Fun Things to Do in Sunset Strip | Valerie Fitzgerald Group

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Enjoy These Attractions and Activities on the Sunset Strip

City view in Sunset Strip, CA

The Sunset Strip is an iconic Los Angeles landmark like no other. Populated by a dazzling array of legendary nightclubs, historic hotels, top-rated restaurants, and one-of-a-kind boutiques, this world-famous 1.5-mile stretch is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a taste of LA’s colorful history and culture.

Looking for the best things to do on the Sunset Strip? On this page, you’ll get an insider’s look at some of the most notable venues, attractions, and activities you can enjoy in this iconic destination, along with some helpful tips that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Exploring the Sunset Strip

Picture perfect road of Sunset Strip, CA

Some people choose to simply drive across the Sunset Strip to catch a glimpse of its iconic venues, while others opt for a more in-depth tour.

The best way to explore the Sunset Strip is on foot, otherwise you’ll miss it all! Walking around gives you all the time you need to check out all of the places on your list while soaking in the sights and sounds and discovering the stories and locations that shaped this famous boulevard.

If you’re looking to join a guided tour of the Sunset Strip, here are some of the tours available:

The Sunset Strip Experience

The Sunset Strip Experience takes you on an exciting tour of all of the iconic street’s famous rock venues, attractions, and historical sites. A professional guide will lead the way as you explore Sunset Strip with a synchronized audio track providing detailed info and fun facts on various neighborhood attractions like The Rainbow Bar, Andaz Hotel, Whisky a Go Go, Chateau Marmont, and Sunset Plaza.

The Sunset Strip Experience leaves twice daily, from Monday through Sunday.

Rock ‘n Walk Sunset Strip

The award-winning Rock ‘n Walk Sunset Strip Walking Tour focuses on the historic Sunset Strip’s music scene. You’ll get to see all of the sites that played significant roles in the careers of some of the biggest rock legends and discover a few hidden spots along the way.

Sunset Strip Group Walking Tour

The Sunset Strip Group Walking Tour takes you on a deep dive into the history of Sunset Strip, from its early days as a haven for gangsters in the 1920s to the iconic rock destination it is known as today.

Along the way, you’ll get an up-and-close look at famous venues like Viper Room, Rainbow Bar and Grill, and Book Soup.

Savor mouthwatering cuisine at Sunset Strip’s amazing restaurants

The Sunset Strip features a dazzling array of restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine that’s sure to impress even the most discerning food critics.

Whether you’re looking to grab a quick bite, in the mood for something new, or capping off your trip to The Strip with a hearty meal, the variety of dining options is sure to satisfy.

If you’re looking for a place to refuel as you’re enjoying the many things to do on Sunset Strip, here are several must-visit restaurants for you to check out

Night + Market WeHo

9043 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

Night + Market is a casual Thai restaurant serving an enticing menu of beer and wine-friendly street food. This award-winning restaurant is known for their incredibly delicious Northern Thai fare with 1990s Asian-fusion influences, with bestsellers that include turmeric-coated whole fish, Khao soi curry noodles, and Chang Rai herb sausage.

Night + Market also holds the distinction of being one of the very first restaurants in LA to fully embrace natural and organic wines, delighting diners with their extensive list that pairs perfectly with their authentic old-school Thai cuisine.

Daughter’s Deli

8555 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Daughter’s Deli treats guests to a fast-casual dining experience with tons of breakfast options and Jewish deli classics including mo-tzo ball soup, chicken schnitzel sandwich, and sweet noodle kugel.

The top-rated casual sandwich destination comes from Trisha Langer, the granddaughter of Al and Jean Langer, the founders of Langer’s, widely considered one of the best Jewish delis in the country.

Boxwood at The London West Hollywood

1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood CA 90069

Indulge in creative, seasonal menus from award-winning Executive Chef Anthony Keene at Boxwood Restaurant at The London West Hollywood.

Diners at Boxwood are treated to an exceptional fine dining experience highlighted by fresh California produce in a relaxed setting surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views of Hollywood Hills. Chef Keene’s signature style creates a seamless blend between British favorites and vibrant California flavors, resulting in a one-of-a-kind culinary experience.

Tesse

8500 W. Sunset Blvd., Ste B, West Hollywood, CA 90069

For delicious French continental and Mediterranean cuisine made with the finest ingredients, you definitely can’t go wrong with Tesse. Featuring the dynamic cuisine of Chef Raphael Francois, Tesse offers a range of terrines, pates, and saucisses, together with Francois’ refined take on a variety of French classics.

Tesse’s expertly crafted dishes pairs incredibly with an extensive wine program featuring over 30 wines by the glass and a list of more than 3,000 selections. There’s also a craft cocktail program designed by Nick Meyer and Julian Cox, the duo behind many of LA’s most renowned bar programs.

