The City of Los Angeles should be on the “must-see” list for any self-respecting gay man with an urge to travel. After all, aside from being home to the entire movie industry, the original Disneyland, the La Brea Tar Pits, and a host of other unique offerings, it’s also the very place where folks like Cher, Bette Midler, and little Jake Gyllenthall live, work, and play.
Los Angeles is a huge city. Its metro area (i.e., the county of Los Angeles and environs) has a population of almost ten million people. It’s also a far flung city, covering over 468 square miles. But hidden within the city of Los Angeles are a host of smaller cities - a total of 87 other incorporated cities, and a number of unincorporated areas as well.
Many of these “subsets” of Los Angeles are large cities in and of themselves, but others would likely be considered neighborhoods in any other town were it not for the fact that they are self-governing. One of those municipalities, and the one which is notably important to gay men is West Hollywood - WeHo for short.
If you’re a gay man, and you’re visiting Los Angeles, trust me: no matter what’s on your itinerary, or where you need to go, your home base should be in only one place: West Hollywood.
All about Weho
The city of West Hollywood covers a mere 1.9 square miles, with Hollywood to the East and the beaches of Santa Monica and Venice to the West. It’s also easily accessible from LAX and within close proximity to both downtown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Origins
West Hollywood has a colorful history that goes back as far as the 1780s. At that time, the Sunset Strip was one of the principal routes connecting el Pueblo de Los Angeles to points West, and to the Pacific Ocean. A century later, the railroad arrived in Los Angeles, and built its primary rail yards in the town of Sherman (modern-day West Hollywood). Later, the now famous Route 66 would bisect the area as it wended its way to the Pacific Ocean. The original Route 66 is better known today (especially to gay men and women) as Santa Monica Boulevard.
The early part of the twentieth century saw many changes in Sherman. It was somewhat notorious as a ready source for illegal liquor during Prohibition, but continued to thrive, both because of its access to transportation, and because of the growth of the movie industry in nearby Hollywood. This relationship was made official, when, in the 1920s, Sherman became known as West Hollywood. 
The repeal of Prohibition created an instant opportunity for West Hollywood (after all, folks were already used to frequenting the area’s clubs and speak-easys in secret). The Sunset Strip emerged as the site of glamorous nightclubs - the Trocadero, the Mocambo and Ciro’s. And with the clubs came the stars. Folks like Charlie Chaplin, Howard Hughes, Frank Sinatra, Katherine Hepburn and even Marlene Deitrich settled in the West Hollywood neighborhood, and brought with them, money, fame and fans.
During the 1960s and early 1970s, West Hollywood became a bit tarnished, but 1970s and 1980s, it began to renew itself in earnest The Sunset Strip area recreated itself as the center of the new music industry, and its glamorous nightclubs from the 1950s were replaced by a whole new generation of clubs with names like Whisky-a-Go-Go, The Roxy, the Key Club, and more. Santa Monica Boulevard began attracting a large LGBT population (who, as we are prone to do, began tidying up the place), and in 1975, the Pacific Design Center was built at the southWestern edge of the city, creating the anchor for what is now the Avenues of Art & Design.
Going Public
West Hollywood chose to incorporate in 1984 (rather than be absorbed into Los Angeles). Since that time, strong city government, combined with the efforts of an active and interested population have resulted in a renaissance of the city within a city - a renaissance which continues today along the city’s many world-renowned avenues. Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, La Cienega Boulevard - each is known throughout the world, and each has a personality and a flavor all its own.
The Strip
West Hollywood’s world-famous Sunset Strip has “seen it all and done much more.” From the bad old days of prohibition to the good old days of rock and roll, this famous thoroughfare has been the stomping grounds for everyone from the rich and famous to the raunchy and infamous. But through it all, “The Strip” remains the same. Every day and every night, visitors and residents alike step onto the Strip in West Hollywood to dance, party, and pay homage to a whole host of Hollywood greats.
Santa Monica Boulevard
If you want to rub elbows with the locals in West Hollywood, there’s no better place to do it than on Santa Monica Boulevard. From its early days as Route 66, all the way down to present day, Santa Monica Boulevard has served as the main drag for West Hollywood, and it’s a pedestrian paradise, complete with coffee shops, gyms, bookstores, restaurants, boutiques, gay bars, nightclubs, psychics, pet stores and more. It’s also quite beautiful - a direct result of a dramatic $33 million reconstruction project, which widened sidewalks for strolling and outdoor dining, increased the available parking, and was punctuated by the addition of a European-style landscaped median from which one can sit and watch the crowds go by.
Avenues of Art and Design
Looking to refresh your office? Thinking of redesigning your house? Maybe there’s an antique lamp you’ve been admiring. Or maybe you just need a couple of new art pieces to hang in your den. No matter what you’re looking for, if somebody makes it (or could), you’re likely to find it (or a source for it) in this bustling West Hollywood neighborhood.>
Melrose
Speaking of shopping, when in West Hollywood, you MUST do Melrose. Clothes (vintage, fun, funky, trendy and just plain strange), knick-knacks, jewelry, comic books, collectibles, leather, lace, and just about everything in between is likely to be found somewhere on Melrose Avenue (which also runs through the afore-mentioned Avenues of Art and Design).
