Perfectly situated between downtown Los Angeles and the beach cities, West Hollywood is known for trendy eateries and vibrant nightlife. It’s home to the world-famous Sunset Strip, which is lined with historic venues, music clubs, and legendary hotels. On Santa Monica Boulevard, you’ll find amazing sports bars and exclusive nightclubs. Cultural institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures add to the city’s well-rounded appeal.
Historically a magnet for newcomers to Los Angeles, West Hollywood was the epicenter of bohemian culture on the West Coast in the 1960s. Today, it still attracts residents from all walks of life, including artists, musicians, professionals, families, and students. It’s one of the most exciting places to live, and real estate here continues to be in high demand. Here’s everything you need to know about moving to West Hollywood.
West Hollywood offers world-class entertainment
Whether you’re looking to take in a comedy show, a live band, a movie, or a carnival, West Hollywood has it all. The Comedy Store has three stages and has been featuring local and well-known acts since 1972. Up the street, Laugh Factory is known for surprise celebrity guests, including Jim Carrey and Dave Chapelle, popping in between acts. On Melrose Avenue, Hollywood Improv puts on a rotating roster of shows in a dinner setting.
Considered America’s first discotheque when it opened in 1964, Whiskey A Go Go is still a favorite of residents and visitors alike for live music. Acts have included Janis Joplin, Guns ‘N Roses, and The Beach Boys. Today it hosts a variety of local bands and visiting musicians. On the next block, The Roxy Theater is a smaller, more intimate venue hosting mostly acoustic musicians and rock performances.
For movie buffs, AMC The Grove 14 offers plush stadium-style seating and the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Plus, there’s great shopping and dining at The Grove, which has everything from luxury brands and a farmers’ market to fine dining and street entertainers.
The annual Halloween Carnival takes place on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive. The parade features live music, dancers, entertainers, and the best and most extravagant costumes you’ll see anywhere. Attracting 500,000 people every year, it’s one of L.A.’s biggest and most iconic events.
Considered America’s first discotheque when it opened in 1964, Whiskey A Go Go is still a favorite of residents and visitors alike for live music. Acts have included Janis Joplin, Guns ‘N Roses, and The Beach Boys. Today it hosts a variety of local bands and visiting musicians. On the next block, The Roxy Theater is a smaller, more intimate venue hosting mostly acoustic musicians and rock performances.
For movie buffs, AMC The Grove 14 offers plush stadium-style seating and the latest Hollywood blockbusters. Plus, there’s great shopping and dining at The Grove, which has everything from luxury brands and a farmers’ market to fine dining and street entertainers.
The annual Halloween Carnival takes place on Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive. The parade features live music, dancers, entertainers, and the best and most extravagant costumes you’ll see anywhere. Attracting 500,000 people every year, it’s one of L.A.’s biggest and most iconic events.
West Hollywood is fun as well as historic
In addition to world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife, West Hollywood is rich in history and culture. The French-style Chateau Marmont, perched on top of the hill on Sunset Strip, is legendary for the host of celebrities and icons that have stayed there. Some even resided there for long periods of time. Since being built in the 1920s, its guest list has included Billy Wilder, Marilyn Monroe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Down the street, the Viper Room was once a celebrity hotspot and underground poker club. Guests and players include Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, and Pamela Anderson. The Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard is known for helping launch the careers of Coldplay, Jason Mraz, Ray LaMontagne, and Arctic Monkeys.
The Harper Avenue Historic District has eight historic buildings of varying architecture. Built in the 1920s and 1930s, they provided high-end housing for celebrities and other industry insiders. Examples include Casa Real, a well-preserved Mediterranean Revival building. Villa Sevilla is a great example of California architecture. Romanesque Villa was built in the Spanish Revival style.
Down the street, the Viper Room was once a celebrity hotspot and underground poker club. Guests and players include Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, and Pamela Anderson. The Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard is known for helping launch the careers of Coldplay, Jason Mraz, Ray LaMontagne, and Arctic Monkeys.
The Harper Avenue Historic District has eight historic buildings of varying architecture. Built in the 1920s and 1930s, they provided high-end housing for celebrities and other industry insiders. Examples include Casa Real, a well-preserved Mediterranean Revival building. Villa Sevilla is a great example of California architecture. Romanesque Villa was built in the Spanish Revival style.
West Hollywood caters to a variety of lifestyles
West Hollywood continues to attract new residents from all over the world. Movie industry insiders, as well as Hollywood’s elite, live here to be close to all the film lots, movie studios, and production companies, such as Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, and Paramount. In fact, many movies have been filmed right on the streets of the city, including Sunset Boulevard and Almost Famous.
Business professionals who work in downtown Los Angeles or elsewhere are drawn to West Hollywood because it has all the amenities of city living without the congestion of other metropolitan cities. The great selection of high-end restaurants, the week-round entertainment, and the proximity to the beaches also gives them a healthy work-life balance.
Families love West Hollywood because it’s culturally rich, and there is something for everyone. On Museum Row, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum has exhibitions of prehistoric animals and science shows and educational programs year-round. The excavation tour is very popular with adults and children alike. Next door, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has an incredible collection of contemporary and international art. They host guided tours so visitors can learn about the art as well as the architecture of the museum.
Fun with friends and family alike, the Petersen Automotive Museum has an extensive collection of antique, classic, restored, custom, and race cars. They also have vehicles and transportation featured in famous movies, such as the Batmobile and DMC-12 Time Machine from Back to the Future.
Situated between the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC), West Hollywood is great for students who want an off-campus lifestyle while still having a quick and easy commute for their classes.
Newcomers to West Hollywood also include artists, actors, musicians, and other creative types who work in the entertainment industry. Living here allows them to be in the center of everything and be surrounded by like-minded people they can collaborate with.
Business professionals who work in downtown Los Angeles or elsewhere are drawn to West Hollywood because it has all the amenities of city living without the congestion of other metropolitan cities. The great selection of high-end restaurants, the week-round entertainment, and the proximity to the beaches also gives them a healthy work-life balance.
Families love West Hollywood because it’s culturally rich, and there is something for everyone. On Museum Row, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum has exhibitions of prehistoric animals and science shows and educational programs year-round. The excavation tour is very popular with adults and children alike. Next door, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has an incredible collection of contemporary and international art. They host guided tours so visitors can learn about the art as well as the architecture of the museum.
Fun with friends and family alike, the Petersen Automotive Museum has an extensive collection of antique, classic, restored, custom, and race cars. They also have vehicles and transportation featured in famous movies, such as the Batmobile and DMC-12 Time Machine from Back to the Future.
Situated between the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC), West Hollywood is great for students who want an off-campus lifestyle while still having a quick and easy commute for their classes.
Newcomers to West Hollywood also include artists, actors, musicians, and other creative types who work in the entertainment industry. Living here allows them to be in the center of everything and be surrounded by like-minded people they can collaborate with.
Want to find out more about moving and living in West Hollywood?
West Hollywood is one of the most exciting places to live in the world. Here you can experience Hollywood glamor, an upscale lifestyle, and world-class entertainment. As a local, Monet Berger can give you insights into this great neighborhood and make your move easier. Specializing in luxury real estate in West Hollywood, the Monet Berger Group can help you find your next dream home.
