Welcome to West Hollywood
Urban living amid the iconic Hollywood Boulevard
West Hollywood’s modernization can be traced back to 1886 when Moses Sherman purchased a section of Rancho La Brea to construct electric railways. At the crossing of both railways, Moses Sherman established the headquarters of his railway company and a town, which he titled “Sherman.”
The town of Sherman eventually attracted film stars due to its proximity to Hollywood and was renamed West Hollywood by its citizens in 1925. West Hollywood soon became a celebrity and entertainment hub thanks to its iconic sunset strip, renowned for its hip and Instagrammable nightlife, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and comedy stores.
What to Love
- Vibrant nightlife
- Excellent restaurants
- Sunset Strip
Local Lifestyle
Lida tells clients interested in West Hollywood that the area provides residents with a blend of small-town charm and a big-city vibe. It has a walkability score of 91 and ranks as one of California’s most walkable cities thanks to its bikeable streets and excellent public transportation.
Residents and visitors of West Hollywood will find various amenities and attractions to enjoy, including restaurants, parks, rooftop bars, shopping districts, trails, and vibrant nightlife at the Sunset Strip. A variety of nearby neighborhoods are easily accessible to residents, including Beverly Hills and Santa Monica to the west, Hollywood Hills to the north, and Hollywood to the east.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
West Hollywood brims with exquisite restaurants to put on your must-visits. For example,
Catch LA is a rooftop restaurant offering premium sushi, seafood, and steak dishes throughout the day with stunning night views of Los Angeles and Hollywood Hills. Menu items of note are A5 Japanese Miyazaki wagyu, herb-roasted branzino, Cantonese lobster, miso-glazed sea bass, and 36-ounce USDA Porterhouse.
Sushi Ginza Onodera in West Hollywood is a branch of an omakase-style restaurant in Tokyo. Omakase dining consists of a course menu where guests let the chef take care of everything and receive a selection of dishes that are seasonal and curated by the chef. Sushi Ginza prides itself in serving premium edomae-style sushi with fresh fish caught in Japan. Edomae style involves aging fish to preserve and enhance its umami flavor and tenderness. The restaurant accepts reservations only and offers guests a quaint setting with an exclusive atmosphere.
Koi Los Angeles is a high-end establishment offering Asian fusion in a candle-lit zen-infused atmosphere. Guests at Koi will undoubtedly feel transported to Japan thanks to its beautiful fireplace entrances, Japanese floral arrangements, sushi bar, and traditional sushi dishes.
Gracias Madre specializes in Mexican cuisine with a menu featuring organic vegan dishes in a beautiful open-air patio vibe. Notable dishes include chile relleno, mushroom fajitas, and pumpkin tacos, among many others.
In her free time, Lida likes to visit
Urth Caffe Melrose, a popular cafe featuring organic coffee and classic American dishes in a rustic patio setting. Standout items are the butternut squash and ricotta pizza, quesadilla, daily quiche, vegetable lasagna, and a selection of in-house baked desserts.
Culminate a perfect lunch on a hot sunny day with a scoop of delicious ice cream at
Salt & Straw. This quaint ice cream shop offers a variety of unique flavors, both dairy and non-dairy. Some intriguing flavors include lavender honey, cinnamon snickerdoodle, pear with blue cheese, roasted pineapple coconut sherbet, and salted chocolate chip cookie dough.
Things to Do
Soho House is a global organization selling memberships to luxury social clubs worldwide. Members of the
Soho House West Hollywood can take in breathtaking views from its rooftop garden. The clubhouse also has a rooftop restaurant, screening room, club bar, sitting room, and event spaces for special occasions.
The
West Hollywood Aquatics & Recreation Center is a large complex with plenty of amenities. Visitors can enjoy basketball courts, dodgeball courts, volleyball courts, community rooms, and an indoor lounge (they also have pools if you’re an avid swimmer like Lida). Next to the recreation center is
West Hollywood Park, a popular spot for city residents. Among the amenities at the park are a community center, a dog park, free Wi-Fi, a library, pickleball courts, public art, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, playgrounds, and more.
For interesting festivals, consider attending the Halloween in West Hollywood Festival. The festival began in 1987 and continues to attract West Hollywood residents. Early on, the event was known as the City's Halloween Carnaval. Over time the carnival gradually developed into an annual gathering that attracted thousands of people looking to dress up in costumes as a means of self-expression. Currently, the festival is coordinated by local businesses and entertainment venues.
Schools
The Los Angeles Unified School District serves West Hollywood. Noteworthy schools include:
