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City in California, United States
Photo: mbtrama from Upland, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
West Hollywood is a city on the West Side of Los Angeles, sandwiched between the Hollywood and Fairfax districts of Los Angeles to the east and Beverly Hills to the west. West Hollywood is home to the famous Sunset Strip, with its nightlife and its rock-music history, many prominent design institutions, and to the largest LGBTQ+ nightlife district in the Los Angeles area.
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Changing exhibitions of experimental contemporary art within the Schindler House, built in 1922 and considered one of the earliest examples of a modernist house, with exposed concrete and glass panels.
A large design complex consisting of three massive interconnected buildings clad in blue, green, and red glass that house dozens of interior design, furniture, and architectural showrooms. The blue structure has often been referred to as the "Blue Whale" for its outsized nature. Also on the campus is a branch of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) which hosts changing design exhibitions.
Case Study House #22
Even if you don't recognize this place by name, chances are you've seen it in pictures or movies. An iconic example of modernist architecture, this glass and steel house is perched high above the city with breathtaking results. Tours are available, but must be reserved well ahead of time through the website and space is very limited.
A 5,200 sq ft house and home of the late superhero comic book writer Stan Lee, the co-creator of Marvel. One of the most impressive amenities is an indoor professional-grade movie theater.
Taking place every June during Pride Week, this is one of the nation's largest LGBTQ+ festivals as well as one of its oldest. The three-day long festival has lots of live music, art, and food, followed up by a massive parade down Santa Monica Boulevard.
The world's largest Halloween festivity draws half a million people with live music and entertainment on multiple stages along Santa Monica Blvd. Entertainment includes bands, DJs, dancers, artists, and painters. It's free, but a parking space is typically $20 (if you can find one). It's an adult event as small children and pets are at risk of being trampled by crowds.
A long-running Sunset Strip venue that's legendary for giving rise to many major comics in the 1970s. Today it still plays host to the occasional famous act as well as emerging talent, with three separate stages.
A well-known comedy club that regularly features famous stand-up acts, with the occasional surprise celebrity guest.
A notable music and stand-up comedy venue that plays host to a lot of top-name acts. Since the early 1990s, the Largo club has been the stomping ground for many big name comics and people who went on to have major careers (Tenacious D got their start at the old location). Largo's current location, the historic Coronet Theater, was a major art and experimental movie venue after its opening in the mid-20th century.
Opened on the Sunset Strip in 1997, Mel's remains happily caught in a time warp; its 1950s drive-in style décor and 24-hour home style cooking mirrors the San Francisco original, which opened way back in the late 1940s and was made famous by filmmaker George Lucas who used the carhop eatery as a centerpiece for his now classic film American Graffiti. The West Hollywood outpost features a 50-seat outdoor patio that is nice for soaking up the sun and people watching. Inside it's tabletop jukeboxes, classic movie photos on the wall, 1950s tune blaring through the stereo and, most important, great diner food; the famous 'Melburger,' chili fries, milk shakes and really just about everything else. It's one of those Los Angeles places locals and tourists flock to. Formerly "Ben Franks" (mentioned by Frank Zappa, among others), it's long been one of the most famous spots in the city, as far as restaurants go.
"Eees not hot, eees spi-i-i-i-cy." You may be surprised that this restaurant doesn't have a menu, until the waiter comes to perform the menu for you. They have beef, chicken, fish, or vegetarian entrees, usually three or four of each.
A great spot for breakfast or lunch.
This vintage lounge offers great appetizers (especially the calamari), pizza, pasta, burgers, and pricier steak and seafood dishes in a hard rock atmosphere. If you like the 1980s L.A. metal scene, there's no better place to spot rock stars (and lesser lights like Ron Jeremy.) A $10 cover charge comes with two drink vouchers. The Roxy is next door. A crowded outdoor smoking patio is available for the real rockers. Lemmy Kilmister, frontman of Motörhead, was a fixture at this bar for many years, and a statue of him can now be found in "Lemmy's Lounge" in the back of the patio area.
Western-style steakhouse features a huge, 'country' bar and even a mechanical bull for those ready for a faux bull-riding adventure. The menu is vast and surprisingly inexpensive. And again, the saloon is a longtime trendy destination along the Sunset Strip for raucous good times.
This intimate bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with entrees that range from truffle grilled cheese to lobster ravioli to herb crusted salmon.
Fantastic food in every way, in an elegant atmosphere. Great cheeses, great wines, great desserts. The dishes look reasonably priced at a glance, but they arrive in tapa-style proportions, and quickly add up, making it a great place to splurge.
An indescribably trendy Japanese restaurant, popular with young hot celebs and those who want to be them or at least catch a glimpse. Reservations are recommended, as is dressing the part.
Upscale, post-modern steakhouse located inside the Grafton Hotel - smack dab in the middle of the Sunset Strip. Classic steakhouse cooking fills up the menu.
