Beverly Hills

When you hear the name Beverly Hills, the words shopping and Rodeo Drive immediately spring to mind. Rodeo Drive (Video) is a two-mile long street replete with luxury, fashion, and entertainment, and one of the top Beverly Hills attractions. See famous landmarks such as the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the statue “Torso," and the House of Bijan. Even if shopping is not your thing, the history of this area and its presence in pop culture has made it one of the most visited streets in the world. In the immortal words of Vivian Ward, it would be a “big mistake” to miss a chance to shop on Rodeo Drive.

Mulholland Drive (Youtube) is world famous as the home of Hollywood celebrities. Though they are often hidden behind gates and towering trees, you can catch of glimpse of a number of lavish, some of which are the most expensive homes in the world.

Mulholland Drive is a 21-mile long road that will take you from the Santa Monica Mountains to the Hollywood Hills, offering breath-taking views of the Los Angeles Basin, the San Fernando Valley, and the famous Hollywood Sign along the way. There are many tour companies that will show you where celebrities live and tell you the history of Mulholland Drive. Mulholland Drive is an essential part of any trip to Beverly Hills.

Greystone Mansion and Gardens, the 1927 home of billionaire Ned Dohne Jr. and his wife Lucy, is one of the best things to do in Beverly Hills, California. The 55-room mansion sits on 16 acres of land and is a stunning example of the English Tudor Revival. Visit the expansive gardens with beautiful flowerbeds, towering trees, and fountains. Tours inside are only held on Saturdays and sell out months in advance.

The mansion is a popular filming location and can lay claim to serving as the Chilton Academy in Gilmore Girls and Rachel’s house in The Bodyguard. It is free to visit the gardens, so why not while away an hour or two in this simply beautiful setting?

Address: Greystone Mansion and Gardens, 905, Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, Phone: 310-285-6830

The Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation is dedicated to making Frederick R. Weisman’s private collection of both modern and contemporary art available to the public. With over 400 works on display, you will find works by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Warhol, along with many other acclaimed artists.

The foundation offers guided tour by appointment, allowing visitors a chance to visit not only the foundation but also the foundation estate, annex, and surrounding gardens. Exhibitions are constantly changing; no two visits are ever the same.

Address: Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation, 265 N Carolwood Drive, Beverly Hills, California, Phone: 310-277-5321

It is time to head back outside with a trip to the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, this six-acre property will take your breath away. There are plenty of gardens to visit, each with their own style and theme. The Italian Renaissance Terrace Gardens offer magnificent views of mature trees, camellias, gardenias, and azaleas.

Wander amongst the Rose Garden with heirloom roses or head to the Kitchen Garden overflowing with vegetables and herbs. The mansion, gardens, and pool pavilion are all available to be viewed via guided tour only. Why not visit the home of Beverly Hills first lady and experience some of the opulence of the early 1900’s?

Address: Virginia Robinson Gardens, 1008 Elden Way, Beverly Hills, California, Phone: 310-550-2087

Beverly Gardens Park is a must-see attraction for all visiting nature lovers. The linear park stretches for just less than 2 miles (22 blocks) along Santa Monica Boulevard, between Wiltshire Boulevard and North Doheny Drive. The first thing that most visitors do is to take a selfie with the famous Beverley Hills Sign before setting off to explore a variety of themed gardens including the Rose Garden and the Cactus Garden. As you make your way through the park you will come across various sculptures, several attractive fountains and a beautiful Lily Pond. A 2-mile jogging and walking path meanders along under the canopy of shady mature trees.

Address: Beverly Gardens Park, 9439 Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310 288 2220

Will Rogers Memorial Park is a public park in the heart of the city. Constructed in 1912, the small park has been popular with families ever since and is a highly visited tourist spot. As you meander through the winding paths you will find a large pond with a majestic fountain in the middle, which is dedicated to Margaret J. Anderson, the first owner of the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The park features expansive lawns, rose gardens, and palm and dragon trees. The Will Rogers Memorial Park is the perfect place to stop and rest after a successful shopping trip on Sunset Boulevard.

Address: 9650 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, Phone: 310-288-2807

The hidden gem of Beverly Hills is the Franklin Canyon Park. Nestled between the San Fernando Valley and Beverly Hills, the park sits of 605 acres of chaparral, grasslands, oak forests, lakes, and hiking trails. The trails are graded by difficulty, and there are a number of easy loop trails, making a visit to Franklin Canyon Park accessible to everyone.

Make sure you visit the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, the Sam Goldman Amphitheatre, and the Eugene and Michael Rosenfeld Auditorium. The duck pond and lake are home to over fifty species of birds both native and exotic. Download a free bird-spotting booklet and take the whole family on a unique treasure hunt.

Address: Franklin Canyon Park, 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, Phone: 310-858-7272

Since 1942 the Edelweiss Chocolate Factory has been an important part of Beverly Hills, creating a range of decadent hand-made chocolates in the famous Swiss chocolate-making tradition. All the chocolates are made on-site in small batches, using the finest ingredients available. Every batch is checked for quality by the master chocolatier before it gets to the packaging stage and all additions, (like caramel, toffee, marshmallows and marzipan) are also hand-made made on site. Vegan and diabetic chocolates are also available. While the chocolates have always been the favorite treat of legendary Hollywood stars, they are also the perfect gift to take home from Beverly Hills.

Address: 444 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, 310 275 0341