The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide to West Hollywood

Celeb-favorite hotels, MICHELIN-rated restaurants, legendary nightlife, next-level shopping — West Hollywood packs a lot into its 1.9 square miles. Yes, this creative oasis in the heart of Los Angeles is the perfect home base for exploring the city. But there’s so much to do within WeHo city limits, you may have to save the rest of LA for another trip. 

If you’re visiting West Hollywood for the first time, put on your walking shoes (yes, walking — WeHo is one of the most walkable places in Southern California) and follow this guide to LA’s coolest neighborhood.

1. Check into one of our iconic hotels

West Hollywood’s hotels have it all — luxurious accommodations, bold design, impeccable service, unrivaled people-watching. They’re some of the best places in the city to see and be seen, from the stylish pools to the starry rooftop bars (more on that below). Whether you’re looking for a weekend crash pad (try the Andaz West Hollywood, known as the “Riot House” when bands like Led Zeppelin partied there in the 1970s) or a place you’ll never want to check out of (the MICHELIN-rated Sun Rose West Hollywood and The West Hollywood EDITION, among others), Los Angeles is truly your oyster when you stay at one of WeHo’s iconic hotels.

Explore more West Hollywood hotels

2. See stars — MICHELIN and celebs alike — at one of LA’s best restaurants

Creativity abounds in West Hollywood, and our diverse array of restaurants is proof. Sample creative sushi at the trendy Uchi, or dine on whimsical and avant-garde creations at Somni, one of just two Los Angeles restaurants boasting three MICHELIN stars. Sip world-class wines and savor Roman-style pizza at V Wine Room, or grab some late-night grub at the famed Mel’s Drive-In on the Sunset Strip. Wherever you go, keep an eye out for famous faces — especially at celeb-magnets like Delilah, Craig’s and SUR (owned by reality star Lisa Vanderpump).   

3. Unwind on one of West Hollywood’s dazzling rooftops

You’ll need to take an elevator ride to access some of West Hollywood’s hottest addresses — our rooftops. Up here, the cocktails are great, the pools are cool and the views are endless. Whatever your style, there’s a rooftop for you — from the bohemian sofas and fire pits of the Petit Ermitage to the amazing cocktails of E.P. & L.P. to the epic LA skyline vistas of, well, just about all of them. You can even soak up Old Hollywood history at hotspots like Formosa Café, a onetime hangout of Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra.

4. Experience the legendary nightlife of the Sunset Strip and beyond

Since the 1920s, the Sunset Strip has pushed boundaries, literally. Because it was outside Los Angeles city limits in an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County, it fell under the jurisdiction of the County Sheriff’s Department, which was more lenient than the LAPD. Follow tradition and take a walk on the wild side; legendary Sunset Strip clubs like The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go and the Viper Room still draw top acts and the scene is as lively as ever.

Running parallel to Sunset, Santa Monica Boulevard is the hub of LA’s LGBTQ+ community, and has a colorful, energetic nightlife and bar scene to match. Head to The Abbey, Micky’s or Beaches WeHo to dance it up until the wee hours. 

5. Explore cutting-edge art and design

If you’re a fan of design, décor and all things shopping, then West Hollywood’s Design District is the place for you. The neighborhood’s anchor is the monumental Pacific Design Center (PDC), a 1.6-million-square-foot campus with 70+ showrooms selling furnishings and high-end baubles. (Admission policies vary, so call in advance if you want to visit specific showrooms.)

Need a few new items for your wardrobe? Los Angeles fashionistas know to search the racks of Maxfield, H. Lorenzo, Elder Statesman, The RealReal and a surplus of other innovative fashion designers, trendy shops and one-of-a-kind concept stores. 

If it’s art you love, make a point of visiting the city’s diverse roster of art galleries. Some to peruse include Hauser + Wirth, Louis Stern Fine Arts, Phillips Los Angeles, Denenberg Fine Arts, Art Angels and M + B. Once you’re feeling inspired, create your own images against the Instagram-worthy backdrops of West Hollywood’s murals and street art.

6. Get pampered like a celebrity

Each year during awards season, West Hollywood’s top beauty and wellness gurus spring into action to prep A-Listers for the red carpet. Visitors can indulge in these very services year round. Whether it’s a great massage at Ole Henriksen Face/Body Spa, a high-tech facial at Dr. Barbara Sturm, a social wellness experience at Remedy Place or head-to-toe pampering at a hotel spa retreat like the Spa at Sunset Marquis, West Hollywood is ground zero for self-care in Los Angeles.

7. Work out with the latest fitness trends

Staying fit is serious business in Los Angeles — just ask personal trainer and Dogpound founder Kirk Myers, whose clientele ranges from Hugh Jackman to Taylor Swift. These high standards are the reason why so many fitness trends are born right here in West Hollywood, and you can try out the latest during your visit, whether you prefer the low-impact sculpting and strengthening of Pvolve or the OG bootcamp, Barry’s.

Next: Explore the best of LA, right in West Hollywood’s backyard

West Hollywood is super-centrally located. It’s about 10 miles to places like Venice and Santa Monica, home to golden beaches and the world-famous Santa Monica Pier. Tinseltown icons like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre (home to the Oscars) are just over 2 miles away, while the trendy restaurants and venues of Downtown LA are only 9 miles away. So, get out and explore — if you can tear yourself away from the hotel pool.