Beverly Hills Hotel – DayDream Under the Stars

5-minutes read

Once called “Gathering of the Waters” by Native Americans, the land was renamed in the 1900s after Beverly Farms in Massachusetts and flourished into a modern, glamorous city. Today, discover the top 10 must-see historic landmarks and hidden gems that capture Beverly Hills’ timeless allure.

1- Greystone Mansion & Gardens

Nestled on the hill, discover the Greystone Mansion & Gardens. Built in 1928 for Edward “Ned” Doheny Jr., son of oil magnate Edward L. Doheny, this 46,000-square-foot Tudor Revival estate boasts 55 rooms and spans 16 acres of gardens.

Since 1971, it has been open to the public as a city park, offering daily access to its lush grounds and scenic views of Beverly Hills and beyond. Interior tours are also available to explore its storied halls.

Greystone is not only a historic landmark but also a Hollywood favorite. With over 100 productions filmed on-site, including Spider-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Big Lebowski, X-Men, Gilmore Girls, and NCIS, it remains one of the iconic filming locations in Los Angeles.

Address: 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

2- Beverly Hills Architectural Contrast from fairytale to Googie Futurism

From the Greystone Mansion, drive past the surprising “Witch’s House,” also known as the Spadena House. Built in 1921 as an office and dressing room for a Culver City film studio, it was relocated to Beverly Hills in 1926. This fairytale-style private residence, now a protected landmark, draws curious visitors year-round, especially during the spooky season.

Address: 516 Walden Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

As you exit the residential neighborhood, find the elegant Beverly Hills City Hall, a Spanish Renaissance Revival masterpiece designed by William Gage and Harry Koerner in 1932. Don’t miss its outdoor structures and ornate towers. Next door, the Willis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts occupies the historic 1933 Beverly Hills Post Office, blending classical architecture with modern performance spaces. Across the street, the 76 Gas Station, designed by Gin Wong in the 1960s, showcases the bold lines and futuristic flair of Googie architecture, a style born in Southern California.

Address: Beverly Hills City Hall, 455 North Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Address: Willis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Address: 76 Gas Station, 427 N Crescent DR.

3- Beverly Gardens Park and beyond

Nestled in Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire & Doheny Drive, stroll the 1.9-mile linear park to enjoy many art sculptures, fountains, and gardens.

Also, be sure to visit the most iconic landmark of all: the glamorous 40-foot-long Beverly Hills sign arching over the lily pond in Beverly Gardens Park. A perfect photo opportunity!

Address: Beverly Gardens Park, Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire & Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

4- Beverly Hills Iconic Signs

In the 1930s, Beverly Hills resident Jack Warner (one of the founders of Warner Bros.) requested the studio’s art department to design a sign that would distinguish Beverly Hills from the neighboring city of Los Angeles. Today, visitors can spot eight of these iconic shield signs throughout the city, whose design echoes the aesthetic of the original Warner Bros. logo.

5- Beverly Hills on Screen

Beverly Hills has long been a favorite backdrop for Hollywood productions. Among its most iconic filming locations is the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, famously featured in the 1990 romantic comedy Pretty Woman. Just a short walk away, Beverly Hills City Hall stood in as the police station in Beverly Hills Cop. Meanwhile, Rodeo Drive set the scene for Reese Witherspoon’s memorable shopping spree in Legally Blonde, and the Beverly Hilton made a notable appearance in the Oscar-winning film Argo.

6- Rodeo Drive, where Glamour Walks

Stroll along Rodeo Drive—one of the world’s most iconic and expensive three-block retail destinations. Back in 1912, this avenue was merely a path leading to the Beverly Hills Hotel, nestled in what was then a quiet residential area. The transformation began in 1961 with the opening of the first luxury boutique, Giorgio Beverly Hills, which marked the beginning of Rodeo Drive’s evolution into the two-mile-long luxury shopping street we know today.

Enjoy a luxurious walk to Two Rodeo Drive, followed by a glimpse of the Anderton Court Shops—an architectural Art Deco style gem designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Don’t miss the custom yellow Rolls-Royce parked in front of The House of Bijan, one of the most exclusive boutiques in the world.

Conclude your visit with the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style, where fashion legends are honored with bronze plaques embedded in the pavement—much like the stars on Hollywood Boulevard.

7- The Beverly Hills Hotel

The first historic landmark in Beverly Hills, the 12-acre hotel, established in 1912, became a renewed location, attracting many celebrities over the years. What makes it iconic? Perhaps it’s the legendary banana leaf wallpaper, its glamorous pool and cabanas, or its signature pink façade. Not to mention the famous guests it has hosted, including Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor, Prince Harry, and The Beatles.

The hotel has also served as a popular filming location, from silent films like A Sailor-Made Man to Saving Mr. Banks in 2013. And of course, it remains a cultural icon thanks to its appearance on the cover of the Eagles’ 1976 album, Hotel California.

8- Will Rogers Memorial Park, Beverly Hills’ First Park

Did you know that Beverly Hills’ first municipal park opened in 1915? Originally named Sunset Park, this green space contrasts with the undeveloped land of the early city. Over the years, the 5-acre park became a filming location, appearing in classic Hollywood productions such as Charlie Chaplin’s The Idle Class and Laurel & Hardy’s Pack Up Your Troubles. In 1952, the park was renamed Will Rogers Memorial Park in honor of Will Rogers, the beloved entertainer and the city’s first Honorary Mayor.

Address: Will Rogers Memorial Park, 800-876 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, États-Unis

9- Life is Beautiful in Beverly Hills

Admire the work of French street artist Mr. Brainwash through two iconic outdoor resin sculptures in Beverly Hills.

The first, a vibrant pink installation titled Beverly Hills is Beautiful (2019), invites passersby to capture a photo-worthy moment in front of its playful city slogan.

Address: Beverly Hills is Beautiful, Beverly Cañon Gardens, just north of Wilshire Boulevard on Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills

Just a short stroll away on Rodeo Drive, the second piece, Life is Beautiful, features a sculpted figure photographing the phrase, encouraging tourists to step into the scene and picture themselves as part of the art.

Address: Life is Beautiful, Beverly Drive, 1/2 block north of Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills

10- The Brainwash Museum

If you enjoyed Mr. Brainwash’s outdoor sculptures, step inside his world at the bold and immersive Mr. Brainwash Art Museum. Spanning three stories, the museum features rotating exhibits of paintings, sculptures, and interactive art experiences. A must-see for art lovers!