How to Spend a Week in West Hollywood

Longing for a vacation in a bright destination that lets you relax – even indulge – completely judgment-free? Here are seven days in West Hollywood you absolutely deserve and will never forget.

Choose daily itineraries to suit your interests and length of stay in this captivating and creative city. These are just a few of the endless options in West Hollywood.

Monday: Day 1

Walking around town is a great way to get a feel for the city’s vibe. Start your vacation with these hot spots.

Rainbow Crosswalks

At the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards, the rainbow crosswalks remind everyone that West Hollywood is a sanctuary city for the LGBTQ community. West Hollywood welcomes everyone. (Though, admittedly, there’s not a lot for kids.)

Get a Cup of Coffee 

A number of great coffee houses are nearby. Here are two of our favorites:

• Verve Coffee Roasters: Single-origin coffees, specialty lattes and breakfast items in a hip, industrial space.
• Cha Cha Matcha: Artisanal coffee shop specializing in energizing matcha lattes and seasonal wellness drinks.
• Alfred: Located at the millennial pink beauty haven of Glossier Alley, this ultra-Instagrammable spot offers a variety of lattes and other brews as well as hearty breakfast items such as their legendary breakfast burrito.

Shop Local at Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market

On Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., hang with locals and enjoy fresh produce, flowers and fish in the north parking lot of Plummer Park. Grab some berries and avocados as portable snacks. If you don’t find lunch at the market, pick up a picnic box (complete with biodegradable utensils) at Food Lab.

Grab Dinner at SUR

What’s a visit to West Hollywood without a meal at a Lisa Vanderpump restaurant? Reality TV fans can enjoy an array of apps, salads, savory pastas and eclectic cocktails in the sexy rooms and gardens of SUR Restaurant & Lounge. Bottomless brunch is also a big draw. If you’re still hungry (or thirsty) for more, SUR’s sister restaurant and bar, TomTom, is just around the corner on Santa Monica.

Catch a Comedy Show

Book your seat online for The Main Room or Original Room at The Comedy Store to see comedians you know from TV and Netflix. Past guests include Dave Chappelle, Marc Maron, Nikki Glaser, Ali Wong and many more. Visit their website to find all upcoming events.

Tuesday: Day 2

Sleep in, start the day at your own pace and gear up for a night out on the legendary Sunset Strip.

Start Your Day at Dialog Café

Brunch here with foodies, rockers and starlets! Locally sourced and made with love, the food and drinks here are as pleasant as the ambiance.

Go Shopping at Sunset Plaza

Dress yourself in Armani or Nicole Miller. You’ll find high-end jewelry and watches, men’s and women’s fashion, eyewear and tailoring within this walkable retail and restaurant destination. The larger than life billboards are a bonus.

Lunch at Tocaya

Stop for a late lunch and taste how this modern organic café takes bold Mexican flavors to a new level. Buen provecho!

West Hollywood’s Walk of Fame

While Hollywood has the Walk of Fame, West Hollywood has the RockWalk on Sunset Boulevard. Since 1985, numerous musicians have laid their hands or scrawled their signatures in the cement. Inductees include Queen, Run DMC, Carole King, Les Paul, Stevie Wonder and Eddie Van Halen.

Listen to Music On The Strip

Hear the latest rock, alternative, metal and other genres at renowned stages along The Sunset Strip. Open your ears to newcomers and legends alike in intimate venues where the music rocks you to the core.

Check out a few of The Strip’s must-visit venues:

• The Viper Room
• Whisky a Go Go
• The Roxy Theatre

Late Night Dancing

The Sunset Strip is alive into the wee hours. The Rainbow Bar and Grill offers food, drink and dancing until 2 a.m. In 1972, when this rock hangout opened, the word “rainbow” signified peace and freedom. John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley and many others partied here.

Wednesday: Day 3

Rise and shine for a dreamy day in West Hollywood’s Design District.

