West Hollywood

Even More on West Hollywood

West Hollywood is a bustling city in Los Angeles County in California. It was incorporated into Los Angeles itself in 1984, and known for its iconic Sunset Strip and prominent LGBTQ+ population. West Hollywood is made of a a very dense, urban atmosphere. It has primarily small lots, and a walkable setting — the most walkable city in California, in fact.

West Hollywood is bound by quite a few notable cities. There is Beverly Hills to the west, Hollywood Hills to the north, Hollywood to the east, and the Fairfax District and Beverly Grove to the south. West Hollywood's geographical boundaries, when viewed on a map, can only be described as whole-heartedly confusing, though it's easily explained by the city's lack of incorporation. Its residential neighborhoods include the Norma Triangle, West Hollywood North, West Hollywood West, West Hollywood East, and West Hollywood Heights. Commercial areas are along the Sunset Strip as well as Santa Monica Boulevard and the Aves of Art along Robertson, Melrose, and Beverly Boulevard.

West Hollywood was originally colonized by the Portugese in the late 18th century, most notably by João Rodriguez Cabrilho. Arriving offshore, he claimed the land for Spain despite the 5,000 indigenous Tongva Indian tribe people living there. By the late 1700s, indigenous people were sparse and the Spanish mission system had become more ruling. In 1770, Gaspar de Portola's expedition stopped just before the Santa Monica Mountains in what would later become West Hollywood. They stopped at the La Brea tar pits to take a substance called pitch from the ground, used to waterproof their items.

As Spanish inhabitants settled, a prominent road linked El Pueblo de Los Angeles and all ranches westward of the Pacific Ocean. This street later became the famous Sunset Strip. Most of this area was part of the La Brea rancho.

The first land development in West Hollywood was pioneered by Moses Sherman, who was partnered with the Los Angeles Pacific Railroad. Because of its founder, West Hollywood was actually just called Sherman for a significant period of time. Sherman became a hub for railroad main shops and yards, leading to a large working-class settlement.

West Hollywood has always been fun, even before being given its iconic name. During its Sherman era, West Hollywood was loosely regulated, disobedient of Prohibition, and a place for eccentric people to gather and live. Los Angeles attempted to annex the land many times over, but the town continuously voted to be independent. However, in 1925, Sherman (the person, not the place) decided to rename the area West Hollywood — a name suggested by the West Hollywood Realty Board.

Still a part of Los Angeles county but not the city itself, West Hollywood had its own set of rules. Gambling was illegal for the city, but not the county, giving unincorporated West Hollywood the chance to run casinos, night clubs, and other mischievous establishments without much heavy hand from the law (though LAPD did step in from time to time). Also because of its low number of restrictions, movie-making entrepreneurs and architectural moguls were drawn to West Hollywood. Quickly, a number of incredibly-designed apartment buildings and hotels were built, some of which are notable and still stand today. Interior designers, decorators, and furnishers flourished.

After some time, the novelty of lawless West Hollywood wore off for residents. Despite this, the Sunset Strip and all of its crazy wonders were a must-see for tourists visiting from out of town. They took to the city's variety of restaurants, nightclubs, and saloons (yes — it had saloons). In the 1960s, the hippie movement revitalized West Hollywood, which became a center for the music industry and eclectic artists. Today, West Hollywood is true to its roots. Nightlife still reigns, the communities are still artistic, and we couldn't be happier to serve them because of it.