California

West Hollywood

West Hollywood (a.k.a. WeHo) is a hip, premium destination in Los Angeles, and right in the middle of anything you could want to do on your trip to L.A. Home to the Sunset Strip, this is where you’ll find pioneers of the motion picture industry and major activists of LGBTQ rights. With a unique and welcoming atmosphere, it’s all about trailblazing fashion, design, and dining here. Check out all of my tips in the ultimate West Hollywood travel guide before planning your next trip to L.A.!

What to Expect in West Hollywood

West Hollywood invites style, creativity, expression and 24/7 entertainment. Besides the bold identity that WeHo has made for itself, it is warm and welcoming!

You’ll find local businesses blended with world class urban architecture, and of course, top-of-the-line shopping and restaurants. From WeHo, you can access any part of Los Angeles—walk the Sunset Strip, wander Melrose District, or explore the arts at LACMA!

Language: English

Currency: The US Dollar (USD)

Cards + Cash: Credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Climate: Temperatures in West Hollywood are generally mild year round. Spring, summer and fall are warm, dry, clear and bright, with the exception of some “May Gray” and “June Gloom” overcast days.

Wet Season: Rain, if any, falls in winter and peaks in February.

Dry Season: Temperatures peak in the summer months (June-August) when temperatures can reach 90° F!

Getting Around in West Hollywood

Located in Los Angeles, West Hollywood has TRAFFIC! The city traffic tends to be congested so it’s best to stay off wheels but if necessary, get dropped off so you don’t have to find parking.

WeHo is named the “Most Walkable City in California,” and its surrounding infrastructure makes it easy to get around (though I can’t say the same about the rest of LA)! Made up of only 1.9 square miles, you’ll find endless energy, style and fun around every corner in WeHo.

Car: With most places in California, the public transportation isn’t great, so if you’re spending a bit of time in L.A. I would recommend renting a car. If you’re staying central, and are only in town for a few days, don’t waste the time and money trying to park in the city!

Uber + Lyft: If you plan to stay in WeHo, you don’t need to rent a car, but be sure to download the Uber App as you’ll need to use a cab. Bus service exists, but Uber is more efficient.

Metro: You can ride the Metro from WeHo to downtown, but avoid late-night rides.

Travel Tip

No matter how you get around West Hollywood, plan for delays because there is always traffic.

Where to Stay

Where to Eat

What to Do

Petit Ermitage

Petit Ermitage is my favorite hotel by far! It is a charming boutique hotel with an intense feeling of La Vie Bohème. The interior is beautiful, elegant, and cozy, and is designed to make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. With its rooftop pool and proximity to hip Santa Monica Boulevard (walking distance!), what’s not to love?

Location: West Hollywood
Accommodation: Luxury
Price Range: $$

VRBO

Travelers should try VRBO first—there are tons of unique rooms and houses available, and usually cheaper than hotels!

Check out The Coolest Rentals in Los Angeles!

Banana Bungalow Hostel

This fun and lively hostel is one of the most popular in the country! It’s perfectly situated just a simple drive away from Universal Studios, Disneyland, downtown L.A., Chinatown, and Venice Beach. They have private, dorm-style, and street-side patios rooms.

Location: West Hollywood
Accommodation: Hostel
Price Range: $

The London

If you really want to pamper yourself, book a few nights of luxury at The London. This glamorous, all-suite hotel, starting at $299 a night, will make you feel like a Hollywood star. It offers spacious suites, most of which come with a private terrace and premier view of the chic Hollywood Hills.

Location: West Hollywood
Accommodation: Luxury
Price Range: $$$$

Mondrian Los Angeles

The chic and trendy Mondrian is right on Sunset Strip and it sure knows it. With pearly decor, a teak deck pool, and the classy restaurant—Ivory on Sunset—it dresses to impress. Standard rooms, suites, apartments, penthouses galore, with prices starting from $369 per night.