Fuel Up on Veggies

Healthy eating, regardless of allergies or special diets, is especially easy in California. Most cafés offer vegan, vegetarian and/or gluten-free fare, and many places are happy to adjust any plate for you. One-third of U.S. vegetables and two-thirds of the nation’s fruits and nuts are grown in our state. Be sure to taste the local avocados, grapes, tomatoes, lettuces, almonds and walnuts during your stay.

• Urth Caffé features organic heirloom coffee and teas. 
• Hugo’s Restaurant offers a vegetarian-friendly menu. 
• Gracias Madre serves vegan Mexican cuisine.

Explore West Hollywood’s Design District

For more than 50 years, trends in art, beauty, fashion and décor have blossomed here. Home to art galleries, antique shops, fashion boutiques and interior design stores, the Design District is located south of Santa Monica Boulevard, bordered on the west by Doheny Drive, on the south by Beverly Boulevard, and on the east by La Cienega Boulevard. More than 40 restaurants throughout will keep you fed and watered as you browse favorites including the fashion-forward Rag & Bone and custom furniture maker Phyllis Morris.

Discover Your Inner Designer at Pacific Design Center

The big blue “whale” of a building anchors the West Hollywood Design District. Inside, you’ll find nearly 100 showrooms of gorgeous indoor and outdoor furniture and décor along with public art exhibits. Some of the showrooms are only open by appointment, so call ahead if you want to be sure you’ll get in. Afterwards, stop by nearby Zinqué for a light bite and a glass of wine on their sunny patio.

Get Inspired at RH West Hollywood | The Gallery

A few blocks east of the PDC, check out Restoration Hardware’s fantastic rooftop park and conservatory above this 40,000 square foot facility. It’s open to the public during store hours and definitely worth a visit.

Grab an Afternoon Pick-Me-Up at Madison & Park

The signature rose latte at Madison & Park comes sprinkled with dried flower petals, making it the perfect Instagram-worthy coffee to get you caffeinated for the night ahead. Get it to go, so you can enjoy it back at the hotel while you relax before dinner.

Fine Dining in West Hollywood

This city is a food mecca with lots of culinary stars! Below are a few of our favorites.

• Night + Market: Award-winning northern Thai street food. Regulars love the fried chicken sandwich. 
• Norah: Modern American cuisine and balanced, seasonal cocktails in a gorgeous space. If you’re into carbs, we suggest the buttery cornbread served in a cast-iron skillet because it’s divine. 
• Connie & Ted’s: Exceptional and fresh East Coast-inspired seafood and shellfish.

For more dining options, visit our Food & Drink page.

Thursday: Day 4

Greet the morning on the balcony with coffee, tea or fresh juice. Soak up the sun and remember to unplug – you’re on vacation, after all. And Thursday is Spa Day!

Start Your Day With a Sweat

No doubt your hotel offers a small fitness center. But we also recommend visiting a local fitness studio while you’re here. CorePower Yoga welcomes everyone at any age, weight or strength to try their hot power yoga classes. More of a weight lifting fan? Try Brick Crossfit. Their classes vary by day, so there’s always something new to try no matter when you visit.

Nourish Your Body and Soul

In West Hollywood, we know how to do spa days right. Schedule a massage, wax, wrap, facial, hair and/or nail appointment at one of these local spas:

• The Gendarmerie Spa offers massages, facials, waxing and more for both men and women.
• Voda Spa offers massages and facials as well as a pool, jacuzzi and sauna.

Friday: Day 5

West Hollywood is a mecca for arts and culture in Southern California. Spend your fifth day in WeHo by visiting some of the destination’s most famous museums, galleries and shops.

Add to Your TBR List at Book Soup

This hip independent bookstore boasts celebrity authors and over 60,000 titles from floor to ceiling. Specialties include art, film, photography, music and literary fiction; you can even purchase autographed works.

