Sunset Strip

Los Angeles, California Travel Guide

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Eats & Nightlife Essentials & Practicals

Sunset Strip in Hollywood

Overview: THE Sunset Strip. Everyone’s heard of the most famous stretch along the Sunset Blvd. This stretch of Sunset Blvd starts from Doheny Dr (west) and ends at Fairfax (east) and it’s located at the base of the Hollywood Hills. The strip is where glamor and celebrities meet. As well, all the L.A. folks into the glamor lifestyle.

In the short mile and half, the Sunset Strip packs in an endless array of boutique retail shops, high end and trendy restaurants and nightclubs – and more nightclubs. During the day, hit the delicious Griddle Cafe for breakfast. Have the Mom’s French Toast. Then, cast your eye on all the advertising on billboards and buildings with the most chic stars and models. Make your way around to the boutique shops. There’s even a H & M store, which has great value for the buck. If you’re up for a little adventure and you don’t have the children with you, check out the Hustler of Hollywood store. Aside from the name and reputation, the store is fairly mild. It’s more of a novelty than anything else. Have lunch and a drink at any of the popular restaurants on the strip. Perhaps Mel’s Drive-in Diner. You’re likely to catch a celebrity or two during this time. Make sure you sit in the patio section wherever you eat and people watch.

Director’s Guild of America on Sunset Strip

Now, the night comes. This is when the Sunset Strip shows off its well-deserved reputation. The Sunset Strip’s nightlife is almost unparalleled. The strip gets jam-packed with cabs, Mercedes, Bentleys, limos and other ritzy cars. Sunset buzzes with people, music and energy. Groups of beautiful women will pop out of vehicles and strut towards the Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel, The Viper Room or the Key Club. The strip is equally a place for fun and partying and a place to be seen.

Ah the Hustler store on Sunset Strip

The nightclubs and comedy clubs of the Sunset Strip make the strip what it is. They double as dance clubs, bars and live act venues. They host some of the biggest names in music and comedy today. Some of the key night clubs are The Rainbow Room, The Whiskey, the Key Club, House of Blues, the Sky Bar at the Mondrian Hotel, The Roxy and of course, the Viper Room. The Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory are also hugely popular places on Sunset Blvd.

Shops and eating on Sunset Strip

Unfortunately, some of these nightclubs are much harder to get into than others. It depends on the cache of the place. The Sky Bar definitely will not let you in at night unless you are a group of women. If you are a guy, you better be with a group of women. This policy applies to the average person like you and me. The Roxy and The Whiskey just have lines and of course, the length of the lines depends on what’s happening in the venues. You’ll just have to pay an entrance fee. The Viper Room is a bit harder to get in but you can enter.

Click here for details of Sunset Strip nightclubs and music venues.

Tip. Heed this tip. Even though a lot people don’t hit the clubs until 11pm or so, you will want to go early just to get in. Don’t wait until 11pm and then try to get into the Sunset clubs. You’ll just end up in a long line and you may or may not get in. The earlier, the better for access.

The Sunset Strip is well worth your visit to see some nightlife landmarks such as the Viper Room. It can be a little overwhelming and intimidating (at night mainly when the party-goers are out) but you shouldn’t let that stop you from a night on the town. A daytime stroll on the strip is also fun. You can be dazzled by the huge billboard advertisements and the famous landmarks to boot.

Cute waitress at The Griddle on Sunset – just for the heck of it

If you’re in a wheelchair, don’t be intimidated. Just keep a mindset that you’re going to have fun. And, if you’re a guy, the funny thing is, sometimes girls just come up because they think it’s cool that you’re out on the town. Now that’s a bonus! Keep in mind the tip, go earlier. It makes it easy to navigate through the venues. You can find a place to park as well.

Cost: Depends on your budget

Accessibility: Because the Sunset Strip portion is located at the base of the Hollywood Hills, the sidewalks and streets lie between inclines on the north side of the Sunset Blvd and declines on the south side. This makes some of the crosswalks and ramps a bit difficult to navigate. Only some. For the most part, the Sunset Strip is wheelchair accessible. Some of the restaurants do, however, have steps.

Getting There: Metro Local Bus #2. But, if you’re hitting the nightclubs, take a cab and have the cab drop you off. Then, take a cab back to your home or hotel. This is the most convenient, safe way. Locals do this if they’re hitting the Sunset Strip for a night out on the town.