Indulge in some retail therapy

Sunset Plaza with bolboards and cars

Shopping is one of the most enjoyable things to do on Sunset Strip as the thoroughfare is lined with a wide variety of boutiques, specialty stores, and shopping centers offering all sorts of merchandise.

Here are some of the unique retail establishments you can find on Sunset Strip:

Sunset Plaza

8623 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Nestled in the heart of Sunset Boulevard is Sunset Plaza, a vibrant upscale shopping destination boasting a terrific selection of retailers, cafés, and restaurants.

As the first commercial development on Sunset Strip, the shopping center has evolved throughout the years ever since it first opened in 1924, and is now one of the top retail destinations in West Hollywood.

Make sure you explore Sunset Plaza’s back parking lots, as some establishments (like longtime favorite Chin Chin) can be found there.

Book Soup

8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

Founded in 1975, Book Soup is a full-service bookstore featuring an expertly curated selection of books, film, music, autographed merchandise, and other unique gifts.

This historic landmark is LA’s largest independent bookstore, with shelves carrying over 60,000 titles. Book Soup also serves as a venue for more than 300 author signings and events every year, so make sure you check out the store’s calendar for a list of bestselling novelists and up-and-coming authors dropping by during your visit.

Mystery Pier Books

8826 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Mystery Pier Books offers an extraordinary selection of titles, including rare classic and modern first editions, many signed and inscribed by authors like Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Dickens, and Orwell.

In addition to their impressive range of first editions, their shelves also stock an assortment of antiquarian, children’s classics, mystery and detective fiction, and true crime titles.

Discover Sunset Strip’s famous rock ‘n roll bars

Sunset Strip is considered a “holy grail” for many music fans from all over the world. As such, one of the most popular things to do on Sunset Strip is visiting the live music venues that have helped this 1.5-mile stretch earn a spot in rock n’ roll history. A visit to Sunset Strip offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to walk in the footsteps of some of the biggest legends of rock ‘n roll.

Although a handful of its popular venues and rock star haunts have closed over the years, the historic ones still remain in operation. If you’d like to grab a drink at the very same bars Jim Morrison or Iggy Pop used to frequent or catch a performance at the same stages bands like Led Zeppelin or The Doors have played on, here’s a list of rock n’ roll hotspots to visit on Sunset Strip:

The Roxy Theatre

9009 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Roxy Theatre is an iconic music venue known by music lovers from all over the world. Open since 1973, The Roxy has served as a launching pad for countless aspiring artists and a beloved home for many established names in the industry.

The Roxy is also home to On The Rox, a private membership-only lounge on the theatre’s second level. Originally planned as a personal hangout for the owners and their friends, the lounge quickly became a private clubhouse back in the day for VIPs like John Lennon, Robert De Niro, Neil Young, and Alice Cooper, just to name a few. Today, On The Rox continues to be an invitation-only space for guests looking to experience an intimate evening with some of LA’s up-and-coming acts.

For a list of upcoming shows at The Roxy, head to this page.

Whisky a Go Go

8901 W Sunset Blvd at N San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles

The famous Whisky a Go Go is one of the cornerstones of the Los Angeles rock scene. Opened in 1964, the venue has hosted many of the biggest names in rock n’ roll, including Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Metallica, Kiss, and Van Halen.

If you’re a rock aficionado, a visit to Whisky a Go Go is a definite must – the venue is as rock ‘n roll as they come.

The Rainbow Bar and Grill

9015 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opened in 1972, The Rainbow Bar and Grill is a somewhat odd venue that operates as a restaurant, bar, and grocery all rolled into one. During its heyday, it was a favorite spot for icons such as John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, and Harry Nilsson, and was visited by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Vincente Minelli, and Judy Garland.

The Rainbow’s most famous regular, however, was Motorhead founder and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, who frequented the establishment during the last two decades of his life, and was often seen playing the video poker machine at the end of the bar. A life-size bronze statue honoring the late Motorhead frontman was unveiled at the bar in 2016.

The Rainbow Bar and Grill is open Mondays to Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends starting 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday evenings are a great time to visit, as the bar often hosts jam nights or comedy performances during that day.

The Viper Room

8852 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Since it opened in 1986, The Viper Room has hosted a stellar lineup of artists and bands the likes of Johnny Cash, Stone Temple Pilots, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Iggy Pop, Pearl Jam, Oasis, and Weezer.

Partly owned by Johnny Depp back when it opened, the club is infamous for being the site where River Phoenix died from an overdose in 1993. Ownership has changed several times since then, and while that tragic incident will forever be part of The Viper Room’s history, the club is now a respectable establishment that has distanced itself from its former reputation as a venue for hard partying.

These are just some of the many exciting places to visit and things to do on the Sunset Strip

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