Explore the MAK Center for Art & Architecture

The Schindler House and Gardens was designed and built in 1922 by Austrian-American architect Rudolph Schindler. With indoor and outdoor environments completely integrated, no two spaces in the house are alike, creating what Schindler called “a real California scheme.” Today, the property is part of a global collection of applied arts, design, architecture and contemporary art in Europe and the U.S. known as The MAK. Tours of the Fitzpatrick-Leland House and Mackey Apartments and Garage Top (in Los Angeles) may be organized by appointment.

Discover Legendary Photography at Leica Gallery

This museum gallery is Leica’s first ever. It features exhibits from both new and established photographers, plus a library of collectible photography books.

End the Day at Sunset Marquis Hotel

Sip craft cocktails in elegance at Bar 1200 – we suggest trying Your Sugar & Spice. Then, stick around and taste couture cuisine on Cavatina’s patio. Executive Chef Chris Turano’s seasonal California menu is lovely and so is the verdant garden setting. Perfection! Before you leave the hotel, view (and shop) music photography at the Morrison Hotel Gallery. Celebrity photographer Timothy White curates not only the exhibits in this fine art gallery, but the photos throughout the hotel as well. Perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Saturday: Day 6

Your second-to-last day should be full of legendary WeHo activities and attractions – shops, restaurants and, of course, gay bars!

Take a Neighborhood Stroll

West Hollywood’s City Center offers beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods of free standing and multi-unit properties. Some of the most historic are south of Sunset Boulevard to Waring Avenue and between La Cienega and Fairfax boulevards. From Book Soup, head east on Sunset then right on North Orlando and wander. Best known for its historic homes, the Norma Triangle is another gorgeous neighborhood between Sunset and Santa Monica boulevards and between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. It’s also the home of Ticketmaster, one of the largest employers in West Hollywood.

Have Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s

Reservations are highly encouraged for Hamburger Mary’s popular drag brunch, with performances every Saturday and Sunday. Bottomless mimosas are an option, though you may want to stick to a hearty breakfast followed by a nap, because we’re going to suggest partying on Santa Monica Boulevard later.

Start Your Night at The Abbey

The Abbey, AKA the “best gay bar in the world,” is a blast for everyone. Start with happy hour small plates and craft cocktails on the terrace. With four bars and dance floors, amp yourself up for a long, late night to come.

Go Clubbing on Santa Monica Boulevard

First, we recommend ditching your car for your night on the town. Available for weekend revelry, the free WeHo PickUp nightlife trolley services 31 stops along The Boulevard on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Lots of clubs and restaurants offer specials (posted on their websites) for PickUp passengers. Once you get there, you’ll find Santa Monica Boulevard is teeming with fabulous and fun bars and nightclubs that will have you out way past your bedtime.

Soak Up All That Alcohol at Mel’s Drive-In

End your night with a snack at Mel’s Drive-In. This iconic diner sports a 1950s feel with photos of famous customers through the decades. The food is decent, the service is friendly, and it’s open until 3 a.m. Plus, you never know who you might spot in the next booth.

Sunday: Day 7

After a full week in WeHo, you’ll need some rest and relaxation. We recommend fueling up on a delicious brunch and then sunbathing (and napping) at an area rooftop pool.

Enjoy an Indulgent Sunday Brunch

• The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker: An inviting, sunny destination in the Sunset Plaza! 
• Catch LA: The rooftop celebrity hot spot also does eggs! The view, vibe and vittles are artful and delicious, day and night. 
• Eveleigh: A popular brunch spot, likely because its sunny patio is the one of the prettiest in town. Their Sunday Brunch menu includes everything from avocado toasts to steak and eggs.

Catch Some Sun at a Rooftop Pool

Pack up, then enjoy a quintessential California afternoon at a rooftop pool before you leave. Close out your trip with some sun and a few cocktails overlooking Hollywood. 

Ready for your week in WeHo? It’s time to book your stay. The destination is home to more than a dozen hotels, each with its own unique vibe. For even more ideas, check out our free West Hollywood Insider’s Guide.