Spotlight on WeHo: Walkability and Community in the Heart of Los Angeles

Located right in the middle of Los Angeles, West Hollywood is a fertile crescent of land— and a city unto itself. Established in 1984 and affectionately dubbed “WeHo” by locals, its compact size and Santa Monica Boulevard thoroughfare make for a neighborhood that’s easily accessible physically and philosophically. It has long been the center of L.A.’s LGBTQ+ community. As Abbe Land, longtime resident and former city council member and mayor of West Hollywood, puts it, “What I love about West Hollywood is walkability and community. People care about the Book Soup area, and they care about each other.” — Lisa Rosen Cavatina at the Sunset Marquis. (Photo: Scott FrancesSunset Marquis) LET’S EAT Land is executive director of the Los Angeles County Women and Girls Initiative, as well as a nonprofit consultant. If she’s meeting someone for lunch, Dialog Café ( 8766 Holloway Dr., 310.289.1630 ) is her go-to. “They are very friendly and have a terrific breakfast sandwich: an English muffin with egg and cheddar cheese.” If she’s feeling decadent, “I’ll go to the Sunset Marquis ( 1200 Alta Loma Rd., 310.657.1333 ). It’s its own sanctuary. They’ve got all these trees and foliage and fountains and ponds; you don’t feel like you’re in the city. I love their cauliflower steak.” Book Soup (Photo: Russell Gearhart) BALL, BOOK, AND CANDLE Book Soup ( 8818 Sunset Blvd., 310.659.3110 ) is one of the best bookstores in Los Angeles, with author readings two or three times a week. “And I love the staff reviews,” written on index cards posted throughout the stacks. “ Candle Delirium ( 7980 Santa Monica Blvd., 323.656.3900 ) has every type of candle you can imagine. A cacophony of aromas. It’s impossible not to find the perfect candle for yourself or as a gift.” To enjoy the sunshine, she visits the recently reopened West Hollywood Park ( 647 N. San Vicente Blvd., 323.848.6530 ). “They have tennis courts, pickleball courts, a new aquatic center,” and a dog park. NEVER A DULL MOMENT Another part of WeHo’s appeal is that the town is overflowing with art events, says Land. “I’ll often look at the WeHo Arts website ( weho.orgcommunity arts-and-culture ) to see what’s going on in town. They list poetry readings, music, plays in the park, new sculptures on the Santa Monica Boulevard median.There’s something happening here every day.” Another sunny day on Melrose. (Photo: Alberto E. RodriguezGetty) SPILLING TEA WITH THE QUEENS Santa Monica Boulevard is the place to be on Halloween , when it closes to cars and welcomes a parade of revelers. “People spend months whipping up the most creative costumes. I’m so lucky to be able to walk down the street and join in the fun.” ( Santa Monica Blvd. between La Cienega Blvd. and Doheny Blvd. ) You can admire the costumes all year on Drag Queen Bingo Nights at Hamburger Mary’s ( 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., 323.654.3800 ). The large, raucous space has a constant flow of energy. “Lots of times people are out celebrating a birthday or [supporting] a fundraiser, so everyone is there to have fun and support a good cause. I don’t think you can go there and not have a good time,” she says. Explore your next move in California.