Since 1964 this revered, Italian eatery has been packing them in – from Hollywood powerbrokers and cinema stars to anyone that craves exquisite food in one of the coolest hangouts in Los Angeles. The waiters all look to have been there from day one, so a patron knows they're in for a great culinary experience. The tiny bar in front of what is a tiny restaurant is often crammed three deep. It's still a place one could be having a drink next to a movie star or 'someone of note.' Cocktails flow as waiters rush by carrying popular menu items such as linguini, spaghetti carbonara, steamed clams and a 16-oz New York steak dubbed the "Dabney Coleman" (an actor). The joint is always crowded and serves late into the night; a reservation is a must save for heavyweight Hollywood types. Excellent service, red banquettes, a classic atmosphere and delicious food – that's a recipe for success and why Dan Tana's remains a consistent favorite.
Fantastic food, but known even more for its endlessly famous clientele. The Ivy is a Los Angeles mainstay and is frequented by celebrities. Many a power deal has been made over a bowl of corn chowder. As for the menu, think comfort food, like fried chicken, Cajun prime rib and fish and fresh corn chowder. Request a seat on the famed patio for the best people watching.
Designer Dodd Mitchell's sleek, Japanese-style bar/restaurant on the Sunset Strip mixes Hollywood glitz and inventive cuisine. The sushi bar is crowded. The robata bar is crowded. Women are scantily clad. Men ogle. The outside patio is crowded and the scene is distinctive Hollywood hip. No longer one of the 'buzz-worthy' destinations on the restaurant scene, Katana remains a solid choice for appetizing Japanese fare with an equally stylish clientele and interior design.
Excellent, California-style cuisine in an upscale atmosphere, widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city.
Grab a healthy bite to eat at one of three locations and run the chance of spotting a celeb. Great salads, sandwiches, coffee and teas. Very popular, and additional locations can be found in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
The best dessert place in the entire world, and on the tongue of every Angeleno. If it's your birthday party, your wish is to have the biggest 3-berry cake that your host can afford. But try them all. Coffee as well for those dining in.
One of the clubs in WeHo that also functions as an event venue for local and popular music. The Rolling Stones and Elton John played here before they got big. Small and cozy. Fantastic venue
Another club/music venue, one of the more famous ones in Los Angeles.
A semi-sleazy but popular restaurant and bar, popular with the straight college crowd.
The lounge and outdoor patio provide an ultra-private, laid-back environment, where, on any given night, musicians recording in NightBird studio have been known to sample their latest tracks for Bar 1200 patrons. Exclusive portraits taken by esteemed rock photographers Ross Halfin & Robert Knight featuring Chris Cornell, Roger Daltrey, Chris Robinson, Billy Gibbons, Billy Bob Thornton, Ozzie Osbourne and others grace the walls.
This 21+ entertainment venue hosts mainly metal, punk and alternative rock acts. With a capacity of 250 it is a fairly intimate setting given the quality of acts that sometimes perform. The bar is best known for being the site of River Phoenix's tragic death in 1993, and for the Hollywood elite who have been regulars, including former owner Johnny Depp.
One of the trendiest hotels in the greater LA area with amazing views, a rooftop pool, stylish white rooms and an outstanding restaurant.
A sophisticated all-suite hotel designed to cater to style-conscious business and leisure travelers, and well-suited for short or extended stays.
Modeled after an elegant Loire Valley castle, the famed Chateau Marmont is a local landmark with a long Hollywood history, having been the stomping ground for many a celebrity. Carefully restored in 1990, the hotel's 63 generously proportioned suites and bungalows are set amidst lush private gardens and offer stunning, panoramic views of Los Angeles and world class service.
The Jeremy West Hollywood Hotel
It features panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills and Downtown Los Angeles.
Features Jeffrey Chodorow's Asia de Cuba restaurant, the Seabar, the outdoor Skybar, the Agua Bathhouse, pool and outdoor living room, penthouse suites and meeting and banquet facilities.
Tucked away in a quiet hillside residential neighborhood, just a couple of blocks below the Sunset Strip and a couple of blocks above the Santa Monica Boulevard nightlife district, and an easy walk from either. The rooftop pool is marvelous, the rooms are unique and plush, the service is first class, and you will often see music industry people and some celebrities gracing the premises.
Sizable and stylish rooms.
Boutique hotel with a private rooftop, suites, butterfly and hummingbird sanctuary, and saltwater pool.
A Four-Diamond, all-suite and villa hotel surrounded by five acres of lush gardens which include two pool areas with private cabanas, spa, indoor-outdoor restaurant, Bar 1200, a Presidential accommodation, photo studio, NightBird recording studio and tour bus parking. Hidden in a quiet neighborhood steps from the Strip.
The Sunset Tower is perched high on the Sunset Strip and is the sight of regular celebrity sightings. Built in 1929, this hotel has been beautifully renovated. Staff is excellent and the rooms feature floor to ceiling windows. Swimming pool has sweeping views of Los Angeles. In the evening, the pool area is converted into an extension of the popular Tower Bar.
This shopping center includes 200 stores over 8 different levels. Great view of the city from the top floor of the mall.
From I-405 or US 101, take Santa Monica Boulevard about 5 miles (8 km). From I-10, take Fairfax or La Cienega north about two miles.
Read in the guideWest Hollywood operates Cityline, a free internal shuttle service operating within city limits on weekdays.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Burbank · International · BUR
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