Beverly Hills is one of the most affluent cities in America. This city is known for its mega-mansions, celebrity sightings, and a high-end style that even extends to the sidewalks, particularly on the world-famous Rodeo Drive. All of this glitz and glam is contained within 5.7 square miles, nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains.
While Beverly Hills is popular among the Hollywood elite, it is also a city that everyone can enjoy. Santa Monica Boulevard is one side of the city’s upscale shopping, dining, and people-watching “Golden Triangle.” Many visitors simply stroll through this central business district, which is also bounded by Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.
But Beverly Hills isn’t just about shopping, dining, and admiring expensive cars. Beautiful parks and gardens, as well as performance halls and historical monuments, compete for attention. And opulent mansions define a sizable chunk of the city’s architectural appeal in the hills above Sunset Drive on the city’s west side.
1.Rodeo Drive.
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills epitomises the high-fashion and luxury lifestyle. This opulent thoroughfare is lined with world-famous boutiques and restaurants, as well as palm trees and Bentleys parked next to the curb. And if you hear a sudden barrage of camera shutters, it’s likely that an A-list celebrity is nearby.
Rodeo Drive, along with Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards, forms part of the city’s “Golden Triangle.” This opulent district is roughly three blocks long and contains over 100 stores, restaurants, and five-star hotels. For those looking to live in the lap of luxury, this ritzy part of town offers an endless supply of high-end experiences.
The Rodeo Drive Walk of Style is a popular attraction and one of the many free things to do on Rodeo Drive. This public walkway, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, features gold plaques honouring influential fashion icons who have made an impression on Beverly Hills. Giorgio Armani and Gianni & Donatella Versace are among the previous recipients.
Regardless of whether you want to shop or eat, visiting Rodeo Drive and the Golden Triangle is a rewarding experience. The entire district has the feel of a foreign country, similar to Europe or an island paradise. Two Rodeo Drive, with its cobblestone streets, evokes this European flair.
2.Beverly Gardens Park
Beverly Gardens Park is the city’s most well-known outdoor space. This 1.9-acre linear park runs parallel to Santa Monica Boulevard from Wilshire Boulevard to North Doheny Drive. A narrow gravel pathway winds through the park, connecting several art installations, gardens, and two decorative fountains on either end.
The 40-foot-long Beverly Hills Sign is one of the park’s most famous, if not the most photographed, landmarks. This iconic sign sits atop a lily pond, surrounded by the park’s largest section. Picnic benches and a courtyard provide a lovely backdrop for the sculptures and art pieces installed in the area.
The Electric Fountain, located at the intersection of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards on the park’s western edge, is also a popular photographing location. This historic fountain is surrounded by decorative mosaics, and lighting enhances it in the evening.
A historic cactus garden is another notable feature of Beverly Gardens. A second water fountain, the Doheny Fountain, can be found on the park’s eastern edge. Beverly Gardens Park also hosts a few notable community events, such as the Beverly Hills Art Show, which takes place in the spring and fall.
3. Go on a Beverly Hills Walking Tour
In Beverly Hills, you don’t have to walk far to see a lot, and the sidewalks are the best way to get around. The main focus is in the vicinity of Santa Monica Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.
In addition to high-end fashion boutiques, pedestrians will come across elegant architecture and eye-catching art. Palm trees line the path as well, flourishing in the warm weather and nearby parklands.
The Beverly Hills Visitor Center, Love Beverly Hills, publishes a variety of walking tour maps to suit a variety of interests. Every sightseeing tour includes a number of stops, all of which are within walking distance of Rodeo Drive. Art and culture, historic Beverly Hills, Hollywood filming locations, and family-friendly activities are among the walking tours available.
Beverly Gardens Park and Beverly Hills City Hall are two notable stops on a walking tour. And Two Rodeo Drive, also known as the cobblestoned gateway to Rodeo Drive, is on almost every itinerary. This entire city’s core area is incredibly photogenic, with people strutting along the sidewalks all the time.
Walking through Beverly Hills’ core area is not only a convenient way to check out several tourist attractions and top things to do, but it also alleviates the difficult task of parking. For those who want to avoid driving entirely, the 4 Line from downtown Los Angeles has four stops along Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills.
4. Beverly Hills Dining
Beverly Hills is well-known for its food scene, in addition to its high-fashion and luxury. While some of the menus reflect the city’s upscale quality, other more casual options are still charming. However, if you want to dine out in style, make a reservation, especially on weekends.
Al fresco dining is a popular option in Beverly Hills, thanks in part to the pleasant weather and the city’s expanding policy on outdoor dining areas. Outdoor dining options for all three meals of the day are plentiful, ranging from sidewalk cafés to intimate fire-lit patios.
With each visit to Beverly Hills, there is a new restaurant to try. The Grill on the Alley, near Two Rodeo Drive, and La Dolce Vita, an old Hollywood haunt, are two notable longstanding classics. Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Boulevard has been a favourite of visitors for the past 90 years.
