West Hollywood: Where celebrities hang out

Hollywood is the famous celeb hot spot from cinema’s golden age.  West Hollywood is where locals and celebrities have been hanging out ever since.  For celebrities, it is a place to shop, dine, and party all the way to a quiet, safe haven, away from the hustle and bustle of stardom demands – it’s no surprise the classic area has stood the test of time in a notoriously fast-paced industry.

What’s more, West Hollywood, or WeHo in local speak, includes the famed Melrose area and Santa Monica Boulevard LGBTQ hot spot.  It is flanked by Beverly Hills and Hollywood – allowing you to immerse yourself in LA celebrity culture with a good chance for some star sightings.

Sunset Strip 

The Sunset Strip section in West Hollywood, is bustling with hot contemporary restaurants, shops, hotels, and entertainment venues (i.e. the famed Comedy Store).  It is a very safe area, where locals and visitors mingle.  On the north side of Sunset Strip is the residential area for many past and current celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Katy Perry, Russell Brand, Jennifer Anniston, etc.  For them it’s just a short walk or ride down the hill.

Sunset Tower Hotel 

A legendary pink-hued, 15-story high building on the Sunset Strip, the Sunset Tower Hotel has been a haven for the rich and famous since 1931. Having welcomed the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes (who famously lived in the penthouse) these days, the guest list has lost none of its a-list flair with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, and Johnny Depp staying regularly. 

And if you’d like to refresh by the pool in the luxurious Tower Bar, you’ll be lounging in what used to be Bugsy Siegel’s ground floor apartment. The glamorous spot is now perfect to enjoy a cocktail and relive old Hollywood while being in the midst of the new.  Locals and visitors love hanging out here.

Robertson Boulevard 

You’ll find the exclusive South Robertson Boulevard shopping and restaurant district just an 11-minute ride south of the Sunset Strip and bordering Beverly Hills. It is closed to cars during weekends to make it easier for restaurants and stores to expand outdoor dining.

Famed for its place in the 90s-early 00s paparazzi scene, this charming area was a favorite among the likes of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears. However, over time, stars have only continued to flock to its high-end boutiques and gourmet restaurants such as celebrity-favorite, the Ivy. More recently, the Kardashians, Jessica Alba, Sandra Bullock, and Cindy Crawford have been sighted.

Urth Caffé

The LA-based coffee chain, Urth Caffé, sells some of the best coffee in West Hollywood. So naturally, then, celebrities flock from far and wide to get their caffeine fix.  Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner, Jessica Alba, and Joe Jonas have been spotted in this locale, Urth Caffé coffee cups in hand.

Craig’s 

This high-end restaurant may already be familiar to you. Not only does it have the classic, go-to look that features in many reality tv shows or Hollywood films, it’s also been the backdrop for many paparazzi snaps, with some run-ins even being planned!

With regulars including Kim Kardashian and George Clooney, the classic American restaurant’s star power is enormous. However, more recent sightings have included the likes of Joe Jonas, Iggy Azalea, and Jordana Brewster.

Chateau Marmont

This hotel’s guest list is as VIP as it gets, from top-billed directors and producers to the stars themselves. Cutting a strikingly white and stately place for itself along Sunset Boulevard, could it have been anything else? However, you won’t have to blow a hole in your bank balance by staying a night; dining in their traditional American restaurant will suffice. You’ll enjoy mouth-watering, gourmet food in a room which was frequented by Elizabeth Taylor and John Lennon in the past, and now by Leonardo DiCaprio, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

Runyon Canyon

Just a six minute drive north of central West Hollywood, and promising 130 acres of hikable land, Runyon Canyon is the new outdoors hotspot among celebs. Accessed from the north through the classic Mulholland Drive and piercing the middle of the Hollywood Hills, you could consider Runyon Canyon the backyard of stardom. Naturally then, there are regular celebrity sightings. Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, Justin Bieber, Channing Tatum, Kathy Griffin, Alexander Skarsgard, and Elle Macpherson, just to name a few. And, if you don’t run into a celeb, you’ll still be treated to picturesque, ‘instagrammable’ views of the LA skyline and Hollywood sign.

Finally …

West Hollywood has seen it all. From the Golden era to now, it’s hosted celebs from far and wide, while always remaining a bastion for LA-based superstars. By simply walking its streets, you’ll be waking among superstar history. But, be sure to keep your eyes wide open (they don’t look the same without make-up)  and visit the areas above to stand the best chance of spotting the most celebrities!

To learn more, watch this Webinar On Demand: How to Plan your Client’s Vacation to West Hollywood & Santa Monica with AmericanTours (ATI).  And here is an excellent suggested DRIVE AMERICA: Discover SoCal’s Splendors in West Hollywood & Santa Monica 7 day / 6night itinerary by (ATI).

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