Where the Stars Live
Beverly Hills is a 14.8-square-kilometre city entirely surrounded by Los Angeles — an independent municipality of approximately 32,000 residents that is synonymous with wealth, celebrity, and the manicured perfection of its residential streets, shopping boulevards, and public spaces. A Beverly Hills tour takes you through this landscape of palm-lined avenues, gated estates, luxury boutiques, and the cultural mythology that has made the 90210 postcode the most famous in America.
What You Will See
Rodeo Drive (covered separately) is Beverly Hills’ commercial centrepiece — three blocks of luxury fashion houses (Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier, Tiffany) in a streetscape designed to make shopping feel like an event.
The residential streets — the tree-lined avenues north of Sunset Boulevard where the estates of current and former celebrities sit behind hedges, gates, and security systems. A guided tour identifies the homes (the guide has a map and narrates the celebrity connections) — you view from the street (the properties are private and not open to visitors).
The Beverly Hills Hotel (the “Pink Palace”) — the iconic pink-and-green hotel on Sunset Boulevard that has hosted Hollywood royalty since 1912. The hotel’s Polo Lounge is one of the entertainment industry’s most famous meeting places.
The Beverly Wilshire Hotel — the hotel featured in “Pretty Woman,” at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard.
City Hall and the Civic Center — the Spanish Renaissance-style city hall (1932) and the surrounding civic buildings give Beverly Hills an architectural identity distinct from the broader Los Angeles sprawl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see celebrity homes in Beverly Hills?
You can see the exterior of celebrity homes from the public street — the properties are behind walls, hedges, and gates. A guided tour identifies which homes belong to which celebrities. You cannot enter the properties.
Is Beverly Hills expensive to visit?
Walking the streets and viewing the architecture is free. Shopping on Rodeo Drive and dining at the hotels is expensive. A guided tour provides the access and the narration without requiring purchases.
How far is Beverly Hills from Hollywood?
Approximately 15 minutes by car (8 kilometres) depending on traffic. Beverly Hills is west of Hollywood, between Hollywood and Santa Monica.