extraordinarily good time. Though well recognized in movies like “Sunset Boulevard” or television shows like “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” visitors who have experienced this rock n’ roll stretch of road will agree that the big screen doesn’t do justice to LA’s most exciting real estate. From the Strip’s eastern border with Hollywood to its western border with Beverly Hills (Crescent Heights Boulevard and Doheny Drive, respectively), this idolized destination will enchant your senses with its array of nightclubs, restaurants, world-class hotels, spas, and boutique shopping. The Sunset Strip can be experienced on foot, as you take in historic dance clubs like the Whisky a Go-Go where the Doors were the house band in the 60’s, or the Roxy and Rainbow – clubs big during the 80’s hair band music scene, or the ritzy and trendy shopping and al-fresco dining of Sunset Plaza and Sunset Millennium. When walking the strip, you will be in the company of such names as Marlene Dietrich, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Motley Crue, Johnny Depp, John Belushi, Jerry Seinfeld, Brad Pitt, Lindsay Lohan – just to name a few. With an unparalleled landscape and award-winning billboards (only second to Times Square in size and cost), the Sunset Strip of Los Angeles, California offers visitors a plethora of options for unforgettable experiences! It's no wonder there are so many celebrity homes in West Hollywood! For more information about the Sunset Strip, visit the Sunset Strip Business Association website at www.thesunsetstrip.com.
Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica Boulevard is named in the Sheryl Crow song "All I Wanna Do" (Is have some fun!) and not surprisingly - this eclectic thoroughfare is one of LA’s largest, connecting the eastside of Los Angeles with the Pacific Ocean. And while this expansive boulevard goes through various personas as you head in either direction, nowhere in LA is it more diverse, fun, and pedestrian-friendly than West Hollywood’s 1.9 mile section, also known as “Route 66.” West Hollywood’s portion of The Boulevard stretches from La Brea Avenue on the East, to Doheny Drive on the west. It represents civic pride and community for many residents of West Hollywood and as a visitor, you too will feel the same comfort. Home to City Hall, famed Troubadour nightclub, and the “largest street party in the world,” the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, this area of West Hollywood comprises two main sections: the Gay and Russian communities.
The Gay Community
Santa Monica Boulevard is home to the most popular gay & lesbian scene in Los Angeles, sometimes referred to as “Boys Town,” with fun gay nightclubs, bookstores, and cafés – all of which are bustling on any given evening. From upscale to low-key, anyone fits in when you’re experiencing the WeHo gay scene. Events like Christopher Street West Gay Pride Parade happen along this stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard and rainbow flags line the main thoroughfare, showing that Pride is celebrated here daily. For more information on the Gay Community in West Hollywood, visit GoGayWestHollywood.com
The Russian Community
On Santa Monica Boulevard’s eastern borders you will find the “West Hollywood Gateway,” a shopping center consisting of some of the country’s largest retailers. Moving west, you find yourself immersed in LA’s largest Russian-speaking immigrant community as evidenced by many delis, restaurants and community centers in English, Russian, Yiddish, Hebrew, and other cultures, exemplifying the diverse cultural experiences that exist on the East Side of the city. The East Side has played an important role in the arts and entertainment region and the development of West Hollywood, with its ties to the 20th century growth of the film industry, actors, musicians and artists. Events on the east side include the Russian Nights Festival and the award-winning Helen Albert Certified Farmers Market.
The Avenues of Art & Design
The Avenues of Art & Design is the West Coast’s economic center for the design industry with over 1.5 million square feet of showrooms, shops and galleries for you to stroll, with the Pacific Design Center (AKA “The Blue Whale””) as the districts’ anchor, the Avenues encompasses the streets of Melrose Avenue, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards in the heart of West Hollywood. This pedestrian-friendly district houses over 300 of the most exclusive and eclectic businesses, including over 30 art galleries, 100 antique and contemporary furniture and interior design stores, 30 restaurants and coffee houses and over 50 high-end fashion and lifestyle related businesses, catering to an international clientele. From traditional to contemporary, art to antique, haute couture to haute cuisine, the Avenues of Art & Design is truly a destination unto itself - a vibrant oasis of inspiration in which visitors can easily walk store to store, gallery to gallery, and explore the latest trends and exquisite craftsmanship. Be sure not to miss gems on the Avenues such as restaurants and cafés like Doug Arangos, Morton’s, Le Pain Quotidien, Urth Caffe, spas Kinara and Lulur, and unique bookshops like Bodhi Tree and Heritage Bookshop- one of the only bookstores in the US with its own bindery. Once a year on Saturday in June the Avenues of Art & Design hosts an annual Art & Design Walk, perfect for checking out some of the hottest boutiques like John Varvatos, Phyllis Morris, James Perse and Williams Sonoma Home. Naturally, celebrities are attracted to the exclusive, unique nature of this district so keep your eyes peeled for a sighting! For more information about the Avenues of Art & Design visit www.avenuesartdesign.com.