Location: West Hollywood
Accommodation: Luxury
Price Range: $$$

Andaz West Hollywood

The Andaz West Hollywood is a very stylish hotel, and the rooms are modern, with a fantastic view to top. They offer complimentary drinks, snacks and coffee in the room, and did I mention the beds?!

Location: West Hollywood
Accommodation: 4-Star Hotel
Price Range: $$

E.P & L.P (Casual Dining + Bar)

Hit it classy with handcrafted cocktails and Southeast Asian-inspired appetizers at this rooftop bar.

Gracias Madre or Café Gratitude (Casual Dining)

Vegans will be happy at Gracias Madre, a stylish Mexican place that serves 100% vegan cuisine. Stay healthy with hippie-inspired dishes at Café Gratitude’s sandwiches and wraps.

Joan’s on Third (Casual Dining)

This gourmet marketplace will have your mouth watering with items like apricot-glazed ham, fried chicken with jalapeño, coleslaw, and chicken milanese.

In-N-Out Burger

If you know me, you’re obsessed. Nothing is so quintessentially Californian as the fast-food joint In-N-Out Burger. Grab a burger, hand-cut fries, and a thick shake.

My Order: A grilled cheese animal style with chopped chillies, yum!

Cecconi’s (Casual Dining)

This modern restaurant serves classic handmade Italian fare like orecchiette with clams, calamari fritti, and chicken paillard.

When to Go: Head to Cecconi’s for lunch!

The Griddle Cafe (Casual Dining)

Huge portions, delicious food and fluffy pancakes! This is the perfect breakfast spot in West Hollywood—just be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait for a table!

When to Go: Breakfast!

The Tower Bar (Fine Dining + Bar)

Located inside the Sunset Tower Hotel, this bar will give you all the feels of Old Hollywood! Enjoy the view of Hollywood and downtown L.A. all while sipping on some tasty drinks.

Urth Caffé

Stop at Urth Caffé for your organic blends. There’s one on Melrose Avenue with a cozy outdoor patio. You’ll find a great selection of teas including matcha and tisane.

Pool Parties

During summer months, you’re on the lookout for an amazing party with vivacious energy and nighttime music, check out West Hollywood’s WET pool deck at the W Hotel. Enjoy its crazy vibe and dive into wild and wet parties Friday through Sunday.

The Griffith Observatory

The observatory is a cool place to check out the cosmos, see space-related displays, and get a stellar view of the Hollywood sign. You can look through telescopes and enjoy live shows in the planetarium.

Hike Behind the Hollywood Sign

Just a light hike will take you up and behind the Hollywood sign for some fantastic panoramic views. Choose from three routes: Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Canyon Boulevard Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail.

Runyon Canyon Park

Outdoor enthusiasts should stretch their legs at the 160 acres of Runyon Canyon Park. The park is located below the Santa Monica Mountains and has routes for varying degrees of difficulty. It is particularly popular with dog walkers as off-leash walking is permitted.

Concert at Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is a 1920s amphitheater, which holds a variety of concerts; be sure to buy tickets as soon as you can shows sell out quickly!

The Grove at Farmers Market

Foodies should try the Farmers Market on the corner of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue. Featuring more than 100 restaurants, food trucks, produce stalls, and souvenir shops, it’s the place to go for delicious bites!

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Movie Night

Cinespia plays host to outdoor movie nights and is complete with pre-show DJs and themed photo booths. Bring your blankets, picnic basket, and drinks for the full experience.

Urban Lights at LACMA

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is a perfect place to stroke your inner artisan. The beautiful Urban Light is a large sculpture at the entrance and is an installation of 202 restored street lamps from the 1920s and 1930s.

Know Before You Go

Getting There

When coming to Los Angeles, most travelers fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is about 12 miles from West Hollywood, but some smaller flights could fly into Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR), which is also about 11 miles from West Hollywood. LAX is a bit of a circus with their current renovations, so if you can avoid it, I'd recommend flying into Burbank.