Beverly Hills, That’s Where I Want To Be!

With the awards season coming up, Beverly Hills is where all the action can be found! While the 2021 season has been postponed due to the pandemic, Beverly Hills is already abuzz with plans to bring glamour and style back to all of our lives.

Originally a ranch that was later turned into a lima bean farm, Beverly Hills still betrays its rancho roots with the name of streets like Rodeo Drive. During the early 1920s, Hollywood became the place to make motion pictures due primarily to bypass the patents in New York filed by Thomas Edison. Nearby Beverly Hill was a nice and convenient place to live that offered a short commute. The beauty and quiet of Beverly Hills, then a new development, became the place where the movie stars wanted to live and play. When silent movie superstars Mary Pickford and husband Douglas Fairbanks built a mansion in the Hills called “Pickfair”, the fate of Beverly Hills as the home of the stars was sealed permanently.

There are 90210 reasons to love Beverly Hills!

Because of its convenient placement between Los Angeles and West Hollywood, Beverly Hills is some of the most expensive residential property in the entire world! Not only is Beverly Hills popular with movie-enthusiasts and sun-soakers, but it’s also a place where art, fashion, and culture combine, and the city is a mecca for creativity.

While Burbank Airport is just as close as Los Angeles International Airport, you’ll probably land at the latter. LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world as it’s the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The airport sits just 9 miles (14.6 km) south-west of Beverly Hills but the ride can be anywhere from twenty minutes up to an hour due to highway traffic. The most popular mode of transport from LAX is a ride-share, with a one-way journey costing around $60. A less expensive mode of transport is the Metro from LAX Metro Rail Station or the public bus. However, both of these routes will first travel into downtown Los Angeles before reaching Beverly Hills, which will almost triple your journey time. Once in the Hills, I’d recommend using ride-shares for convenience and so that you  don’t need to find parking.

Here’s a Pro-tip: Beverly Hills is made up of several neighbourhoods, but the most popular areas are Westwood, Hollywood, Beverly Glen, Hollywood Hills and West Los Angeles. Each of these neighbourhoods has its own character and features.

The gardeners in the Hills are busy!

There’s a lot to see and do in Beverly Hills and the surrounding neighbourhoods. To help you plan the ultimate  itinerary, I’ve provided some of my must-see attractions below:

This isn’t my first Rodeo, cowboy!

• Rodeo Drive – No trip to Beverly Hills is complete without shopping on Rodeo Drive. The road is always buzzing with a mix of curious visitors and affluent residents splashing the cash.
• The Beverly Hills Sign – While snapping a shot of the Beverly Hills sign with its 90210 postal code might seem like a cliché, I’m sorry to say it’s mandatory.

• Saban Theatre – This art deco theatre has been a staple for decades, and a range of shows are put on throughout the year including comedy nights, jazz music, and modern pop performances.
• Greystone Mansion – This stunning Tudor mansion has been the set of many L.A. films over the years, and a stroll around the gardens provides the opportunity to wander amongst the magic of Hollywood.
• Virginia Robinson Gardens – Who doesn’t enjoy botanical gardens?! The Robinson mansion was one of the first homes built-in, and today guests can book to visit the mansion and grounds on a guided or self-guided tour.
• Star-gazing Tours – there are companies that will take you on guided tours of the neighbourhoods and point out the homes of your favourite stars. While it might seem a bit of a fangirl activity, it is fun to see how our idols live!

Beverly Hills has its fair share of restaurants offering a mix of upscale gastronomic experiences and casual light bites (even the occasional taco truck). Here are my personal choices where you’ll find me behind those big sunglasses:

• South Beverly Grill – I think this restaurant has the best food and vibe in Beverly Hills! The service is relaxed but attentive and everyone is treated well whether you are an important star or a star-gazing visitor!

From neighbourhood wine bars to hipster cocktail dens, Beverly Hills has its fair share of places to drink. Whether you want martinis with an air of sophistication or a bottle of beer on the rooftop, there’s a little something for everyone when night falls:

• Bar Nineteen12 – This low-lit cocktail bar, is the perfect place to enjoy cosy drinks, particularly if you take a seat on the terrace where you can enjoy views over the hotel’s gardens. Top tip – arrive in time for sunset.
• L.P. Rooftop Bar – The L.P. Rooftop Bar sits in West Hollywood and draws crowds of tourists and locals alike, all of which are too-cool-for-school! Who wouldn’t want to enjoy sunset cocktails with killer views?
• Heritage Fine Wines – Enjoy an evening of wine tasting at this wine bar and bistro, which serves organic wines by the glass. If you’re here on a Friday night, you’ll be treated to live music from the resident band.

Budget, boutique, and luxury; Beverly Hills has a hotel for every traveller. Here are my three favourite places to rest my head when visiting the Hills:

• Beverly Hills Hotel – Live like the rich and famous at the Beverly Hills hotel! This luxurious hotel, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Pink Palace’ is an icon and has served guests since 1912.
• Shutters on the Beach – While this hotel might not technically be in Beverly Hills, it’s only a 15-minute drive away, and it’s truly luxurious. Shutters on the Beach is a world-renowned beach resort popular with the rich and famous in Santa Monica. Guests enjoy beach-chic rooms, a pool with ocean views, and two onsite restaurants.

Enjoy the iconic Pink Palace!

• Petit Ermitage – Hidden on Cynthia Street in West Hollywood, the Petit Ermitage is a boutique hotel featuring bespoke rooms, a private rooftop, and a heated pool lined with cabanas. It is a hidden gem!

Beverly Hills is a unique place that will make you feel like rich; even if you’re just a visitor! Live like the rich and famous, shop like a movie star, and dine like a celebrity!

Love,

Isabella