Hollywood Hills - Los Angeles, CA Area Guide

Hollywood Hills received its name from husband and wife Daeida and Harvey Henderson Wilcox. Daeida was inspired by a woman she had met whose summer home was named Hollywood.

The most notable characteristic of the neighborhood, the Hollywood sign built in 1924, originally read “Hollywoodland” until1949 when the “land” was removed from the end. But this area really is the land of Hollywood as it is home to the Dolby Theater which has housed the Academy Awards for over a decade.

Hollywood became known as the epicenter of television and film when independent movie producers began traveling west to escape the large movie-making companies that had banned together to prevent others from using their newly developed technology (hence why there were so many independent studios). They ultimately stayed, however, because of the great weather and golden appeal of the area.

You can learn more about the history of the community at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. Popular annual events include the Shakespeare Company's Griffith Park Festival where visitors can camp out and enjoy Shakespeare performances for free.

The Hollywood Hills has a variety of restaurants to suit tastes of all kinds. Beachwood Cafe is a popular eatery in Hollywood Hills, and it serves American cuisine with a hint of Asian, Mediterranean and Scandinavian accents mixed in. This restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the vibrant interior gives the establishment a contemporary atmosphere. Some of the cafe's menu options include Beeler's Farm Iowa pork chops, steak frites and house-made cavatelli pasta.

If you have a craving for Japanese cuisine, check out the popular Yamashiro Hollywood, located right off of Sycamore Ave. It began as a mansion designed to hold Asian treasures, but over the course of a few decades, it was turned into a restaurant serving popular dishes, such as shoyu glazed black cod, Jidori chicken beast and a variety of different sushi dishes. This neighborhood landmark has become known for its history in film, as it has appeared in movies such as "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Gone in 60 Seconds."

Head over to Musso & Frank Grill for a classic Hollywood dining experience. Located at the bottom of the Hollywood Hills, this restaurant has been serving the area since 1919, making it the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. No matter what you're in the mood for, you can count on finding it at Musso & Frank Grill due to the wide variety in menu options. Menu items include grenadine of beef, summer squash ravioli, oyster stew and Porterhouse steak.

The nightlife scene that serves the Hollywood Hills never slows down with its wide array of clubs and lounges. One of the most popular clubs to try is Avalon Hollywood. This high-energy club also has a reputation for being a Hollywood landmark. This was the location of The Beatles' first performance on the west coast in 1964. It is a full-service venue provider, making it the ideal location for live music and performances. Other area favorites include The Colony and Playhouse.

The most common method of transportation in Hollywood Hills is without a doubt the automobile. Highways are easily accessible and allow you to conveniently travel to neighboring communities and cities, and walking isn't exactly recommended.

The Hollywood Hills is an exclusive community and does not offer public transportation. There are no sidewalks, however you can enjoy afternoon or morning walks in the canyons or parks that populate the neighborhood. You can also ride a bike with assurance, as the community does have bicycle lanes. Taxi cab requests generally need to be phoned in, and the wait time for an Uber tends to be around 5 to 10 minutes.

The main park in the Hollywood Hills community is Griffith Park. It offers several attractions, including the Autry National Center, the Greek Theater and the Griffith Merry-Go-Round. The Griffith Observatory allows you to see a close up of the Hollywood sign with stationary binoculars.

Griffith Park also provides many amenities, including campgrounds, hiking trails, horseback riding trails and even $3 pony rides for kids. The park welcomes kids and pets, but visitors should always exercise caution, as Griffith Park serves as a habitation for different wildlife. Coyotes, deer and rattlesnakes are a few of the animals that occupy the park.

Griffith Park allows various recreational activities, such as swimming, golfing, soccer and tennis. Hiking canyons populate the Hollywood Hills, giving nature and hikers a retreat. The most popular one is Runyon Canyon, but others include Laurel Canyon, Beachwood Canyon and Fryman Canyon.

Residents and guests enjoy annual events year round, which include the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, and the Annual Griffith Park Sidecar Rally.

The cost of living in the Hollywood Hills is significantly higher than the rest of the city of Los Angeles. The average cost of rent per month in this neighborhood is $5,017, while the rest of Los Angeles averages around $2,469.

Gas can be about $0.30-$0.60 higher in the Hollywood Hills compared to the rest of Los Angeles and also tends to be higher than the national average. Although the cost of living is high, you can still grab a beer at a local pub, such as The Parlour Room, for $4 to $5.

Notable community residents have included actor Matthew Perry, British film director Marcus Dillistone and radio personality Tom Leykis.

In the Hollywood Hills community, most residents shop at the Hollywood & Highland Center, which offers over 70 different shops and attracts many visitors because of its prime location in the heart of Hollywood. Patrons can spend their entire day (and paycheck) around this area because of the numerous stores and eateries.

For those with faulty Apple products, or at least a love of them, Reanimac exists solely to fix any fault that may have occurred and offer you new or gently used products for a discounted price. Unsurprisingly, one of the best florists in Los Angeles sits in the Hills. The Conservatory delivers all over the city, but it has also done work for studios and well-known restaurants. Ordering flowers here guarantees beauty, uniqueness and quality.

While a short drive can bring you to grocery chains such as Ralphs and Trader Joe's, residents can also shop within Hollywood Hills at Gelson's Market on Franklin Ave and Beachwood Market on Belden Drive. Besides stocking produce and pantry essentials, both of these markets have a reputation for offering gourmet delis and tasty fresh sandwiches. Visit the Hollywood Farmers Market at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Street every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, where you can shop from over 160 vendors and local farmers.