Education

Students of West Hollywood attend the Los Angeles Unified School District. Schools in the area rank among the best in the district. A combined 677 elementary, middle and high schools and 270 community education centers make up the LAUSD. The Los Angeles Unified School District is the nation’s second largest district, with a K-12 enrollment of more than 722,000. Geographically, it encompasses 704 square miles, an area that includes the city of Los Angeles and all or parts of 28 other cities, as well as some unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Nearby universities and colleges include Los Angeles City College, Westwood College of Technology, California State University Los Angeles, California State University Northridge, University of California Los Angeles and University of Southern California.

Entertainment

The many well-known boulevards crisscrossing the city are lined with exclusive boutiques and numerous cafes and bistros. At sunset, West Hollywood is transformed into party central with a myriad of clubs and restaurants to enjoy, many featuring live performances by both emerging and established acts.

Culture

Also known as "The Creative City," West Hollywood is the ultimate place for those with an appreciation for art, design and architecture. The Avenues of Art & Design feature world-class shops for the finest in fabrics, flooring and both traditional and contemporary home furnishings. The 1.2 million-square-foot Pacific Design Center, which includes the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) West, is just one of the many unique stores that can only be found in West Hollywood and should not be missed. In addition to its unique design district, concentrated on Melrose, Beverly and Robertson, West Hollywood also boasts more than 30 art galleries catering to an international clientele with a passion for original art and sculpture.

Melrose

Melrose Avenue, seen in countless films and television shows, offers an eclectic mix of cutting-edge fashions to suit almost every taste. From vintage stores to red-carpet boutiques, Melrose is an authentic profusion of style. Not only is West Hollywood a city of extravagant homes and estates, but it is also the place to indulge in a day of pampering in one of the 14 glamorous hotels that rest in the city’s hot spots. Each hotel offers a unique experience -- from the landmark Art Deco Argyle to the intimate and secluded Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas -- and a perfect spot for enjoying sweeping sunset vistas or admiring often-imitated architecture.

The Sunset Strip

For the ultimate in nightlife experiences, residents head to "Hollywood’s soul" -- the world-famous Sunset Strip. Take a walk on Hollywood’s wild side and indulge in a night of glitz, glamour and drama. Boogie down at some of the world’s most famous nightclubs while rubbing elbows with some of the world’s most famous celebrities. “The Strip” is home to the famed Sunset Strip Tattoo parlor, the Whiskey A Go-Go, the Roxy, art deco hotels, 24-hour eateries and much, much more.

History

The history of the area dates back to the late 18th century, when it was one of the principal routes connecting el Pueblo de Los Angeles to ranchos further west and the Pacific Ocean. With the emergence of the Los Angeles railroad in the 1890s, significant development of the region came about.

When Prohibition was repealed, West Hollywood was still an unincorporated city with loose land-use regulations. The community soon became the home of many glamorous nightclubs such as the Trocadero, the Mocambo and Ciro's. Sunset Tower (now the Argyle Hotel) and many smaller courtyard buildings were home to such notables as Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Howard Hughes, Katherine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich.

By the 1950s, high rollers and night owls were escaping to Las Vegas, the casino Mecca of the nation. Sunset Boulevard revived itself as the home of a thriving new music industry. The entertainment industry became the driving force of West Hollywood’s economy. The design and decorating industry also played a vital role in making West Hollywood unique.

West Hollywood Today

West Hollywood was incorporated as a city in 1984. Today, West Hollywood is making an effort to preserve its historic roots as well as improve the economy by revitalizing its East Side and by supporting new development along historic Sunset Boulevard.