17 Fun and Unique Things To Do in West Hollywood

West Hollywood, aka “WeHo,” packs a punch when it comes to things to do and see. This small neighborhood is less than 2 square miles, but there’s no shortage of fun and unique culture.

It has the Sunset Strip (the best part of Sunset Blvd.), Andy Warhol’s art, and world-famous music venues. Its young, active community buys into the culture – people are always out and about, giving it a certain infectious energy.

I lived in West Hollywood for three years, so I can vouch for its uniqueness. It’s a wild, colorful blend of old-school glam, artsy vibes, and never-ending nightlife. If you’re looking for fun and unique activities to do there, I’ve got you covered. Here are my top 20 choices.

Side note: If you’re curious where West Hollywood starts and ends, think of it as in the middle of Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The streets are from Sunset Boulevard to Beverly Boulevard and from Doheny Drive to La Brea Ave.

1. Sunset Plaza

Sunset Plaza is a cozy little section of shops and restaurants with a European vibe that’s uncommon in the area.

• My favorite restaurant is Le Petit Four, a French spot with an expansive street patio and killer martinis. Other standouts are Sushiya and Bossa Nova.

• It’s a high-end area; I love to people-watch and enjoy the scenery and fancy buildings.

• For the Selling Sunset fans out there, Sunset Plaza is where the Oppenheimer Group office is located.

2. Troubadour

The Troubadour feels like it should be on the Sunset Strip next to Whisky a Go Go. The music venue is grunge but offers performances in all genres.

• The walls of the Troubadour are full of old photos and memorabilia of performers over the years.

• It’s small (a few hundred capacity), so the atmosphere is electric. If you want to escape the noise, you can sneak away to an adjoining side room, away from the stage.

3. Melrose Place Farmers Market

The Melrose Place Farmers Market has stalls selling produce, food, and handcrafted items. It’s one of the top markets in Los Angeles (and there are many of them).

• The prices are fairly reasonable, especially for the West Hollywood area.

• If you come hungry, there are plenty of food stalls; Mexican, Italian, BBQ, among others. Sometimes, they even have live musicians.

• The market is held every Sunday from 8 AM to 1 PM.

4. Morrison Hotel Gallery

Located in the Sunset Marquis Hotel lobby, The Morrison Hotel Gallery is the place to go for rock ‘n’ roll photography fans.

• It’s co-owned by Timothy White (a celeb photographer) and has a collection of photographs of artists, from The Beatles to Jimi Hendrix. They rotate the collections, so be sure to check the website in advance.

• You can buy books, memorabilia, or high-quality prints of artists when you’re there.

• It’s free to the public and relatively small, so I would account for at most half an hour.

5. Kings Road Park

Kings Road Park is smaller than other parks in the area, but it’s a hidden gem in West Hollywood.

• It has lush landscaping and well-kept gardens. It’s extremely shady, perfect if you want to get out of the sun.

• You can take dogs but don’t expect much room for them to run around. The park is so small that you can walk around it in a few minutes.

• For a more spacious park option, West Hollywood Park on San Vicente Boulevard has tennis courts, a dog park, picnic tables, and fitness equipment.

6. Santa Monica Boulevard

If you’re looking for nightlife and LGBTQ+-friendly spots, Santa Monica Boulevard is your place.

• It has bars galore, especially near the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente, including gay bars like Rocco’s and The Abbey.

• My favorite restaurants are Dan Tana’s and Connie and Ted’s.

• The street is very walkable, and the best way to see it is by walking end-to-end between Crescent Heights and Doheny.

7. Pacific Design Center

The Pacific Design Center is one of the most distinct places in West Hollywood – if you’ve driven around the neighborhood, you’ve noticed it.

• It has bars galore, especially near the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente, including gay bars like Rocco’s and The Abbey.

• It has striking blue, green, and red glass buildings and over 100 showrooms featuring high-end furniture, fabrics, and design materials.

• It’s one of those places that everyone has seen, but few people have been inside. It’s equally as impressive inside.

