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Sunset Boulevard runs west from the Pacific Ocean through Pacific Palisades, past Bel Air Country Club and Beverly Hills, into the heart of Hollywood. After crossing the Hollywood Freeway (101), Sunset veers south and runs through the downtown area before terminating in eastern Los Angeles. While the boulevard stretches more than 20 miles, the two miles known as "the Strip" have made the roadway famous.
Over the years, the Strip has been home to famous names, television stars, big-screen hits and an infinite number of "Hollywood Dreams." For more than eight decades, people from all over the world have flocked to the Sunset Strip for its glittering nightlife.  Today, the Strip is home to a wide variety of clubs, restaurants and businesses. The names are familiar to anyone who has cruised the boulevard: The Comedy Store, Tower Records, Le Dome, Spago, fenix at The Argyle, House of Blues, Thunder Roadhouse, Mel's Drive-In, The Rainbow Bar & Grill, Whisky A Go-Go and The Viper Room. The Strip's location gives residents and visitors alike easy access to all that the Hollywood/Los Angeles area has to offer. For a look behind the scenes, check out Universal Studios for attractions, sets and camera action. It is located only 15 minutes away. Nearby West Hollywood offers an array of giftware, collectibles and designer boutiques to meet the needs of even the most meticulous shopper. The Sunset Strip real estate market is surprisingly diverse. Single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses can all be found in this area of Los Angeles County. Real estate prices vary depending on location and views, with some properties overlooking the Pacific Ocean or the city lights. There are many museums and cultural centers in the surrounding area, including the Griffith Park Observatory, the Getty Center, the Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center. Glamour and glitz defined the Strip in the 1930s and 1940s. The West Hollywood nightclubs became places where screen legends mingled, power brokers dealt and everyone who was anyone danced the night away. From its Prohibition roots, the Strip has been known as a destination for those with a free-spirited lifestyle complete with casinos, high-roller supper clubs and fancy cars. Back in the day, if you weren't a star before entering one of the historical elite three night clubs -- The Trocadero, Mocambo or Ciro's -- the Strip ensured stardom by the time you left. Not much has changed in the past 70 years except for the names. |