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 Tesse and Merois 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, Kelly Wearstler, 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 the new Theía 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 bistro République and boutiques such as American Rag Cie. 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.

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 new Anvio VR virtual reality experience, and dining spots such as Cho Oishi for sushi and shabu-shabu. Next door to Hollywood & Highland is the TCL Chinese Theatre (formerly Grauman’s

Chinese Theatre), famed for the celebrity hand- and footprints embedded in concrete out front (see below). Nearby restaurants include The Barish, new 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 megahit musicals such as Hamilton The Hollywood Bowl is the largest, and best, 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-and-terrazzo stars honoring celebrities from the entertainment 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

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; TCL Chinese Theatre; Pantages Theatre

OPPOSITE: Griffith Observatory 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 (3 miles round trip) 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, founded by the late singingcowboy Gene Autry.

Santa Monica

THE COASTAL CITY THAT NEIGHBORS MALIBU, VENICE, PACIFIC PALISADES, AND BRENTWOOD

In the 1800s, orator Tom Fitch called Santa Monica “the Zenith City by the Sunset Sea.” The 21st-century version of Santa Monica fulfills its early promise with a bustling downtown and beach that attract millions of visitors each year. Pacific Coast Highway connects SaMo with elite coastal draws Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Venice and its main drag Abbot Kinney Boulevard attracts an eclectic crowd; upscale Brentwood is home to the Getty Center and numerous A-listers.

Santa Monica

Third Street Promenade, three pedestrian-only blocks on 3rd Street between Broadway and Wilshire Boulevard, teems with visitors browsing dozens of shops, including H&M and Anthropologie, and gawking at the myriad street artists.

The Promenade is lined with all manner of eateries, as do the surrounding streets, with versatile dining experiences such as cozy pub Ye Olde King’s Head as well as Michelin-starred siblings Rustic Canyon for small plates and Cassia for Asian fusion.

Anchoring the Promenade at Broadway is Santa Monica Place, an open-air shopping center with Nordstrom, 80 boutiques, and a top-level Dining Deck. Steps away is the western terminus of the Metro Expo Line, which connects Santa Monica by light rail to downtown Los Angeles.

Santa Monica Pier, built in 1909, is at the end of Colorado Avenue and features Pacific Park, a mini amusement park with food stands and rides. Take a ride on the Pacific Wheel, a solar-powered and LED-lit Ferris wheel.

Malibu

A few miles north of Santa Monica along Pacific Coast Highway is Malibu. Many of the city’s best destinations are visible from PCH, including renowned restaurants with ocean views, notably the casual Malibu Seafood and the upscale Nobu

Malibu. Celebrity-frequented Malibu Country Mart serves as the area’s town square; its Lucky’s steakhouse is new. Adjacent Malibu Village and Malibu Lumber Yard offer plenty more shops and restaurants.

Pacific Palisades

There’s more than what initially meets the eye in seemingly sleepy Pacific Palisades. Palisades Village—from the developer of The Grove and the Americana at Brand—has more than 40 boutiques. The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine on Sunset Boulevard is a 10-acre oasis with a koiand swan-filled lake. The area’s crown jewel is the Getty Villa, inspired by a Julius Caesar–era villa and dedicated to the study of the art and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome.

Venice

In the early 1900s, Abbot Kinney developed Venice as an American version of the Italian city; the canals in his version are now lined with multimillion-dollar residences. His namesake Abbot Kinney Boulevard is Venice’s coolest street, with restaurants such as Gjelina and distinctive boutiques that make for an altogether entertaining stroll. Ocean Front Walk is often populated by street performers, vendors, and Muscle Beach bodybuilders.

Brentwood

Marilyn Monroe once called this affluent enclave northeast of Santa Monica home; it remains a favorite celebrity stomping ground. San Vicente Boulevard functions as the neighborhood’s main street, with independent shops, bakeries, cafés, and restaurants. The Brentwood Country Mart, an open-air shopping center, offers upscale retail. The architecturally stunning Getty Center is a hilltop museum worth a visit.

Downtown Los Angeles has undergone an eye-popping renaissance. Historic art deco structures share the streetscape with glass-clad towers, and celebrities have snapped up lofts in century-old buildings. The arts thrive along Grand Avenue as well as in the hip Arts District. L.A. Live is sports central; Chinatown and Olvera Street are fun cultural excursions; to the southwest, Exposition Park offers a trio of major museums.

Grand Avenue

The heart of L.A.’s performing arts scene and the site of its most dramatic architecture, Grand Avenue lives up to its name. Four venues on Bunker Hill make up the Music Center. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is home to LA Opera, the Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum host theatrical productions and architect Frank Gehry’s spectacular Walt Disney Concert Hall is the home of the LA Philharmonic. Opposite is the 12-acre Grand Park.

