Tour Beverly Hills
Located in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, the official City of Beverly Hills was formed in 1906. Legend has it that The Rodeo Land and Water Company decided to name it Beverly Hills after the rolling hills in Beverly, Massachusetts. Prior to this, the land was known as the Hammel and Denker Ranch. The area was primarily known throughout Southern California for one of the most fertile growing areas for lima beans. Today, Beverly Hills many affluent and celebrity residents reside in the area and it contains some of the largest residences in Los Angeles County and the United States. Its reputation for its high-end shops, salons and restaurants is world-renowned.
Beverly Hills Attractions
There are year-round attractions to see in Beverly Hills and many that happen during the International Beverly Hills Film Festival, for more information and a calendar of events, please visit beverlyhills.org. Local events and attractions include, Rodeo Drive, the Affaire in the Garden Art Show, Greystone Mansion, city parks, and a farmer’s market.
Rodeo Drive
This famed shopping street is known throughout the world as the epicenter of luxury fashion. Rodeo Drive stores span three city blocks where visitors can enjoy more than 100 internationally-famed boutiques and hotels including, BCBG, Frederic Fekkai Bulgari, Cartier, Jimmy Choo, Harmony Lane, Barney’s New York, CHANEL, Porsche Design, Tiffany & Co., Neiman Marcus, CRIB Style for Kids, Brooks Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Christian Dior, and The Beverly Hills Hotel.
Trolley and Walking Tours
Trolley tours are offered through Beverly Hills, on which you can enjoy a 40-minute narrated tour of art, architecture, historical and renowned areas of the City, including Rodeo Drive.
Guided Public Art Walking Tour through Beverly Hills
The Virginia Robinson Gardens
Opened to the public in 1982, this estate is not only known as being one of the first homes in Beverly Hills, but also for its six sloping acres of veritable lush gardens featuring exotic tropical and subtropical specimens. It is a delight to visit any time of the year because there is always something in bloom. Terraced patio gardens connected by brick paths with fountains and ponds help create a private garden world! The Virginia Robinson Gardens and home may be viewed by appointment only. The house is furnished with the artifacts collected by the Robinson family from around the world.
- Both the gardens and home are available for tour by appointment Tuesday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
- Walk-in visitors are not allowed. You must make a reservation, preferably two weeks in advance.
The O’Neill House
This is certainly one of the more unique structures in Beverly Hills. Heavily reminiscent of Spain’s master architect Antonio Gaudi, this home was built in the 1980s by art deco storeowner Don O’Neill. Before his death in 1989, only the parlor and the small guesthouse subscribed to his flamboyant style. Eventually, however, his wife completely rebuilt a larger home as a tribute to her late husband. The house that now stands is a welcome architectural anomaly amidst the often-boring pseudo-classical style homes of Beverly Hills.
The Avalon Hotel
The Avalon Hotel was featured in the Oscar-winning film, Dreamgirls. Before it became a hotel, it was an apartment building with none other than Marilyn Monroe as a tenant!
The Shave of Beverly Hills
Where stars like Matthew Perry come for a “gentleman’s shave” in the tradition of old Hollywood.
The Beverly Wilshire
This is a Beverly Hills landmark. For some, a hotel – for others, a “residence.” Elvis Presley called it home while filming several movies, and Warren Beatty lived here for 10 years in his bachelor days. People from all over the world still flock to this hotel where Pretty Woman was filmed.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Beverly Hills Hotel presides majestically above Sunset Boulevard welcoming royalty, legends, world leaders and luminaries. Located in the center of Beverly Hills, the hotel boasts a remarkable history and has become a symbol of Old Hollywood. It is surrounded by 12 acres of lush, tropical gardens, exotic flowers, and private walkways.
The Paley Center for Media
Guests have access to more than 140,000 archived radio and television programs held in this extensive library. Play your cards right and you might also have the opportunity to attend one of the many screenings and “celeb” panel discussions. Recent Paley events have brought together the cast and creative team for television classics like The Carol Burnett Show and Family Ties and more recent programs like Las Vegas and ER.
Celebrity Vault
The Celebrity Vault is the premiere purveyor of iconic rare and vintage Celebrity and Rock and Roll photography. Established in 2007 in prestigious Beverly Hills, the flagship gallery of The Celebrity Vault brings to its collectors never seen before works of photographic art from the most recognized artists of our time. Because of our exclusive professional and personal relationships with these historic photographers, we are able to offer never seen before images, one-of-a-kind works, and large scale works not available anywhere else. Franklin Canyon is directly adjacent to Beverly Hills and offers four short hiking trails and outdoor education programs. This outdoor gem is administered by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
LA Bike Tours
If biking is more to your liking, you can book a scenic tour of approximately 30 miles that includes central city highlights, celebrity homes and neighborhoods, movie filming locations and parks.
HOLLYWOOD ATTRACTIONS
The infamous Hollywood Boulevard offers a number of exciting attractions. Here is a list of things to do and see:
Grauman’s Chinese Theater
Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is an iconic movie theater. The Chinese Theater was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman’s Egyptian Theater which opened in 1922. Built over 18 months beginning in January 1926 by a partnership headed by Sid Grauman, the theater opened May 18, 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings. It has since been home to many premieres and two Academy Awards ceremonies. The new Hollywood &Highland project is right next to the Chinese Theater. It is a two-block long, $600 million mix of retail, restaurants and interesting architecture, it includes the Kodak Theatre and is also home to the annual Oscar awards show.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Since 1927, the Roosevelt has been the playground of luminaries including Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Marilyn Monroe, and the birthplace of the Academy Awards. Situated on Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a historic hotel, which recently underwent a $15-million renovation. The sweeping renovations were spearheaded by acclaimed designer Dodd Mitchell in 2005.
The Hollywood Entertainment Museum
Sit in the Captain’s chair on the original “Star Trek” set, see the original office set from “The X-Files”, or pull up a stool at the original bar from “Cheers.”
The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Is located along both sides of long Hollywood Boulevard & Vine Street.
El Capitan Theatre
The El Capitan Theatre debuted on May 3, 1926, as “Hollywood’s First Home of Spoken Drama.” That evening, limousines pulled up before the theatre’s elaborate cast-concrete Spanish Colonial exterior (designed by architectural firm Morgan, Walls, and Clements) and deposited Hollywood royalty, who were attending the play “Charlot’s Revue,” starring Jack Buchanan, Gertrude Lawrence, and Beatrice Lillie.
The Egyptian Theater
This is the first movie palace built in Hollywood (by Sid Grauman), and scene of the world’s first grand movie premiere. After years of neglect, it was recently restored to its former grandeur, and has begun offering a film on the history of Hollywood, titled “Forever Hollywood”. Catch a showing of this documentary for a fine introduction to Hollywood.
The Pig ‘N Whistle
This restaurant was a favorite of Shirley Temple and other Hollywood stars in the 30’s and 40’s, the cafe was only recently restored (in 2001) at a cost of $1.5 million. Stop by for a sandwich or salad, and admire and the restaurant’s wonderful interior.
The Musso & Frank Grill
This is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Sit in the dark wood booths where F. Scott Fitzgerald and CharlieChaplin once dined.
The Capitol Records Building
This famous building is just north of the 6300 block of Hollywood Boulevard at 1750 Vine Street. It features several star murals.