West Hollywood is a city located in the Westside region of Los Angeles County. It is bordered by Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Grove, and Hollywood, among other notable LA communities.
West Hollywood only occupies a total area of roughly 2 square miles, and its compact nature has earned it a reputation as the most walkable city in the Golden State. It is currently home to approximately 36,700 residents according to the latest population estimates.
Affectionately called “WeHo,” West Hollywood is considered the cultural heart of the whole Los Angeles region. The city is best known for its legendary Sunset Strip, home to iconic music venues and swanky bars. Life here is high-energy; left and right are a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. Art spaces and an exciting nightlife add more color, but it’s West Hollywood’s history that ties the whole package together.
History
Sitting in what is formerly a part of Rancho La Brea, West Hollywood originated as the town of Sherman in the late 1880s. It was established by Moses Hazeltine Sherman, who purchased the land to connect two rail lines. At its junction, he formed Sherman, which became a home to railway workers.
Sherman eventually became an attractive enclave for film stars in the early 20th century, with Hollywood only a short distance away. It was during this period that one of West Hollywood’s most enduring landmarks, The Lot, was established. By 1925, residents gathered for a vote to officially rename Sherman into West Hollywood.
Since law enforcement was quite lax in West Hollywood, the community became a nightlife center, with the Sunset Strip as the best place to be for Hollywood heavyweights and starlets. Rock stars, artists, and hippies added to the mix in the 60s and 70s, when West Hollywood became a counterculture hotbed.
With the rising popularity of West Hollywood, rent prices in the area surged. This left locals (which included Russian Jews, the LGBTQ community, the elderly, and minorities) scared that they’d be edged out of the place they call home. In 1984, a vote was held which officially incorporated West Hollywood as a city. Today, WeHo is one of the most progressive cities in the country.
Real estate and property types in West Hollywood
Although West Hollywood is one of the tiniest cities in Los Angeles County, the local real estate market offers a wide variety of housing opportunities. Luxury condos and apartments are plentiful in this urban area, but buyers will also find Spanish Revival single-family homes and courtyard residences in quieter areas of the community. Neighborhoods in West Hollywood include Melrose District, Norma Triangle, Sunset Strip, Design District, and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Living in West Hollywood
• The country’s most iconic nightlife – Sunset Strip is unrivaled when it comes to nightlife, with its high concentration of bars and live music venues. These establishments include cultural legends such as The Viper Room, Rainbow Bar & Grill, and Whisky a Go Go.
• Diverse and inclusive – West Hollywood’s eclectic and creative nature attracts different types of people from all over the globe. The city is particularly known for its strong LGBTQ culture, which is embedded in its history. Museums and establishments that showcase this side of West Hollywood are scattered throughout the area.
Find your home in West Hollywood
Explore our website or get in touch with us at 925 389 8920 or Zach@TheKnappTeam.com to learn more about West Hollywood luxury apartments and West Hollywood houses for sale.
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