Bunker Hill

Not far from the Ahmanson Theatre is the postmodern Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. A short walk south on Grand is The Broad museum, a stunning edifice funded by and housing the contemporary art collection of philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. Angels Flight is a vintage funicular that climbs to California Plaza from Hill Street. The Bunker Hill Steps rise five stories at the U.S. Bank Tower. Across the street is the art deco-style Central Library.

Olvera Street

The city’s origins date back to 1781 and the building of El Pueblo de Los Angeles, a historic monument that comprises 27 buildings along the festive pedestrian concourse Olvera Street. The city’s oldest building, Avila Adobe is here, along with Mexican restaurants, mariachi bands, and merchants selling arts, crafts, and food. Across the street is

Union Station, the largest railroad passenger terminal in the western United States; a few blocks away is L.A.’s oldest restaurant, built in 1908, Philippe the Original.

Chinatown

Chinatown is the destination for dim sum—and dining at foodie meccas such as Howlin’ Ray’s for Nashville hot chicken—or browsing for clothing and home goods. Cultural highlights include the ornate Thien Hau Temple. Dodger Stadium is a short drive away, as is San Antonio Winery, which offers tours and tastings.

Arts District

To the east of emerging hipster ‘hood Little Tokyo is the Arts District, with its myriad murals, shops, and markets, the Hauser & Wirth gallery, a bevy of breweries, and lauded restaurants such as Bavel, Bestia, and Brera—not to mention the new Damian from world-renowned Mexico City chef Enrique Olvera.

L.A. LIVE

The L.A. Live entertainment complex includes the Microsoft Theater, several night spots, and a dozen restaurants, including Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Katsuya, Savoca, and Patxi’s Pizza, all facing a massive plaza lined with LED screens. It adjoins the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings and host to top pop acts. The Grammy Museum honors musicians with videos, artifacts, and exhibits.

Exposition Park

South of downtown is Exposition Park, site of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum—home of USC Trojans football and twice host of the Summer Olympics—as well as the California African American Museum, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and California Science Center, which has a 3D IMAX theater and the NASA space shuttle Endeavour.

Pasadena

Pasadena’s charming small town vibe, historic buildings, and plethora of museums make it an attractive neighborhood for visitors. Walk around Old Pasadena, or as locals call it, “Old Pas” spanning across 22 blocks filled with shops and lively restaurants. For arts and entertainment lovers, there are plenty of options including an outdoor stadium where concerts and a monthly flea market are held, museums, gardens, and performing arts centers.

Old Pasadena

A tribute to foresighted urban planning is the

22-square-block shopping district known as Old Pasadena, roughly bounded by Walnut and Green streets, Arroyo Parkway and Pasadena Avenue. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s a collection of restored buildings filled with trendy boutiques, bistros and nightclubs. Merchants range from Tesla Motors to Zara, and eateries include Union, a toprated Italian restaurant. Pedestrian-only alleys meander through the One Colorado project in the heart of Old Pasadena, where restaurants offer alfresco dining overlooking a sculpture-strewn square. Boutiques such as Vince and Cop. Copine draw shoppers, while iPic Theaters reimagines the moviegoing experience with state-of-the-art technology, plush seats and a bar/café.

Nearby is the Norton Simon Museum, home to one of the finest art collections in the West. The galleries are filled with works dating from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and the museum’s repertoire of impressionist masters is formidable. To the north, you’ll find Rose Bowl Stadium (home to the UCLA Bruins, concerts and a popular flea market) and, nearby, the interactive Kidspace Children’s Museum.

East of Old Pasadena is The Paseo, a shopping center with an ArcLight movie theater, restaurants and shops lining garden promenades. Its open-air design frames views of Pasadena City Hall, a majestic landmark restored to its original beaux-arts grandeur.

PLAYHOUSE DISTRICT + SOUTH LAKE AVENUE

Anchored by the Mission-style Pasadena Playhouse, this district offers art house cinema, antique shops and bookstores, as well as the famed Ice House Comedy Club, whose stage has hosted George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld. Other cultural attractions include the Boston Court Performing Arts Center and the USC Pacific Asia Museum.

East of the Playhouse District, South Lake Avenue provides a vibrant shopping environment. Inviting boutiques are set around European-style courtyards at the Com- mons and Burlington Arcade. A drive south on Lake Avenue through one of the city’s most opulent residential neighborhood leads to the Langham Huntington. Consider this grand, historic hotel for high tea, Japanese Kobe beef at its Royce steakhouse or pampering at its award-winning Chuan Spa.

SAN MARINO + SAN GABRIEL VALLEY

South of the Langham is San Marino and its primary attraction, The Huntington, whose library, art collections, botanical gardens and education and visitor center occupy one of the most remarkable pieces of real estate in Southern California. Here, the Italianate mansion of railroad magnate Henry Huntington houses an extraordinary collection of 18th- and 19th-century art. A library with nearly 9 million rare books, photographs and manuscripts occupies another structure. Throughout the 200-acre property are more than a dozen distinct botanical environments, the Helen and Peter Bing Children’s Garden and a formal rose garden boasting more than 1,200 rose varieties