We came, we saw, we snapped, and we posted in West Hollywood, in SoCal. And with those four little actions, we create or project a bigger identity. Self-expression rules in WeHo. The best IG places in West Hollywood are fairly subjective. But we’ll give it a shot. (Pun intended.)
Some places we share socially are instantly recognizable; others deliberately signal to an inside crowd. Look, I’m here in West Hollywood, IRL. Straight up and naked or filtered through a badass IG trick, life looks better in welcoming WeHo.
Looking for a selfie passport stamp like the Welcome to Las Vegas sign or the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? WeHo has its own version: West Hollywood City Hall Selfie Wall (#WeLoveWeHo). The City installed a rainbow tile graphic showing the city’s tiny size and boundaries. The exterior wall is part of a micro-park project that provides passers-by a place to gather, snap, and post. You’re welcome. No, thank you … for posting. Go forth, share, like, and conquer.
City Hall, North Sweetzer Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Alfred at Glossier Alley, Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Craig's, Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Gracias Madre, Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Maxfield, Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Paul Smith, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA
E.P. & L.P., North La Cienega Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham West Hollywood Hotel & Suites, Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Sunset Marquis, Alta Loma Road, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Skybar Los Angeles, Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
The Abbey Food & Bar, North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA, USA
Before Breakfast in West Hollywood
Hollywood sign
Newsflash (not): the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park is the single most iconic backdrop in the area. And practically no one is “above it” – that is, being photographed here. A boatload of images is taken from a fair distance away at the Griffith Observatory. But Bikes and Hikes get you up close and personal.
Best Places for Breakfast in West Hollywood
Alfred
At Alfred (@alfred) they say, “But first, coffee”… But first-time patrons say, “But first, selfie.” Whether it’s the triangular black-and-white tile or the macha or the avocado and toast, there’s a cool factor here that’s on par with its cool alley.
Best Things To Do in the Morning in West Hollywood
RETNA Mural
You’ll find the RETNA Mural (@retna_art) outside of Craig’s, a pricey all-American resto favored by celebs in the Design District. This mural gives rise to the existential question: If a backdrop was seen and not photographed, did it ever exist? Street artist RETNA never had to ask that question since he’s been creating his distinctive typography on the streets of L.A. since he was a teenager. BTW, if you love murals, check out LA Mural Map.
Best Places for Lunch in West Hollywood
Gracias Madre
At Gracias Madre (@gmweho) it’s always a good day to say Thanks Mom, a place that celebrates organic Mexican food and the people who grow, cook and serve it. You can’t capture the spirit of the place in pixels, but you can sure try. Boozy snow cones or popsicles come alive in the sun; naturally stylized dishes look almost too good to eat. Please, though, do eat while it’s hot. The best IG places do not equate with cold food.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in West Hollywood
Maxfield
Ohhh, how rich and textured and nuanced the palette of grey concrete on those … cement monkeys at Maxfield (@maxfieldla). Yup, the courtyard entrance of this avant-garde boutique and the one-off gallery are playfully guarded by the duo of primitively styled primates. They are almost as famous as what’s inside.
Paul Smith's Pink Wall
L.A. and West Hollywood are full of brightly colored murals, but there’s nothing quite as simple and arresting as the Bazooka bubble gum pink box that wraps this retail location of Paul Smith (#paulsmithpinkwall), offering men’s classic fashion with a twist. Ya think? It makes Barnett Newman’s color fields and Mark Rothko’s abstract expressionism look downright dour.
Best Places for Dinner in West Hollywood
EP & LP Rooftop
I agree, EP & LP (@eplosangeles) is the best rooftop in L.A. This deservedly acclaimed duo is known for a few things: its “Young and Free” neon sign that screams selfie even for mathematically middle-aged peeps; its rooftop happy hours and evening noshing and a pink “Where Love Lives” neon sign; and its cool, self-described modern Asian eating house vibe.
Best Places to Stay in West Hollywood
Ramada Plaza West Hollywood Hotel and Suites
The Ramada Plaza is a one-time refuge for Jim Morrison. The art-deco-inspired, 176-room Ramada Plaza – with a fitness center and a requisite pool – offers great value and a stellar location. (kitchen24 is on-site and provides 24/7 room service.) The two-level spiral loft suites (some with balconies overlooking Santa Monica Boulevard) are particularly popular. They all feature hardwood floors, a 42” HDTV, a wet bar, a microwave, a refrigerator, and in-room movies. The hotel sits on a hallowed piece of land near the end of Route 66: The Tropicana once stood here, a rock-and-roll refuge for Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Blondie, Zeppelin, Springsteen, and more.
Sunset Marquis West Hollywood
The legendary Sunset MarquisWest Hollywood (@sunsetmarquis) is the soul of the Strip, oozing Old Hollywood charm and home to many 1960s legends. They claim their guests have more tattoos than any other leading hotel. And that if their vibe was any more Hollywood, their two heated pools would be shallow at both ends. But it’s a gem, a 3.5-acre oasis of luxury and tranquility (including the spa). The lavish rooms are accented with contemporary design. And many suites have private balconies and patios overlooking lush, tropical gardens. Their iconic bar is a popular rendezvous for musicians and artists, giving the place an edgy, creative vibe. The Sunset Marquis is an exquisite retreat in the heart of the bustling city.
After Dark in West Hollywood
Skybar Mondrian
Day drinking rarely looks as fun as it does at the Skybar at the Mondrian (@skybarla), where partying poolside also means partying inside the pool. Come dusk, as candles and lanterns start flickering, catch a flick while lounging poolside. Come evening catch a poolside band. No matter the time of day, city views are unparalleled from this ivy-covered pavilion.
The Abbey
The Abbey (@theabbeyweho) is the crown jewel of WeHo’s gay clubbing scene. It’s the place to be seen with gorgeous go-go dancers, buff boyz, and boozy bartenders. Cocktails are as chill as the music is hot. When you hand your phone to a friend to take a better-perspective “selfie” is that actually a selfie?
West Hollywood: Walk this Way, a Day of Gay