Also known as WeHo, West Hollywood is the cultural and geographical heart of LA, but it’s actually considered its own city. WeHo sits smack dab between bougie Beverly Hills to the west and Hollywood to the east. With all kinds of shops, tasty restaurants, clubs, and landmarks packed into its 1.9 square miles, WeHo offers opportunities for celeb-spotting, dining, and staying on top of LA’s latest wellness trends.

Dubbed “The Creative City,” WeHo is a hip and trendy area that houses the fabled Sunset Strip (or just “The Strip” to locals), the thriving West Hollywood Design District, and Santa Monica Boulevard, which serves as the epicenter of LGBTQ nightlife. In fact, over a third of WeHo’s population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. As one of the most prominent gay villages in the country, it’s also one of the world’s top gay vacation spots. Here’s what to expect before moving to WeHo.

Commute

LA is known for its traffic, not its public transit, but with a Walk Score of 91, WeHo is the most walkable city in California. Local transit services include a free Friday and Saturday night shuttle called The PickUp, which runs along Santa Monica Boulevard, connecting the eastern and western parts of the city. The Sunset Trip is a free trolley service that runs along the Sunset Strip on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm-1:30am. CityLine Shuttles also offer free shuttles around town, plus service to Hollywood and Highland (and the Metro Red Line) during rush-hour and on Saturday nights. The #4 bus and the #704 Rapid bus follow Santa Monica Blvd from Santa Monica to Sunset Blvd. Unless you’re living and working in WeHo, it will take you a good half an hour to get to Downtown LA on the 101. Be sure to check out our post on where to live in LA based on your commute.

Eat

Where locals eat brunch on Sundays

The Eveleigh
8752 Sunset Blvd

Kick-off Sunday Funday on the Sunset Strip with one of the most popular brunches in town. Although it is more of a place to be seen than to eat, The Eveleigh’s farm-to-table fare can be enjoyed on its rustic garden patio, which offers sweeping views of WeHo.

The best coffee shop to work remotely

Madison & Park Coffee Co.
7494 Santa Monica Blvd.

Nestled amongst the flank of rainbow flags on Santa Monica Blvd, Madison & Park Coffee Co invites you to linger over your laptop and latte on one of their comfy couches in a living room-like setting.

The best take-out spot for when you don’t feel like cooking

GRANVILLE
8701 Beverly Blvd.

Fast food is a four-letter word in SoCal, but with fresh finds at places like GRANVILLE, you can forget the drive-thru. Choose from a variety of soup, salad, sandwiches, poke bowls, pasta, fish, healthy and not-so-healthy sides like mac n’ cheese, and desserts the next time you don’t feel like cooking.

Late-night eats for when you’ve had one too many

Mel’s Drive-In
8585 Sunset Blvd

Mel’s Drive-In serves thick, creamy milkshakes, chili burgers, cranium-sized onion rings, and double-crusted pies, 24/7. Check out this iconic Sunset Strip diner after a night out at The Viper Room, The Roxy, or the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go. 

Drink

The dive bar where everyone knows your name

The Saddle Ranch Chop House
8371 Sunset Blvd

The Saddle Ranch isn’t your classic dive bar, but the Southwest-meets-Sunset suds spot boasts a mechanical bull and offers a tower of cotton candy for the table plus live music. Oh, and they also have a great happy hour, Monday-Friday from 3-6pm.

Where to drink mimosas outside 

Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave

Gracias Madre features sustainable organic, plant-based Mexican fare as well as an award-winning beverage program. Enjoy a Mexican mimosa and a starter like the young coconut ceviche on the patio while basking in the Melrose Ave see-and-be-seen scene.

Where to get cocktails on a first date 

Soho House West Hollywood
9200 Sunset Blvd.

Impress a date with the vibe, view, and victuals atop Soho House’s roof garden. Disclaimer: You have to be a member or the guest of a member to spy celebs and sip martinis at this exclusive private social club. 

Entertainment

Shopping

Shop trendy clothing boutiques, interior design stores, and antiques on the western side of Melrose Avenue, between Fairfax Avenue and Doheny Drive. The trend-setting West Hollywood Design District’s 200+ storefronts are anchored by Melrose’s massive Pacific Design Center. This prime home furnishings destination is a decorator’s dream come true, while Beverly Boulevard boasts even more interior design showrooms. Robertson Boulevard highlights the highest of high-end boutiques, and you can head to Sunset Plaza for even more high-end retail therapy. Fred Segal’s chic casual fashion takes up 13,000 square feet of The Sunset Strip.

Of course, you’re just a hop, skip, and a jump from The Grove’s many retailers in nearby La Brea. For those who need to channel their inner Pretty Woman, Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive is less than two miles away. 

Venues

See top comics and up-and-comers perform at The Comedy Store on The Strip, or pile into a beanbag chair to view a film at the Melrose Rooftop Theatre. Largo at the Coronet offers music and comedy just east of WeHo, while the legendary Troubadour club, which has launched many live acts into stardom, sits to the west on N Santa Monica Blvd. 

Farmer’s Markets 

The award-winning Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market features farm-fresh organic fruits and veggies, baked goods, fish, flowers, and more. The Monday market runs year-round, from 9am-2pm at Plummer’s Park north parking lot. Of course, the biggest and best farmers’ market, The Original Farmers Market, is located on 3rd and Fairfax next to The Grove in nearby La Brea. Here, you can find everything from fine wine to fresh seafood. 

Parks

WeHo has several parks that host recreational events, community meetings, and sports activities, including historic Plummer Park. Conveniently located next to the West Hollywood Library, West Hollywood Park & Dog Park is home to the West Hollywood Aquatic Center, which features a heated pool. The fenced-in William S Hart Dog Park lets Fido run free, while a waterfall steals the show at shaded Kings Road Park. 

Top-Rated Places in WeHo

Tour the MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House, an icon of modern architecture. Just a short drive north on the 101 toward the Hollywood sign can land you at Universal Studios Hollywood, where you can fill up on Butterbeer at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Packed with bars, clubs, and award-winning restaurants, Santa Monica Boulevard serves as the center of the city’s LGBTQ community. Revolver Video Bar has been a West Hollywood staple for decades, thanks to its happy hour, karaoke, drag shows, DJs, and go-go dancers. Grab a fancy cocktail at The Abbey, a lively lounge and world-famous gay bar, then end the night with a late-night bite at WeHo’s famous Hamburger Mary’s.

Ready for WeHo to become your new home? Check out thousands of West Hollywood apartments for rent on Zumper and pack your bags.

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