West Hollywood

THE SCENE INCLUDES THE SUNSET STRIP, 3RD STREET, MELROSE AND FAIRFAX AVENUES

For a municipality measuring less than 2 square miles, WeHo wields enormous influence over the L.A. lifestyle. Numerous world-class art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs, and theaters make it a frequent destination for locals and visitors alike. In the Fairfax and mid-Wilshire districts, dining and shopping opportunities abound at The Grove and the Original Farmers Market; for art and culture experiences head for Museum Row.

Sunset Strip

After dark, the iconic strip of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive and Crescent Heights

Boulevard becomes one of the hottest stretches of asphalt in L.A. County. The club scene rocks with legendary establishments such as the Roxy, the Whisky a Go Go, and the Viper Room, all of which have a long history of hosting performances by rock ‘n’ roll royalty. Newer nightclubs include the disco-themed Sunset at EDITION. The Comedy Store continues to showcase leading names and emerging stars in standup, and restaurants such as Madeo and The Tower Bar offer upscale fare. During the day, boutiques and shops, such as the beloved indie bookstore Book Soup, draw traffic.

Melrose Avenue

Melrose Avenue is synonymous with trendiness; new expressions in fashion, art and food continue to percolate up and down this street. East of Fairfax Avenue are indie boutiques, cafés, tattoo parlors, and vintage shops. To the west, Melrose becomes très sophistiqué, appealing to upscale tastes at Reformation, Cult Gaia, and Vivienne Westwood. Just off the avenue is the fashionable three-block Melrose Place, where luxury vehicles line up at chic boutiques such as IRO and Zimmermann.

BEVERLY BOULEVARD + 3RD STREET

Beverly Boulevard and West 3rd Street, major east-west streets running through the city, are filled with restaurants such as Marvin and design showrooms and boutiques from some of the hottest up-and-coming clothing and accessories designers. The two streets bracket the landmark eight-level Beverly Center. Bloomingdale’s, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton boutiques, and restaurants including refined seafood destination Angler, are among more than 160 draws.

FAIRFAX AVENUE + MID-WILSHIRE

L.A.’s Fairfax District and neighboring Mid-Wilshire are among the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in the Mid-City/ West Hollywood area. At Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, a renowned institution with more than 100,000 works dating from the ancient period to the present.

Adjacent to LACMA is the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, which traces the remnants of Ice Age history. Additional Museum Row venues include the renovated Petersen Automotive Museum and Craft Contemporary

To the museums’ east is the burgeoning District La Brea, a walkable stretch filled with dining spots including French café and bakery République. One of the Fairfax District’s anchors is the Original Farmers Market, established in 1934, with more than 100 produce stalls, shops, and eateries.

Adjacent, and connected by a vintage trolley, is The Grove—an outdoor shopping center with the character of an old-fashioned village square, with stained-glass street lamps and a central fountain. Retailers, a movie theater, and scores of restaurants offer a variety of experiences.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: Chris Burden’s Urban Light at LACMA; The ROW on Melrose Place; La Brea Tar Pits and Museum; The Grove; 1981 DMC Delorean from Peterson Automotive Museum.

Hollywood

STAR CULTURE: WALK OF FAME, GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY, SUMMER’S HOLLYWOOD BOWL

With its new boutiques, hotels, and restaurants, Hollywood has reemerged as a bona-fide visitor destination. In the heart of Hollywood, check out classic theaters and eclectic museums; see the stars embedded on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; or tour the site of the Academy Awards show. For a different kind of starry scene, head to Griffith Park for stargazing at the Griffith Observatory or the thousands of acres used for horseback riding and hiking.

HOLLYWOOD + HIGHLAND

The entertainment and shopping complex of Ovation Hollywood was a catalyst for the rebirth of Hollywood Boulevard. Its Dolby Theatre is the current home of the Academy Awards show, and its central Babylon Court frames views of the iconic Hollywood sign. Erected in 1923 to advertise a housing development, the sign’s 45-foot-high letters originally read “Hollywoodland.” Other draws include the Japan House gallery, the Anvio VR virtual reality experience, and dining spots such as Sugarfish for sushi. Next door to Hollywood & Highland is the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre), famed for the celebrity handand footprints embedded in concrete out front (see below). Nearby restaurants include Gwen by chef Curtis Stone and The Barish, at the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel.

Showtime

Just opposite Hollywood & Highland is the ornate, lavishly illuminated El Capitan Theatre. Restored by Disney, it offers special presentations of the studio’s releases. The 1922 Egyptian Theatre screens eclectic artsy and classic fare. The landmark Pantages Theatre stages hit musicals such as Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables. The Hollywood Bowl is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the U.S. The Los Angeles Philharmonic takes up residence in the summer; picnicking there under the stars is among the city’s most memorable experiences.

Walk Of Fame

The sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard (La Brea Avenue to Gower Street) and three blocks of Vine Street (Yucca Street to Sunset Boulevard) are inlaid with the legendary brass-andterrazzo stars honoring celebrities from the enter-tainment industry. More than 2,400 stars are enshrined beneath visitors’ feet. Marilyn Monroe’s star is steps from Hollywood & Highland. John Lennon’s is in front of the Capitol Records Building, an architectural landmark designed to resemble a stack of records.

MUSEUMS, HOLLYWOOD-STYLE

Hollywood has its share of museums, but you won’t encounter Picassos or Monets. Next to the TCL Chinese Theatre is

Madame Tussauds Hollywood, filled with more than 100 wax figures. You can ponder zany accomplishments at the Guinness World Records Museum; the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium offers bizarre exhibits. The Hollywood Museum showcases 10,000 artifacts representing 100 years of showbiz history.

Griffith Park

Among the largest urban parks in America, Griffith Park is an ideal place to hike, take a train ride, or golf. The Charlie Turner Trailhead begins at Griffith Observatory, one of the world’s great planetariums and a frequent film location. The hike up Mount Hollywood provides spectacular views of L.A. skyscrapers and the Hollywood sign; the Greek Theatre is a legendary outdoor music venue. Also here: the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens and the Autry Museum of the American West

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: View from Ovation Hollywood; Taylor Swift in wax at Madame Tussauds Hollywood; The Hollywood Bowl; Griffith Observatory; Martini from Musso and Franks.