• A perfect activity for anyone interested in architecture and design.

8. Enjoy a Drink at Unique Bars

West Hollywood’s bar scene is full of life, and the bars are just steps from each other, so you can easily bar-hop.

• There’s everything from rooftop bars to gay bars to speakeasies.

• E.P. & L.P. is the best rooftop bar – the view is spectacular. It also has a fun and affordable New Year’s Eve party.

• The Den is a casual below-ground bar, and Skybar at the Mondrian has a spacious patio with ample seating and a pool. I also highly recommend Laurel Hardware because of its outdoor area.

• The Sunset Strip (from Havenhurst to La Cienega) and the intersection of Santa Monica/San Vicente have the two best clusters of bars.

9. See the Rainbow Crosswalks

The Rainbow Crosswalks at the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Boulevards are one of West Hollywood’s symbols.

• The brightly colored crosswalks showcase the thriving LGBTQ+ community in West Hollywood.

• It’s a quick activity, but they’re fun to see while you’re on your way to a cafe or restaurant in the area. And they make for a great photo op.

10. Hamilton Selway

Hamilton Selway has one of the largest inventories of pop and contemporary art on the West Coast.

• This gallery is known for its collection of works by artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Keith Haring.

• They also sell art, but it’s pretty pricey (like, thousands of $$), so you may just want to browse.

• They sporadically put on unique exhibitions, so check their website to stay up-to-date.

11. Brunch at Catch LA

Catch is a bit high-end, but the price tag is justified with amazing food and rooftop views.

• There’s a lot of great coffee in this area, and this spot has some of the best.

• The interior style is beautiful, and the vibe is trendy and very “West Hollywood”.

• Be sure to sit outside to take advantage of the views. Also, order this waffle-ice cream tower, like I did on my birthday.

12. Sunset Strip

The Sunset Strip is the most eye-catching part of West Hollywood.

• It’s worth a visit, even if you only drive through. There are striking building-sized movie posters and bright lights.

• It has many famous bars in the rock ‘n’ roll scene: The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, and The Viper Room are a few.

• My favorite is Saddle Ranch – a western-themed bar where you can ride a mechanical bull.

13. Book Soup

Book Soup is on Sunset Boulevard and has a wonderful (and massive) collection of books.

• It’s more of an “indie” bookstore than a Barnes & Noble. Some of the books are rare and out-of-print editions.

• The bookstore hosts regular author readings and signings, so check their website to stay up-to-date.

14. Library With a View

The West Hollywood Public Library is located within the West Hollywood Park campus.

• It’s mostly a straightforward library, but it does have a unique design touch, especially on the lower level.

• The real reason to go is on the upper level (where the books are), where you can sit and read a book and have a wonderful view of West Hollywood through big windows.

15. The Schindler House

The Schindler House is a fantastic place for those interested in modern architecture.

• It’s a hidden gem off Kings Road, designed by Rudolph M. Schindler. Because of its open floor plan and integration with the natural surroundings, it’s considered a masterpiece of early modernist architecture.

• You can buy a ticket to walk around the property (only $10). However, it’s only open Wednesday-Sunday.

16. The Comedy Store

One of the most famous stand-up places in Los Angeles, The Comedy Store has launched the careers of many famous comedians.

• A ticket here means seeing a wide range of great comedians, many of whom are recognizable celebrities. But some up-and-comers also perform.

• The venue has a lot of history; in the early days, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, and David Letterman performed some sets there.

• It’s street parking only, so prepare accordingly (the meters are often taken).

17. Gay Pride Parade (Annual)

The Gay Pride Parade takes over West Hollywood once a year, making its way across Santa Monica Blvd.

• It’s part of a larger series of events known as LA Pride, which includes a festival, live performances, and community activities throughout June, which is Pride Month.

• The parade has colorful floats, marching groups, and performers representing a wide spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community.

• Keep in mind the streets are closed off on this day, so it’s nearly impossible to drive once the parade starts.