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Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills

State

California

Country

Los Angles

Continent

North America

Size

15 KM2

Population

34,186

Spending Budget

$118 - $549

Famous For

  • Rodeo Drive
  • Mulholland Drive
  • Frederick R. Weisman Art foundation
  • Virginia Robinson Garden
  • Greystone Mansion and Gardens

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October

History

Beverly Hills is a city in Los Angeles County, California. The first house in the subdivision was built in 1907, although sales remained slow. Beverly Hills was one of many all-white planned communities started in the Los Angeles area around this time. Burton Green began construction on The Beverly Hills Hotel in 1911. The hotel was finished in 1912. The visitors drawn by the hotel were inclined to purchase land in Beverly Hills, and by 1914 the population had grown enough to qualify for incorporation as an independent city. Originally a Spanish ranch where lima beans were grown, Beverly Hills was incorporated in 1914 by a group of investors who had failed to find oil but found water instead and eventually decided to develop it into a town. Beverly Hills growth exploded in the 1920s, with a population boom of more than 2,000 per cent. It was the site of the speedway, and later a hub of theatre activity. It now boasts excellent examples of modern commercial architecture. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together surrounded by the city of Los Angeles. Specifically, Beverly Hills is bordered on the northwest by the Los Angeles neighborhood of Bel-Air and the Santa Monica Mountains, on the east by West Hollywood, the Carthay neighborhood of Los Angeles, and the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, and on the south by the Beverlywood neighbourhood of Los Angeles. The area’s "Platinum Triangle" is formed by the city of Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Bel-Air and Holmby Hills.

Present Day

Most residents live in the "flats" of Beverly Hills, which is a relatively flat land that slants towards the hills and includes all of Beverly Hills south of Sunset Blvd. The houses situated on the hillside north of Sunset Boulevard have a much higher value than the average housing price for the rest of the city. Santa Monica Boulevard divides the "flats" into two areas, locally known as "North or South of the tracks," referring to the train tracks that were once used by the old Pacific Electric streetcar line that traversed Beverly Hills along Santa Monica Blvd. Houses south of Wilshire Boulevard have more urban square and rectangular lots, in general, smaller than those to the north. There are also more apartment buildings south of Wilshire Boulevard than anywhere else in Beverly Hills, and the average house value south of Wilshire is the lowest in Beverly Hills. Nearly all businesses and government offices in Beverly Hills are located south of Santa Monica Boulevard. Two notable exceptions are the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Just outside the city limits to the west lies the Los Angeles Country Club. Other locations commonly associated with Beverly Hills include the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Beverly Center, just outside the city limits to the east. In the midst of the 2015 drought, Beverly Hills was found to be one of the largest water consumers in California. As a result, it was asked by the state to reduce consumption by 36%, prompting many residents to replace their lawns with native plants. Meanwhile, the city government replaced the grass in front of the City Hall with Mexican sage. In September 2015, the City of Beverly Hills signed an agreement with Israel to work together on water use as well as "cybersecurity, public health, emergency services, disaster preparedness, public safety, counterterrorism and art and culture". In July 2016, the city of Beverly hills received the livability award from the united states conference of mayors for its ambassador program, which takes care of the city's homeless population. It’s home to the most expensive store in the world, they’ve got the world’s first 24-hour cupcake atm, the Beverly hills police department can respond in less than a minute!, the Beverly hills hotel is the cities first historic landmark, Beverly hills is the only city to boast: no hospital, no cemetery, no billboards, and no telephone or power wires, many famous films have been shot at the Greystone mansion, the Beverly hills zip code area is the richest per-capita area in the nation, it's home to the world’s first cheesecake factory, it’s named after a place in Massachusetts, the post office offers valet parking, Beverly hills is the most filmed city in the world.

Future

In true California fashion, the show must go on, and with the Beverly Hills City Council unanimously voting to remove the existing hotel room cap; there will be a surge of new luxury developments coming to the area within the next five years. The construction boom in Los Angeles is increasing, French luxury goods company LVMH will join its Louis Vuitton presence on Rodeo Drive with a stunning new high-end Cheval Blanc hotel. The 115-room hotel will be located on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Little Santa Monica Blvd. With plans to open in 2025, the long-range investment joins an area popular with wealthy travelers within the next five years. Other real estate developments in Beverly Hills include the recent acquisition of the Montage Beverly Hills Hotel which was bought out by London-based luxury hotel company Maybourne Hotel Group. The Montage will now join the companies other famed properties including Claridge’s, The Connaught, and The Berkeley. In 2018, Beverly Hilton owner Beny Alagem purchased the property adjacent to his other property, the Waldorf Astoria and is developing a large condo complex called One Beverly Hills along with famed architect Norman Foster. The property plans to feature over 300 condos and a very exclusive 50 room hotel.
Must Visit Places ------------

Rodeo Hill

When you hear the name Beverly Hills, the words shopping and Rodeo Drive immediately spring to mind. Rodeo Drive is a two-mile long street replete with luxury, fashion, and entertainment, and one of the top Beverly Hills attractions. 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

Mulholland Drive is a 21-mile long road 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 where celebrities live and tell the history of Mulholland Drive. Mulholland Drive is an essential part of any trip to Beverly Hills. Mulholland Drive 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.

Greystone Mansion and Gardens

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.

Virginia Robinson Gardens

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.

Will Rogers Memorial Park

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 one 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.

The Franklin Canyon Park

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 to 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.

Tempura Endo

Tempura Endo is a tiny upscale tempura bar in Beverly Hills with eight chairs overlooking the kitchen and eight more at the small Zen-like dining room. This import from Kyoto offers tempura the way the Japanese eat it, with a stream of tiny morsels of rare wagyu, uni, or king crab breaded in a batter containing California chardonnay and deep fried in giant copper vats, served omakase style. The fixed menu consists of a seasonal appetizer, sashimi, hashiyasume (a side dish to refresh your palate), a special salad, and a rice dish.

Beverly Hills Trolley Tours

Jump on board and take a 40-minute tour through downtown Beverly Hills and see famous sites such as Rodeo Drive, the Beverley Wilshire Hotel and Mulholland Drive. The tour is fully narrated and gives you an overview of the art, architecture, history, and culture of the vibrant city. A trolley tour is the perfect way to gain an insight into a city before striking out on your own.

Tagine

At Tagine, you can snuggle among plush pillows on a long banquette, relax in a cozy, intimate atmosphere surrounded by exotic Moroccan lamps and flickering candles, and see which delicacies Chef Ben Benameur has to offer. Ben learned to cook in his mom’s kitchen, the center of family life, and he set out to bring tradition to the 21st century and to the trendy world of Beverly Hills. His imaginative, modern take on the centuries old Berber cuisine results in treats such as Berber couscous with seven veggies or Lamb tagine in honey sauce with dates, prunes, and cinnamon. If you are not familiar with Moroccan cuisine, go for the tasting menu and try a bit of everything. Tagine also has an excellent, well-stocked wine celler.

Polo Lounge

The restaurant is refined and luxurious, there is always excellent live music, and the modern American and Mediterranean cuisine does not disappoint. Visiting the Polo Lounge when staying in Beverly Hills is a must. This legendary establishement has been the place for power breakfasts, relaxed Sunday brunches, and afternoon drinks for decades for all Hollywood movers and shakers, politicians, and business tycoons. There are three dining rooms including an outdoor space covered in flowering vines and bushes.