Things to Do in West Hollywood


West Hollywood’s hotels, within steps of the most popular dining establishments and the area’s hot nightlife, have become the superior places to stay among travelers, entertainment industry executives and Hollywood’s most celebrated stars. Offering every price level and every taste, for the one-night layover to the one-week vacation, West Hollywood’s wealth of service-oriented accommodations will ensure a comfortable experience while staying in the community.

Things to Do and See in West Hollywood

Sunset Plaza:
European elegance meets California style along this stretch of the thriving Sunset Strip, affording elite designer boutiques and choice eats, among other features.

Avenues of Art & Design:
Located in the center of West Hollywood, this eclectic district presents patrons with extensive galleries, bookstores, trendy coffeehouses and restaurants, to name a few.

Pacific Design Center:
A 1.2 million square-foot West Coast landmark designed by world-renowned architect, Cesar Pelli, features 200 show rooms with exquisite home and office decor.

Historic Route 66:
Cruise along a portion of America’s Main Street in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard.

West Hollywood Russian Community Center:
The City’s large Russian-speaking population is provided with safety and educational programs through this active community center.

Gay Pride Parade:
West Hollywood prides itself on its dynamic gay and lesbian population, which shows at the annual Christopher Street West Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Pride Parade and Festival. The two-day festival hails as the second largest on the West Coast, celebrating diversity and culture with booths, food vendors, an array of exhibits and performances. The parade attracts more than 300,000 people to The Boulevard where visitors are amazed by the vibrant costumes, striking floats and authentic vintage cars.

Book Fair:
Founded by the City of West Hollywood in 2002, the West Hollywood Book Fair encourages reading, writing and literacy. Over 300 authors, poets, actors and performers partake in this celebrated and hugely successful event. More than 25,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors, including bookstores and literacy organizations, attend the creative, diverse event that also serves to build community by connecting individuals with businesses, libraries, schools, literary organizations and each other.

Halloween:
West Hollywood is the place to be on Halloween, throwing the largest Halloween street party in the world. The Annual West Hollywood Costume Carnaval, which brings in over 500,000 people, is schedule for October 31. The event, boasting some of the most craziest and eccentric costume creations, is held along Santa Monica Boulevard. The big draws of the evening are the Halloween Costume Context and crowning of an Honorary “Queen of the Carnaval.” In addition, live entertainment, food vendors, pumpkin-carving contests and children’s activities can be found throughout the previous week. Admission is free and the event begins at 6:00 p.m. and runs until midnight.

Winter Carnival:
The Annual Winter Carnival, presented by the Russian Advisory Board, is produced by professional dance studios serving the West Hollywood and Los Angeles communities. Guests to the carnival are presented the rare opportunity to see and experience the cultural legacy to different countries and ethnic groups. Highlighted through the world of dance are Russian, Ukranian, Armenian and Roma folklore.

Downtown West Hollywood

Proudly calling Santa Monica Boulevard, or the historic Route 66, its “Main Street,” West Hollywood residents and visitors enjoy the varied array of retail stores that line this major boulevard. The community continues to cultivate an environment where diverse and eclectic businesses and cultures can make a statement and really prosper.

The area’s nightlife is thriving, no matter which street you choose to venture down. A drive down Santa Monica will guarantee a meeting with an enthusiastic group of people, enjoying the beautiful California weather outside many gay and lesbian establishments. A typical night along Santa Monica Boulevard may consist of a delectable dinner at an elegant restaurant, followed by a night of live music at one of West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip nightclubs.

A passion for entertainment and the arts in West Hollywood is clear, with the creative art industry brining in an annual $200 million in business. Theatres, offering productions of the new and creative, have established themselves in the community, enjoying great success. The West Hollywood Orchestra can be seen at a number of events and venues throughout the city. What’s more, many music studios and film production companies have set up offices in the alleyways behind western Santa Monica Boulevard, providing a certain secrecy to its starts. More openly, The Lot on eastern Santa Monica Boulevard creates some of the most significant works of Hollywood.

Rich, magnificent architecture houses the city’s shops and galleries along the Avenues of Art Design, adding to the district’s already dynamic climate. It is our hope that you will visit the Avenues often, share in our deep heritage and abounding services, and ultimately find your own personal style with the help of our resident experts.