Photo: @everlyhollywood

Though located in the heart of sunny Los Angeles, Hollywood and West Hollywood are a world apart from the each other, and are beasts of an entirely different species than the rest of this sprawling city.

What Hollywood offers goes far deeper than the Walk of Fame, celeb sightings, and the eternally iconic Hollywood sign. And the same goes for West Hollywood. At the surface, both spots in L.A. have a great deal that allures nearly 50 million annual travelers from all over the world. But dig a bit deeper and you’ll find yourself experiencing vastly different cities that you are guaranteed to love.

By straying from the tourist traps that we’ve all been sucked into more times than we’d like to admit (in all honesty, one trip to the Walk of Fame is more than enough), and instead tapping into the rich culture each of these areas offers, you will wonder why you ever wasted time doing anything else.

Hollywood

Photo: @everlyhollywood

Set at the base of the Hollywood Hills, (featuring a handful of rooms that boast views of the Hollywood sign), The Everly is the ideal place to serve as your homebase during your L.A. stay. The hotel has perfectly channeled the SoCal laidback lifestyle -- chill with the right amount of sophistication mixed in.

Here you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the area in a hotel that is the epitome of Hollywood cool. And the common spaces here at The Everly are nothing short of heavenly. The eclectic collection of vintage and modern furniture and art make the first floor’s main common space a hangout that rivals some of the top spots in the city.

Photo: @everlyhollywood

And don’t even get us started on the hotel’s Conservatory. The contrast of steel and glass, coupled with the plush, navy blue, silky soft mohair banquette make this the ultimate place to bask for hours while cooly sipping on cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, Ever Bar sits right in the middle of all of the above, leaving you wondering what more you could possibly need in a hotel.

Elevated bar experiences are a priority amongst all Kimpton properties, and Ever Bar is certainly no exception. The bar program at this hotel presents to guests everything from the perfectly crafted classic Old Fashioned to new favorites such as the Beets Thyme and Life.

Lead bartender Dan Rook hails from Chicago and brought with him to The Everly some serious bartending skills that ensure every drink that makes its way from the bartender’s hands to yours is of the highest quality and finest taste.

Photo: @everlyhollywood

For breakfast and lunch we suggest walking downstairs to the street level of the hotel where the bright natural light alone will start your day off on the right foot.

The Everly’s Jane Q restaurant and coffee bar serves up eats that are part of the slow food movement, full of locally-sourced ingredients and Cali favorites, such as avocado toast. Open to both guests and local Angelinos, Jane Q is a hoppin’ place to grab a bite before adventuring out into the city.

Photo: @maaaaaaaaadi

Our favorite daytime adventure to embark on in Hollywood is a hike in Griffith Park. Though a hot spot for travelers and locals for years, Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory have spiked in popularity thanks to everyone’s favorite modern musical, La La Land.

See in real life where Sebastian and Mia sang and danced amongst the stars (with the help of some serious green screen work), and hike around the numerous trails of Griffith Park. One of those trails will eventually take you to the Hollywood Sign, though we don’t recommend doing that unless you’ve got hours to burn, loads of sunscreen, and some serious snacks packed.

Instead, opt for one of the shorter hikes guided by Bikes and Hikes L.A. This fun and informative trek will take you through the highlights of the area, with some history and facts that you definitely won’t find in your travel guide.

Photo: @catherinatang

Post-hike, when you’ve worked up an appetite for a seriously good dinner, Providence will be the answer to every foodie dream you’ve ever had. With multiple James Beard nominations under its belt, two Michelin stars, and known by highly trusted foodies to be in the top 5 restaurants in all of Los Angeles, you will be blown away with your experience here.

Start at the bar with a Muay Thai that will seriously rock your world -- even more so when you find out that it’s been crafted sustainably with leftovers from the kitchen. The bartenders at Providence are true craftsmen -- taking unused ingredients for the kitchen and infusing them into cocktails that will leave you begging for more.

And when it’s time to sit down and dine, be sure you give yourself at least a couple of hours to soak up the experience. Every plate of food that comes to your table at Providence will be the best you’ve ever had, and your taste buds will become more and more elevated with each bite. Say “sayonara” to appreciation for any food that’s not at this level of quality from here on out. We wish you luck in returning to your ramen routine post-Providence.

West Hollywood

Photo: @visitweho

Just a short (well, short by L.A. standards) car ride away you’ll find West Hollywood. Though it shares part of its name with Hollywood, the vibe over here is completely different.

And the best place to feel that WeHo vibe in its prime is at La Peer. Also a Kimpton property, you’ll notice immediately the differences between this and other properties in the Kimpton portfolio.

As the first hotel in the famed Design District of West Hollywood, La Peer pulled inspiration from its eclectic neighboring art galleries, architecture studios, and high-fashion shops. And the hotel absolutely killed it with its decor. Renowned Icelandic designer Gulla Jonsdottir headed the decor of La Peer, and took the concept of “drool worthy” to unfathomable heights.

Modern, yet classic; cool, yet warm. General manager Nick Rimedio described La Peer perfectly: it is all about “unbuttoned luxury;” the luxury sans the stuffiness that we aspire for, and can actually attain.

With 105 guest rooms and suites with bathtubs to die for, every corner of every space in La Peer is curated to bring guests an extravagant urban WeHo getaway.

Photo: @wehodesigndistrict

To get the lay of the land in WeHo, we highly recommend taking a walking tour of the Design District. Here you will find the fashion houses of your dreams, along with high-end showrooms and galleries that will make your jaw drop, including our favorite, LECLAIREUR. This brand was founded in 1980 “as a meeting point between fashion, design, art and lifestyle with the will to build bridges between cultures and enrich the creative dialogue.” And they have done just that, with great success.

Peruse this store and the numerous fabulous others along the streets of the Design District for the ultimate inspiration to get your creative mind moving, and to get a taste of the true West Hollywood life.

One thing is for sure: we certainly are not in Scottsdale anymore.

Photo: @vialedeiromani

All that shopping will surely make you hungry, and you’ve got a fantastic option right at your fingertips at La Peer -- Viale Dei Romani. Handmade pastas, tasty wine, and Italian crudo are at the heart of this inviting restaurant where the culinary history of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Moorish influence on European’s southern coast come to life.

Finish the night with a cocktail at the hotel’s stunning outdoor bar, then head up to your room for a custom bath ritual. Choose from bath bombs, body butter, and body polish, as well as champagne and rose petals for the most idyllic nightcap.  

Photo: @visitweho

After a wonderful night’s sleep in your over-the-top comfortable bed, you’ll want to head to La Peer’s rooftop for a Yoga Wake Up. L.A. yogi Lindsey Valdez, partnered with the “Yoga Wake Up” app, will take you through a beautiful morning rooftop yoga sequence with views of WeHo that will have you calling down to the front desk to extend your stay.

And what better place for a post-yoga meal than L.A. favorite, Gracias Madre? Featuring CBD-infused cocktails and locally-sourced, healthy Mexican eats including Tempe Chorizo Tortas and much more, you’ll feel so WeHo while dining here.

Plus, chances are good you’ll get in a celeb sighting or two, and we won’t judge you for getting excited about that.

So next time you’re craving a trip north to La La Land, venture to Hollywood and West Hollywood for an elevated L.A. experience that will take you on the optimal food, arts, culture, fashion, and fun tour that you never knew existed.

To book your stay at The Everly: www.everlyhotelhollywood.com

To book your stay at La Peer: www.lapeerhotel.com