West Hollywood, Los Angeles guide

West Hollywood was forged out of necessity. During the Prohibition era, local law enforcement cracked down on gay culture in Hollywood, pushing the community into unincorporated West Hollywood. By the 1970s, gay-owned businesses and clubs thrived. Today, WeHo is decorated with rainbow flags and hosts a massive Pride celebration, plus multiple drag shows every weekend.

When it comes to entertainment, it’s hard to beat the fabled West Hollywood Sunset Strip. Claim some floor space at Whisky a Go Go or The Roxy Theatre, where artists like the Ramones and Bruce Springsteen have played. Ride the mechanical bull at the cheerfully cheesy Saddle Ranch Chop House. Or head to The Comedy Store to watch famous and up-and-coming comedians.

West Hollywood is famous for its modern architecture. Tour the wood and concrete Schindler House, home to the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, to see the birthplace of Southern California modernism. Visit another modern masterpiece, the Stahl House, whose panoramic views and hillside pool have starred in movies, music videos and popular TV shows.

Tire the kids out at West Hollywood Park before you head across the street to ogle furniture at the Pacific Design Center. The well-appointed park has a shaded playground and basketball and pickleball courts. For some quiet time, head to the West Hollywood Library, whose large windows offer views of the Hollywood Hills. Check the website for family events.

The enormous Pacific Design Center is made up of three distinct buildings that anchor the neighbourhood’s booming design district. Explore the showrooms of global artisans and spend time in its stunning on-site exhibition space. Looking for a museum in West Hollywood with a more scientific focus? Check out the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, home to thousands of fossils and an observation area where you can see archaeologists at work.

This neighbourhood is packed with upscale dining, but some of the best restaurants in West Hollywood are the kitschy ones. Pink’s Hot Dogs, with its generously loaded dogs and striped awnings, has been a Los Angeles staple since 1939. The adorable Tail o’ the Pup is housed in a hot dog–shaped stand. And Hamburger Mary’s serves its food alongside drag shows, bingo and karaoke.

You can’t come to West Hollywood after dark and not go out dancing or to a drag show. Landmark gay bar The Abbey has entertained the neighbourhood for over 30 years and boasts a massive dance floor and popular weekend drag brunch. Micky’s West Hollywood offers two floors and weekly drag shows. It’s open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Melrose Avenue is a posh shopping destination where you’ll find famous fashion labels and top home decor names like Vivienne Westwood and Jonathan Adler. It’s also home to vegan cafes with walls painted for social media snaps. To pick up something with a bit of history, head to North La Brea Avenue, a hotbed for vintage spots like Jet Rag.

The West Hollywood Pride celebrations start at the end of May and roll through June. Free parades, marches and performances take over the streets, with a three-day WeHo Pride Weekend as the main event. In October, Halloween Carnaval attracts revellers in wildly inventive outfits who shimmy in the streets to DJs.