Restaurant Row
And now for food, and food there is aplenty in West Hollywood. There are great restaurants throughout West Hollywood (over 120), and they range from fun and funky eateries, to hollywood celebrity hang-outs, to ultra-stylish fine dining establishments. Some particular favorites include Ago, L’orangerie, The Lodge, Citrine, Marix Tex Mex, Le Pain Quotidien, Basix Cafe, Taste, O-Bar, and the everyday standard, Hamburger Mary’s.
Party Palaces
West Hollywood’s nightlife offers a little bit of everything to its steady flow of revelers that come in seek of the often wild and diverse nightlife the city offers up practically every weeknight, and always on weekends. 
Famous hotspots like Skybar and Standard Lounge, not to mention LA’s live music scene on the Sunset Strip offer one set of standards for partiers, while over on Santa Monica Boulevard the party gets hopping to another beat at legendary clubs like the Abbey, the Factory, Rage, Mickey’s, Motherlode, Fubar, and Here Lounge.
Your Weho Away From Home
Convinced that your every visit to Los Angeles needs to begin and end in West Hollywood? You should be. But just in case you aren’t, here are a few more juicy tidbits....
West Hollywood has the largest singles population of any city in metro Los Angeles. Of those, a great majority are gay men....West Hollywood LOVES its pets. So much so that there is an ordinance that classifies people as guardians for their pet companions rather than owners. There’s also an ordinance that dogs cannot be debarked and cats cannot be declawed. And as if that’s not enough, the Wells Fargo in West Hollywood allows pets to have their own bank accounts...
West Hollywood will, by June of 2006, be an entirely wi-fi city - and you know how much we gay boys love our internet!
There are more reasons...the Oscars®...the stars...the shops...the weather...I could go on, but I think you get the idea. See you in West Hollywood! Ciao!
Eat
The Abbey
692 N Robertson Blvd., 310.855-9977 www.abbeyfoodandbar.com This ultra popular place in the heart of West Hollywood draws a mixed crowd of body and budget conscious patrons. The kitchen delivers inspired variations of such classics as chicken Dijon and grilled salmon, best enjoyed on the patio amid terracotta statuettes and anchored by an outdoor bar. At night, it’s also one of the Strip’s hottest bars.
Ago
8478 Melrose Avenue, 323.655.6333 This restaurant caters to the movie and music industry’s power crowds (Robert DeNiro is part owner). It’s famous for its brick oven pizza, health-conscious pasta, fish, & meat dishes.
Basix Cafe
8333 Santa Monica Blvd., 323.848.2460 Regulars and critics applaud the service and the kitchen at this neighborhood cafe. Specialities include pizzas, pastas, mesquite-grilled fish and chicken, and fresh-baked muffins and rolls. This is fresh and healthy fare with an Italian flair!
Cafe D’Etoile
8941 1/2 Santa Monica Boulevard., 310.278.1011 The food is fresh and made-to-order at this popular restaurant. It’s been praised by locals and visitors alike for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, courteous service and diverse menu that includes Seafood St. Jacques and Pasta Pomodoro.
Eat Well
8252 Santa Monica Boulevard, 323.656.1383 Eat Well has all the best elements of the classic American coffee shop. It’s airy, comfortable, and there’s always a lively atmosphere. Turkey meatloaf, baby back ribs, homemade pies, and daily specials top the list of favorites.
Hamburger Marys
8288 Santa Monica Blvd, 323.654.3800
info@hamburgermarys.org
www.hamburgermarys.org
Hamburger Marys is an open-air bar and grill for open minded people. Guests can count on enticing food and an exciting dining experience at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or their popular Champagne Brunch on Sundays. Marys offers a full bar, (with their World Famous Spicy Bloody Mary). In addition, they offer only the highest quality food ingredients, including freshly baked buns and bread, and certified Angus beef. Generous portions, with most food entrees under $10.
Marix Tex Mex Cafe
1108 N Flores Street, 323.656.8800
The hottest Tex-Mex restaurant in West Hollywood, this location boasts a lively atmosphere that just can’t be beat. Enjoy complimentary chips and homemade salsa at the bar and expect a wait for a table on most nights (and especially on weekends).
Marks Restaurant
861 N. La Cienega Boulevard
310.652.5252
marksresla@aol.com
www.marksla.com
Open 7 nights a week for Dinner, starting at 6:00 pm. Brunch every Sunday starting at 11:00 am. Private Catering for 15 to 5,000. Full Bar and Outdoor Patio.
Mels Drive-In
8585 Sunset Boulevard
310.854.7200
Recently reopened 1950s diner, with a lip-smacking assortment of burgers, shakes and fries! Located on a lively section of the Sunset Strip.
Tangerine
8788 Sunset Boulevard
310.360.0274
Tangerine is a continental restaurant with a touch of modern French elegance, and an impressive selection of steaks and fish. The restaurant brings back charm to a place that’s mostly been about the hip new thing. (It’s also a favorite of Halle Berry’s.)
Yukon Mining Company
7328 Santa Monica Blvd.
(323) 851-8833 24-hr diner-style restaurant with BIG breakfasts and ultra-large servings. Interesting mixed crowd, friendly staff.