5.Greystone Mansion
This massive 1920s mansion on the north side of Beverly Hills, accessible off Sunset Boulevard, is owned by the city of Beverly Hills. The estate is set on 13 acres of beautifully landscaped land that can be explored. It’s a popular location for photo shoots (by permit only) and has appeared in several Hollywood films.
Except for special events and private tours, the interior of Greystone is generally off-limits to the general public. The exterior, on the other hand, offers plenty to explore, especially when combined with the city’s typically sunny weather. Water fountain centrepieces and tree-lined courtyards are among the formal gardens at Greystone.
The mansion can be seen in major blockbusters such as The Big Lebowski and There Will Be Blood. Spider-Man and The Social Network are two other notable films. The estate has also been featured in a slew of family portraits, engagement photos, and other similar productions. Commercial photography necessitates the acquisition of permits.
The mansion is currently open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There is no admission fee, but reservations are required.
Beverly Hills, California, 905 Loma Vista Drive
6. Take a walk outside at Franklin Canyon Park.
Franklin Canyon Park, located on the north side of Beverly Hills and easily accessible from Beverly Drive, encompasses over 600 acres. This vast expanse of open space in an otherwise densely populated area of Los Angeles is a welcome respite for those who enjoy nature.
The park has a network of trails that run the length of it. The 0.3-mile Discovery Trail and the 2.3-mile Hastain Trail are the closest trails to Beverly Hills. The Discovery Trail is a popular family hike that features an easy loop through walnut woodland, whereas the Hastain Trail features a steep uphill climb.
Other trails in the park, such as the Ranch Trail, explore the canyon’s reservoir further north. There are several interpretive stops in this area that explain the canyon’s unique history. As a common resting spot along the Pacific Coast Flyway, the reservoir is a popular stop for birders – and birds. Bring binoculars with you when you go.
7.The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
In the heart of Beverly Hills, The Wallis is a world-class performance space. It’s located near Crescent Drive, across Santa Monica Boulevard from Beverly Gardens Park, and it’s well-known in Southern California for its diverse lineup of performances.
The centre occupies what appears to be its own city block. It consists of two distinct and eye-catching structures, one of which is the 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office. The 500-seat Goldsmith Theater is adjacent to this historic Italianate-style public utility.
This mix of historical and contemporary sets the stage for many of the events and shows that the performance centre hosts each year.
Aside from scheduled performances with celebrities on stage and in the audience, the Wallis also hosts a number of community events and engagements. None are more notable than the monthly Sunday Funday family events, which feature live music and dance parties.
8. Beverly Hills Events
There’s always something exciting going on in Beverly Hills. The city’s event calendar runs all year, with always pleasant weather to enjoy. Many of these community events, ranging from pet parades to classic car shows, take place on weekends, but others, such as the monthly First Thursdays events, take place throughout the week.
The Beverly Hills Farmers Market, which takes place every Sunday, rain or shine, and Concerts on Canon, which take place on Thursdays throughout the summer, are two signature Beverly Hills events. These family-friendly events are usually free to attend and feature some of the best people-watching in town.
Another notable event to add to your calendar is the Beverly Hills ARTshow. This massive gathering of local and regional artists takes place twice a year, in the spring and the fall. The show is held in Beverly Gardens Park, and each season, over 50,000 people attend.
9. Take pictures of the Spadena House.
This one-of-a-kind and photogenic home is located on the opposite side of Santa Monica Boulevard from the Golden Triangle shopping district. Because of its whimsical and spooky nature, it is also known as The Witch’s House.
The Spadena House is a private residence that can only be seen from the sidewalk. Nonetheless, given its proximity to Beverly Gardens Park, it’s worth the detour to see the attention to detail that went into the house.
10.Virginia Robinson Gardens.
When Virginia Robinson Gardens was built in 1911, it set the standard for luxurious Beverly Hills mansions. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is regarded as the city’s first luxury estate. By appointment only, public tours of this still opulent residence and grounds are available.
The home’s long history, as well as the docent-led tours, draw history buffs to this old Hollywood hangout. Green thumbs and photographers are drawn to the property’s six acres of decadent landscaping.
Tours are generally available Monday through Friday and last about 90 minutes. Virginia Robinson Gardens is not wheelchair accessible due to the historic nature of the property.
11. Discover Los Angeles and the Greater Los Angeles Area
Beverly Hills shares a border with Los Angeles, making it the most affluent city in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Many of Los Angeles’ best attractions are also within a short drive, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the adjacent La Brea Tar Pits, which are less than three miles from Beverly Gardens Park.
The rest of Los Angeles County is also easily accessible, including some of the best day trips from Los Angeles, top weekend adventures, and LA’s most beautiful beaches. These extensive lists of attractions are enough to keep anyone occupied throughout the year.
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