Upscale but with a touch of grit that glitzy neighbourhoods like Beverly Hills lack, West Hollywood has become a haven for hipsters, fashionistas and the LGBT community. Colloquially known as WeHo, the neighbourhood may have a pint-sized footprint measuring in at under 5-square kilometres, but it doesn’t compromise on attitude. Trendy cafes and organic brunch spots stand alongside grungy tequila bars and legendary nightclubs, which attract locals and tourists alike.
Santa Monica Boulevard and Sunset Strip anchor the neighbourhood, with iconic hotels housing legendary bars and recording studios. For those in search of upscale clothing boutiques, antique emporiums and chic interior design stores, the western stretch of Melrose Avenue is a shopper’s paradise.
Street parking is notoriously expensive in West Hollywood, though LA’s car culture means most visitors arrive on four wheels. DASH buses service the area, and there are plenty of taxis waiting to be hailed.
Despite its modern allure, West Hollywood is still brimming with history. The area boasts some of the USA’s best examples of 1920s Spanish Revival and Art Deco architecture, designed by the likes of Leland Bryant and Rudolf Schindler. At one point, landmarks like Sunset Towers housed a constellation of stars, including Frank Sinatra, Errol Flynn, John Wayne and Howard Hughes.