Exploring L.A. and the region can be a little daunting. There’s so much to do, touristy spots to avoid and traffic to navigate. And then, if you have friends or family who are visiting, the pressure is on to plan a perfect day.
No worries, we got you.
I hit up Drew Tillman, a creator known on TikTok and Instagram for his perfect date ideas around Southern California and beyond. As a transplant from Hawaii, he wanted to document where to go, places to check out and the vibes each spot gave. Drew’s social media videos take you on a journey to go with a partner, friends or by yourself — and you get the essence of a neighborhood or a particular location.
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For our How to LA episode, we checked out a corner of West Hollywood, a bustling city rooted in community and Southern California’s queer mecca. Note: we know that WeHo has a lot of great places and plenty of activities to offer — we wanted to feature hidden gems, community spaces and laid-back spots with Drew.
Drew's known online for his date ideas in different pockets of this wonderful city, and in this episode, he's joining the How To LA team to take host Brian De Los Santos on a walking date around WeHo. We make the most of a beautiful Sunday by exploring spaces with delicious food and a strong community focus. Listen in to learn how to get curious about your city, and to hear some special spots in WeHo get a shoutout.
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Before the fame of Hollywood came to be, the area was known as Sherman.
It was also home to the headquarters of the Los Angeles Pacific Railway Company. As the entertainment industry grew, actors and residents changed the name to West Hollywood in 1925 to reflect the glitz of its Hollywood neighbor, but it was still an unincorporated area of L.A. County.
And then, it became a safe area for most LGBTQ folks because it was outside of the LAPD's jurisdiction, which meant there was some safety off the radar of police oversight, especially because there were still a lot of laws on the books then that were anti-queer, or could be used that way to shut down gay bars or other gatherings.
Fast forward to 1984 when residents, LGBTQ folks, elderly people, and immigrants, successfully voted to incorporate West Hollywood to protect the community with rent control measures.
We intentionally explored WeHo without driving from place to place (gasp!). We hope you enjoy this guide.
Coffee/juice at Pantry at MadHappy
I definitely need a caffeine fix to start my day. And this café is perfect for some L.A. vibes at your first stop.
MadHappy is a retail store, centered around mental health awareness, with streetwear — thick oversized shirts, sweat suits with funky colored stitching and more. There’s a big comfy couch set up as a conversation pit in the store, and a beautiful, minimalist patio in the back. That’s where Pantry is; serving coffee, juice and treats from a window. The space is calm and filled with natural light that entices you to post on your timeline.
Pro-tip: if you don’t love coffee, go for the matcha: 10/10
Location: 8906 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Brunch at The Butcher’s Daughter
A Sunday funday (especially in WeHo) needs to have some brunch.
The Butcher’s Daughter is a vegetarian-forward restaurant with a full bar and a natural juice flight that will kickstart your health journey (just joking). Snag a reservation and sit inside the restaurant and admire the space — with lots of shrubbery — or choose the al fresco dining on the front porch and people watch on Melrose. They have brunch classics like an egg sandwich, a delicious breakfast pizza and buckwheat pancakes. I didn’t get to try the espresso martini, but let me know if you do…
Pro-tip: don’t leave without ordering a juice flight for the table (the green juice doesn’t taste so green).
Location: 8755 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Explore West Hollywood Park
OK, this might’ve been my fave spot to visit during our neighborhood hangout. This is West Hollywood, of course its park isn’t just grass and trees.
The park is a community-oriented space that was revamped in the early 2000s and is mostly outdoor, but also houses the West Hollywood Library and the Aquatics and Recreation Center (plus a dog park and basketball courts). The public pool seems like it could be a private club, adorned with nice shade umbrellas and an incredible view of the Hollywood hills, but nope it’s open to the public. A swim after brunch isn’t recommended, but a trip to the library is.
This L.A. County Library is open seven days a week (wow!). Check out their amazing lounge nooks with views of the Pacific Design Center and their art displays — including a mural by Jay Lynn Gomez depicting the park’s nanny community. And honestly, it’s just a cool space to be in after a warm sunny day in L.A. Maybe sign up for your county library card if you haven't already?
Pro-tip: Validate your parking from the adjacent parking lot at the library.
Location: 625 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Dessert at Bottega Louie
If you haven't tried this Italian-style restaurant, you must stop by during your WeHo visit. It has a different vibe from the downtown L.A. location and it's all because of their front and back patios. The seating arrangements and the greenery make me feel like I'm in a movie and I'm the main character.
But you're here because you're wrapping up your self date or an outing with a boo, so get something sweet. This spot is known for their macaroons and their assortments of flavors — I recommend the chocolate-based ones. Drew, our guide, says to go for the almond croissant; the buttery flavor is great paired with a latte. And if you're too spent from the exploration, take your treats to go and enjoy them at home.
Pro-tip: This is the place to get an espresso martini and drink it at the bar. Cheers.
Location: 8936 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA
