California’s small towns – Beverly Hills: part 6 – Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is a world-famous street where you can shop for luxury brands. The street stretches for about 2 miles and is flanked by well-kept sidewalks and flowerbeds along the middle. The three blocks between Wilshire Boulevard and South Santa Monica Boulevard are the heart of Rodeo Drive.

Where to park

Public garages tend to fill up quickly. There are, however, various places to park your car near Rodeo Drive with features such as “first two hours free”, “payment on exit” or “3-hour paid parking” (mainly at the intersection of Santa Monica Blvd and Crescent Dr). Also on Rodeo Drive, past Santa Monica Boulevard, going from Wilshire Boulevard towards Sunset Boulevard, you can find a free parking spot along the street.

How to get there by public transportation

Bus line 704 and 720 of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro, Mta, Lacmta) serve the Beverly Hills area.

Two Rodeo / Via Rodeo

Part of Rodeo Drive with the most spectacular architecture. The layout of the buildings is inspired by historic European towns, with cobblestone, gas lamps, porches, benches, balconies, and flowers. The street is slightly uphill and descends with a beautiful staircase overlooking Wilshire Boulevard, where the Beverly Wilshire Hotel stands out. If you take a right, you will be right back on Rodeo Drive again.

Walk of Style

In 2003, the Rodeo Drive Committee founded the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style to honor “fashion legends who have made an important contribution to the world of fashion, costume, and design”. Normally one person is granted this honor each year. Each plaque bears the name and signature of the recipient together with the reason for the award. The first plaque, dedicated to Giorgio Armani, was presented on September 9, 2003.

On this occasion, there was also the inauguration of Robert Graham’s Torso, a shining 13ft tall sculpture of a torso of a woman, made of aluminum. This sculpture is located at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way, the starting point and a symbol of the Walk of Style, where you can see not only the names of fashion and jewelry designers, such as Ferragamo, Valentino, Missoni, Bulgari, Cartier and the Versace brothers who joined Armani, but also personalities who symbolize style and elegance, such as Princess Grace.

The shops

Along the Rodeo Drive are various world-famous brands and well-known figures in the fashion industry. The boutiques are furnished in styles ranging from classic to eccentric – the red shop windows of Valentino and the black one of Armani, trendy shoes by Jimmy Choo, classic totes by Louis Vuitton, timeless creations by Madame Chanel, Lacoste t-shirts with the famous crocodile, Fendi bags with the iconic “F”, and elegant jewelry by Tiffany and Cartier.

Most shops are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, but not all of them are open on Sundays.

Where to eat

208 Rodeo Restaurant has a contemporary bistro look in a moderately business casual atmosphere. The restaurant serves California cuisine and has indoor and outdoor seating. The wide staircase (Spanish Steps) that flanks the charming “European” building faces the famous Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Urasawa(218 N. Rodeo Dr.), a Japanese restaurant that serves artfully and skillfully prepared dishes. The food is both tasty and beautifully presented. The restaurant has high prices, but let’s not forget where we are. It offers various choices of sake, the classic Japanese alcoholic beverage, ranging from 70 to 400$.

Where to stay

Beverly Wilshire Hotel (9500 Wilshire Blvd.). Scenes of Pretty Womanwere filmed here. The hotel was inaugurated in 1928 and for years has been the favorite place of many Hollywood celebrities and the international elite. The luxurious rooms and suites are located in two buildings, one overlooking Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive and the other overlooking the residential area of Beverly Hills.

Guests staying at this hotel can make use of the spa, the swimming pool, concierge services, the fitness center, and the conference center. The Cut, the restaurant inside the hotel, has been described by readers of USA Today as the best hotel restaurantin the United States. The meat and fish dishes are creative and served in a spacious room with a modern design. In the evening, the large windows allow the moonlight to amplify the effect of the panorama.

The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills (9850 Wilshire Blvd.) is a refined hotel with white as the main color of its interior design. It has luxurious rooms and sumptuous suites that have balconies with a wide view, a lobby with a bar, and a spa. The Jean-George Beverly Hills Restaurant offers fine dining under the direction of the award-winning chef of the same name. The dishes of this established chef range from European to South and North American cuisine. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in indoor or outdoor dining areas. The Rooftop Lounge,on the 12th floor, serves California cuisine in an outdoor, palm-lined setting with scenic views of Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

The Sirtaj (120 South Reeves Dr.) is a boutique hotel just half a mile from Rodeo Drive. The furnishings are modern but also oriental-inspired, wi-fi is free, and the property has a bar-restaurant. Sirtaj Hotel’s luxurious rooms have a 42-inch flat-screen cable TV, a minibar, and a coffee maker. The Sirtaj Hotel’s restaurant serves contemporary Indian cuisine with fresh local ingredients. The bar offers special cocktails, craft beers, and wines. Guests receive a welcome drink upon check-in and can make use of the concierge services, 24-hour reception, and parking at a cost of $39 per day.

The Sixty (9360 Wilshire Blvd.) is located in downtown Beverly Hills next to the Ferrari store. The rooms are elegant and have wooden floors, a French-style balcony, and are decorated in warm tones. This 4-star hotel has an outdoor swimming pool on the top floor, a lounge with panoramic views of the city, and a 55-inch LCD screen in each room. Caulfield’s Restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The top-floor bar, Above Sixty, serves drinks, snacks, and has entertainment. Guests have free access to the modern gym, the business center, and 24-hour concierge service. The concierge can arrange various activities as well as car rental services. The property also offers indoor parking at a cost of $35 per day.

Events

Concours d’Elegance takes place in June, during Father’s Day. An event showcases some of the most expensive cars in the world. It dates back to the 17th century when French aristocracy paraded in carriages through Paris’ parks on summer weekends and holidays.

During the Fashion Night Outin September, shops extend opening hours and champagne is served to guests and shoppers. It also takes place in thirty other locations around the world. It was created in 2009 in New York City to revitalize the economy and stimulate consumer interest, and now this event continues over the years. There is a Ferris wheel and other attractions.

Signs of the approaching Christmas holidays are noticeable as early as November when the Holiday Lighting Celebration takes place. Christmas lights, live music, and theatrical performances create the holiday atmosphere. Giant decorative gift packages are scattered among the flowerbeds and at the entrance to Two Rodeo. This is also a time for charity events. Donations of winter clothing for the Los Angeles Salvation Army are accepted.

Today we have added a “golden” piece to our knowledge of California, but many other destinations await in this great state that never ceases to amaze. Get your suitcases ready.