Overview
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.
4 sights · 5 things to do · 15 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about West Hollywood
MAK Center for Art and Architecture
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.
Pacific Design Center
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 be…
Stahl House
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 r…
Stan Lee House
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.
LA Pride
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 pa…
Halloween Carnaval
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 fr…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 51°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby West)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 10 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $250–$350 a night (typical $350), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$290, mid-range ~$420, comfortable ~$520.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning MAK Center for Art and Architecture, Largo at the Coronet, Pacific Design Center
- Lunch Lucques
- Afternoon Stan Lee House, Halloween Carnaval
- Dinner Urth Caffé
- Evening Barney's Beanery
Day 2
- Morning Stahl House, Laugh Factory
- Lunch Saddle Ranch Chop House
- Afternoon The Comedy Store, LA Pride
- Dinner Katana
- Evening Whisky a Go Go
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Many of West Hollywood's favorite restaurants line Santa Monica Boulevard. Many of these are as much about "seeing and being seen" as they are about food.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Sunset Boulevard through West Hollywood is the famous Sunset Strip, with its flashy billboards, nightclubs, and hotels famous for their Hollywood history. However, the main commercial area of West Hollywood lies along Santa Monica Boulevard, with many small shops, restaurants, and the center of the city's gay community. Though well known for its population of gay men, "WeHo" also has large numbers of Russian immigrants and a large Jewish population.
In the late 1960s, West Hollywood welcomed music clubs such as the Whiskey A-Go-Go and the Troubadour, venues that eventually became renowned launch pads for many famous musical acts. More music clubs soon followed, establishing West Hollywood as a linchpin of the music industry.
The area of Los Angeles immediately adjacent to the southeast of West Hollywood, the Fairfax District, contains some attractions mistakenly thought to be in West Hollywood (like Canter's Deli); that area is covered in that article. Similarly, the area surrounding the Beverly Center mall and the La Cienga corridor to the north is commonly thought of as West Hollywood although it is mostly in the city of Los Angeles; this area is however included in this article.
Get in
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.
By public transit, West Hollywood is served by many frequent Metro bus routes. Frequent east-west routes include the 2 on Sunset Blvd, 4 and Metro Rapid 704 on Santa Monica Blvd, 10 on Melrose Ave, 14 on Beverly Blvd, and 16 on 3rd Street. Frequent north-south routes include the 30 along San Vicente Blvd, the 105 and Metro Rapid 705 along La Cienga Blvd, and the 217 and Metro Rapid 780 along Fairfax Ave.
Get around
West Hollywood operates Cityline, a free internal shuttle service operating within city limits on weekdays. During rush hour from 7-9AM and 5-8PM a single line connects the city to Hollywood, terminating at the Hollywood/Highland Line station, while the rest of the day from 9AM-5PM service runs between the West Hollywood Gateway shopping center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on two different lines which run through different parts of the city. Despite running different routes, both lines run in parallel along Santa Monica Boulevard.
On weekends, West Hollywood also operates The PickUp, a free shuttle along Santa Monica Boulevard which serves the many businesses and landmarks around the corridor. If you're going out for a night on the town, The PickUp can be a good alternative to driving.
See
- West Hollywood's main tourist draw is the Sunset Strip, a section of Sunset Boulevard lined with flashy billboards, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotels famous for their Hollywood and rock-and-roll history. Take a walk or cruise along the Strip and see what there is to see.
See Pacific Design Center
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.
See Stahl House (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.
See Stan Lee House
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.
Do
Do Halloween Carnaval
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.
Comedy
Do Largo at the Coronet
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.
Buy
Robertson Blvd. runs through West Hollywood and is a trendy shopping district. It's famous for its many boutiques and for its celebrities and the trailing paparazzi.
Eat
Many of West Hollywood's favorite restaurants line Santa Monica Boulevard. Many of these are as much about "seeing and being seen" as they are about food.
Budget
Eat Mel's Drive-In
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.
Mid-range
Eat Garden of Taxco
"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.
Eat Hugo's
A great spot for breakfast or lunch.
Eat Rainbow Bar & Grill
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.
Eat Saddle Ranch Chop House
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.
Eat Knoll
This intimate bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with entrees that range from truffle grilled cheese to lobster ravioli to herb crusted salmon.
Splurge
Eat AOC
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.
Eat Koi
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.
Eat BOA Steakhouse
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.
Eat Dan Tana's
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.
Eat The Ivy
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.
Eat Katana
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.
Eat Lucques
Excellent, California-style cuisine in an upscale atmosphere, widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city.
Cafes
Eat Urth Caffé
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.
Dessert
Eat Sweet Lady Jane
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.
Drink
Drink Troubadour
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
Drink Whisky a Go Go
Another club/music venue, one of the more famous ones in Los Angeles.
Drink Barney's Beanery
A semi-sleazy but popular restaurant and bar, popular with the straight college crowd.
Drink Bar 1200 at Sunset Marquis
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.
Drink The Viper Room
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.
Sleep
Stay Chateau Marmont
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.
Stay Le Montrose Suite Hotel
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.
Stay Sunset Marquis
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.
Stay Sunset Tower Hotel
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.
Go next
- Hollywood. West Hollywood's more famous neighbor to the east.
- Beverly Hills. West Hollywood's more famous neighbor to the west.
Nearby
Beverly Hills
City / town · 32 listings · 2 mi away
Universal City
City / town · 4 mi away
Studio City
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
Culver City
City / town · 58 listings · 6 mi away
North Hollywood
City / town · 10 listings · 6 mi away
Sherman Oaks
City / town · 13 listings · 7 mi away
Burbank
City / town · 32 listings · 7 mi away
Santa Monica
City / town · 46 listings · 8 mi away
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